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The Guthrie County board of supervisors voted 4-1 Thursday to have volunteer Rachel Garst of Creating Great Places, Coon Rapids, apply in the county's name for federal earmarks to finance planning and design of a recreation trail across the northern part of the county.
Approving the proposal to connect the existing Raccoon River Valley Trail with Whiterock Conservancy, via a 17.5 mile trail extension running from Herndon through Bagley and Bayard to Coon Rapids were Jerry Caraher, Larry Laughery, Jim Petersen and Kevin Wirt. Mike Dickson cast the dissenting vote.
No monetary commitment is required of the county to begin the fund raising process. However, the Guthrie County Conservation Board and the supervisors ultimately would be required to maintain a trail extension.
Garst and a number of supporters Thursday appeared before the supervisors for the second time last week as earmark requests to U.S. Senators Charles Grassley and Tom Harkin were due Friday.
A group known as Shipper's Consortium owns 7.2 miles and 87 acres along the proposed route and is willing to donate it for the project. The land is valued at $5,700 an acre for a total of $495,900.
This land can be pledged toward matching funds for earmarks. Initially, Garst is seeking $500,000 and will use $125,000 of the land value as a 25 percent match. She indicated if the money is received it would be almost enough to secure most of the right-of-way or start more detailed engineering design.
In addition to earmarks from Iowa Senators, Garst indicated more federal funds may be available this year through Federal Highway Authorization which is allotted every five years.
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©Guthrie Center Times 2013
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