Locals can make all sorts of trouble for state agencies/trail managers, if only via constant complaints. I can even imagine a nuisance law suit against something like a state park agency that manages a trail. Not all residents are happy about trails, especially those who believe (rightly or wrongly according to the law) that the property being used should have reverted/passed to them. Some don't care about the money. Some don't want outsiders out of pure spite.