MN SF4489

$4,750,000 appropriated from bond proceeds to the Commissioner of Natural Resources for Phase 1 of the Root River State Trail extension

Funds cover property and easement acquisition, predesign, design, environmental review, permitting, and preliminary engineering for approximately 18 miles of multimodal shared-use trail

Trail connects La Crescent to Hokah and Houston, following the Root River corridor, Historic Bluff Country National Scenic Byway, abandoned rail bed, and county trunk highways

Eminent domain prohibited; trail routing limited to existing DNR lands, state lands and easements, and willing public/private landowners

Unspent Phase 1 funds may be redirected to final engineering and construction after written notice to the Commissioner of Management and Budget