Advocacy - Finish The Katy Trail! Missouri is fortunate to have one of the largest, best maintained biking and hiking trails in the USA - the Katy Trail. Currently the Katy Trail covers 225 miles connecting Clinton, Mo to the St. Louis suburbs (St. Charles). There is an existing railway, the Rock Island Railroad Corridor, that currently connects the Katy to Kansas City. This railway is currently NOT USED by any trains. The owner of this corridor, AmerenUE, has been asked by Missouri Governor Matt Blunt to allow the corridor to be used to complete the Katy Trail as a gesture of corporate good will in light of flood damage caused by the failure of one of AmerenUE's dams. Obviously, the completion of the Katy would be a huge asset for Missouri. The Katy Trail already attracts tourists from all over the world - bringing many dollars to the state. Connecting it to Kansas City would make it even more of a destination for hiking and biking enthusiasts. What can you do to help make this a reality? Make your voice heard. Take the time to contact the decision makers involved and let them know you support completing the Katy Trail. Take the time to write a short letter asking that the Rock Island Rail Corridor be used to finish the Katy. Paper mail letters are always more noticed than e-mails, but there is no reason you can't send both. Just make sure to keep your letter brief, to the point, and POLITE. Send your letters to the following individuals: Jay Nixon Attorney General, State of Missouri 207 W. High St. P.O. Box 899 Jefferson City, MO 65102 [Phone: 573-751-3321] [E-mail: ag@ago.mo.gov] Matt Blunt Office of the Governor Room 216, State Capitol Building Jefferson City MO 65101 [Phone: (573) 751-3222] [E-Mail: use the form located at http://www.gov.mo.gov/constituentform.htm ] Doyle Childers Director, MO Department of Natural Resources [Phone: 1-800-361-4827] [E-mail: doyle.childers@dnr.mo.gov] Gary L. Rainwater Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President Ameren Corporation One Ameren Plaza 1901 Chouteau Avenue St. Louis, Missouri 63103 [E-mail: grainwater@ameren.com]