Wildlands Conservancy Inc. has been awarded state funding to conduct a feasibility study for a new recreation trail in Carbon and Monroe counties.

The announcement was made by state reps. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, and Jack Rader, R-Monroe.

Specifically, the Emmaus-based nonprofit organization received a $40,000 grant to prepare a study for the development of about 9 miles of the Chestnut Ridge Greenway in Palmerton Borough, Lower Towamensing Township and Eldred Township.

“We have all seen how the success of the D&L Trail has contributed to the regional tourism industry and our quality of life,” Heffley said. “I believe it is important to look at every opportunity available to boost economic development along our trail system. I am pleased funding was awarded for this study to do just that.”

Wildlands Conservancy purchased a section of the former railroad bed more than 30 years ago.

“Wildlands Conservancy is very excited about the grant award to fund the Chestnut Ridge Greenway Feasibility Study, which will investigate the opportunity to convert portions of a former rail bed into a multiuse trail, connecting Kunkletown to Blue Mountain Resort and the Borough of Palmerton,” said Christopher Strohler, Wildlands Conservancy senior conservation planner. “This plan will focus on the preservation of the Buckwha Creek and Aquashicola Creek corridors, while creating opportunities for economic development and recreation-based tourism in these communities.”

“Our region is well-known statewide and nationally as a recreational destination with a wide variety of options, including an excellent trail system,” Rader said. “I welcome the possible addition of this new trail, along with the economic vitality it is certain to create for the communities along its path.”

The funding was made available through the 2020 Community Conservation Partnerships Program administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The DCNR awarded 41 grants totaling about $7.6 million for trail projects statewide, including planning, construction and rehabilitation.

Contacted Friday morning, Palmerton Borough Manager Donna McGarry said the feasibility study is where a lot of work will be done to see how it can reach the borough.

“It’s going to be a lot of research and working with the Conservancy,” McGarry said. “I think that the trails are a very positive thing for our areas.”

It was stated at a council meeting in May that the borough’s contribution to the study will be $3,000 between 2021 and 2022, rather than $10,000.

At that time, council on a 6-1 vote, with Councilwoman Holly Hausman Sell opposed, approved the measure to support the study.

Sell said at that time with the coronavirus pandemic ongoing, she’s concerned what the borough’s future budgets might look like with so many residents out of work.

That came after council in April voted against the study.

According to Strohler, the conservancy has owned a rail line with Eldred Township in Monroe County for years. Spanning about 4 miles, it stretches from Eldred to Little Gap in Lower Towamensing and outside Palmerton’s boundaries.

Strohler said at that time the first step of turning it into a public footpath would be a feasibility study, which Strohler said the conservancy wanted to fund in part by applying for a DCNR grant. The remainder of the study would need to be covered by municipalities involved, including Palmerton, Lower Towamensing and Eldred.