As we enter the last week of January, the committee process is working well. There were 669 bills filed in the House, and 589 bills filed in the Senate. Perhaps a few less than is typical of the General Assembly, but still the bills represent plenty of work and discussion.
House Bill (HB) 1471 is a bill I filed to direct the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to develop a statewide recreational trail policy. In my opinion, the state needs an advisory document so trail operators, adjacent landowners, law enforcement, Emergency Medical Services and local government officials have clear direction about the governance of and along a trail.
My concerns come from actual occurrences along a trail that passes through District 23. I have received phone calls, comments and letters from advocates, opponents and adjacent landowners with legitimate concerns and questions. In most cases, the questions or concerns were very difficult to answer because no one had authority to provide an accurate answer.
This legislation directs the DNR to address issues concerning trail ownership and management, right-of-way inconsistencies and title disputes. The bill also includes law enforcement and emergency jurisdiction, as well as conflict resolution and appeal procedures. The bill requires the DNR to develop and present the policy, after using advice from interested groups, before Oct. 1, 2015. My hope is to participate in this process and have a product before the next legislative session.
Another transportation issue that I am concerned about in our community is the discussion surrounding U.S. Route 31. On many occasions, I have stated that the improvements to U.S. 31 must not come at the detriment of Marshall, Fulton and Miami County residents and the economy here. In the Peru Tribune on Wednesday, Jan. 21, there was an article written by Kevin Allen of the South Bend Tribune. The article extols the wishes of the U.S. 31 Coalition and presents their argument that U.S. 31 should be an interstate-quality highway – no stops, no slow-downs, nothing but smooth sailing for the residents of Northern Indiana. The goal, as stated by John Letherman, president of the U.S. 31 Coalition, is to set the cruise control in South Bend and not touch the brake until I-465. It seems that his group has not considered that the fragile economy of rural counties would be severely damaged. The group’s goal is to cut a few minutes off the trip from South Bend to Indianapolis. I think it is important that we not forget our rural area and consider how it fits into the bigger picture.
On multiple occasions, I have spoken to administrative officials informed about this issue. Their message is threefold, which they emphasized each time I spoke to them. First, U.S. 31 is not a priority for the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). There are many projects ahead of this one. Second, there is no engineering or planning on the INDOT shelf that demands work on this project. Third, there is no funding for the U.S. 31 proposal available. The U.S. 31 Coalition should consider this information and understand that one or two stop lights does not ruin a trip. In fact, it may provide a convenient break for coffee drinkers!
It is worth noting that I have requested a turn lane on north-bound U.S. 31 at Co. Rd. 200 N. and 400 N. in Miami County. The INDOT response was this: neither traffic count nor accident count, alone or combined, warrant turn lanes. My question for all: if the studies do not warrant turn lanes, why would they support a limited access highway? The short answer is they will not.
The four-lane improvements to U.S. 31 (Kokomo, Westfield and South Bend) are all new construction and should be limited access. However, the rural sections of U.S. 31 being discussed would not be replaced by new right-of-ways and construction. Instead, INDOT would simply cut off driveways to homes, farms and businesses by building fences. Frontage and access roads would need to be built to accommodate the affected citizens. Taking these actions would be unnecessary and very expensive, all the while impeding commerce in these rural areas. The rural portions of U.S. 31 should remain a “hybrid type” of highway. If there are changes to be made to U.S. 31, we must work together with Miami County officials to consider all these issues.
On a happier note, grandson William went on a youth training hunting trip with Uncle Barney. Will got two squirrels – pretty good, I think! Granddaughter Sara played her basketball game Saturday, scored 14 points and won. Again, pretty good – makes for a proud grandpa!
More later,
Bill Friend
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Rep. Bill Friend represents portions of Cass, Fulton and Miami counties. He also serves as Speaker Pro Tempore.
