Supporters and opponents of a proposed rails-to-trails project in southern Floyd County turned out Tuesday for a joint meeting of the Rome City and Floyd County commissions.

Norfolk-Southern Railroad is abandoning a 12.5-mile unused section of line that runs through Vanns Valley and into Polk County. Local governments have the first option of acquiring the property if they dedicate it for public use.

The City Commission has already started the negotiating process, with a deadline of Feb. 8, 2010, but the County Commission is still on the fence.

The line runs through a number of agricultural properties and the landowners are objecting to the plans.

Dr. Harry Dawson said a trail would put hikers within feet of the small airport he operates on his property and essentially landlock 70 of his 110 acres.

Paul Smith, former Floyd County Farm Bureau president, said part of the line has already been sold for a planned apartment

complex near Cave Spring and is unavailable.

The other segments, he said, run through farming land that would be devalued. Aerial pesticide spraying would have to be curtailed so hikers aren’t exposed and there are concerns strangers would damage crops and livestock.

“If you let the landowners buy it instead, you’ll put it back on the tax rolls,” Smith said.

A trail along the line, however, would be a major step toward linking the Silver Comet Trail in Polk to Floyd’s section of the Pinhoti Trail, which ties in to the Appalachian Trail.

“If we as a region can connect these trails, it would certainly be an economic benefit,” said Bill Steiner, executive director of the 15-county Northwest Georgia Regional Commission.

The regional commission, which spear­heads the Bike!Walk!Northwest Georgia initiative, approved a resolution of support last month.

Don Oliver, attorney for Walker County and a rails-to-trails advocate, said the county is working to connect its segment of the Pinhoti Trail with Chattanooga, Tenn., trails and with the Great Eastern Trail that will, one day, go from Maine to Florida.

“It’s a great opportunity of communities to tap into tourism dollars. And that’s an industry that can’t be outsourced,” he said.

More importantly, Oliver said, is the need to “rail-bank” the line — preserve it so it could be converted back to a rail line for future industry.

Two commissioners from each board will be appointed to a committee to further research the issue.

Rome Mayor Wright Bagby, Jr. said there would be public hearings and opportunities to comment if the project moves forward.

Among the other items the boards discussed was Berry College’s proposed partnership in a 70-court tennis complex behind Mount Berry Square mall. The facility would be the largest U.S. Tennis Association-sanctioned complex in the country.