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SummaryReportfor2016
CommunityDiscussions
IncooperationwithWashingtonStateDepartmentofTransportation
Colfax-Albion-PullmanRailroadCorridor
CommunityDiscussions
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 iii
June 8, 2017 Roger Millar Washington State Secretary of Transportation 310 Maple Park Avenue S.E. Olympia, WA 98504-7300 Secretary Millar; We, the Leadership Committee, respectfully submit this Summary Report of the Colfax-Albion-Pullman Railroad Corridor public process undertaken in 2016. This report summarizes the year-long process to foster community discussions and gather input regarding the future of the 19-mile section of the Palouse River and Coulee City Railway between Colfax and Pullman. The Leadership Committee was convened to guide a public process that was transparent, fair, and open to all stakeholders. This Leadership Committee represents citizens, adjacent landowners, and elected officials who worked to acquaint the community with the potential options and promote an open discussion of those options for this idle rail line. The goal of the public process was to gather and disseminate information and to strengthen community partnerships to increase credibility and to inform decision making. The Summary Report captures the variety of viewpoints expressed during a series of community workshops held in Pullman, Colfax, Albion and at Washington State University (Pullman campus). We believe the effort of the Leadership Committee, with assistance provided by the National Park Service, the Washington State Department of Transportation, and the Pullman Civic Trust, has achieved the goals set out. As a group, we have read and edited the final Summary Report and are satisfied that it represents the process, the information gathered and disseminated, and captures the opinions expressed during the public forums. Although this report is complete, we view the report as a first step to guide future decision-making. The Leadership Committee is looking forward to a continued partnership with Washington State Department of Transportation as the future of the Colfax–Albion–Pullman Corridor is determined. Sincerely,
The Colfax–Albion–Pullman Leadership Committee Lisa Carloye – Pullman Civic Trust, Chair of Leadership Committee Todd Vanek – Mayor of Colfax Carolyn Emerson-Farr – Mayor of Albion Glenn Johnson – Mayor of Pullman Eileen Macoll – Pullman City Representative Michael Largent – Whitman County Commissioner Karen Hinnenkamp – Property Owner Larry Fox – Property Owner Larry Farr – Property Owner John Shaheen – Washington State University Transportation Services Bobbie Ryder – Palouse Trail Committee Alexandra Stone – National Park Service Stephanie Stroud – National Park Service, Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program Bob Westby – Washington State Department of Transportation, Rails, Freight, and Ports Division.
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 v
EXECUTIVESUMMARYIn 2005, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) purchased the 297-mile Palouse River andCouleeCityshort-linerailsystemineasternWashingtonfor$21millionmakingthe19-milesectionbetweenPullman,Albion,andColfax(theCAPCorridor)apubliclyownedfacility.ThecorridorparallelstheSouthForkofthePalouseRiverandcrossesiton17trestles.A2006firedestroyedalongtrestle2milesoutsideofColfaxeffectivelyhaltingrailservicealongtheCAPCorridor.Becausethelocalneedforrailservicedoesnotjustifythecostofrehabilitatingtheraillineatthistime,thefutureoftheCAPCorridorisunderdiscussion.This report describes the public process for raising awareness of the options for the rail corridor and facilitatingcommunity discussion of these options. The process was guided by a Leadership Committee, which includedrepresentativesfromthemajorstakeholders–WSDOTRailsDivision;theMayorsandanadditionalcityrepresentativefromColfax, Albion, and Pullman;WhitmanCounty Commissioners;WSU; theChipman Trail Committee; and threerepresentatives for adjacent landowners opposed to using this corridor for a trail. The committee was led by thePullmanCivicTrust,anon-profitcivicorganizationfocusedoncreatingvibrantcommunities,withtechnicalassistancefromtheNationalParkServiceRivers,TrailsandConservationAssistanceProgramandincooperationwithWSDOT.A totalof fivepublicworkshopswereheld in2016: aKickoffWorkshop in June followedbyaCommunityWorkshopheldineachtownandontheWSUcampusinNovemberandDecember.ThepurposeoftheworkshopswastoprovideavenueforpeopletogathertodiscusstheirconcernsandvisionsfortheCAPCorridor,toeducatethepublicabouttheoptionsforthecorridor,andtoidentifyquestions.Thegoalwastobeinclusiveofallperspectivesandvoices.ThemostlikelyfuturesoftheCAPCorridorright-of-way(ROW)are:
• TheROWisretainedbyWSDOTwhichassumesmaintenanceresponsibilitiesfortheright-of-way.• TheROWisdisposed,returningtoprivateownership.• TheROWisrailbanked,whichallowstrailcreationwhileretainingtheROWforfuturerailneeds.
ThefollowingisasummaryofthePROSandCONSofeachoptionemergingfromcommunityvoices:
PROSandCONSassociatedwithWSDOTRETAININGTHEROWandRESPONSIBILITYforcorridormaintenance• PreservationofthepublicROWforfuturetransportationwascitedasaPROalthoughthefactthatthisoption
wouldusetaxpayerfundswhileprovidingnopublicaccessmadethisoptionlessattractive.• Notrailispossiblewiththisoption–thiswascitedasbothaPROandaCONbyparticipantswithdifferingviews.• Increasedcrimeandvandalismwereaconcernsincethisoptionwouldleavethecorridorunusedand
abandonedrailroadlinescanattractcriminalactivityduetolessoversightandfewereyestoreportabuses.
PROSandCONSassociatedwithDISPOSINGOFTHEROWandreturningittoprivateownership• Economicbenefitsassociatedwithreturningthelandtotaxrollsandagriculturalproductionwherepractical.• Weedcontrolislikelytobebetterthanitiscurrently.• Retentionoftheruralqualityoflifecurrentlyexperiencedbyadjacentpropertyowners.• LossoftheROWandfuturerail.• Lossofeconomicandqualityoflifeopportunitiesassociatedwithconvertingthecorridorintoatrail.
PROSandCONSassociatedwithRAILBANKINGTHEROWANDcreatingatrail• PreservesthepublicROWforfuturetransportation.• Recreationalopportunitiesandhealthbenefitsassociatedwithtrails.• ThequalityoflifeforcitizensofWhitmanCountycouldbeimprovedbecausetrailsareaccessibletoallregardless
ofincomelevelorage.Peoplecitedtrailsasgoodforrecruitingandretainingemployeesforareabusinesses.• Safety–manyfeltthatatrailwouldsafelyconnectthethreetownsandgetpeopleonbikesofftheroads.
Othersworriedaboutaccessforemergencyvehiclesinthisisolatedcorridorthathasareaswithnocellservice.• EconomicbenefitsforregionalbusinessesfromincreasedtourismandlocaluserswascitedasaPRO.• LossofprivacyandtranquilityforadjacentlandownerswascitedasaCON.• Potentialforincreasedcrimeandvandalismwasaconcernforadjacentlandowners.• Thecostofatrailmightraisetaxes,orfundingwouldbedivertedfromotherprojectsvaluedbythecommunity.• Dangertopeopleonatrailfromhunters,livestock,andexposuretoherbicides/pesticides.Propertyowners
worriedthatdogsoffleashcouldharasstheirlivestockorthatfarmdogsmightchasetrailusers.
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 vii
Colfax-Albion-PullmanRailroadCorridorCommunityDiscussions
TableofContents
Section Page
i.ii.iii.
LettertoWashingtonStateSecretaryofTransportationExecutiveSummaryTableofContents
iiivvii
I. ReportOverview 1II. Background
A. GeographicLocation&DescriptionofCorridorB. DemographicsC. HistoricalPerspective
122
III. PublicInvolvementA. TheLeadershipCommitteeB. Kick-OffWorkshop-June5th,2016
• ThreeOptionsfortheCAPcorridorPresentedbyWSDOT• WorkshopSmallGroupDiscussions• DiscussionSummaries
C. SummerResearch–ExploringquestionsraisedinKick-offWorkshopD. Fall/WinterCommunityWorkshops-NovemberandDecember2016
• SummaryofCommunityWorkshopComments
34566778
IV. ExploringQuestionsRaisedA. WhoWouldUsetheCAPCorridorIfItWasaTrail?B. InsightsfromOtherTrails(LiteratureSearch)
1112
V. CommunityVoicesSnapshot 14
VI. InClosing 16VII. LiteratureCited 17
Appendices AppendixA: TranscriptofJune5thKick-offWorkshop 19
AppendixB: TranscriptsofFall/WinterCommunityWorkshopSeries 27
AppendixC: BillChipmanTrailUserCountsandInterceptSurveyResults 35
1
FIGURE1:LocationoftheColfax-Albion-Pullmanrailroadcorridor.ThiscorridorispartoftheUpperHoopersubdivisionofthePCCraillineinEasternWashington.
