To the editor:

I do not understand the thinking of those wishing to eliminate the railroad from Saranac Lake to Lake Placid. First of all, it will be a most expensive project. A former person who commented in the paper stated that the discarded rail ties will cost $12 each to be accepted at the dump. Many hours of labor are involved detaching the ties with their huge nails. Much equipment will be required to be trucked in; then the digging, flattening the trail. Some places will require bringing in loads of soil to fill in the swamps and narrow parts of the present trail between waters, and enforcing them. Removing trees — again equipment, manpower. Perhaps even replacing culverts. What is to be done with the metal rails?

But most important of all — what about those families who use the tracks (for free) to hike, ski and just enjoy a good walk with their family? Can you just imagine a snowmobile going 45 miles per hour around a corner where a family is walking with their children, who might be fooling around? (My understanding from folks I talked to is the snowmobiles have been using the tracks presently.) A wide track will probably involve racing — no doubt, summertime will be full of all-terrain-vehicles.

Who is going to enforce necessary rules? Who will take care of necessary privies? A friend in Lake Placid said that the snowmobiles are very noisy going by their houses, and this also happens late at night.

I prefer our taxes help the schools, improve our roads and help those in need.

One last comment: Some pieces of land are on private property — this to be considered — especially if you are going to widen the trail.

Rosalind Dietz

Ray Brook

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(Editor’s note: The tracks have long been an official snowmobile corridor, and snowmobilers have used them for decades. The state’s plan for the trail would prohibit ATVs from using the trail. State law enforcement officers, such as state police and environmental conservation officers, would have jurisdiction over the trail, as they do now. By no means do we say this to diminish Ms. Dietz’s opinion; we do so merely to answer some of her questions.)