Mountain Watershed Association is aiming to stretch the 6-mile Indian Creek Valley Hike and Bike Trail in Saltlick to 20 miles, extending north to Forbes State Park and south to Yough River Trail.
"Basically, we've seen how these types of trails benefit and enhance the quality of life, and since we own a small portion of the right of way between Champion and Route 31, we came up with the idea to expand the ICV trail and become a possible spur for the Youghiogheny River Trail," said Krissy Kasserman, the association's Youghiogheny Riverkeeper.
In September 2007, the association began a feasibility study and held a public meeting to gather input about the concept.
While there were individuals who touted the benefits of a recreational trail, several landowners near the proposed route weren't so sure, citing privacy and safety issues as their No. 1 concern.
"Our consultant (Skelley and Loy Inc. of Harrisburg) has spent time working with those folks who were worried about privacy, and I've heard they've had some success," Kasserman said. "Our biggest issue at the moment is that the original right of way seems to have disappeared."
Though Mountain Watershed Association owns a portion of the right of way, the rest of the ownership is unclear.
"We've sent out surveys to people who live in the area of the proposed route, and all of the townships are involved," Kasserman said. "We've gotten some surveys back, and one from the (Mountain Laurel Chamber of Commerce) was very supportive. Once we get all of them back, we'll have to compile the results and when the study is finished, we will have a second public meeting to gather as much input as we can."
From there, the group will begin looking at funding options for construction, the total cost of which is still unknown.
"We hope to look into possible funding from the redevelopment authorities of both Fayette and Westmoreland counties, and of course the (state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) is a big component of trail development, so they've been very supportive."
The state agency is funding the cost of the Mountain Watershed Association's feasibility study.
The best-case scenario for the association would be to have construction begin sometime in 2009.
Kasserman said that the organization has not made any decision about whether the trail extension would continue to hold the name of Indian Creek Valley Hike and Bike Trail, or if it will acquire another name.
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