Colfax-Albion-PullmanRailroadCorridorCommunityDiscussions
l.ReportOverviewThisreportsummarizesthepubliccommunityprocessdiscussingthefutureofthePalouseRiverandCouleeCityRailCorridorconnectingthecommunitiesofColfax,Albion,andPullman(CAPCorridor).ThisprocesswasledbythePullmanCivicTrust(PCT)incooperationwiththeWashingtonStateDepartmentofTransportation(WSDOT)andtheNationalParkService(NPS).ThepartnershiphadguidanceandsupportfromaCommunityLeadershipCommitteethatincludedthemayorandanalternatefromthethreeprimarycommunities(Colfax,Albion,Pullman);arepresentativefromWashingtonStateUniversity(WSU);aWhitmanCountyCommissioner(WCC);theBillChipmanPalouseTrailCommittee;thePullmanCivicTrust;andthreerepresentativesfromtheRailCorridorPropertyOwnersgroup.ll.BackgroundGeographicLocationandDescriptionThePalouseRiverandCouleeCityRailwaySystem(PCC),currentlyownedbyWSDOT,islocatedintheeasternWashingtonregionknownasthePalouse.ThePCCtravelsthroughsomeofthemostspectacularanduniquerurallandscapesinWhitmanCounty.ThesectionofthePCCraillineunderdiscussion,specificallytheUpperHooperSubdivision,runsfromColfaxthruAlbiontoPullman(Figure1).ThissectionisreferredtoastheCAPCorridor.Formostofits19-milelength,theCAPCorridorparallelstheSouthForkofthePalouseRiverasitwindsthroughtherollingPalousewheatfieldsandfarmland.Thecorridoralsotravelsthruforestedravinesandbetweenrockyoutcrops,landformsrarelyfoundinaregiondominatedbyrollinghillsoffarmland.Therailroadisvisiblefromcountyroads.TheCAPCorridorconvergeswiththePalouseandLewistonSubdivision(P&L)inPullman,whichoriginatesatMarshall.Thereareexistingnearbytrails,includinga28-milelineartrailsystem,consistingoftheBillChipmanTrailbetweenPullmanandMoscow(7miles),theLatahTrailfromMoscow,ID,toTroy,ID(12-miles),anextensionintoBearCreekCanyontowardsKendrick(4milespaved)plusapproximately2-milesofthePullmanLoopTrailand3-milesonParadisePaththroughMoscow.TheCAPrailcorridorpassesoutofColfaxontheEastedgeoftown,alongsidetheSouthernedgeofAlbionandintothenorthwestsideofPullman.InPullman,thereisanapproximatelyone-blockgapbetweentheendoftherailandentrytotheDowntownRiverWalktrailwhichconnectstothisregionaltrailsystem.
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 2
AlongtheCAPCorridor,thereare14trestlesthatcrossthePalouseRiverastheraillineweavesbackandforthacrosstherivervalley.However,arangefirein2006destroyedtheRisbeckbridge,alongtrestletwomileseastofColfax.ThelossofthistrestleeffectivelyhaltedrailservicebetweenPullmanandColfax,viaAlbion.DemographicsThereareover46,000residentsinWhitmanCounty.Includedareroughly34,000inPullman(20,000areWSUstudents),3,000inColfax,and600inAlbion.AdjacentLatahCounty,Idahohasapopulationof25,000(12,500areUniversityofIdahostudents).Inadditiontothelocalcitygovernments,thetwostateland-grantuniversitiesaremajoremployersfortheregionalongwithWhitmanCounty,SchweitzerEngineering,threeregionalhospitals,andtheK-12publicschoolsystems.
IntheCAPCorridor,overallpoverty,includingWSUstudents,is42.8%,orjustover10%higherthantheaverageinWhitmanCounty(32.7%);povertyhereishigherthantheUSaverage(15.6%)andtheWashingtonStateaverage(13.5%).MedianhouseholdincomefortheregionvarywithWhitmanCountyat$35,578,Colfaxat$45,729,andPullmansignificantlyloweroverallat$24,487reflectingtheundergraduateandgraduatestudentpopulationsandhigherunemploymentrate(CAPCommunityHealthProfile,2017).
HistoricalPerspectiveInthelate1800’smanyfarmfamiliessigneddeedsgrantingrightofwaytotherailroadsforthepurposeofbuildingarailsystemtogettheircropsandgoodstomarket.Itwasasuccessfuleconomicdevelopmentdecisionfortheregionandthisraillinewasusedforover100yearstotransportgoodsintoandoutoftheregion.Additionally,forabout40yearsapassengertrainbroughtpeopletoandfromtheregionon“TheCoastSpecial”or“Seattle-Tacoma-PullmanSpecial”(Stimson,W.1989).By1996,theUnionPacificRailroadandBNSFRailwayhadsoldtheshortlinerailroadsystemtoWatcoCompaniesInc,who,in2004indicateditsintenttoabandonthelinesduetohighmaintenanceneeds.In2005,theWashingtonStateDepartmentofTransportationpurchasedthe297-mileshortlinerailsystemfromPalouseRiverandCouleeCityRailroad,Inc.viaquitclaimdeed.IncludedwastheCAPCorridor(QuitclaimDeed661212,2/16/2005).WashingtonStatespent$27.7millionforthe297-milesystemwhich,whenprorated,equals$1.77millionfortheCAPCorridorportion[WSDOT2009].ThesaletotheStateofWashingtonmadethePCCrailroad,includingtheCAPcorridor,apubliclyownedfacility.WSDOTjustifiedthispurchaseasfollows:
Facedwithpotentiallylosinganimportantcomponentofthefreighttransportationsystem,agriculturalgrowersinEasternWashingtonaskedthatthestateintervenetokeepallofthelinesoperationaltoprovidecompetitiveshippingalternatives.Thegraincooperativesexpressedconcernthattruck-to-bargeratesandtrucktoRitzvillerateswouldincreaseifthelineswerenotavailabletoshiptheirproduct.WSDOTindicatedthelinesmaybeoffutureimportanceforemergingindustriessuchasbiodiesel.Ifthelinesweretoleavestatecontrol,itwouldbechallengingtoprotectthemfromabandonment.Ifabandoned,therightofwaywouldbedifficultandverycostlytore-acquire.Theclosureofthelineswouldmeanthattrafficwouldbedivertedtosurfacestreets,withthepotentialforseasonalroadclosures,congestion,andincreasedmaintenancecosts.”(WSDOTpp1,6)
In2015,theWSDOTFreightSystemsDivisionpublishedthePalouseRiverandCouleeCityRailSystemStrategicPlanforthe“purposeofoutliningthevisionandgoalsforthePCCrailsystem,andtocommunicatepoliciesandprojectsneededtoachievethegoals.”Inthatreporttheystate:
Theplanhasidentifiedapproximately37miles(fromColfaxtoPullman,WAandfromFallon,WAtotheWashington/IdahoStateline)ofthePCCwheretherearenocurrentcustomersandlimitedpotentialforeconomicdevelopment.ThePCCRailAuthorityandWSDOTwillworkwithlocalleaderstodetermineifaccesstothissegmentofthePCCisstrategicallyimportantforthelocalandregionaleconomy.Coordinatedplanningwillfocusonevaluationofthepotentialneedtodevelopaneconomicstrategy
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 3
aimedatretainingrailserviceintheregion,andwhatactionablestepscanbetakentoincreasetheviabilityoftheraillines.Iftheoutcomeshowsthatthereisnoneedforcontinuedrailservice,WSDOTwillfollowthefederallyrequiredSurfaceTransportationBoard(STB)processtodeterminefutureusesofthesection,withinputfromstakeholders.TheSTBprovidestwooptions:railbanking,andabandonmentoftheright-of-way.Railbankingallowstheright-of-waycorridortobepreservedforfuturerailuse,whileabandonmentterminatestherailcorridoralongwithanylandeasementsthatmayhavebeengrantedinthecreationoftherailcorridor.Bothabandonmentandrailbankingterminateanoperator’sobligationtoprovidecommoncarrierrailserviceandaregovernedbyfederallaws(CFRTitle49,part1152and16USC1247(d),respectively).(WSDOTpg60)
III.PublicInvolvementWiththefutureoftheCAPcorridorinquestion,thePullmanCivicTrust(PCT)soughttechnicalassistancetoplanandfacilitateanopenpublicprocessbringingtogetherthepublicandmajorstakeholderswiththeultimategoalofprovidingasnapshotofcommunityvoicestodecision-makers.PCTwasawardedatechnicalassistancegrantfor2016fromtheNationalParkService’sRivers,TrailsandConservationAssistanceProgram(NPSRTCA)withlettersofsupportfromtheMayorsofColfaxandPullman,WhitmanCountyCommissioners,PullmanChamberofCommerce,BillChipmanTrailCommittee,AssociatedStudentsofWashingtonStateUniversity(ASWSU),andanadjacentpropertyowner.Thegrantwasrenewedfor2017withanadditionalletterofsupportfromWSDOTRails,Freight,andPortDivision.A. TheLeadershipCommitteeWithassistancefromtheNationalParkService(NPS),concernedcivicleadersassembledacommitteetogatherfactsandcomments,informthepublicastothegeneraloptions,andcreateadocumentthatcouldserveasaresourceforlawmakersandothers.ThisbecametheLeadershipCommittee,whichincludedrepresentativesfromeachofthemajorstakeholdergroups[Figure2].ThepurposewasfortheseleaderstoparticipateinguidingapublicprocessforcommunitydiscussionaboutthefutureoftheCAPCorridor.TheLeadershipCommitteemembersinclude:
WSDOT:BobWestby(PCCRailwaySystemManager)Mayors:ToddVanek(Colfax);CarolynEmerson-Farr(Albion);GlennJohnson(Pullman)CityRepresentatives:BaineGolden(Colfax),RhondaAnderson(Albion),EileenMacoll(Pullman)CountyCommissioners:MichaelLargentRailCorridorPropertyOwners:KarenHinnenkamp,LarryFox,LarryFarrWSUTransportation:JohnShaheenPalouseTrailCommittee:BobbieRyderPullmanCivicTrust:LisaCarloye,ChairofLeadershipCommitteeNationalParkService:CommunityAssistanceprovidedbyRivers,TrailsandConservationAssistanceProgram:
AlexandraStoneandStephanieStroud
TheRailCorridorPropertyOwnersgroupconsistsofapproximately54peoplewhoareagainstusingtheCAPCorridorforatrail.Theirmembershipincludesamajorityoftheapproximately40propertiesabuttingtheCAPrailline.ThegroupselectedtheirthreerepresentativesfortheLeadershipCommitteefromtheirmembership.AtthefirstmeetingonApril7,2016,theCommitteedecideduponaseriesofworkshopsincludingakick-offworkshopinearlyJunefollowedbyindividualworkshopsineachcommunityintheFallandearlyWinter,includingoneheldatWSU.Afterthekick-offworkshop,theLeadershipCommitteereconvenedtodiscusshowtheworkshopwentanddecideonthegoalsandformatofthecommunity-basedworkshops.
