The Mountain Division Rail Use Advisory Council was officially formed in September of 2021 by MaineDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note as a result of Resolve 21, Chapter 239.
MaineDOT received letters of support from several communities along the rail corridor requesting that the future of the 31 miles of state-owned, inactive rail-line be discussed. 200 pieces of testimony were submitted for public comment on LD 672, Resolve, To Direct the Department of Transportation to Use a Rail Corridor Use Advisory Council in Reviewing the Mountain Division Line for Potential Non-rail Uses.
The Council, after deliberations, will provide recommendations on the future use to the Commissioner of Transportation in the spring/summer of 2022.
Supporting Documents
- Mountain Rail Use Advisory Council - Summary and Recommendations (PDF)
- Economic Impact of Eastern Trail – Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (SMPDC) (PDF)
- Executive Summary, The Mountain Division Rail Study, December 2007 (PDF)
- A Report on Potential Uses and Implementation Costs Full Report, The Mountain Division Rail Study, December 2007 (PDF)
- Mountain Division Feasibility Study: Potential Uses and Economic Benefit – May 2022
- Current Members
- Paul Schumacher, Chair, Executive Director, Southern Maine Planning and Development
Commission - Terry Egan, Brownfield Comprehensive Planning Committee
- David Kinsman, President, Mountain Division Alliance
- Katie Haley, Town Manager, Town of Fryeburg
- Daniel A. Hester, Chairperson, Hiram Conservation Committee, Member, Saco River Corridor Commission
- Jack Sutton, Maine Rail Group
- Russ Barber, Maine Rail Group
- Dwight Warren, Selectman, Town of Baldwin
- Zach Mosher, Planning Director, Town of Standish
- Paul Hunt, Environmental Services Manager, Portland Water District
- Carolann Ouellette, Director, Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development
- Christopher Chop, Transportation Director, Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG)
- Douglas S. Beck, Outdoor Recreation Supervisor, DACF, Bureau of Parks & Lands
MaineDOT Staff
- Nate Moulton, Director, Office of Freight and Passenger Services
- Nathan Howard, Director, Rail Program
- Meghan Russo, Manager of Legislative and Constituent Services
- Paul Schumacher, Chair, Executive Director, Southern Maine Planning and Development
- Meeting Agendas and Minutes
2022
April 14th
March 31st
- Introduction Presentation (PDF)
- Mountain Division Feasibility Study Presentation (PDF)
- Mountain Division - Rail Use Advisory Council Meeting, March 31st, 2022
March 24th
March 17th
February 10th
January 6th
2021
December 9th
November 18th
October 28th
September 30th