Sorry if this has already been posted to Flimsies:Delta studies new trailCommissioners don't want to operate parkCARL LINDQUIST The York Dispatch The York County Commissioners have agreed to grant Delta $15,000 to study the feasibility of a new rail trail along the former Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad line. But the county's monetary support for the project doesn't appear to reach much further. Two of the three commissioners said they don't support the county becoming a major financial partner in the proposition. The $15,000 grant approved yesterday was part of $90,000 available for commissioners to divvy up as intergovernmental cooperation grants that can be used for numerous purposes, including land use, recreational facilities and regional consolidation. Much of the money was given out in early August, though this proposal was put off until county Commissioner Doug Kilgore further researched it. Proponents in Delta and Peach Bottom Township said they believe the trail could provide an economic boost, especially in Delta, and recreational opportunities currently not available in either municipality. Money is a start: "We are thrilled the commissioners will give us the money," said Cindy Seibel, a member of Delta's planning commission and borough council. "It will get us started and that's sometimes all that's needed." The exact route of the possible trail, between 12 and 14 miles long, hasn't been determined. Generally, the trail will run from the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station southwest through Peach Bottom Township into Delta, then north to Muddy Creek Forks in East Hopewell Township, according to Ike Lycett, a member of the Delta Planning Commission and borough council. The study will look at a variety of factors involved in the possible creation of the trail, including current ownership of involved land and the appropriateness of the terrain. One of the most important aspects of the study is to determine the cost of the trail's creation and ongoing maintenance. At least while this board of commissioners is in office, it's doubtful those costs will be covered by the county, which agreed to own and operate the Heritage Rail Trail County Park. Don't want responsibility: Although all three commissioners voted to provide funding for the feasibility study and agree the new trail would likely benefit the area, Steve Chronister and Doug Kilgore said they would not support the county's involvement as a major financial partner. President Commissioner Lori Mitrick was not available for comment. The statements from Kilgore and Chronister echo their stances on the York-Hanover Trolley Line, a possible expansion of the rail trail park. Commissioner Steve Chronister is against the county's operating and maintaining additional rail trails beyond the county park. The responsibility of other trails should fall on the municipalities or some other organization, he said yesterday. "I'm in favor of recreation down there and doing the study they're asking for, but I don't think I'm in favor of the county maintaining more rail trails," Chronister said. "I don't believe we need rail trails all over the county." Kilgore said he doesn't expect to spend more money on the project, except possibly through other small grants in the future. Nonetheless, he sees the trail as a good opportunity. "It just makes a lot of sense that it could be made a walking trail in that region," Kilgore said. "There's really nothing in that corner of the county like that." -- Reach Carl Lindquist at 505-5432 or clindquist@yorkdispatch.com.