Peninsula Trails Coalition Fall 2007 Newsletter
Local Elections
Every year there are local elections on the Peninsula we take the time to query candidates for city council and county commissioner positions to find out their view on the Olympic Discovery Trail and related trails. We reprint their answers in their entirety and unedited.
Port Angeles City Council Questions
1. When would you like to see the Olympic Discovery Trail running through Port Angeles finished?
2. How should the bridge for the trail crossing over Dry Creek be funded?
3. Do you think there is a need for additional recreational trails in Port Angeles?
Position 5
Edna Petersen
Thank you for letting me be a part of this survey.
1. Yesterday----The amount of use of the trail just in front of my store is amazing-----All year around---All day long.
2. I believe that the Olympic Discovery Trial Crossing over Dry Creek should be funded by all entities. Federal, State and County.
3. I'm very excited about the "loop" trail that is currently being investigated and worked on. I'm not certain that I have the correct name but it is high on Deputy Mayor Williams converstion list.
Again Thank you for all the work you all do and the interest in our city.
Dan Di Guilio
1. I believe that trails are important to a healthy community. I have not followed the development of the trail closely. As a result, I am not aware of what portions of the trail remain to be developed. However, I believe the city should encourage the completion of the trail as soon as funding will allow.
2. I called Rich James to discuss funding opportunities for trails. Rich suggested that funding be sought from the Recreation Conservation Funding Board, Washington Department of Transportation Enhancement Grant Program, and seek a federal earmark. He suggested that we seek funding from all three sources.
3. I stated earlier that trails are important to a healthy community. We should continue to build upon our trail system where possible. With proper trail development, signage, adequate parking, and promotion, we could attract tourists who would come to this area to walk the trails.
Thank you for the opportunity to answer your survey.
1. It is difficult to know what you mean by finished. If you
mean having the trail connect from Port Townsend to Forks, then I would expect
it to take another 10 years. If you mean just paving it in the Port Angeles
area. then I would expect that that will be accomplished by the end of 2008.
2. The city councily had funds allocated for the Dry Creek bridge this year.
However, it seems that the Tennis lobby was politically a little swifter and
managed to get the funds reallocated to finish the tennis courts. I expect that
funds will be allocated for the Dry Creek bridge in 2008. However, I should
point out that it may help if the Trail group keeps the political pressure for
this project on the city council.
3. I think it would be great to get a valley creek loop, and connection to the
Olympic National Park, connecting to the Olympic Discovery Trail.
Position 7
Cherie Kidd
1. Ideally, I would like to see the Olympic Discovery Trail running through
Port Angeles finished by 2009 in time to connect it to the western route from
the Lower Elwha Road to the Elwah River. Clallam County would like to finish
this two mile part of the western route by 2009. The City should work toward
the same timelines in order to have a smooth transition for opening the western
part of the trail from Port Angeles all the way to the Elwha River.
2. There are state and federal sources of grants available. The state's I.A.C.
(Interagency for Outdoor Recreation) has grant opportunities available. I
believe that $1,000,000 of these funds are going to help pay for the pedestrian
portion of the Elwha River Bridge. Applications should be made fo the Dry Creek
Bridge project.
Also, enhancement grants may be applied for from the Federal Dept. of
Transportation.
We also have the option of approaching Norm Dicks and Patty
Murray to ask for Line Item funding from the Transportation Budget for our
local bridge. They have come through for us in helping to make funds available
for the Gateway project. Hopefully, next year they can focus on our community's
need to fund the Dry Creek Bridge portion of our Discovery Trail.
3. Absolutely! There is discussion of a Valley Creek trail to up Highway 101
and to connect up to Black Diamond. While this is to be encouraged, I would
think that for right now, our major focus needs to be to finish/finance the
main Discovery Trail route.
Grant Munro
Thank you for this opporturnity to discuss trails. I am, and
continue to
be, a strong trail supporter. I do believe that good trails can add much to
the character and even economy of a city and area.
Specifically:
1. I would like to see the trail completed as quickly as we practically
can. Funding is always an issue and we should continue to work on ways to
accomplish it; either from City funding, state, or contributions from other
sources. But, I do expect the trail to be completed in the next few years
and will support that direction.
2. I have supported the city's effort to fund this bridge with both city
funds and state grants. We have applied for a state grant and should wait
for that answer before moving ahead. Funding only with city funds will be
difficult in the next 2 years.
