§ 3431 — Railroad rights-of-way

Notwithstanding the provisions of 1 V.S.A. § 213, when railroad operations cease on railroad rights-of-way owned by the State or municipality, the title or interest held by the State or municipality in such rights-of-way shall be retained by the State or municipality for future transportation purposes and such other purposes as are not inconsistent with future transportation purposes, except that such rights-of-way shall not be used by members of the general public without permission of the State or municipality. The State or municipality shall allow abutting farm operations to use the land over which the rights-of-way pass for agricultural purposes. Unless use and occupancy of railroad rights-of-way adversely affect railroad safety, broadband facilities and wireless and other telecommunications facilities that are installed along or within the railroad right-of-way in compliance with applicable operations and safety standards at the time of installation are consistent with existing and future transportation purposes. (Added 1981, No. 187 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2007, No. 79, § 8, eff. June 9, 2007.)