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Good News for Nevada Trails!

The signing of Assembly Bill 84 (Summer 2019) by Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak was a turning-point for both walking and biking trails in the state of Nevada—with up to $217 million in bonds approved for conservation and wildlife management. The bill will provide unprecedented funding opportunities for marquee projects, including fledgling Historic Virginia and Truckee Trail, a 50–60-mile trail project that’s poised to take advantage of the historic legislation.

While this Assembly Bill 84 has the potential to help with the development of many “local trails” that are of historic or environmental importance, one of the BIGGEST POTENTIAL BENEFITS is the “linking” of several trail systems. The vision for the “connecting trail systems” is expressed by the good folks at Carson City-based “Muscle Powered” organization who are working on the Historic Virginia and Truckee Trail (fondly referred to as the V&T) in this quote:

Once complete, the rail-trail will also link together a handful of regionally and nationally significant trails such as the 1,800-mile Pony Express Trail, the 6,800-miles-plus American Discovery Trail and the 114-mile Tahoe Pyramid Trail. Through connections to those trails and others in Carson City and Douglas and Washoe counties, travelers can also reach the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail and the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail.

Summary: The Big Picture Benefits of Nevada Assembly Bill 84

  • Assembly Bill 84 opens up many unique opportunities for historical and cultural preservation, and considerable economic growth (visitors and locals alike).
  • Additionally, the bill could result in many environmental benefits and open up a multitude of recreational activities for tourists and citizens alike
  • $57.5 million for a statewide competitive grant program that can be used for the design and construction of hiking, equestrian and bicycle trails
  • $5 million for the preservation and rehabilitation of Nevada sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places

The state of Nevada is currently working on drafting the regulations necessary for applicants to qualify for this funding.
For more information, go to the Nevada Legislature website.

We want to thank the Carson City group “Muscle Powered” who are building a community where walking and biking, for transportation or recreation, are a way of life. They focus on efforts that promote and create a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly infrastructure through maintaining and developing trails and other resources in support of that vision. You can learn more at https://musclepowered.org/ (You can also read the full article here on the Rails-To-Trails website)

Featured image: Historic Virginia and Truckee Trail | Photo by Larry Marinel, courtesy Muscle Powered