Trails plan receives state recognition

OLYMPIA, Wash.—The Blue Mountain Region Trails Plan was one of 13 2019 Smart Communities Award winners recognized by Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday. The honor is given to programs that promote smart growth planning and projects that contribute to thriving communities, a prosperous economy, and sustainable infrastructure in Washington.

The 2019 Blue Mountain Region Trails Program was one of three winners in the Smart Partnership Award category, which are given to joint public projects that implement a comprehensive plan.

The BMRT plan was developed over 16 months, and is a collaborative effort of 30 city, county, regional, state, federal and tribal entities. The plan was finalized in Feb. 2018 and outlines a regional, non-motorized trail network spanning southeast Washington and northeast Oregon.

Anticipated benefits include economic development, an increase in walking, biking and hiking, more outdoor recreation opportunities and an increased overall quality of life for area residents.

Other winners in the Smart Partnership Award category include the “Colville Together” Colville downtown revitalization plan and Tukwila Village 2018, a new multicultural and multi-generational community and neighborhood center.

Other award categories include the Smart Vision Award, Smart Choices Award, Smart Projects Award, Smart Housing Strategies Award and the Judges’ Merit Award.

“Creativity, collaboration and public engagement are key to ensuring that communities are successful in meeting future growth and prosperity goals,” said Gov. Inslee in a Department of Commerce media release. “This year’s award-winning plans and projects exemplify some of the reasons why Washington is consistently ranked one of the best states in America.”

The Port of Columbia has received grants from the National Park Service and the Washington State Department of Transportation to fund the development of a concept plan for a 9.7-mile trail between Dayton and Waitsburg, that is part of the BMRT plan. A steering committee has been organized and work is currently underway on that project.