TrailBlog Legal Issues

Trail Geek Terminology (A Cheat-Sheet to Satisfy Your Inner Wonk)

Posted 01/29/18 by Amy Kapp in Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with Corridors and Railbanking, Design Strategies, Facts and FIgures, Federal, Government Agencies, History Happened Here, Legal Issues, Mode Shift, TrailsTransform, Walkability and Bikeability

RTC's put together this little trail-geek cheat sheet so that we can all bone up on our trail and active-transportation policy speak.

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Great Shasta Rail Trail | Photo by Christina Schmidlin with Hellikon, courtesy Great Shasta Rail Trail Association

A View From … The National Trails System

Posted 01/03/18 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Best Of, California, Connected Systems, Demand for Trails, Ecology and Environment, Encouraging Trail Use, Federal, History Happened Here, Legal Issues, Maryland, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Success Stories, Tourism , Trail Destinations, Trails of the World, Virginia, Walkability and Bikeability, Washington, Wild and Wonderful, Wisconsin

In 2018, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act, which provided an incredible legacy for all Americans. Five of these iconic American experiences are listed below along with rail-trails that weave in and around them.

What the Marvin M. Brandt Case Means for America’s Rail-Trails

Posted 03/17/14 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Legal Issues, Threats to Trail Building, Wyoming

On March 10, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in the case of Marvin M. Brandt Revocable Trust et al. v. United States. The issue in this case was whether the federal government retains an interest in railroad rights-of-way that were created by the federal General Railroad Right-of-Way Act of 1875, after the cessation of railroad activity on the corridor.

The Supreme Court Decision: How Does It Affect Rail-Trails?

Posted 03/11/14 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Legal Issues, Threats to Trail Building, Wyoming

On March 10, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision in the case involving a rail corridor formerly on federal land that is now privately owned (Marvin M. Brandt Revocable Trust et al. v. United States).

Supreme Court Hands Down Disappointing Decision for Trails in U.S.

Posted 03/10/14 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Legal Issues, Threats to Trail Building, Wyoming

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Official Statement on March 2014 Supreme Court Ruling: Today’s Supreme Court ruling is disappointing news for Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, rail-trail advocates and trail users around the country.

Supreme Court: How Will Justices Rule on Rail-Trails?

Posted 01/22/14 by Kevin Mills in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Legal Issues, Threats to Trail Building, Wyoming

The case of Marvin M. Brandt Revocable Trust et al., v. United States is likely to have lasting implications for the development of rail-trails on federally-granted rights-of-way, but as we await a decision from the highest court in the land, a prediction about the court's direction is as hard to offer now as before.

Today's Arguments in Supreme Court a Pivotal Moment for Rail-Trails

Posted 01/14/14 by Mary O'Connor in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Legal Issues, Threats to Trail Building, Wyoming

I just returned from the United States Supreme Court where I witnessed oral arguments in a case that could forever change the course of the American rail-trail movement.

From the Courtroom to the Cowboy Trail, Chuck Montange Builds First Blocks of the Rail-Trail Movement

Posted 11/08/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Taking Action | Tagged with Champions, Corridors and Railbanking, Legal Issues, RTC in Action

Few have been as vital to the enduring success of the rail-trail movement nationwide as Charles "Chuck" Montange.

Court Win Preserves Medicine Bow Rail Corridor in Wyoming

Posted 09/13/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Legal Issues, Threats to Trail Building, Wyoming

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) this week earned a significant win against ongoing litigation threats to preserving America's inactive rail corridors for public use.

RTC's Andrea Ferster Elected Next President of the D.C. Bar

Posted 06/15/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Taking Action | Tagged with Legal Issues, RTC in Action

A huge round of applause for Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's (RTC) long-time General Counsel Andrea Ferster, who has been elected by her peers as the president-elect of the D.C. Bar!

High Hopes for the Harsimus Embankment

Posted 09/12/11 by Jake Lynch in Building Trails | Tagged with Heritage and Restoration, Legal Issues, New Jersey, RTC in Action

Standing next to the towering walls of century-old brownstone, looking up at the mist of sunlight pouring through wild foliage above, the vision for what the Harsimus Embankment could one day become forms easily.

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