3. There is an opportunity for additional trails within the city.
Tumwater, Peabody, and Valley Creeks all have, I believe, some trails
already in place. We have discussed working on these trails and I do
support the effort to bring them to fruition. A trail network around the
city near these valleys could give us a wonderful natural area set of trails
right in the city!
I look forward to discussing this with you at your convenience.
Questions for Sequim City Council Candidates
1. Do you support the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Parks?
2. If so, how should the trails proposed by the Task Force be funded?
1. I partially support the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Task Force. Most of all, I support a bikable and walkable Sequim. I'd like to see green belts rather than roads proposed in many places.
2. The lion's share of the funding should come from developer impact fees. The remainder could be a mixture of funding sources.
1. Yes. I support the Blue Ribbon Task Force and the work they have done on future trails and completing the Discovery Trail through sequim.
2. The best way to pay for the trail system has already started. Developers can give to the city 50 % of the value of the open space they must provide. This money goes to the Parks Dept. Also the Council requests developers to put in trails that connect to the Trail System. Don Hall
Bob Anundson
1. I certainly do! I think it is very exciting.
2. I agree with panel finding that in-lieu of funding the best path.
Erik Erichsen
1. Most of the recommendations are great. My wife and I use the trails frequently to walk and bike. They certainly improve the quality of life for the citizens of Sequim. First, I think there should be more trails, paths, parks and open space for walking, jogging and biking. There should be fewer roads recommended for motorized vehicles. Second, funding for these improvements to Sequim should be paid for mostly by impact fees charged to the developers, not in-lieu fees that reduce our open space and lets the developers pack more houses together. Most of us moved to Sequim for the serene beauty and charm of the small town atmosphere. We don't want the overcrowded congestion of the big cities we left!
2. Funding for this should be provided through impact fees charged to the developers who are adding to Sequim's uncontrolled growth to offset the damage they have done and are continuing to do. This is not a new idea, many cities in this country have used this method very successfully. These should be assessed and paid before the developers get approval to proceed. If these fees cause some developers to go elsewhere, this only means that those developers who do agree to them will help us maintain our open spaces and the family friendliness of Sequim. In addition, there are federal and state grants available to supplement the funding from impact fees.
Position 6
Laura Dubois
I personally commended the Blue Ribbon Task Force at the
recent City Council meeting. This group accomplished a tremendous amount of
work since February. I have read the report and studied the parks/trails map. A
city's parks system is an important element to its quality of life. I support
the plan as presented, except for the change in the funding recommendation
which differs from the survey results.
At this point it is critical to purchase parks and trail sites as soon as possible.
In 2007 the City Council has approved 3,333 "dwelling units" within
the city limits. (Go to the City of Sequim home page. Select "maps and
graphs", then download the Current Projects 2007 map. I did the math. They
have approved 3,333 units!) For Walt Shubert to say his is shocked at the loss
of available land tells us his wasn't paying attention as he and the council
approved all these homes.
As far as funding the parks, I agree with the survey results. 60% said their
funding preference was impact fees. The survey did not ask about in-lieu fees.
It is important for developers to contribute to this community through impact
fees. I was not present at the meetings where this was changed to in-lieu fees.
I'm sure it was strongly suggested by Mr. Freedman, a developer.
If the city can find grant funds for additional funding that would be great. We
have seen 4 years of explosive growth without impact fees. The city
infrastructure (streets, water, sewer and parks) is falling behind this growth.
I would NOT like to see the city impose user fees except for the Guy Cole
Center.
I would love to see Sequim become a truly walk-able, bike-able city dotted with
small parks.
Ron Farquhar
1. I am a member of the Blue Ribbon Task Force that proposed the plan.
I totally agree with this concept as I fell this is one way to preserve the rural feeling of Sequim.
This trail system would complement the Olympic Trail System already in place..
2. We would negotiate with new developments to to either help construct the trail if it's going through there development and more or if it's not near there development contribute to the Park and Recreation Board for development of trails or new parkland.
Right now we have a 10% value or one lot size being set aside for a park. This is not working since some development use this up with planning sidewalks or we have a weed patch that no one wants to turn into a park within the development.This way we have something that everyone could use and be proud of.
This would require no new taxes!
Position 7
Ken Hayes
Ø
1. I haven’t had a chance to look carefully at all of the
recommendations
> made by the Task Force; however I support completing the OD Trail
> segment through Sequim as a primary goal and a high priority project
> for the Transportation Plan.
