I ask you to NOT support this rail corridor trail proposal. There are the obvious reasons to not proceed with a high traffic trail route at the expense of a potential passenger rail line. I'll point to several, but the "Stop the Casco Bay Trail" Website (at stopcascobaytrail.com) outlines many more.

I don't think you'll find a similar trail that hasn't generated a significant increase in unlawful camp sites, property damage, and physical assaults. Who will patrol and who will respond to folks abusing private property. If this is to be state-property...where does that liability lie, what are our protections? There is no public access in much of the corridor; how will police or rescue units respond? Recently Portland Trails said it's discouraging people from using part of the Presumpscot River Trail. There have been documented incidents of violence and injury to people.

The Trail Alliance claims the trail will reduce the use of vehicles; this RECREATIONAL trail would increase vehicle emissions. The Rail Use Advisory Council process that investigated the trail use was flawed. The membership of the council was loaded with special interest groups. There was no input from personal property owners from any of the towns affected by this trail. Well-organized and well-funded proponents of the project have abused the public engagement process, and have pushed this project through before property owners have been notified about what is going on. This is nothing short of a vaguely disguised land grab by special interest groups.

This railway was purchased during the Baldacci Administration. The line from Portland to Lewiston Auburn is one of the most important in our state. Governor Baldacci knew the value of this railway. This current proposal would remove the railway forever; it would not be an "interim" use. History tells us that once the tracks are pulled, they almost never get replaced. Once torn up the line will be legally-defined as abandoned. Per court decisions, an abandoned line will revert to abutting property owners. This attempted conversion will result in a massive class-action law suit and eliminate the potential for any future rail OR trail activity.

Passenger rail traffic is increasing. Amtrak has set records this year for both ridership and revenue levels. They expect to double ridership nationwide by 2040, with a strong focus on the East Coast. Boston is now looking at an $8 billion rail plan that would benefit Maine. This plan would link North and South Stations and finally connect Maine to the rest of the country through one rail line. Maine has pledged to reduce its transportation emissions significantly. Clean fast electrified rail will transform the region and remove tens of thousands of cars from the roads. The line between Portland and Auburn is part of America’s first International rail line. The railway connects Portland to Montreal. This can be the start of future expansion north to Montreal, but we need to preserve this rail-line to accomplish that. Rail proponents have identified the federal dollars to accomplish how we can convert this line to electrified passenger rail in 2 to 3 years and run 20 trips per day between Maine's largest metro areas.

New rail-line usage offers a vision for our economic and environmental future. While other transportation sectors have been slow to electrify, 75% of all passenger rail transportation takes place on clean electric trains.

It's common sense.  Don't rip up our railroads for recreational trails.

Sent October 8, 2024