MALONE — Franklin County leaders are making changes to a proposed ambitious and controversial multi-use trail system that would span the county.
Chief concerns focus on where exactly the trail will go and what types of vehicles will be allowed to use it.
“We’ve heard the concerns of our residents and are actively making adjustments to the proposed trail system based on the feedback received,” Franklin County Director of Economic Development and Tourism Phil Hans said.
“It’s clear that certain areas in the southeastern part of the county, especially those within the (Adirondack) Park, do not support ORV (off-road vehicle) use. We value this input and are revising the trail system accordingly.”
500-MILE TRAIL
The trail’s purpose is to drive the local economy and get people outdoors to enjoy themselves, county officials said.
The 500-mile snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding and cross-country ski trail would start in Harrietstown, loop around the county, and end at Constable, with several forks off the main path. The trail would require easements through private and public land.
Hans said the trail is “the most significant outdoor recreation project,” the county has ever attempted.
The county is making alterations to the plan for the multi-use trail after a comment period, which ended in July with about 100 responses to the draft scoping documents.
In the public comments, some residents were opposed to use of off-road vehicles, while others didn’t want the trail passing through their properties. However, the maps released so far are not detailed enough to determine the specific lands the trail would cross.
Hans said removal of ORV routes in these areas will be reflected in updated maps for the trail. The new maps will also feature enhanced clarity and detailed coding to clearly depict the allowable uses of each section of the trail, he said.
“The public comment process has worked as intended, soliciting input from residents to guide changes,” he said.
“We are grateful to everyone who took the time to review the proposal and share their thoughtful comments.”
Franklin County plans to hold a public forum at county offices in Malone once the updated maps and revisions are complete, Hans said. The date for the forum will be announced later.
The County Legislature allocated about $400,000 in county occupancy-tax revenue to design the trail and hired consultants Barton and Loguidice, a regional engineering firm with a Plattsburgh office, to work on the trail network.
The planned public forum will be in addition to the public hearing required by the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), also to be scheduled later. The SEQRA should be completed by January 2025, Barton and Loguidice Senior Project Manager John Condino said.
The county also hired law firm Pease and Gustafson of Massena at $200 an hour to work on any legal issues associated with the trail, such as land-use agreements required to use private property.
Franklin County Legislature Chairman Edward Lockwood (R-Malone) said the county is revising the proposed trail system to better align with community concerns.
“I want to extend my gratitude to all community members who shared their thoughts and ideas on the proposed trail system,” he said by email.
“Your voices have been heard, and our tourism office is committed to ensuring the trail system reflects your input.”
The towns of Franklin and Brighton have passed resolutions against the trail until more information is released.
The county has promised to release better maps before the public forum.