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MILWAUKEE—The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Northeastern States District today conveyed a 200-foot-wide railroad right-of-way to the Village of Forsyth, Illinois. Totaling almost 15 acres, the right-of-way was conveyed through a quitclaim deed under the National Trails System Act as amended in 1988 (more commonly known as the “Rails-to-Trails Act.”). The Village of Forsyth will use the former railroad right-of-way as a community trail and for other public purposes that are compatible with recreational use.  

The lands of the right-of-way are within or adjacent to lands abandoned by the Illinois Central Railroad Company (formerly known as Illinois Central Gulf Railroad), and are located in the 4^thPrincipal Meridian, Mason County, Illinois Township 17 North, Range 2 East within Section 14. The BLM conveyed available lands after a thorough review of land title records.

"The Village of Forsyth has been working with the Bureau of Land Management to acquire this property for some time now," said Mayor Marilyn Johnson.  "We are pleased that those efforts have paid off, allowing the Village to add this property to the Village's extensive trail system.  This property will be a great asset to the Village, its residents, and all who use the Village's trail system."  

A notice of the proposed conveyance was published for three consecutive weeks in April 2015 in the Herald & Review, Decatur, Ill. Letters were delivered to all adjacent landowners requesting comments. The draft environmental assessment was made available July 18, 2018, for a 30- day review and public comment period. No comments were received.