NY Government for improved natural/recreational facilities. “DEC: Rail line should be deemed “interim trail”.

"Railbanking" "interim trail" NY Department of Environmental Conservation works to improve its recreational and natural infrastructure. Turning an unused rail line to trail. FLorida has an extensive Rails to Trails program.

The "DEC" refers to the state of New York Department of Environmental Conservation. I am promoting an interesting read from an upstate NY Media source. DEC: Rail line should be deemed 'interim trail' by Don Lehman, the Post Start. How things differ from NY to Florida. I would love to research why in NY it appears that unused rail lines can be declared "abandoned" and turned to a usable trail, even if 'interim", yet Florida grants rail easements that results in extensive property rights, costing significant dollars plus density development when the Florida rail lines are equally 'abandoned'. NY is obviously a more environmentally friendly State than Florida.

It appears that NY has a process that allows for use agreements between the DEC and railroads which  allows the railroads to avoid substantial maintenance and liability costs while permitting DEC to coordinate with concerned municipalities and other stakeholders to ensure the line benefits the region in the future. Nice. It appears to be a win/win.

Prior RELATED POSTS:
February 6, 2016, Dunedin to Tarpon Springs 1 30 16 - Riding the Pinellas Trail
and
July 29, 2015, The Warren County Bike Trail - I contend that this is a model for the Ludlum Trail

15 story Power Lines for US1, our main street? Its time to reengage.

The threat of humongous power lines are back!  Get ready. Get engaged. This is not the time to merely say it's bad, now is the time to be decisive and formulate a united plan with our South Miami-Dade neighbors.

11:30 AM update - You ask, I respond. I am posting 2 photos demonstrating what I am told is the actual route. It appears that Cutler Bay will be spared, until Cutler Bay's commuters reach North Palmetto Bay.

It appears that the proposed power lines come into/adjacent to Palmetto Bay at US1 at the canal just South of the Colonial Palms Shopping Center, south of 136th Street, and then turn North up along US1.

Will the current Palmetto Bay Village Council be one of advocacy, to protect our quality of life or submission in order to avoid controversy in order to protect their own political positions? 

See Miami Miami Herald, Jan. 18, 2019, 15-story FPL power lines would be a jolt to the Underline, neighborhoods, businesses, by Linda Robertson:

Florida Power & Light is not giving up on its determination to string about 27 miles of line atop towers standing 9 to 15 stories tall despite a 2016 Florida appeals court decision that rejected the proposal, ruling that Gov. Rick Scott and his Cabinet erred in approving construction and ignored local zoning rules. FPL went back to the Cabinet — acting as the state Power Plant Siting Board — on Nov. 30 and has again received the go-ahead to erect a 230-kilovolt line along U.S. 1 from Cutler Bay to Coconut Grove. FPL said it needs to increase the capacity of its existing network to provide reliable future service. The city of South Miami, which straddles U.S. 1, will fight FPL, as it and other cities have for a decade, and hopes to win again, Mayor Philip Stoddard said. “The siting board rubber-stamped FPL’s wish list like it did previously, so that’s no surprise,” said Stoddard, vowing to appeal. “Making our cities look like an industrial zone hurts property values. People don’t like giant electrical poles. It’s not just a question of aesthetics. It’s a question of money.”

Photo credit - Miami Herald

While Mayor of Palmetto Bay (in 2010), I sponsored resolution 2010-32, waaaaaay back on April 12, 2010 which, in part voiced opposition to the siting transmission power lines down U.S. Highway 1; opposing the proposed routes along U.S.Highway One and was part of the actual opposition to the power line plan.  

Palmetto Bay joined in league with Coral Gables, South Miami and Pinecrest (to name some of of the co-plaintiffs). Palmetto Bay was once part of the legal coalition until the subsequent administration cut and run, leaving the court action to Pinecrest and South Miami to win – and win they did - and South Dade residents were protected - for a while.  

Now FPL is back, and only Mayor Philip Stoddard of South Miami remains in office to join this issue once again.  Current leadership of Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay should follow his lead and join into a united front to protect our communities. 

see prior posts, including May 13, 2014, Decision day in Tallahassee. Herald reports: In face of local opposition, FPL seeks Cabinet OK for transmission lines

TALLAHASSEE: In face of local opposition, FPL seeks Cabinet OK for transmission lines - Political Currents - MiamiHerald.com

The leadership of Pinecrest and South Miami have taken the lead on this issue of neighborhood protection. The Miami Herald reports that these power lines are projected to run from Cutler Bay through Pinecrest, South Miami and Coral Gables to a substation in Coconut Grove. The towers would be built alongside Metrorail and down U.S. 1, past Cadillac show rooms, Porsche dealers, retail malls and through miles of concentrated development.

Also see: October 21, 2013, A fine example of teamwork and leadership. Coral Gables mayor, attorney talk with state pols about FPL lines - Coral Gables - MiamiHerald.com

This is time for definitive action, not talk.

Another background post, July 8, 2013, FPL Transmission Line Administrative Hearing begin today (After 4 years of preparation) - and without Palmetto Bay

Get to Know Your County Commissioner - Daniella Levine Cava, District 8. Biking #TheBikeDistrict

I was honored to appear on "Get to Know Your Commissioner" with Jeanette Perez with our District 8 Commissioner, Daniella Levine Cava, to discuss bicycling in our community.  CLICK HERE to view some of my past blog posts relating to bicycling/bike commuting.

I look forward to promoting future discussions about realizing "bicycle tourism" for our area (there will be more to follow in later posts).

Bicycling is many things to many people, but it is often described as the 'new golf' in hobby popularity* as well as the main means of transportation for others (just look at how many County buses have bikes on their front bike racks)- biking is green and healthy transportation; competitive and recreational exercise and is just a plain and healthy way to spend time with friends and/or family and view Palmetto Bay and surrounding areas - our Palmetto Bay as well as what is becoming known, under Commissioner Levine Cava's leadership, as "#TheBikeDistrict."

Palmetto Bay is a municipal partner of Miami-Dade County Bike305, and this will continue under my leadership. I will continue to support and work with groups such as the Green Mobility Network. Thank you again for the wonderful bike valets that the volunteers of the Green Mobility Network staff at events too numerous to list fully, but include Palmetto Bay's picnic, Deering Seafood and many events at Fairchild.

Let's all continue to work together and make biking even more accessible, more fun and most of all, safer for all involved. There are many exciting bicycling events and future plans that will be unfolding in the near future (later in 2015 and well into 2016). Keep an eye out.

I am a big supporter of biking.  So look to future posts regarding a great Wheels Events slated for November 11 - 15 as well as discussion of the exciting Underline project - an idea discussed and a route taken in part during our last Miami-Dade County "Bike To Work Day." Oh and yes, and Palmetto Bay will have a "Bike to School" event as part of National Bike Month in 2016.

All because, are you ready for it? ... this is how we roll!

Thank you again commissioner!

* See Business Insider, Feb 20, 2015, "Millionaire entrepreneur explains why cycling — and not golf — is the new sport of choice for young professionals" by Daniel McMahon