The state Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a freshwater wetlands permit for the Chautauqua Rails To Trails project being planned for the town of Carroll. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

FREWSBURG — The state Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a freshwater wetlands permit for the Chautauqua Rails To Trails project in the town of Carroll

The permit went into effect Dec. 29 with an expiration date of Aug. 31, 2026. The permit will allow Rails To Trails officials mitigate flooding issues caused by beaver dams toward the north end of the trail near Main Street.

“It has become a complication for the completion of the trail because of beaver dams in that area. The permit was to seek the DEC’s permission to add materials to raise the levels of the trail to circumvent the flood problem,” said Russell Payne, town supervisor. “They’re seeking to work in the flooded area so we can coexist with the beavers without impacting them.”

Payne said Rails To Trail officials have informed him they will start working on the flooding issue as soon as they can in the spring. Payne said it’s possible the trail could be open by the middle of next summer.

Phase 1 of the 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.

Payne said Phase 2 of the trail will go from Riverside Road to the Pennsylvania state line. He said Phase 2 work is expected to start this year and also be finished by the middle of the summer.

“The Rails To Trails people said it wouldn’t take a whole lot to open that up,” Payne said.

Payne said town officials are excited about the project because it will attract more people to Carroll.

“It will bring more people into the township because of the accessibility of the trail,” he said.

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.