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 4
ThepurposeofthecommunityworkshopswastoprovideavenueforeachcommunitytocometogethertodiscusstheirconcernsandtheirvisionsfortheCAPCorridorandforalltohearthesameinformationfromWSDOTabouttheoptionsandprocessandtoidentifyquestionsinneedofanswers.Theworkshopswereanattempttohelpallstakeholdersto“walkineachother’sshoes,”withthehopeoffindingsomecommonground.Thegoalwastobeinclusiveofallperspectivesandvoices.PCTservedasthe“bootsontheground”organizersoftheworkshops,coordinatingfood,advertising,setupandallthelogisticaldetailsneededtoholdanddocumentapublicmeeting.PCTprovidedequipmentrentals,advertising,andfood.WSDOTandtheRailCorridorPropertyOwnersgroupalsocontributedfruitandcookiesforthevariouscommunityworkshops.NPSstaffofferedinsightsandguidancethroughouttheplanningandexecution.
B.Kick-offWorkshop–June5th,2016ThefirstworkshopwasheldinPullmanatalocalchurchmeetinghall.Thegoalsoftheworkshopwere:
1.EducatethepubliconthemostlikelyoptionsavailabletotheWSDOTandtoexplaintheprocessleadingtoeachoption;
2.BringtogethercommunitymemberswithdiverseviewpointstoengageincivildiscussionsregardingtheCAPCorridorinordertogainabetterunderstandingoftheconcernsandopportunitiesassociatedwiththisrailline;and
3.Identifyquestionsinneedofanswers.
The“Kick-offWorkshop”drew132attendeesincludingfarmers,otherruralresidents,localbusinessowners,retirees,andcommunitymembers.Somefavoredatrailandothersfavoreddisposal,andstillothersweresimplyseekingmoreinformation.Participantscreatednametags,andpeoplewhocametogetherwereseatedatdifferent
Figure2:LeadershipCommitteechargedwithguidingthepublicprocess.Front:KarenHinnenkamp,LisaCarloye,EileenMacoll;Middle:BobbieRyderBack:LarryFarr,ToddVanek,LarryFox,JohnShaheen,GlennJohnson,BobWestby.NotPictured:CarolynEmerson-Farr,MichaelLargent
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 5
tablesinanefforttohaveavarietyofperspectivesineachgroup.Therewereapproximately10peoplepertable.LightrefreshmentswereprovidedbyPCT.
TheagendaforthisworkshopwasapprovedbytheLeadershipCommittee:
• WelcomeandOverview• SettingtheStage:BestandWorstOutcomesfortheWorkshop• WSDOTPresentationonThreeOptionsfortheCAPCorridor• SmallGroupWorkingSessions• LargeGroupSummary• QuestionsandAnswersfromAudiencetoWSDOT• ReviewofWorksheetsPostedontheWalls• ClosingRemarks
ThreeOptionsfortheCAPCorridorPresentedbyWSDOTAtthebeginningoftheKick-offworkshop,BobWestby,WSDOTRail,FreightandPortsDivision,describedthethreemost-likelyoptionsthattheLegislaturemayconsiderforthefutureoftheCAPCorridoralongwithaflowchartdepictingtheprocessleadingtoeachoutcome(Figure3).HestressedthatitistheLegislature,notWSDOT,whowillmaketheultimatedecisiononwhichoptiontopursue.Thethreepossibleendpointsinclude:
• WSDOTretainsownershipandassumesmaintenanceresponsibilitiesfortheright-of-way(ROW).• DisposaloftheROW• RailbankingtheROW
Thedecisiontogranttherailoperators(Washington&IdahoRailandWATCO)permissiontodiscontinueservicelieswithWSDOT.OnceWSDOTagreestotherequestandtheSTBgrantsthefiling,theoperatorwouldberelievedofmaintenanceobligationsandWSDOT,astheowneroftheROW,assumesresponsibilityformaintenance.Withdiscontinuanceofservice,theSTBstillconsidersthecorridoranactiverailroadand,therefore,nopublicaccessispermitted.WSDOTcouldmaintainthecorridorandpreservetheROWindefinitely.WSDOTanticipatedthatadecisionregardingDiscontinuanceofServicewiththeFederalSurfaceTransportationBoard(STB)wouldoccurin20171.Atthispoint,anyfurtherdesiredactionwouldrequiretheWashingtonStateLegislaturetodirectWSDOTtofilewiththeSTBanintenttoabandonrailservice.Ifabandonmentisapproved,twooutcomesarepossible:
1) WSDOTcoulddisposeoftheROWinaccordancewithreversionaryrightsofadjacentpropertyownerswhereapplicableandthroughsaleofpropertiesownedoutrightbyWSDOT.Thiswouldrealisticallypreventanyfuturerailuseinthecorridor.
2) AthirdpartycouldfileapetitionwiththeSTBtoprohibitsalefor180days,sothatthethirdpartycouldnegotiatetoacquirethecorridorforpublicuseviatheFederalRailbankingAct.WSDOTmayvoluntarilyenterintoanagreementforalternativeuse,atwhichpoint,athirdpartyassumescontroloftherightofway.Ifthepartiesfailtoreachanagreementwithinthe180-dayperiod,ornopartyexpressesinterest,STBmustallowtheWSDOTtofullyabandonthelineanddisposeofitsproperty.
1 WhileWSDOThadinitiallypresentedatthepublicmeetingstoallowtheraillineoperatorstofileadiscontinuancewiththeSurfaceTransportationBoardtorelievethemofthemaintenanceofthecorridor,thesameresultcanbemorequicklyachievedthroughanamendmenttotheoperatingleasebetweenWSDOTandtheraillineoperator.Onceadecisionismadeonthefutureuseofthecorridor,WSDOTortheoperatorscanthendoasingleSTBfiling.
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 6
WorkshopSmallGroupDiscussionsVolunteerrecordersfromeachcommunity,includingWSUstudentsandPCTboardmembersfacilitateddiscussionofparticipants’concernsandperceptionsofopportunitiesassociatedwitheachofthethreeoptionspresentedbyWSDOTEachrecorderwasassignedoneofthethreetopicsandrotatedfromtabletotableon15-minuterotations.Referencemapsofthecorridorwereplacedoneachtable.3”x5”cardsateachtableallowedpeopletocontributeadditionalcomments.Thosecommentsweretranscribedalongwiththedocumentsgeneratedbyeachtablegroup.Attheendoftheworkshop,thechurchwallswerefilledwiththepaperandcomments.Workshopcoordinatorsreviewedthecollectivecommentsandreportedouttothelargergroupasummaryofwhatwassaidinthesmallgroupdiscussions.ThecommentsincludedmanyquestionsthatrequiredfurtherresearchandWSDOT,NPSandPCTcommittedtotrytheirbesttofindanswersthroughresearchoverthesummer.Kick-offWorkshopDiscussionSummariesAswouldbeexpected,therewereawidevarietyofopinionsexpressedinthesmallgroupdiscussions.AllcommentsweretranscribedintoadatabaseandareavailableinAppendixA.Analysisofthecommentsrevealedseveralrecurringthemesandthecommentswereascribedtocategories,or“buckets”,tohelpmakesenseofthecommunityvoice.Mostofthecommentsfellintothree“buckets”withdifferingemphasisdependingupontheoptionbeingdiscussed:WSDOTMaintainsROW RailbankingandTrailCreation DisposalofPropertyMaintenanceofthecorridorTaxes&costsCrimePreservationofrailservice
EconomicopportunitiesHealth&RecreationCorridorpreservationPublicaccesstonatureMaintenanceofthecorridorPreservationofrailserviceoptionPropertyrightsCrimeSafetyPrivacy
EconomicopportunitiesFinancialimpactsEnvironmentalpreservation
WSDOTMaintainsROWoption:ThemostcommonlyexpressedviewsontheopportunitieswerethatthisoptionpreservesthepublicROWforfutureneeds,includingfuturerailservice,withoutforcingadecisiononwhethertorailbankordisposeofthepropertyatthistime.Participantshopeditwouldresultinbetterweedcontrolthanwhatiscurrentlybeingprovidedbytherailoperator.Concernswerethatthisoptionwouldcreateafinancialburdentotaxpayersandthatitreallyjustpostponesthedecisionratherthansolvingtheproblemofhowtobestusethecorridor.
FIGURE3:FlowchartoutliningtheprocessstagesleadingtothreepossibleoutcomesfortheCAPCorridor.Therespectiverolesofeachdecision-makingentityinvolvedisincluded.
