Oct. 20 Meeting Summary

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Greeting Friends of the Tabor to Platte Rail to Trail:

Twenty-four ‘friends' attended the dinner-meeting at Choteau Creek Brewing on Tue Oct 20. Co-Chair Larry Lucas opened the session with a “bike bingo” game. After several enjoyable rounds, Chef Lisa served a buffet featuring Italian Wedding Soup, lasagna and chicken alfredo, along with delicious desserts.

Larry recapped the history of our proposal to develop the NAPA Rail Line into a multi use recreational trail. A formal study, funded by our Transportation Alternatives grant and conducted by Toole Design, has been put on hold pending additional study about the viability of developing the line for modern day commercial, or for recreational, use.

Two recent situations caused the SD Rail Board and SD DoT to widen and deepen their evaluation of the best public use for the line. First, the SD Rail Board terminated the NAPA Junction to Tyndall lease with Dakota Southern Railroad for nonperformance. Then, the SD Rail Board solicited proposals from industry to lease this section, and received four, all of which were rejected. Yet, this process reopened questions about the rail-transport viability on a portion, or indeed all, of the NAPA line. So, the SD Rail Board and SD DoT commissioned a two-part study: first to evaluate the economic impact of renewed rail operations, and second of a recreation trail on local communities. SD DoT contracted the USD Bureau of Research to evaluate the recreational trail part of the question. The SD Rail Board will review both of these studies at its February 2027 meeting.

Informed by the additional studies, the SD Rail Board then decides upon next steps. Our ‘friends’ feasibility study likely will be given to the Study Advisory Team (SAT); Larry and Roger Huizinga represent us there. The finalized study will be released for a period of public comment. Then, the study with public comments will be presented to the SD Rail Board.

All three studies, taken together, will inform the SD Rail Board, general public and elected officials about how to best use the NAPA line. We, of course, welcome the additional, objective, study information, as the SD Rail Board and SD DoT conducted all reasonable due diligence on the best public use of this state property asset. So, despite delays, our project remains on the table. Spring 2027 should advance discussion toward a public consensus about the NAPA line.

Larry took questions and led discussion. We adjourned at about 8:30.

Also, Larry received this note from an attendee:

Larry, Immense thanks to you & everyone for hosting & conducting an excellent and fun meeting last night. It was highly informative with a thoroughly dedicated group of people. The gourmet dinner & drinks were outstanding, actually superior to our best Yankton restaurant. We wanted to compliment the chef but could not locate. We had a great time.