On March 10, 2006, the NOACA Governing Board approved the following regarding this project: Resolution No. 2006-009 Project Planning Review Resolution No. 2006-010 Plan and TIP Amendment Title:  Land Acquisition for Construction of Pedestrian and Bicycle Trails at Mentor Marsh Sponsor:  City of Mentor Estimated Total Cost: $3,000,000 Proposed Source of Federal Funds: SAFETEA-LU History/Background: The City of Mentor is the sponsor of a Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005 – a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) Earmark No. 3626 (Land acquisition for construction of pedestrian and bicycle trails at Mentor Marsh in Ohio). The sponsor intends to use the earmark funding to assist in completing the purchase of approximately 99.5 acres of open space adjacent the Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve. The Trust for Public Land has reached an agreement for the purchase of the property, from the present owners, The Morton Salt Company (Morton International), for $3,000,000 and according to the sponsor, has tentatively reached an agreement to lease a portion of the property until such time as the City of Mentor can secure the remaining funds. Current Conditions:  The property is located south of Jordan Drive, east of Morton Community Park and northwest of the Mentor Marsh. The property consists of 8 contiguous parcels of land occupying 99.5 acres. The current uses of adjoining properties are primarily residential and forest land. Proposed Project:  The sponsor intends to use the earmark funding for the purchase of property. The property, under the management of the City of Mentor’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Public Lands, will be available to the public via a network of trails. The city will tie any new trail network in the with the existing interpretive trails maintained by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Ohio Division of Natural Resources. The City also intends to restore the softball fields that were previously located on the property of Jordan Drive. According to the sponsor, the agreed upon purchase price of the property is $3,000,000. The earmark total is $560,000. An obligation limit of 91% ($509,600) has been applied to the earmark total. Therefore, anything over $509,600 is the responsibility of the sponsor. The Trust for Public Land will transfer the property to the City of Mentor when funding is secured. According to the sponsor, the transfer will occur in 2 phases. Phase I ($2,047,050) will occur January 5, 2006. Phase II ($952,060) will occur June 30, 2006. Phase II will involve the SAFETEA-LU earmark funds. Staff Comment (Summary): Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Team: This project helps to serve NOACA’s Plan Goal #2 (Enhancing the natural environment). The sponsor must provide for all costs over the obligation limit. Advance to Committee and public review with the understanding that the sponsor will make a good-faith effort to address questions and comments. Plan Forecast Team: Refer the project to the TransWac (Transportation Water Quality Council). Committee Review: Transportation Water Quality Council (TransWac): Trail connectivity is an issue. And trail composition should be of soft material. Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS)/Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC): No comments; recommended for amendment to NOACA's Transportation Plan and TIP. Intergovernmental Review and Consultation (IGRC): If you are a representative of a governmental entity and would like to comment on this project, please e-mail us. Public Involvement: NOACA encourages comments from the public on this proposed transportation improvement project. Please notify us if you would like to be added to our e-mail notification list for future updates.