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 7
RailbankingandTrailCreationoption:Themostcommonlyexpressedviewsontheopportunitieswereeconomicbenefitsfromtourismandqualityoflifefactorsassociatedwithtrails.Thisincludedrecreation,healthbenefits,abilitytogetoutinnature.Preservationoftheoptiontorestorerailserviceinthefuturewasalsocitedasanopportunity.Concernswerelargelyassociatedwiththeimpactofatrailonadjacentlandownersincludinglossofprivacy,concernswithtrespassingandcrime,andliability.Safetyandcostwerealsocommonconcerns.Thisoptionrequiresthatfundingquestionsaboutbuildingandmaintainingatrailneedtobeansweredbeforemovingforward.DisposalofPropertyoption:Themostcommonlyexpressedviewsontheopportunitieswerethattheadjacentlandownersgetthelandback(ifsodeeded),whichalsopreservestheirprivacy,andthattherewouldbenoongoingpublicfinancialobligationsoncethedisposalprocessiscomplete.Somementionedthatunderthisscenariothepropertywouldbeprivatelyownedandaddedtothecounty’staxrolls.Someexpressedconcernthatsomelandownersmightnotwantthelandandareanxiousaboutwhoisresponsiblefortherailroadwastethatcomeswithit.Concernswereexpressedoverlostopportunitiesforeconomicdevelopmentandusingtherailcorridorasapublicassetwhileotherssaweconomicopportunitiesforagriculturaldevelopment.Additionalcommentsandquestionswerecontributedon3”x5”cardsattheworkshop.MostquestionsfocusedonthecostsassociatedwithtrailcreationandhowmuchtheStatespentwithpublicmoneytopurchasetheROWoriginallyCommentsincludedconcernthattheeffectofatrailonlandownersisnotbeinggiventheemphasisitdeservesandthattheownershipofthelandandthelegalinterpretationofdeedsthatsaytheROWisgranted“forlegitimaterailroadpurposes”hasnotbeenclarified.Othersnotedthatrail-trailshavebeenhighlysuccessfulinotherplaces,includingWashingtonState,andtheconcernsbeingraisedhaveallbeensuccessfullydealtwithinthosecases.C.SummerResearch-ExploringQuestionsRaisedinWorkshopOverthesummerandfallof2016,withapprovalorrequestfromtheLeadershipCommittee,PullmanCivicTrustvolunteers,NPSandsomeofthemembersoftheLeadershipCommittee,gatheredinformationtoanswerquestionsraisedattheKickoffWorkshop.Thiseffortincluded:
1. Literaturesearches2. InterceptsurveyofChipmanTrailusers3. PublicrecordssearchofcallstoCountySherifffortheChipmanTrail4. InfraredtrailusercountontheChipmanTrail5. SpeedercarexpeditionalongthelengthofthecorridorfromPullmantothemissingtrestlelocatedtwomiles
eastofColfax.
ResultsoftheseresearcheffortsareincludedinsummarizedforminSectionIVofthisreport.D.Fall/WinterCommunityWorkshops–NovemberandDecember,2016Fouradditionalworkshops,similarinformat,wereorganizedbyPCT,NPS,andWSDOTwithinputfromtheLeadershipCommittee.Workshopswerehostedbyeachofthethreetowns,andWSUhostedaworkshoponcampustoengagestudents.Participantscreatednametags,andwereencouragedtocreatetablegroupswithvariedopinionsandperspectives.ThetranscribedcommentsfromtheJuneKick-offWorkshopwerepostedonthewallsforparticipantstoreviewwhentheyarrivedandduringbreaks.SandwicheswereprovidedbyPCT,fruitwascontributedbyWSDOTandtheRailCorridorPropertyOwnersbroughtcookies.Thegoalsoftheworkshopswere:
1.EducatethepubliconthemostlikelyoptionsavailabletoWSDOTandtoexplaintheprocessleadingtoeachoption;
2.Shareinformationgleanedfromsummerliteraturereviews,theChipmanTrailsurvey,andtheSpeedercarcorridorexcursion.
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 8
3.BringtogethercommunitymemberswithdiverseviewpointstoengageincivildiscussionsregardingtheCAPCorridorinordertoenvisionanddiscusstheperceivedeffectsofeachoptiononthecommunityasawhole,corridorneighbors,andindividuals.
4.Provideavenueforcommunitymemberstospeaktothegroupasawholetosharetheirthoughts.
Eachworkshopwasattendedbyapproximately60-70people,withtheexceptionoftheWSUworkshopwhichhadapproximately50attendees.includingfarmers,otherruralresidents,localbusinessowners,retirees,communitymembers.Somefavoredatrailandothersfavoreddisposal,andstillotherssimplyseekingmoreinformation.ThedatesfortheworkshopswereNovember2ndinPullmanandNovember3rdatWSU;andDecember7thinColfaxandDecember8thinAlbion.Theagendaforeachworkshopwasstandardizedtoinclude:
• WelcomebytheMayorofeachcommunityandintroductionofagenda• PresentationofRailCorridorOptions• PresentationofresearchaddressingquestionsraisedattheKick-offworkshop• Smallgroupdiscussion• Summarypresentationsofwhatwasdiscussedineachgroup(reportingouttolargegroup)• Anopenmicforumforindividualstospeakfor2minutes• Closingremarks
FacilitatorsforthesmallgroupdiscussionswerevolunteersfromPullman,Colfax,Albion,andmembersfromtheadjacentpropertyownersgroup.Tablesincluded8-10peopleandthefacilitatorencouragedeachindividualtocontributetheirthoughts.Facilitatorscapturedcommentsonlargesheetsofpaperandthenreportedouttothelargergroup.Thiswasfollowedbyanopenmicrophonesession(exceptinPullmanwherethisprecededthesmallgroupdiscussions)whereanyonewhowantedtoaddresstheaudiencewasgiven2minutesandwastimed.Duringtheworkshops,WSDOTprovidedanoverviewofthevariousoptionsfortheCAPCorridor.TheNPSstaffsharedinformationfromtheliteratureresearchofrailtrailsacrossthecountryandtheChipmanTrailinterceptsurvey.PCTsharedinformationgatheredinresponsetootherquestionsraisedattheKick-offWorkshop.Forthesmallgrouptablediscussion,participantswereaskedtobrainstormanddiscusshoweachoptionmightimpactindividualsinthecommunity,thecorridorneighborsspecifically,andthecommunityasawhole.Approximately15-20minuteswereallocatedforeachofthethreeoptions(WSDOTassumesmaintenanceandthecorridorremainsinrailroadstatus;disposaloftheROWandpropertyreturnstoprivateownership;railbankingandatrailiscreated).Thetranscriptsofallcommentsgatheredfromthefall/winterworkshopsareprovidedinAppendixB.Thetranscribedcommentsweregroupedinto“buckets,”reflectingtherecurringthemesthatemerged:
SafetyCrime&VandalismPrivacyFinancialBenefitsFinancialCostsHealth&WellnessRecreationEnvironmentalPreservationMaintenanceLiabilityLegalQuestions
SummaryofCommunityWorkshopComments Withthreeoptions,thereareseverallong-termpotentialoutcomesforthiscorridor.Duringthepublicmeetings,however,mostofthefocusandinterestcenteredontheprosandconsofacreatingatrail.Thatdynamicisevidentinthesummarizedcommentsbelow:
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 9
Safety:Participantssawatrailashavingthepotentialtobothincreaseanddecreasecrimeandsafety.Severalparticipantsexpressedconcernaboutemergencyvehiclesbeingabletoaccessinjuredtrailusers.Otherparticipantsnotedthattrailsarebuilttoaccommodateemergencyvehiclesandthatpublicroadsprovideaccesstomostportionsofthecorridor.Alackofcellphonecoveragealongportionsofthecorridoralsoraisedconcernsaboutsafetyandresponsetimes.Othersraisedconcernsaboutdangertotrailusersfromhunters,livestock,andexposuretoherbicides/pesticides.SeveralarguedthatatrailwouldgreatlyincreasesafetyforbikeridersbetweenAlbionandPullman,notingthatridingabikealongtheAlbionRoadisdangerous.Crime&Vandalism:Participantssawatrailashavingthepotentialtobothincreaseanddecreasecrime.SomethoughtthatbyinvitingmorepeopleintotheCAPCorridorthepotentialforcrimeandvandalismwouldincreasewhileothersassertedthatpeoplewhousetrailsaremorelikelytopickuplitterthandeliberatelycreateit.SomeworkshopparticipantsfeltthatdisposaloftheROW,withoutcreatingatrail,wouldincreasevandalismsinceabandonedrailroadlinestendtoattractgraffitiandpossiblecriminalactivityandtherewouldbelessoversightandfewereyestoreportabuses.Somepropertyownersfeltthatinvitingpeopleontothiscorridorwouldincreasetheamountofcrimeandvandalismtheyexperienceontheirpropertyalready.MembersoftheLatahTrailFoundationcontributedtheirexperiencewiththeLatahTrailreportingthatwhentheraillineinBearCreekCanyonwasabandoned,trespassingbecamerampantandthecorridorwasusedillegallybymotorvehiclesandcampers;aftertheLatahTrailwasbuilt,nearlyallillegalactivityceased.Privacy:LossofprivacywasvoicedasaconcernforsomepropertyownerslocatedalongtheCAPCorridor.Somelandownerfamilieshavelivedalongthecorridorforgenerations,valuingthetranquilityoftheirsecludedlifestyle.Therailcorridorpassesdirectlyinfrontofhouses,ascloseaswithin100-feet,inseveralplaces.Havingpeopleonbikesregularlypassbywouldchangetheoverallsenseofprivacyandtranquilitytheycurrentlyexperiencelivinginthecountry.Otherscounteredthatmanypropertyownersalongthecorridorarealsolocatedonapublic/countyroadthatbringspeoplebytheirhouse.Atthecommunityworkshops,otherruralresidents,includingthosesupportingatrail,agreedthatmitigatingtheseconcernswillbeahighpriorityfortrailplannersifthecorridorisrailbanked.Communitymemberssuggestedmitigationcouldincludedivertingthetrailsoitisfartherfromthehouses.Othersuggestionsincludedusingfencingandlandscapingtohelpscreenprivatehomesfromtrailusersandtrailactivity.FinancialBenefits:AnumberofparticipantsgavetestimonialsthatthelocaltrailscurrentlyavailablewereanimportantfactorintheirsettlinginPullman.Long-termPullmanresidentscreditedtheChipmanTrailasakeyfactorinthecommunityimprovementsseenoverthepast19years.Examplesoftrailsrevitalizingtheeconomiesofsmalltownswereshared,includingtherevitalizationexperiencedbyruraltownsalongtheTrailoftheCoeurd’AlenesandthesuccessoftheFillingStationcaféinTroy,Idaho.WSUCyclingClubmembersthoughtthatthecommunitieswouldseeeconomicbenefitsfrombicycleeventsbringingmanyvisitorswhowouldspendmoney.Itwasnotedthattheregioncurrentlyhasabout30milesoftrails,andaddinganother19miles,ifthissectionweredevelopedintoatrail,couldmaketheregionadestinationforbicycletourism.Othersenvisionedthebenefitbusinesseswouldseefromlocalusers,asresidentsandWSUstudentsbikingtoAlbionorColfax,forexample,wouldlikelywanttoeatlunchatarestaurantbeforereturning,orhavecoffeeinAlbionifashopwereavailable.OthersarguedthatdisposingoftheROWwouldbringeconomicbenefitsbyreturningthelandtothetaxrolls.Anumberofpeoplecommentedthattrailsarenotonlygoodforrecruitingandretainingemployeesforareabusinesses,butarealsoacommunityamenitythatenhancesthequalityoflifeforresidents.OnesubmittedcommentsaidthattheirgrowingbusinessstrugglestobringtalenttoPullmanandfeltthatthingsliketrailsmakecommunitiesmoreattractiveplacestolive.SeveralpointedoutthatconstructionofatrailcouldincreasejobsforlocalcontractorswithoneimaginingkidsinAlbionmakingaprofitfromawell-placedlemonadestand.FinancialCosts:Thecoststothecommunityassociatedwithmaintainingandbuildingatrailwereafrequentlycitedconcern,ifatrailwerepursued.Someassertedthatatrailwouldbethemostexpensiveoptionanddidnotfavorusingtaxdollarsforthispurpose.Thehighcostsfortrestlerepairs,maintenanceandfencebuildingfortrailuseandanyfuturerestorationofrailservicewerefrequentlymentioned.Giventhefinancialsituationoftheregion,somearguedthatusingfundsforthemostpressingneedswouldservethegreatestnumberofpeopleratherthanspendingmoneyonatrail.Othersrespondedthecostsareworthit,arguingthatroadsareexpensive,sidewalksareexpensive,asaremanyofthethings,includingtrails,thatcreateahighqualityoflife.Itwasalsonotedthatthereareavarietyofgrantsavailabletofundtrailconstructionandatrailprojectcouldbecompetitivegiventheconnectivitytoagrowingregional
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 10
trailsystem.Otherspointedoutthattrailsarebuiltoverlongperiodsoftime,sothecostsarespreadoutovertimeaswell.Theperceivedeconomicbenefitsofatrail(seeparagraphabove)werealsomentionedasoffsettingthecoststothecommunityandimplieditwouldbemorecostlytonotbuildthetrailinthelongrun.Someparticipantsworriedaboutthefinancialimpactofatrailonemergencyresponderscitingitasanunfundedmandate,particularlyforAlbion,sincetheyarerequiredtoassistbutalreadyhavelimitedresources.Maintenance:Concernsaboutfencing,andaccesswereexpressedforbothtrailandWSDOTassumingmaintenanceoptions.AnswerswerenotimmediatelyavailableandweredeferredtoWSDOTforanswers.Concernsaboutweedsunderthesetwooptionswerealsoexpressedbecause,witheitherscenario,adjacentpropertyownersareatthemercyofthecorridorownerforproperweedcontrol.Currently,theoperatorisnotcontrollingtheweeds,normaintainingthetrack.Thiswasevidentduringthespeedercarexcursion[Figure4].IfWSDOTdecidesondiscontinuanceofrailservice,thenWSDOTwillberesponsibleforweedcontrol.SomelandownersthoughtthatWSDOTwoulddoabetterjobthanwhattheoperatoriscurrentlydoing,butsomeexpressedconcernthatWSDOTwouldnotfollowthroughwithmaintenance.ManylandownersarecurrentlypayingoutoftheirownpocketstocontroltheweedsandbelievethatitislikelytheywillhavetocontinuetodosounderWSDOTcontrol.Othersexpressedconcernsthatifthelandownersweretaskedwithcontrollingweeds,therailbedwouldsimplyberemovedandplowedover,thusendinganyfutureforrailortrailcreationfortheregion.Someobservedthatifatrailweretobeconstructed,itispossibletheresponsiblepartywouldbelocallybasedandthuseasiertoholdaccountable.However,anygroupwhoseekstobecomethetrailmanagerwouldneedtodemonstratefiscalstabilitytoconvincethepropertyownersthatthemanagershavethecapabilityofadequatelymaintainingthecorridorindefinitely.IftheCAPCorridorisdisposed,someparticipantsarguedthatlandownerswoulddoabetterjobcontrollingweedswhileothersquestionedwhetherthiswouldbetrue.Liability:Questionsaboutliabilityforlandownersunderallthreescenariosemergedfromtheworkshops:Ifthecorridorisdisposed,whoisliablefortheclean-upofrailroadwaste?Whoholdsliabilityforthetrestles?Whathappenstothetrestlesifthecorridorisdisposed?Ifitisrailbanked,someassertedthatitwouldincreaseliabilityforlandownersandmunicipalities.Whoisresponsibleifatrailuserwandersoffthetrailandgetshurt?Therewerealsoconcernsexpressedaboutloosedogsonthetraileitherharassingtrailusersorlivestock.Health&Wellness:Thehealthbenefitsofoutdoorexercisetobothindividualsandthecommunitywerementionedfrequently.Participantsfeltthatatrailwouldhavebenefitsforbothphysicalandmentalhealth.Accesstotheoutdoors,newplacesforbirdwatchingandwildlifeviewing,opportunitiesforconnectingwitheachotherandtonaturewouldenhancequalityoflifeandwell-being.Safeandfamily-friendlyopportunitiesforexercise,activerecreation,andnon-motorizedtransportationwereseenasdesirableforimprovingphysicalhealth.Oneparticipantnotedthatkidsneedtobeoutdoorsandconnectedtotheland,andarguedthatatrailcouldprovideanincentivetogetkidsoffelectronicsforabit.Possiblereducedhealthcarecostsforindividualsandcommunitieswerealsoseenasabenefitofatrail.Manycommentedthatatrailwouldprovideasafeplaceforchildrentoridebikes,andafewnotedthatatrailcouldprovideanavenueforchildrentoridetotheirgrandparent’shouseandforolderpeopletoconnectwithyouth.
Figure4:ConditionofweedcontrolalongtheCAPCorridorJune,2016.
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 11
0
20
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60
18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 66+
Numbe
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Recreation:Recreationalopportunitieswereoneofthemost-citedbenefitsofatrail.Becausetrailscanbeusedformanydifferentactivities,manythoughtatrailwouldofferopportunitiesforeasierandsaferfitnessandfun.Severalcommentedthattrailsencouragemorebikeridingsincetheyaresaferthanroadwaysandtrailsencouragepeopletowalkinsteadofdrive.Somepointedoutthattrailsareaccessibletoallregardlessofincome,andprovidelow-costentertainment.Otherscitedtrailsasaparticularlygoodamenityforfamilyactivities,providingadditionalhealthyrecreationopportunitiesforWSUstudents,andgivingruralresidentsaccesstoadditionalrecreationalopportunities.Atrailcouldalsoprovidecommunity-basedrecreationalopportunitiesthroughactivitiessuchasfunrunsorcyclingevents.NopublicrecreationopportunitieswereseenwitheitherdisposalorWSDOTmaintainingthecorridorbecauseneitherscenarioallowsforpublicaccess.Oneadjacentlandownerquestionedwhyotherpeople’sexerciseandfunandlifestyleshouldtakeprecedenceoverherrighttoenjoyherownproperty.Anotherpropertyownerbelievesitisgoodtosharethejoyofbeingontheland.Legalquestions:SeveraladjacentpropertyownersquestionedthelegalfoundationforrailbankingtheCAPCorridor,citingdeedsdatingbackto1885thatcontainlanguagestatingtheROWwasgrantedforlegitimaterailroadpurposesonly.Theyarguedthatifthereisnolegitimaterailuse(andtheybelieveatrailisnotalegitimaterailuse),thenthecorridormustbedisposedofandthelandshouldreverttotheadjacentpropertyowners.IV.ExploringQuestionsRaisedA. WhoWouldUsetheCAPCorridorIfItWasATrail?AquestionraisedattheKick-offworkshopwaswhowouldactuallyuseatrailbetweenPullman,Albion,andColfax,ifsuchatrailwerepursued.SeveralworkshopparticipantsindicatedthatiftheCAPCorridorwasdevelopedasatrail,theywouldpersonallyuseittocommute.ArepresentativeoftheWSUcyclingclubindicatedthattheywoulduseitandcouldenvisionitbeingattractiveforbicyclingeventsaswellasstudentrecreation.AresidentofAlbioncommentedthatatrailwouldallowforwalkingwithoutworryingaboutloosedogsandditches.AsurveyofChipmanTrailusersindicatesthatlocaltrailsareusedforavarietyofpurposesincludingbikeriding,rollerblading,walking,running,anddogwalking[seeAppendixC].PeopleofallagesusetheChipmanTrail[Figure5].SeveralnotedthatmakingthetrailADA-accessiblewouldbeimportantforallowingpeopleofallabilitiestouseit.OneparticipantsuggestedthatperhapsdifferentsegmentsoftheCAPCorridorlendthemselvestodifferentuses.Indeed,severalparticipantsexpressedinterestforthestretchbetweenAlbionandPullman,citingtheshorterdistance(~6miles)asmoreappealingtoalargernumberofpeoplethanthelonger,19-milecorridorbetweenPullmanandColfax.Asa6-milestretchoftrail,thisportioncreatesasaferecreationalrouteforcommutersfromAlbiontojobs,services,schoolsandfamilyandfriendsinPullmanandAlbioncouldbecomeadestinationforrunnersandbicyclistswhileallowingforwalking,schooloutings.
