U.S. Seeks Funds to Buy Land for Mountain Trail
The Interior Department has included $2.9 million in its appropriation request to Congress that could be used to help pay for parcels of land purchased along the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains.
The money--about 70% of an amount promised to 11 owners of property along the trail more than three years ago--is part of a $49-million appropriation for federal parkland acquisition now hung up in U.S. Senate and House subcommittees.
In 1992, the cash-strapped National Park Service asked a state parkland acquisition agency to buy 240 acres of prime mountain open space from private landowers to help complete a central section of the 70-mile Backbone Trail. The state did not have the money at the time, so landowners were offered 10% down plus 8% annual interest. The total--$4.2 million, not including interest--was to be paid after the state received funds from the federal government.
If the money is freed up by early next week, the next hurdle would be fairly dividing the funds, which are $1.3 million short of the amount owed.
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