Recent writings in the Monitor imply the Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail is out to destroy the environment in our region. As a contributor and donor of easements to the trail I respectfully disagree. This trail group has been conscientiously studying each parcel along the proposed corridor and working with landowners and authorities to create safe beautiful walk/bike routes and reduce pollution while meeting needs of its neighbors of all species. Alongside this research, the Friends of CLSRT have advocated for and conserved several key properties that were previously not being protected by local commissions. I myself donated a trail easement on riverfront property that would have been otherwise developed during the pandemic and sold that property (at a personal loss) to the Warner Village Water District to help them avoid dumping treated human waste into the river.
Now a loud few want to bypass due diligence processes and focus on hate and scare tactics to stop the trail’s progress. I urge anyone who can vote on this issue to vote NO on the citizens petition in Warner and let the trail follow the stringent process already in place to obtain a balanced review from engineers and experts, with time for discourse and public input, rather than forcing an agenda that won’t allow discussion of plans and constructively adjusting to any learnings. Three minutes at town meeting is not the forum to understand more than a decade of thoughtful progress from a team who cares deeply about the environment.
Kristen Riley
Warner