FIGURE5:AgerangesoftrailusersalongtheChipmanTrailonaweekday(Tuesday9/13/2016)andaweekend(Saturday9/24/2016)combined.NotethatonlyTrailUsersAged18andaboveweresurveyed.Approximately6%ofrespondentsreportedbeingonthetrailwithchildren16yearsoryounger.
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 12
WhilegenerallyagreeingthatthePullman-Albionportionwouldseemorelocaluse,othersarguedthatthelongerdistanceoftrailfromPullmantoColfaxwouldattractbicyclistsbothlocallyandfromoutsidetheregion.Manyfeltthatafull-lengthtrailwouldcreateeconomicbenefitsforbusinessesinColfaxandPullmanfromincreasedtourism,especiallyduringthequietersummermonthswhenbusinessesoftenstruggle.B.InsightsfromOtherTrails(LiteratureSearch)Becausethegreatestnumberofquestionsandconcernswereraisedabouttherailbankingandtrailcreationoption,PCT,NPS,WSDOT,inconjunctionwiththeLeadershipCommitteesoughtdatafrompublishedstudiesoftheeffectsofrail-trailsonothercommunities.TheLeadershipCommitteebelievedthatinsightscanbegainedfromexaminingtheexperiencesfromothertrailsacrossthenation.Crime,Safety,&Privacy:Asearchofpublishedstudies,includingonethatsurveyedover350trails,indicatesthat,onthewhole,rail-trailsaresafe.Interviewswithmanagersofbothurbanandrural,shortandlong,eastcoast,midwest,andwestcoasttrailsindicatedthatcrime,includingcrimedirectlyaffectingadjacentproperty,israreonrail-trails(Tracy&Morris,1998;Schneider,2000).Of372trailmanagers,only3%reportedanytypeofmajorcrime,andonly25%reportedminorcrimesuchastrespassingorgraffiti.Lawenforcementreportsconfirmedthis,addingthattheportionsofrailcorridorsthatwerenotconvertedtoatrail,experiencednoticeablymorelitterthanthosethathadbeenconvertedintoatrail(Tracy&Morris,1998).Locally,lawenforcementreportsabouttheChipmanTrailrevealedthatnomajorcrimeshaveoccurredonthetrail(ChipmanTrailCrimeLog,accessed9/16/2016).The50reportsprovidedbytheWhitmanCountySheriff’sofficecoveredtheentire18yearsoftheChipmanTrail’soperation.Duringthisperiod,therewereatotaloffourinjuriesrequiringambulancetransportincludingabicyclevsrollerskater(1998in),abicyclevsfallensign(2007),abicyclevscar(2003),andabicyclevscementtruck(2009).Therehavebeennomajorjuriesinthelastsevenyears.Thereweretwoincidentsofindecentexposures(2004&2012).Otherincidentsofnoteweredog-related:oneinvolvedaviciousdogbelongingtoatrailneighbor(2005),andtwowerereportsofdogsonthetrailwithoutleashes(2005&2015).Therewerealsoreportsofwildlifeonthetrail(moose,deer,cougar).Researchindicatedthattraildesigncanplayaroleintrailsafety.Keypointsarekeepingvegetationtrimmedsopeoplecanbeeasilyseen;preventingaccessatnon-accesspoints;signageandlandscapingtoclearlysignalprivateversuspublicspaces;andthatonlyfacilitiesthatcanbemaintainedshouldbebuilt.Appearanceisimportantasaneglected-lookingtrailcaninvitecriminalbehaviorbecausepeoplethinkthatnooneusesorisinvestedinthespace.Atrailthatiswellmaintainedandclearlymonitoredbycyclistsorneighborswillbesafer.(McCormick,2007)Trespassingisasignificantconcernforadjacentpropertyowners.Publishedstudiesreportfewtrespassproblemsandindicatethatthemajorityoflandownerslivingalongrail-trailsaresatisfiedwithhavingthetrailasaneighbor.Inthesestudies,themostfrequentlyreportedproblemsalongtheruraltrails(HeritageTrailinIowaandSt.Mark’sTrailinFlorida)wereunleashedpets,illegalusebymotorizedvehicles,andlitteronornearprivateproperty.Often,adjacentlandownersreportedthatatrailreducedtheincidentsofvandalism,burglary,andanimalharassmentcomparedtowhenthecorridorwasarailline(Mooreetal.1992).Overall,residentsofruralcommunitiestendedtobelesspositiveaboutthetrailintheirareathanresidentsofurbancommunities(Mooreetal.1992).Althoughruralpropertyownerstendtoopposetheideaofatrailpriortoitbeingconstructed,studieshaveshownthatoppositionusuallydecreasesoncethetrailisbuilt(Greer2001,Corningetal.,2012).However,Greer(2001)reports50.9%ofruralpropertyownersinIowa,withaviewofthetrailfromtheirhome,reportthetrailcreatedareductioninprivacy,aconcernalsosharedbymostareapropertyowners.LegalConcerns:SeveraladjacentpropertyownersquestionthelegalfoundationforrailbankingtheCAPCorridor,citingdeedsthatcontainlanguagestating(orsimilarto):
TohaveandholdthesaiddescribedpremisesuntothesaidColumbiaandPalouseRiverRailroad,itssuccessorsandassignsforeverforthepurposesofbuildingandmaintainingaRailroadthereonandtousethesameforalllegitimateRailroadpurposes.
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 13
Severalpropertyownersarguedthat,ifthereisnolegitimaterailuse,thenthecorridormustbedisposedofandthelandshouldreverttotheadjacentpropertyownerswithreversionarydeeds.Whilethespecificsoflegalinterpretationsforthisparticularsituationarenotpartofthescopeofthecommunityprocess,railbanking,asestablishedbytheUSCongressin1983undertheNationalTrailsSystemAct,16USC1241etseq,hasbeenchallengedonsimilargroundsandupheldbytheSupremeCourt.Railbankingpreservesbankedcorridorsintactandtheserailcorridorsarenotconsideredtohavebecomeabandoned(NationalTrailsAct,1983).Liability:Liabilityforthecorridorisheldbytheowner.Therefore,ifthecorridorremainsunderWSDOTjurisdiction,thenWSDOTisliableforinjuriesordamagesonthecorridor.Tomitigatehazards,WSDOThasindicatedtheywillbarricadeaccesstotrestlesandpostthecorridor“NoTrespassing.”Ifthecorridorisconvertedtoatrail,thenthetrailowner/managerisliable.Nationally,mosttrailsareownedandoperatedbyapublicentitysuchasaparksdepartment.Underthismodel,theresponsibleentityistypicallycoveredbyanumbrellainsurancepolicythatcoversallmunicipalactivitiesandfacilities(Morris,2000).Additionally,Lawson(2016)reportsthatallstatelegislatureshaveadoptedrecreationalusestatutesthatprovideashieldfromliabilityforlandownerswhoallowpublicaccessfortrailsacrosstheirland.Anotherquestionraisedbypropertyownerswaswhethertheywouldhavetopayforaccesstotheirpropertyifatrailwasbuilt.WSDOTwasclearintheirresponsethatallcurrentandexistingprivateaccesseswouldbehonoredwithoutcharge.Landownersarealsoconcernedaboutmaintainingrailroadcrossingsatpublicroadsastheyarecostlyandnotbeingusedbyarailroad.WSDOThasstatedthatthesepublicRRcrossingswouldberemovedasfundingallows.FencingforseparatingfarmanimalsandtrailusersandforrestrictingaccesstothesettlingpondattheTownofAlbionwasaconcern.WSDOTconsiderssafetytobeanimportantaspectoffuturenegotiations,dependinguponwhichoptioniseventuallychosenfortheCAPCorridor.FinancialBenefits:Workshopparticipantscitedpotentialfinancialbenefitsassociatedwithdestination-leveltrails(typically50+mileslong).Becauseshortertrailstypicallyarenottourist-destinations,trailadvocatesarguedthataddingthe19-mileCAPcorridortotheregionaltrailsystemcouldtransformthecurrent28-milesoflineartrailsintoadestination-leveltrailsystem.Theyarguedthatthishasthepotentialtobringfinancialbenefitsfromtourismincludingthepotentialoffuturebusinessearningsasaresultofatrail.ReviewsoftrailsintheNorthwestregionsupporttheseassertions.
• HistoricColumbiaRiverHighwayTrail:Theestimated230,000trailusersgenerateover$21millioninvisitorspendingforthecommunitieslocatedintheColumbiaRiverGorge.Trailrelatedspendinggeneratesover$900,000instateandlocaltaxreceipts.Additionally,bicyclerecreationsupportsapproximately270fullandpart-timejobs,withearningsof$5.7million(DeanRunyan&Assoc.2014).
• TrailoftheCoeurd’Alenes,72milesinIdaho,adds$14millionannuallytothelocalcommunitiesofPlummer,Harrison,Kellogg,andWallace(BrownfieldConferences,2006).
