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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Northeast Texas Trail is a 130-mile-long |
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converted rail corridor, stretching from Farmersville through 19 |
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rural towns and 7 counties to New Boston; and |
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WHEREAS, Since 2012, the Northeast Texas Trail Coalition has |
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advocated for turning this previously unused land into a |
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comprehensive system of parks, paths, and protected natural areas; |
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under the group's vision, the NETT will be the longest pedestrian, |
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bicycle, and equestrian trail in Texas, and it will link population |
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centers, public facilities, and neighborhoods across the region; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The construction of the NETT is expected to help |
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revitalize the communities along the trail's route, many of which |
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are severely disadvantaged; according to a 2014 economic impact |
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assessment, the project is a low-cost investment that will create |
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jobs, increase tourism, conserve valuable land, and bolster |
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property values; furthermore, studies show that when citizens have |
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access to safe and well-maintained outdoor spaces that can be used |
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for recreation, relaxation, and exercise, their overall quality of |
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life is improved; and |
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WHEREAS, The development of the Northeast Texas Trail is |
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likely to have a positive impact on the health, welfare, and |
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economic prosperity of the region's rural communities, and the |
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possibility of making it a part of the Texas Parks and Wildlife |
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system should be explored; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby request the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the House |
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of Representatives to direct the appropriate house and senate |
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committees to conduct an interim study regarding the feasibility of |
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integrating the Northeast Texas Trail into the state park system; |
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and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the studies identify next steps in planning |
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and changes required in state statutes, agency administrative |
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rules, and local ordinances, and that the committees consider in |
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their studies management and governance issues and coordination, as |
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well as the initial and ongoing resources needed to fully |
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incorporate the NETT into the state park system; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the committees submit full reports, including |
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findings and recommendations, to the 88th Legislature no later than |
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December 31, 2022. |