Case Study: 18 Miles of Rail Trail Vegetation Management in Wolfeboro & Ossipee, NH
This project delivered 18 miles of HighRail vegetation management across the Cotton Valley Rail Trail and Conway Branch Rail Corridor in Wolfeboro and Ossipee, NH, completed under a Federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant through the NH Bureau of Trails, restoring safe, accessible public rail-trail infrastructure.
Challenge
Seasonal overgrowth and winter damage created dense vegetation and debris along the rail corridor, limiting safe access and increasing spring maintenance demands for trail stewards and volunteers.
Work Performed
Northeast Right of Way Inc. completed HighRail brush cutting and vegetation management, combining selective clearing with efficient corridor cleanup and grant-compliant reporting.
before

after

Testimonial
Bruce Stuart | President/Trail Master, Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club, NH
My Name is Bruce Stuart. I am the President and Trail Master for the Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club. CVRTC is the Trail Steward for the Cotton Valley Rail Trail in Wolfeboro NH as well as the summer maintenance provider for a 9 mile section of the Conway Branch rail corridor in Ossipee NH.
Chris and Northeast Right of Way Inc has performed both brush cuts on these two rail trail/corridors (18 miles total) for CVRTC. This, through a Federal RTP Grant program with the NH Bureau of Trails.
The before pictures tell the tale of what damage occurred each winter on these rail lines, and what CVRTC had to contend with each spring when the snow pack receded.
On Technical Expertise
With a background in forestry, Chris has an excellent eye for what needs to be removed and what growth can stay. Once a section is completed, very little debris is left on the corridor. Volunteers can easily remove the chaff with light handwork.
On Communication
I found Chris to be very accommodating when scheduling this project, following through with all that had been discussed regarding SOW and prompt in communicating daily progress for my reports to the NH Bureau of Trails.
Overall Assessment
My experience would render a 10 out of 10 for NEROW Inc. Quality, communication, follow through, understanding SOW and price were all determining factors. I will insure that Northeast Right of Way Inc. is included in the bid process for the continued work on the Conway Branch Rail Trail for our next 2027 RTP Grant submission.