• HiawathaTrailinIdahohostsmorethan13,000visitorsperyearandemploylocalsastrailmarshals,supportstaff,andshuttleservicedrivers.TrailusersinfusedollarsintothelocalcommunitiesofHarrison,WallaceandKelloggthroughequipmentrentals,dining,lodging,andincidentalspending.“Theimpactisgiant,tosaytheleast,"saysRickShaffer,marketingchairmanofthelocalchamberofcommerceandproprietoroftheWallaceInn(Lynch,2001).
• LatahTrailsupportsbusinessesinTroy,ID.TheFillingStationcaféisapopulardestinationfortrailusers.Theowners,TimandJudyBickford,attributeapproximately70%ofsummerbusinessandapproximately30%ofbusinessduringnon-peakseasonstotrailtraffic(personalcommunication2016).Bicycletrafficissoimportanttothebusinessthattheownersinstalledbikeracksandpersonallyplowtheshort,shadedportionofthetrailinthespringsothatcustomerscangetthrough.
FinancialCosts:Therearecostsassociatedwithallthreeoptions.
• IfDiscontinuanceofServiceissought,WSDOTplanstoremovecrossings.Underthisscenario,coststosecurethecorridorbypostingRight-ofWayandfencingoffthetrestles.WSDOTwouldberesponsibleforcosts
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 14
associatedwithweedcontrol,fencing,etc.AballparkestimatedbyWSDOTindicatesacostof$90,000-$115,000in2016dollars.
• Ifthecorridoristhendisposedof,theWSDOTwouldneedtoresearchtheunderlyingdeedsforeachpropertyalongthecorridor.Titlesearchesinvolvingrailroadpropertyandassociateddeedsareanticipatedtocostinexcessof$500,000.
• Ifthecorridorisrailbankedandatrailbuilt,theRisbecktrestlewouldneedareplacement,bridgerailinganddecksinstalled,andthetrailsurfaced.Assuminga10’-wideasphaltsurfacefor17.5miles.WSDOTestimatesacostofapproximately$9.5to12.3millionin2017dollars.Afundingsourceandorganizinggroupwouldneedtobeidentifiedwiththisoption–itisnotanticipatedthatWSDOTwouldberesponsibleforthesecosts.
Note:Thisestimateassumestrestlesarestructurallyadequateanddoesnotincluderestroomfacilitiesorotheramenities.Italsodoesnotincludeanalysisofareasneartherivertodetermineifretainingwallsareneeded.Whilethisrepresentsaone-timecost,itwouldnotbeincurredallatonce.Atrailofthislengthwouldlikelybeconstructedinphases,overalongerperiodoftime.Forexample,theLatahTrailwasconstructedoveraperiodof11yearsandinvolvedvolunteerlaboranddonatedmaterials.TherecentlycompletedFerryCountyTrailsuccessfullyreducedthecostoftrailbuildingthroughdonationsofequipmentandlabor;afterdonations,thecostoftheeight-footwidetrailwasabout$12perlinealfoot.
Questionswereraisedregardingwherethefundingwouldcomefromtoconstructatrail.Forcomparison,thecosttoconstructtheBillChipmanPalouseTrailin1996was$1.3million.Halfofthiswascoveredthroughprivatefundraising.MaintenanceforthetrailispaidbytheBillChipmanPalouseTrailCommittee.Membersofthisconsortiuminclude:WhitmanCounty,CityofPullman,CityofMoscow,WashingtonStateUniversity,andtheUniversityofIdaho.Eachentitypaysin$7,500annually,creatinganoperationsbudgetof$37,500.Atrailwouldalsoincurannualmaintenancecoststosprayweeds.Thesecostsaretypicallyhigheratfirstwhentheweedsaremoreabundant,withannualcostsdecreasingastheweedscomeundercontrol.Anationalsurveyof200rail-trailsyieldedayearlyaveragecostforrail-trailmaintenancerangingfrom$1,000–2,000per-mile,dependingonwhetherthetrailwasasphaltorstonedust.Thesecostsareinlinewiththoseincurredwithlocaltrails:
• ChipmanTrail:Thecostofweedcontrolwas$1,300permilein2010inapublicworkscontract.Thetotalincludesasterilantapplicationonthegravelshouldersonceayear,andtwoapplicationsannuallyfornoxiousweeds.
• LatahTrail:Thecostofweedcontrolwas$1875permile.
• CAPCorridorWeedControlEstimate:ThePalouseConservationDistrictprovidedanestimateiftheywerecontractedtodothespraying.Theestimateincludesasterilantapplicationonthegravelshouldersonceayear,andtwoannualapplicationsfornoxiousweeds.
• Atthehighendofthespectrum,especiallyintheearlieryearsitwouldcost$1,000-1,800permileannually
• Overtime,thecostwoulddecreasesignificantlyandeventuallyitwouldlikelybe$600-$350permileannually.
V.CommunityVoicesSnapshotCommentsmadeatthecommunitypublicworkshopsmadeclearthatbothadjacentlandownersandpeoplelivingincommunitiesfeelthatthereisalotatstakeastheStategathersandsharesinformationaboutoptionsfortheCAPCorridor.DiscussionatallfiveworkshopsexploredthreepossibleoptionsforusingthecorridorROWincludingWSDOTassumingresponsibilityfortheCorridor,disposingoftheROW,orrailbanking.BecauseWSDOTassumingresponsibilityfortheROWessentiallymaintainsthestatusquo,thisoptionreceivedthefewestcomments.Discussion,therefore,primarilyfocusedonwhethertorailbankandpavethewayforbuildingatrailortodisposeofthepublicROW.Therefore,regardlessofwhichoptionwasunderdiscussion,trailsdominatedtheconversation.
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 15
CONSassociatedwithcreatingatrail/PROSassociatedwithdisposaloftheROW• LossofprivacywasreportedasaconcernforsomeWhitmanCountypropertyownerslocatedalongtheCAP
Corridor.• Lossoftranquilitytheycurrentlyexperiencelivinginthecountry.Theyfeltthatpeopleonbicyclespassing
throughwouldchangetheoverallsenseofplaceintheirruralsetting.• Dangertopeopleonthetrailfromhunters,livestock,andexposuretoherbicides/pesticideswasaconcern
sharedbybothruralandurbanparticipants.Propertyownersworriedthatdogsoffleashcouldharasstheirlivestockorthatfarmdogsmightchasetrailuserscreatingpotentiallydangeroussituations.
• Increasedcrimeandvandalismwasamajorconcernforadjacentlandownerswhoworriedthatatrailwouldincreasetheamountofcrimeandvandalismtheyexperiencealready.
• Thecostofatrailandwherethefundingwouldcomefromwasfrequentlyraised.Communitymembersworriedthattheirtaxescouldberaised,orthatfundingwouldbedivertedfromotherprojectstheyvalue.
• Accessbyemergencyvehicleswasaconcerngiventheisolatednatureofthiscorridor,thenumberofbridgesalongit,andtheabsenceofreliablecellphoneserviceintheregion.
PROSassociatedwithrailbankingandtrailcreation/CONSofdisposalofROWordiscontinuanceofservice• PreservationofthepublicROWforfuturetransportationwascitedasaprimarybenefitofrailbankingwhethera
trailwasbuiltornot.Theyarguedthatoncethisrailcorridorisgone,itwouldbedifficult,ifnotimpossible,toduplicatetheROWshouldthecommunitywanttobuildatrailorrestorerailserviceinthefuture.
• RecreationalopportunitiescombinedwiththeassociatedhealthbenefitswerefrequentlycitedarguingatrailwouldprovideadditionalopportunitiesforhealthyrecreationforeveryoneincludingWSUstudents,andruralresidentsaswell.
• Thequalityoflifecouldbeimprovedforcommunitiesbecausetrailscanbeusedformanydifferentactivitiesandareaccessibletoallregardlessofincomelevelorage.Someruralresidentsaswellasurbancommunitymembersarguedthatthebeautyofthecorridorshouldbesharedandavailabletoall.Anumberofparticipantsarguedtrailsaregoodforrecruitingandretainingemployeesforareabusinessesaswell.
• Safety–manyfeltthatrailbankingwouldprovidetheopportunitytosafelyconnectthethreetownsandgetpeopleonbikesofftheroads.ManyarguedthatatrailfromAlbiontoPullmanwouldbeparticularlyimportantanddoable.Becausethissectionisshorter(only6mileslong)andhasfewerbridges,participantsargueditwouldprovidearecreationalandcommuteroptionforAlbion,afairlyisolatedcommunity.TheyfurtherarguedthatatrailalongthiscorridorcouldconnectAlbionchildrentoPullmanHighschoolandthenewelementaryschoolbeingconstructedonthenorthwestsideofPullmanwheremanyattendschool.
• Economicbenefitswereoneofthemostfrequentlycitedprosfortrailcreation.Itwasnotedthattheregioncurrentlyhasabout30milesoftrails,andaddinganother19mileswiththeCAPtrailcouldmaketheregionadestinationforbicycletourismwhichwouldsupportlocalbusinesseswithoutsidedollars.Othersnotedthatatrailcouldcomplementthephotographytourismthatisalreadypopularintheregion.
PROSandCONSassociatedwithWSDOTretainingresponsibilityforcorridormaintenance
• PreservationofthepublicROWforfuturetransportationwascitedasaPROalthoughthefactthatthisoptionwouldusetaxpayerfundswhileprovidingnopublicaccessmadethisoptionlessattractive.
• Notrailispossiblewiththisoption–thiswascitedasbothaPROandaCONbyparticipantswithdifferingviewpointsonthevalueofatrail.
• Increasedcrimeandvandalismwereaconcernsinceabandonedrailroadlinestendtoattractgraffitiandpossiblecriminalactivityandtherewouldbelessoversightandfewereyestoreportabuses.
