Eastern Trail

SHARING THE CORRIDOR:  
UTILITY COMPANIES AND THE EASTERN TRAIL ALLIANCE AS STRONG PARTNERS 

The proposed Eastern Trail represents an excellent opportunity for a strong alliance between trail advocates and utility companies.  For many years the former Eastern Railroad corridor has been used by various utility companies, including:

• Granite State Gas Transmission Company (a subsidiary of NiSource, Inc.)

• Northern Utilities Natural Gas  (also a subsidiary of NiSource, Inc.)

• Central Maine Power

• Verizon (note: Verizon donated land on the Eastern Trail corridor to the ETA in March 2001- click here for more information)

• Biddeford & Saco Water Company (note: the ETA has a 1.7-mile easement with this utility)

• Scarborough Sanitation District

The Eastern Trail Alliance has been working with each of these partners to negotiate easements and other working agreements for the construction and operation of the Eastern Trail. We have agreements with two utilities, and we continue to work with the others and are hopeful to reach agreement there also.

Safety is a primary concern!  Click here for more information on gas line safety provided by Columbia Gas and Granite State Gas Transmission.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO THE UTILITY?

Partnerships on greenways like the Eastern Trail provide utility companies with an uninterrupted, easily accessible, stretch of land that is relatively free from disturbance. The safe and efficient operation of utilities can be enhanced by the protective eyes and ears of trail users and advocates, who can report improper trail use and other situations that involve utility equipment.

The Eastern Trail has the added benefit from having to work with only one maintenance group - the Eastern Trail Management District, which has been joined by all 12 towns along the corridor. Moreover, providing land or services to a trail corridor enhances public relations and contributes to positive relations between involved local communities and the utility companies.

WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF GOOD TRAILS WITH STRONG UTILITY PARTNERSHIPS?

One of the best examples of a Utility-Trail Alliance is the Columbia Trail in New Jersey. In the mid-1990's, the Columbia Gas Transmission Company constructed a gas line under the former railbed, then transferred surface rights to the Hunterdon County Parks Department for use as a recreational trail. Today, this trail spans seven miles as part of the Highlands Trail in northwestern New Jersey.

Another subsidiary of NiSource, Inc. that has a good track record of supporting trail development is Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO). NIPSCO has been recognized for its work with several trails in Indiana, including the Calumet Trail, and the Lackawanna Trail. Both trails follow a NIPSCO electric and gas right-of-way.

There are many informational resources on the Internet on Rail-Trails and Utility partnerships such as ours. Here are several key resources:

• Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has a Fact Sheet on Rail-trails and Utilities: How to Share Your Corridor with Other Uses 

• Article entitled "Going Wild: Environmental Stewardship in the Energy Industry"  
  by Catherine Barnett Alexander, cover article for American Gas Magazine, October 1, 1997.

An excellent printed resource, not available on the Internet (to our knowledge) is entitled "Greenways, wildlife and natural gas pipeline corridors: new partnerships for multiple use," by Keith G. Hay, published in 1994 by the Conservation Fund, Arlington, VA.  Not sure if this is still in print - check with the Conservation Fund.  The ETA has copies of this book and viewing and/or loan of the book can be arranged.

Some excerpts from the Greenways book:

• "Can [gas transmission companies] companies actually save money by developing and using environmental guidelines in the siting of new pipeline corridors?  Of the 70 companies surveyed, sixty-one percent of those having such guidelines indicated they resulted in company savings." (Chap. IV, Natural Gas Pipeline Rights-of-Way: Multiple Use Benefits, p. 52)

• Although 82% of the [gas transmission companies] companies reported that they had never had a liability suit filed by a recreational user of a ROW (right-of-way) corridor, concern over expensive lawsuits prevails. Each of the 13 companies that reported a liability suit were contacted to determine the nature of the liability action. In every lawsuit filed except one (a logging accident crossing a ROW), the plaintiff was driving either an ATV or a snowmobile on the ROW. All ATV drivers were trespassing." (Chap. II, Natural Gas Company Pipeline Wildlife/Recreation Policies and Practices, p. 30)

• Instead of being a threat or detriment to a landowner, trails and greenways near urban regions are increasingly recognized as an amenity that landowners and real estate professionals promote. In Minnesota, 61% of adjacent landowners surveyed along a trail noted and increase in their property value after the trail was established. (Findings, p. 71)

• Potential partnerships with public groups should be viewed very positively and companies should be prepared to do some grassroots legwork with these groups. Many companies have found such efforts have paid off in facilitating the issuance of permits and increasing public support for projects. Such initiatives are highly recommended. (Recommendations, p. 76)

• Potential public interest partners have well-developed avenues for publicizing their cooperative ventures with utilities. Companies would be well advised to take advantage of these opportunities to promote the positive aspects of these associations.  (Recommendations, p. 76)

Call us (207.284.9260) or e-mail the ETA office