Purpose

Provide funding and authorization to extend the Root River State Trail as a multimodal shared-use trail from La Crescent through Hokah to Houston. The goal is to create a continuous recreational and non-motorized transportation corridor along the Root River area, following the river corridor and notable byways.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation: $4,750,000 from the bond proceeds fund to the Department of Natural Resources for the acquisition of property and easements, plus predesign, design, environmental review, permitting, and preliminary engineering for the trail extension.
• Route and land use: The trail will run along the Root River corridor, the Historic Bluff Country National Scenic Byway, and cross where needed the Root River along Highway 16, using an abandoned rail bed and adjacent county roads (County Trunk Highway 7 and 25). It may pass through existing DNR lands, state lands, and public or private lands without requiring eminent domain to keep the route continuous for about 18 miles.
• Phase 1: This appropriation funds Phase 1 of the project.
• Future work: If any funds remain after Phase 1, they may be used for final engineering and construction of the bike trail.

Funding and Financial Mechanism

• Bonding: The Commissioner of Management and Budget must issue bonds for up to $4,750,000 to fund the appropriation.
• Legal framework: Bond issuance and administration must follow Minnesota law, including specific statutory provisions (16A.631 to 16A.675) and constitutional authority (Article XI, sections 4–7).

Route, Access, and Land Considerations

• Corridor and crossings: The project follows the Root River corridor, the Bluff Country National Scenic Byway, and crosses Root River as needed.
• Rail bed and corridors: Uses the abandoned rail bed and connects with County Trunk Highways 7 and 25.
• Land access: May utilize existing DNR lands, state lands, and public or private lands; eminent domain is not required for continuous routing.

Significance and Potential Impacts

• Recreation and transportation: Expands opportunities for biking, walking, and other non-motorized travel, potentially boosting tourism and local recreation.
• Environmental review: Includes environmental review and permitting to assess impacts and comply with applicable protections.
• Long-term project scope: Establishes Phase 1 with potential for additional phases (final engineering and construction) if funds remain.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a new capital investment project and bond financing to extend a state trail, with explicit permission to acquire property/easements and route through various land types without eminent domain for continuity of the trail.

Relevant Terms - multimodal shared-use trail - Root River - La Crescent - Hokah - Houston - Root River State Trail extension - Historic Bluff Country National Scenic Byway - Trunk Highway 16 - abandoned rail bed - County Trunk Highway 7 - County Trunk Highway 25 - acquisition of property and easements - predesign, design, environmental review, permitting, preliminary engineering - Phase 1 - bond proceeds fund - management and budget - bonds - Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution Article XI, sections 4–7 - eminent domain - Department of Natural Resources (DNR)