Full room and Zoom at port workshop

DAYTON-The Port of Columbia Commissioners met Monday, March 21, for a workshop to discuss Touchet Valley Trail. As many as 39 people attended via Zoom, in addition to a packed conference room at the port. Public comment was not allowed at the workshop meeting.

Executive Director Jennie Dickinson was joined by Ken Van Voorhis from SPVV Landscape Architects, Brain Hansen, and Adam Schmidtgall, from Anderson Perry (A.P.).

Dickinson began the meeting going over a brief history of the trail, including how the Port of Columbia came up with the idea.

Dickinson said that in the mid-2000s, the Economic Development Steering Committee (EDSC) began hearing from community members that they wanted more paths and trails in Dayton. Between 2016 and 2017, trails were voted on as a top interest within the community in community planning meetings. The voting was advisory only.

Planning for the Blue Mountain Regional Trail took place from 2016 to 2018. The planning committee had members from Milton Freewater, Ore., Dayton, Walla Walla, and Waitsburg. One workshop was held in Dayton, with more than 100 in attendance. The Dayton-Waitsburg trail was the top priority for attendees at that time.

"We really felt like we had a directive from the community to work on the trail," Dickinson said. "That's why we went ahead with it."

In 2018, the Port of Columbia applied to the Washington State Department of Transportation for planning funds. The port had letters of support from various local entities, including the Community Council, the Columbia County Board of Commissioners, Walla Walla County Commissioners, the City of Dayton, the City of Waitsburg, and WSDOT Regional Planning.

Between June 2019 and April 2021, the port took seven significant project steps, including landowner outreach, public information meetings, design charrettes, and entering design contracts.

Dickinson said that, based on the information and amount of support that had been provided over the years, she was a bit blindsided by the sudden public outcry regarding the trail.

"We had been hearing for years that people wanted more trails," Dickinson said.

From the port's perspective, Dickinson said, the trail would act to bring new visitors to Dayton to spend money at the town's stores, hotels, restaurants, and businesses. Data indicated that more than 22% of yearly trail users would be from out of town, and each visitor was expected to spend just shy of $73 during their time in Dayton.

Brian Hansen provided a brief overview of Anderson Perry's role in the trail planning process, including determining the port's existing right of way access. He shared aerial photos with property lines to aid his presentation.

Hansen said that A.P. had reached out to Dayton land title company Title One to help determine the existing right of way. He estimated that Title One had provided as much as $30,000 in pro-bono title work. Most of the right of way provided at least 50 feet on either side of the trail project. He encouraged homeowners who may have documentation proving otherwise to reach out to the port to correct the information.

"Our intent has always been to take the best information we can get, old railroad maps, right of way maps, to determine the right of way line," Hansen said.

Ken Van Voorhis spoke regarding the placement of the trailheads in Dayton (near the Historic Depot) and Waitsburg (at the North end of Main Street). He said the Lewis and Clark State Park would serve as a focal point for the trail, with a pedestrian bridge added just north of the current rail bridge at the Touchet River. The park agreed to take on some of the maintenance of that section, with the understanding that the trail would benefit the park by engaging visitors and enhancing programs.

Dickinson addressed some common community concerns, including asking Columbia County Sheriff Joe Helm if the trail would strain the department with extra patrols. Helm told Dickinson that it would not add additional work as the department already patrols the railroad right of way that the trail would run along. When asked if the footpath along the dike increases drug traffic, he responded that no, it has not, as far as he knows.

Other concerns and answers can be viewed online at http://www.portofcolumbia.org.

Maintenance was estimated between $15,000 and $20,000 per year, Dickinson said, adding that the rail operator supported the trail and thought that it would help with weed control.

Another concern was the addition of new taxes to pay for the trail. Dickinson clarified that the port has never added new taxes outside of the 1% increase allowed by the state in the more than 60 years of operation. The port would not be able to add a tax without putting it on a ballot and subject to a vote. She noted that it was customary to use existing tax money to pay for parks.

It was noted that the engineers and designers are trying to accommodate property owners' requests as far as trail placement that may cross driveways or other access points. Dickinson addressed chemical spraying concerns and said that other trails located in agricultural communities would close the trail for a couple of days to accommodate chemical concerns, especially for pea fields.

Other topics covered included funding opportunities, including money offered by the state's Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) through a competitive application process. The deadline for that funding application is May 3. The Port of Columbia is currently missing a resolution stating that they want to pursue the money.

Commissioner Seth Bryan asked if there was a plan to handle flood damage, should it happen. He was told that flooding would likely not impact the trail significantly, but if it did, the Port of Columbia would have to find the funds to repair it.

Bryan also asked why the location was between Dayton and Waitsburg, instead of to Bluewood or Starbuck.

Dickinson said it was easier as the port already owned the land. There is also an economic connection between the two towns. Commissioner Genie Crowe added that it was easily accessible for handicapped visitors. Most public trails in Washington are built along the graded paths of railroads because they are more accessible and off-roadways.

More information regarding the Touchet Valley Trail, including design plans, community concerns and answers, conceptual plans, and a recording of the April 2021 informational meeting can be found on the Port of Columbia's website.

At a prior meeting, the Port of Columbia Commissioners voted to post their Port emails on the website for easy access. Residents and community members are encouraged to reach out to the commissioners to voice concerns, support, or ask questions.