>
> 2. A significant portion of the OD Trail funding should come from
> development Transportation Impact Fees. The rest of the funding should
> come from a combination of private contributions and grants from
> local, state, & federal sources.
Ken Hayes has no opponent.
Questions for Clallam County Commissioner Candidates
1. When would you like to see the ODT in Clallam Co. completed?
2. How should the remaining portions of the Olympic Discovery Trail be funded?
Steve Tharinger
1. I would like to see the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) finished as soon as possible. The ODT is great for Clallam County and the North Peninsula on many levels; it provides a safe alternative modality for commuting, it provides a facility for healthy exercise and recreation plus it attracts tourists. In addition, it is key for events such as the Olympic Discovery Marathon and the Olympic Bike Adventure fundraiser. As the trail expands these events will grow and the ODT will become more of a tourist destination.
2. As commissioner I will continue to work with Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Norm Dicks to obtain funding from federal multi-modal transportation funds, an effort that has been very successful in the past. We have also been successful in securing funds at the State level through regional transportation enhancement grants and the Recreation Conservation Funding Board, the old IAC. I will continue supporting and encouraging staff to pursue these funding opportunities.
I would be remiss if I did not mention all the time and hard work the County and PTC trail volunteers put into building and maintaining the ODT, which reduces the expenditure of County funds on the ODT.
Bob Forde
1. Completion on any publicly-funded project always depends on available funding opportunities.
2. Funding should be evaluated if money becomes available.
Other Stuff
Clallam County
Adventure Route Detour
The Adventure Route is open and ready for use however there is some logging taking place on it so there is a detour of a couple of miles. The detour is just west of the Joyce Access Road and adds about 20 minutes of uphill to the 24-mile ride. The logging should be done by around the first of the year. A grand opening for the Adventure Route is being planned-for sometime late this fall or in the spring. The opening will probably involve a group ride, food and coverage by Fox Network News (just kidding). Stay tuned.
West of Sequim
The section between Priest Road and Railroad Bridge (on the old railroad grade) is finished but as of this writing is not open. An agreement with the adjacent landowner requires fencing be installed along the trail prior to opening the route to the public. The Sequim Morning Rotary will be installing the fence shortly and this section may be open by the time you get this newsletter.
County crews are working on the 3200’ section of trail between the West Sequim Bay Road (at the log building) and the Sequim City line. When they are finished with that they’ll be moving on to the section north of the Sequim Bay State Park. If they have time and the weather cooperates they’ll work on the section inside the Park. The intent is to have a hard-packed (gravel) surface to use this year. However, paving won’t happen till next year. The county would still like to get the trestle (near the log building) done this year but isn’t sure if contractors or the PTC will be doing the work.
Jefferson County
The Jefferson Trails Coalition has had two volunteer trail building events on South Edwards Road and with lots of support and help from the South Edwards Road neighbors, they have built two sections of the trail. The Jefferson County people are pretty excited to see things moving along. Matt Tyler has been taking photos at the work parties and posting them on line. You can check them out at; http://larryscotttrail.googlepages.com/home2
If you want to get involved in the work parties or attend a meeting contact Linda Carson (contact number on mast head), The JTC meets the last Thursday of each month at noon at the Hostel at Fort Worden.
Jefferson County is planning to start construction on another segment of the Larry Scott Trail. It will be constructed in two phases and will connect the trail from SR20 to the Cape George trailhead. The entire segment is sometimes referred to as the “missing mile” or as the “railroad connector”.
The first phase of construction is scheduled for this fall. It will extend from the trailhead and run eastward approximately 4400 feet, ending about 700 feet west of SR20. The second phase will be constructed next year and it will complete the trail connection eastward to SR20. Work on the first phase will start in the second half of October, and will take up to four weeks. At the conclusion of the first phase, the new segment of trail will be ready for public use.
Most of this first phase will be constructed on the railroad grade. The work will include the removal of vegetation as necessary for the trail, its adjacent clearances, and the sight lines where the trail approaches and crosses Nelson’s Landing Road. An 8’ wide trail (a total of 11’ including shoulders) will be constructed. It will be finished with fine compacted gravel similar to that used on other portions of the trail.
They have been sending notices out to all people who live along the trail letting them know this will be happening.
Call the Department of Public Works at 385-9189 if you have any questions or comments.
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