Trail Around Metallica Singer's Land Passes Review

Work on a new hiking trail in Marin County that would bypass the home of Metallica frontman James Hetfield could begin as early as next summer.

County officials say an environmental review found no significant impacts from the trail. That allows them to avoid conducting a more detailed and time-consuming environmental study.

The trail would connect the Terra Linda-Sleepy Hollow Divide and the Loma Alta open space preserves. The preserves were connected by a trail until 2008, when Hetfield put up a fence keeping people from hiking through the portion running through his lands.

Hetfield made the decision after people damaged his property.

County officials say construction on the new trail is on track to begin in late summer 2011. The trail would then open to hikers in October.