The application for the Chautauqua Rails To Trails project being planned for the town of Carroll has been submitted to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

FREWSBURG — The application for the Chautauqua Rails To Trails project being planned for the town of Carroll has been submitted to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

The proposed trail will go from West Main Street in Frewsburg on the north end to Riverside Road on the south end in the town of Carroll using a former railbed. To avoid freshwater wetland impacts along with costs associated with the construction of the trail on a portion of the railbed, the applicant proposes to construct a permanent trail for a segment of the trail on a former farm road on the Lobb property, which will then reconnect to the railbed trail. The trail will be constructed 10 feet wide using concrete and brick from a demolished building for the base and covered with gravel and will also be used by the landowner for property access.

Russell Payne, town supervisor, said a permit had to be applied for because of wetlands adjacent to the Main Street part of the project.

“The application allows for remedial work to be done there to work within the confines of the wetlands,” he said.

The wetland area has developed because of beavers, who have constructed several dams that cause water to collect along the path.

“They’re going to raise the level of the trail so it doesn’t impact the beavers and their habitat,” Payne said. “This is not a town project, but we’ve worked closely with the DEC to mitigate the problem the best we can to try to work within the permit to make the trail accessible.”

The mission of Chautauqua Rails To Trails is to acquire, develop and maintain multipurpose recreational trails on or near abandoned railroad corridors for public use.

The trails are meant for non-motorized users as they wind through wetlands, pine forests, hardwood forests, pastures and vineyards. The trails provide a place to observe and learn about nature, a safe place to obtain healthy outdoor exercise and a destination for people from out-of-the-area to visit.

For more information, visit chaurtt.org.