The West Virginia Senate has passed a bill, Senate Bill 196, that would expand state authority to acquire railroad rights-of-way and land for trail programs. SB 196 would allow the state to acquire interest in any active or inactive railroad right-of-way, and landowner opponents of planned nonmotorized Elk River Trail development in Clay County fear the bill is designed to circumvent their claims of right-of-way ownership.
The West Virginia Senate approved a bill, Senate Bill 426, that would require the state Department of Transportation to come up with a recreational trail development plan. The Senate approved SB 426 unanimously but paused another bill, Senate Bill 196, that would expand state authority to acquire railroad rights-of-way and land for trail programs.
A West Virginia Senate panel approved a bill, Senate Bill 196, that would expand state authority to acquire railroad rights-of-way and land for trail programs. Lawmakers removed a provision that would have asserted eminent domain power, but Clay County landowner opponents of Elk River Trail development near their properties are still wary of the bill.