Vermont Lawmakers Seek Clarity on Legal Trail Control Amid Lawsuit Over Public Access

 A lawsuit over an Orange County public right-of-way could have sweeping ramifications for connecting Vermont towns. State lawmakers are now looking to clarify who controls these legal trails. Cobb Hill Road is a dirt path that connects Waterbury to Moretown, and it’s one of some 500 miles statewide that are known as legal trails, a step down from unmaintained Class 4 roads. The network of trails spans across many communities and often crosses private land. They have a variety of uses, including hiking, biking, skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, and ATVs. Decades-old maps from VTrans show the prevalence of these trails that connect communities off the beaten path. But who has the right to maintain them and set rules for their use is up in the air. Last fall, a landowner in Tunbridge cracked down on bikes using a legal trail running through his land, sparking a lawsuit against the town. It is imperative we settle this issue,” said Sen. Alison Clarkson. Lawmakers have been working to clarify that towns should have the right to maintain these trails. It’s a proposal Governor Phil Scott supports.