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“MICHAEL N. CASTLE TRAIL” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Senate section on pages S4818-S4819 on July 10, 2012.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
MICHAEL N. CASTLE TRAIL
Mr. COONS. Mr. President, yesterday we recognized the vision and tireless efforts of former Congressman Mike Castle of Delaware to develop a recreational trail along the Chesapeake and Delaware--or C&D--Canal and broke ground for its construction.
The C&D Canal, managed by the Philadelphia District of the Army Corps of Engineers, has been in operation since 1829. Today it is one of the busiest working waterways in the world, with over 25,000 vessels passing through it each year. The canal is a critical commercial waterway serving the ports of Wilmington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. The C&D Canal is bordered by a 16-mile stretch of flat, uninterrupted land, perfect for a trail, and surrounded by more than 7,500 acres of public land, creating a unique and safe environment for recreationists. In 2004 Congressman Castle saw these assets as an ideal opportunity to enhance the canal's existing resources by adding a recreational trail.
Under Congressman Castle's leadership, a working group was formed in 2004 with representatives from the State of Delaware, New Castle County, the Army Corps, Delaware City, Chesapeake City, the State of Maryland, and recreation groups. In 2005 and 2006 public workshops were held to solicit ideas and comments from local residents regarding potential recreational uses along the C&D Canal. In March 2006 a concept plan was completed by the working group, recommending the creation of a recreational trail along the canal to be used by walkers, joggers, cyclists, and equestrians. In 2007 design work for the trail began and environmental assessments were completed, and in 2009 trail design was completed.
Congressman Castle was instrumental in obtaining resources for the trail. In addition to supporting efforts to acquire state and local funding, he also secured a total of $2.2 million in public lands highways discretionary awards in fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010 from the Federal Highway Administration to go toward planning and construction of the trail.
Congressman Castle's vision and years of work to build a trail along the C&D Canal were not forgotten when he left office. Recognizing the tremendous benefits that could be realized by the trail, the delegation picked up the project where Castle left off. Since then, the delegation has worked with the Federal Highway Administration, the State of Delaware, New Castle County, the recreation community, and others to reinvigorate the working group and secure additional funding to build the first phase of the recreational trail along the banks of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal.
The recreational trail along the C&D Canal will provide a common link to communities across the States of Delaware and Maryland from Chesapeake City to Delaware City. It will create a safe and inviting recreational opportunity along the canal and will bring families and other groups to hike, bicycle, jog, skate, or ride horseback along the trail. Local business, including restaurants and shops, will reap the benefits of this increased tourism to the area. The C&D Canal trail will also support healthy lifestyles through outdoor recreation. The trail will improve safety along the canal and increase the appeal and land value of residential developments in the area. The C&D Canal recreation trail will be an attractive asset for the Middletown, Odessa, and Townsend region that will draw new residents to the area.
Congressman Castle long ago embraced the notion that the C&D Canal is like an emerald necklace draped across the northern portion of our beautiful State, and we are so very pleased that this jewel will be named after our dear friend.
Yesterday, the Delaware Department of Transportation broke ground on phase I of the recreational trail. This first phase will complete approximately 9 miles of the trail from Delaware City to just beyond Summit Marina in Delaware, including the construction of two trail heads, parking areas, and comfort stations.
Honoring Congressman Mike Castle's longtime support of recreational and commuter-oriented greenways and trails in Delaware and across the Nation, as well as his vision, leadership, and steadfast support of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal trail, the Delaware delegation hereby dedicates the trail to him and officially recognizes the name as the ``Michael N. Castle Trail at the C&D Canal.''
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