Midwest Continental Divide Trail Initiative Frequently Asked Questions
The Midwest Continental Divide Trail initiative remains in the planning phase. The following questions and answers provide information about the project, the planning process and the next steps being considered.
What is the goal of the Midwest Continental Divide Trail?
The initiative seeks to preserve and connect important natural, recreational and cultural assets throughout the St. Joseph County region. The goal is to create opportunities for recreation, conservation, tourism and economic growth while highlighting our history and natural assets and enhancing quality of life for residents.
What is being considered for approval at this time?
The St. Joseph County Council will consider the establishment of the Midwest Continental Divide Commission. The formation of the Midwest Continental Divide Commission will allow the community to access the $40 million in state funding appropriated for the initiative and continuation of the public planning process. No trail route is being considered for approval.
What is the Midwest Continental Divide Commission and who appoints them?
Midwest Continental Divide Commission is the statutory body established to guide the Midwest Continental Divide initiative – a joint initiative among the City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana, Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi, and the State of Indiana. This Midwest Continental Divide Commission is a 5-member body with one appointment to be made by each of the following: St. Joseph County Commissioners, the City of South Bend Mayor, the Chair of the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi, the Indiana Speaker of the House, and the Indiana State Senate President Pro Tempore.
What happens once the Midwest Continental Divide Commission is established?
The Midwest Continental Divide Commission is the public body designed to lead future public engagement and evaluate future opportunities and projects related to conservation, recreation, destination development and trail connectivity. It is also the body that has the authority to expend the state funding appropriated for this initiative.
Has a Land Use Plan been completed in order of the Midwest Continental Divide Commission to be established?
Yes, a Land Use Plan has been prepared in a collaborative effort between St. Joseph County, Indiana and the City of South Bend, Indiana. This effort was led by its consultants, included feedback from four public meetings, nearly 300 survey respondents and meetings with other stakeholders, and evaluated existing land use and trail plans. The land uses follow the respective land use plans of the City and the County and includes recommended assets to be connected and destination locations and trail design requirements. No trail route is being recommended for approval.
Does the Midwest Continental Divide Commission have jurisdiction over the entire County?
No. The Midwest Continental Divide Commission does not assume jurisdiction from the County, the City or any other entity or have jurisdiction over any portion of the County or City. The Midwest Continental Commission does have authority to expend its funding on projects that are within the district established by both the City Council and the County Council. The Midwest Continental Divide Commission also serves as a recommending body for City and the County as those entities consider proposed rezonings or variances that are inconsistent with the Land Use Plan. The Midwest Continental Divide Commission’s recommending role, however, only applies to those changes occurring within 0.5 miles of a trail project approved by the City Council or County Council respectively and does not include the ability to prohibit a rezoning or variance. Local governments retain authority over land use, zoning and project approvals. Any future trail or development project would involve additional public engagement, review and applicable local approval processes. No trail route has been identified or approved.
Is the trail the only focus of the initiative?
Trails are one component of a broader vision that includes conservation, recreation, tourism and quality-of-life improvements in the St. Joseph County region.
What authority will the Midwest Continental Divide Commission have?
The Midwest Continental Divide Commission would be established through state legislation and local ordinance to help guide implementation of the initiative. Its responsibilities include evaluating, prioritizing, developing and supporting future projects within the district and expending the state funding appropriated for the project.
Is the Midwest Continental Divide Commission a public body?
Yes, the Midwest Continental Divide Commission will be a public agency. It must operate in accordance with Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act and Open Door Law, just like the St. Joseph County Council and the City of South Bend Common Council. It must also undergo an annual financial audit of its operations and expenditures and is subject to the jurisdiction of the state board of accounts. The Midwest Continental Divide Commission is also required to issue an annual report of its operations and activities to the State Budget Committee, the St. Joseph County Commissioners, the St. Joseph County Council, the City of South Bend Mayor and the City of South Bend Common Council.
Has a trail route already been identified, and could it affect my property?
No. It will be the Midwest Continental Divide Commission’s role to evaluate the potential trail destinations and amenities identified as part of the Land Use Plan process and to evaluate and prioritize trail project opportunities. As those trail projects are prioritized, the Midwest Continental Divide Commission will lead an engagement process to develop a public trail route for such projects. The dotted-line maps shared during public meetings represented a study area only used to evaluate natural, recreational and cultural assets in the region and was not a trail route.
What were the maps shown at public meetings?
The maps represented a study area used to evaluate natural, recreational and cultural assets that could potentially be connected. They were not trail routes and do not identify where a future trail would be located.
Is the trail planned through specific farms or private property?
No. No route has been identified, and no specific properties have been identified for a trail. In fact, the Land Use Plan recommends seeking alternatives that avoid materially disrupting farming operations.
Were farmers and landowners included in the process?
Farmers, residents, business owners and other community members were invited to participate in public and private meetings as part of the Land Use Plan development process. More than 300 responses were also received through an online survey. Additional opportunities for public input will occur once the commission is established.
Is this a land grab?
Trail easements vary based upon the proposed uses and buffering required to provide a safe trail and its regular upkeep. These widths will generally vary from 25 feet to 50 feet depending upon the topography and neighboring uses. The current effort is focused on planning and public engagement. No trail route has been identified, no specific property has been identified for a trail and no construction project has been approved. Future opportunities will be evaluated through a public process.
How is property acquired for the trail?
No trail route has been identified or approved, and no property has been identified for acquisition. If the future trail project requires property acquisition, those opportunities would be evaluated through a public process, determined in accordance with the applicable statutory requirements, and negotiated between property owners and the acquiring entity.
What destinations could be connected through the initiative?
The planning effort is evaluating opportunities to connect destinations such as Potato Creek State Park, Lydick Bog, South Bend Chocolate Company and Indiana Dinosaur Museum, the Chain O'Lakes area and other natural, cultural and recreational assets throughout the region. No trail route has been selected.
How was the initiative approved and what does the funding support?
The Indiana General Assembly approved Senate Bill 468 with bipartisan support. The legislation established the Midwest Continental Divide initiative. The Indiana General Assembly also approved up to $40 million in state funding over 20 years..