Washington Rail to Trail threatened with closure

[Rand Man]

The majority and dissenting opinions in the mid-1990's appeal are heavy on easement vs fee simple.

I'm looking for the legislation that has the 'last minute' addition in question. Anyone have a link?

"If the trail is closed, Schmick said, the land will be given to the landowners but the state would retain a permanent easement if it wanted to reestablish the trail at a later time."

By Josh Babcock, Daily News staff writer Sep 23, 2015

http://dnews.com/local/wording-error-keeps-john-wayne-trail-open/article_8e86bee6-d9dd-517f-92ca-24bb0f2e7ca3.html

Moscow-Pullman Daily News requires an account, but firefox "Reader View" helps

[Rand Man]

From a year ago, January 20, 2016

"The Tekoa Trail and Trestle Association (“TTTA”) from the far east end of the statewide John Wayne Pioneer Trail (AKA the Iron Horse Trail) sent an email to supporters Tuesday announcing that Rep. Joe
Schmick does not plan to reintroduce legislation ..."

http://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2016/01/20/with-john-wayne-trail-seemingly-protected-for-now-group-from-tekoa-outlines-steps-to-make-it-great/

[miah66]

Thanks for catching up.

Now, you can sign the petition to ask for funding to complete the trail segment by repairing the broken trestles.

http://savethejohnwaynetrail.com/

[Rand Man]

http://26inchslicks.blogspot.com/2015/03/crossing-washington-on-jwpt-cow-creek.html

https://www.google.com/#q=trespass+site:26inchslicks.blogspot.com

still looking for the 'bill' that contains the provision to close the Columbia-Idaho stretch. Anyone have a link?

[Rand Man]

advocates of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail might be interested in keeping abreast its "one-time statewide trail assessment":

http://ofm.wa.gov/budget17/recsum/465.pdf

Agency 465
State Parks and Recreation Commission
Recommendation Summary
Policy Changes

2. Protect & Maintain Park Properties

State Parks manages an extensive system of 125 developed state parks, trails and undeveloped properties. Preventive and regular maintenance ensure public safety and health through well-functioning water, electrical and sewer systems. Preventive maintenance protects public safety, prevents deterioration of buildings and facilities, and avoids closure of facilities and trails. Ongoing staff are provided to conduct preventive maintenance to protect and maintain the physical condition of parks and address the maintenance backlog, maintain Parks' trail system, and provide stewardship of park lands. Adequate park maintenance is essential for long-term sustainability, visitor satisfaction and revenue generation that support a healthy, sustainable state park system. A one-time statewide trail assessment and ongoing maintenance of the John Wayne trail will also be completed. (General Fund-State)

[Rand Man]

http://publiclandsinventory.wa.gov/

[Rand Man]

"sign the petition to ask for funding to complete the trail segment by repairing the broken trestles."

http://www.savethejohnwaynetrail.com/trail-status.html

The Trail has been allocated six million dollars in repairs by Washington Parks.

[Rand Man]

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2015/oct/01/officials-get-earful-john-wayne-trail-closure-proposal

[Rand Man]

Advocates might be interested in writing letters for some upcoming funding possibilities:

$1,450,612 Iron Horse-Tekoa Trestle Decking and Railing
https://secure.rco.wa.gov/prism/search/ProjectSnapshot.aspx?ProjectNumber=16-1320

$1,664,947 Developing the Malden to Rosalia Section of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail
https://secure.rco.wa.gov/prism/search/ProjectSnapshot.aspx?ProjectNumber=16-1930

$1,246,263 Iron Horse-Renslow Trestle Decking and Railing
https://secure.rco.wa.gov/prism/search/ProjectSnapshot.aspx?ProjectNumber=16-1886

Proposals and past projects can be found by searching for John Wayne Pioneer Trail, Milwaukee Road, Iron Horse, JWPT, etc here:

https://secure.rco.wa.gov/prism/search/projectsearch.aspx

[Rand Man]

As it was written a decade ago, and in light of subsequent court findings, it is out of date, though I expect a 2016 version would conclude similarly: 'The law on rails-to-trails conversions is still evolving, particularly in the “takings” litigation.'

2006 Rails-to-Trails Conversions: A Review of Legal Issues

http://www.railstotrails.org/resourceha ... hx?id=4612