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Motion of the Council of Allegheny County supporting both the 175 miles of existing trail and the completion of 95 miles of additional trails in the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail corridor in order to achieve the 270 mile vision of the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail Alliance, and encouraging our neighboring counties to do the same.
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WHEREAS, a connected system of multi-purpose trails has been proposed linking Erie and Pittsburgh through Erie, Crawford, Venango, Clarion, Armstrong, Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties in Pennsylvania; and Chautauqua County in New York; and
WHEREAS, the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail Alliance is an alliance of non-profit organizations, local municipalities, supporters, and advocates affiliated with the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail corridor, and its members are leading the charge to complete missing segments of the trail corridor with a vision of a system of non-motorized, multi-use trails and local connectors linking Erie to Pittsburgh through the experience of small towns, rural landscapes, historic sites, and cultural areas, tied to regional trails and beyond; and
WHEREAS, the completed trail system is identified as a priority goal of the Northwest Pennsylvania Greenways Plan, compiled by the Northwest Commission, and is identified as a Major Greenway focal area with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; and
WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and other agencies have committed to complete non-motorized options for transportation and recreation; and
WHEREAS, completing this trail network is considered a significant opportunity for developing a regional destination asset; and
WHEREAS, to meet this goal, 95 new miles of trails need to be completed to reach the alignment’s proposed 270 miles; and
WHEREAS, the trails linking Erie and Pittsburgh, by offering both residents and tourists access to natural, cultural, and historical sites, will bring health and economic benefits to counties, municipalities, and businesses in the region including revenues to local economies, healthcare savings, and enhanced real estate values; and
WHEREAS, Allegheny County is one of 7 counties in Pennsylvania in the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail corridor; and
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS MOVED THAT THE COUNCIL OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Hereby supports the 175 miles of existing trail and completing 95 miles of trails in the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail corridor in order to achieve the 270 mile vision of the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail Alliance and encourages our neighboring Counties to do the same.
IT IS FURTHER MOVED THAT
That certified copies of this Motion shall be forwarded to the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail Alliance, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.