Asidefromtrail-relateddiscussion,propertyownersraisedquestionsaboutthelegalityofrailbankinginlightofROW-grantinglanguageintheirdeedsandexpressedfrustrationwiththecurrentstateofmaintenancealongthecorridor.
• SeveralpropertyownerscitedlanguagestatingtheROWwasgivenforrailroadpurposesonlyandarguedthatatraildoesnotfitintothisusage.
• OthersarguedthatthecorridorROWhasalreadybeenpurchasedwithtaxpayerdollarsandshouldremainapublicly-heldasset.
• Thelegalityofrailbankingwasquestioned.
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 16
VI.InClosingThecommunityprocesswasanefforttohelpthepubliclearnaboutthepotentialfutureoptionsfortheCAPCorridorandtodiscusstheoptionsandwhattheycouldmeantoeachparticipant,bothindividuallyandatacommunitylevel.Theworkshops,organizedthroughthepartnershipofPCT,WSDOTandNPS,weredesignedforneighborstomeeteachotherandshareperspectivesthroughcivildiscourse.Thisreportmayserveasaresourcetolegislatorsandothersabouttheoptions.Inreviewingthegoalsandoutcomesguidingthework,themembersoftheLeadershipCommitteeagreedthatthepublicprocesssuccessfullyaccomplishedthegoalstoeducate,engagethecommunityincivildiscussions,andidentifyquestions.Wethankallparticipantsfortheirtimeandenergy,andespeciallyfortheirthoughtfulcommentsthroughout.Weappreciatethededicationofthepropertyownersinthecorridorwhocametoallfiveoftheworkshopstoensuretheirvoiceswereheard. PreparationoftheSummaryReportLisaCarloyeandBobbieRydertooktheleadindraftingthisreportasrepresentativesforPullmanCivicTrust.Thisreportisbasedonthecommunityworkshopsandtheresearchgatheredtoinformthediscussionandfindanswerstooutstandingquestions.NPSstaffhelpedreviewthewrittenreport.ThedraftreportwasreadbyWSDOTpersonnelandallmembersoftheLeadershipCommitteeandensuingdiscussionwasusedtoeditandfinalizethesummaryreport.TheLeadershipCommitteeendorsedthisfinalreportonJune8,2017.
SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 17
VII.LiteratureCitedBrownfieldConferences(2006)www.brownfieldsconference.org/Documents/SessionDocument/.../1694Bickford,Tim&Judy,co-ownersofTheFillingStation,Troy,ID.Personalcommunication2016. Corning,S.,R.Mowatt,andH.Chancellor.2012.MultiuseTrails:BenefitsandConcernsofResidentsandPropertyOwners.JournalofUrbanPlanningandDevelopment138(4):277-285http://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/%28ASCE%29UP.1943-5444.0000124DeanRunyanAssociates.ColumbiaRiverGorgeBicycleRecreation:EconomicimpactsforecastforthecommunitiesalongtheColumbiaRiverGorge.June,2014.http://industry.traveloregon.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Final-Final-Report.pdfLawson,Megan(2016)LegalIssuesAssociatedwithTrails:AnIntroduction.HeadwatersEconomicshttps://headwaterseconomics.org/wphw/wp-content/uploads/trails-library-legal-overview.pdfLynch,J(2011)InIdaho,formersilverminingtownreinventsitselfastrailsdestination.www.railstotrails.org/news/features/hiawathatrail.htmlMcCormick,Joel(2007)BetterParkDesignCanPreventCrime,SafeTrailsForum:AmericanTrails.Updated3/17/2007.[Accessed8/15/2016]Moore,R.L.,Graefe,A.R.,Gitelson,R.J.,Porter,E.(1992).TheImpactstoRail-Trails:Astudyoftheusersandpropertyownersfromthreetrails.NationalParkService&PennsylvaniaStateUniversity.https://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/rtca/helpfultools/impact_railtrail_final.pdfMorris,Hugh,RailstoTrailsConservancywithsupportfromNationalParkServiceRTCAprogram(2000).Rail-TrailsandLiability:Aprimerontrail-relatedliabilityissues&riskmanagementtechniques.https://www.railstotrails.org/resourcehandler.ashx?id=3501Schneider,Tod:BikePathPhobia:SellingSkepticsonUrbanGreenwayBikePaths,Parks&Recreation.(2000).Stimson,WilliamL.(1989),GoingtoWashingtonState:ACenturyofStudentLife,WashingtonStateUniversityPress,Pullman,WATracy,TammyandHughMorris,RailstoTrailsConservancyincooperationwiththeNationalParkServiceRivers,Trails,andConservationAssistanceProgram.RailTrailsandSafeCommunities,theExperienceon372Trails.(Jan.1998).http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/docs/rt_safecomm.pdfWashingtonStateDepartmentofTransportation(October,2009)PalouseRiverandCouleeCityRailSystem.http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/3588ECA2-5D0F-40D4-923B6807E46F2681/0/PCC_folio_Oct2009.pdfWashingtonStateDepartmentofTransportation,WSDOTFreightSystemsDivision(May2015)PalouseRiverandCouleeCityRailSystemStrategicPlan:2015–2025.https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/4869900F-9E88-4B2E-968B-EF2CA3B3D1FD/105798/2015PCCStrategicPlan.pdfWashingtonStateHealthDepartment(2013)SocialandEconomicDeterminantsofHealth.http://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/5500/Context-SED2013.pdf[Accessed2/27/2017]WhitmanCountyHealthDepartment,WashingtonStateUniversity,andNationalParkServiceRivers,TrailsandConservationAssistanceProgram,CAPCorridorCommunityHealthProfile.February2017.
Appendices19
APPENDIXA:KICK-OFFWORKSHOPSMALLGROUPDISCUSSIONSThefollowingtranscriptincludesallofthecommentscapturedbyfacilitatorsduringsmall-grouptablediscussionsaspartofthekick-offworkshop,June15,2016,todiscussoptionsfortherailcorridorconnectingColfax,Albion,andPullman,WA.ThediscussionpromptsweretobrainstormpotentialopportunitiesandconcernsassociatedwitheachofthethreeoptionspresentedfortheoptionspresentedbyWSDOTforthefutureoftherailcorridorbetweenColfax,Albion,andPullman:RailbankingandTrailCreation;DisposalofROW;WSDOTMaintainsROW.Duringtheworkshop,therewassomeconfusionovertheuseoftheterm“abandonment”toindicatetheoptionofdisposingofthepropertyandtransferringittoprivateownership,whichresultedindifferentgroupsdiscussingthisoutcomedifferently.The comments included below are as captured by group facilitators in the workshop. They are included as background but have not been verified and may contain conflicting opinions or questions that need further research. Duplicate comments indicate instances where participants “dittoed” a comment already captured by the table facilitator; those comments appear twice in order to capture all voices.
RAILBANKINGOPTIONOPPORTUNITIES CONCERNS
Atrail Abuse-huntersinparticularAbilityforalltousethecorridor Accessbyirresponsiblepeople
Accountabilityformaintenance Accesstoprivateproperty;Emergencyservicesaccessconcerns
Allowpossibilityoftrail.Safenon-motorroutefromPullmantoColfax
Attain&maintainconsensusthroughoutthe"communities"
Attracttourism Bridges-privateownersonbothsidesAttractivetobusiness Canitbepreservedwithoutatrail?Attractivetobusinesses CompletelossofprivacyBetterhealthincommunity Concernforsafety-humanandanimalsBettermaintenance ConcernsaboutongoingmaintenanceBettermaintenanceofcorridorbetweenPullman&Colfax ConflictsBiketraildevelopment/extension ConstructionstandardsforheavyequipmentBuildallianceswithstakeholderswithcomplementaryinterests Cost-anythingdoneincurscostBuildingcommunity Costofimproving-buildingBusinessopportunities-tourism,biking,lodging CostoflegalissuesCafesinAlbion CostofmaintainingCommunityinvolvement CostofmaintenanceCommutercorridor CostoftrailContinuityofmanagementofROW Costtobuildandmaintain;Wheredoesmoneycomefrom?Convenienceofkeepinghealthy CosttotaxpayersCouldallowrailservicetoreturn CosttothetaxpayerCouldextendbeyondColfax CreatingmanagementsystemtoprovidefundstomaintainitCouldincreasepropertyvaluesinAlbion CrimeandvandalismDiversifyeconomicbaseincounty DevaluationofpropertyEconomicdevelopment-tourism&attractpeopletostay DisingenuoustothinkitwouldeverreturntorailEconomicdevelopment,tourism DoesthedecisiononColfax-PullmanaffectBillChipmanTrail?Economicgrowth EmergencyvehicleaccessEconomicgrowth EmergencyvehicleaccessEconomicopportunities Emotionallychargedtopic-issueEconomicopportunities EnvironmentalimpactEconomicopportunity FireissuesEconomicopportunityforAlbion FireriskEducatecommunityaboutrailbanking FiresafetyconcernsEducatetrailusesaboutAgriculture.Buildsupportforfarmingcommunity.
Fiscalstabilityofmanagingentity
Encouragerecreationaluseinsteadofbigboxbusiness. Fundingsource(s)
Encouragerecreationaluseinsteadofbigboxbusinesses. Funding,maintenance,construction,operations;haveasustainableplan
Enjoytheabilitytousthetrail Fundsmaybedivertedfromin-townprogramsregardingbicycles
Exerciseopportunity Harmtotheenvironment-ecologicalconcerns
Appendices20
RAILBANKINGcontinuedOPPORTUNITIES CONCERNS
Exhibitingart Haveaclearlyidentifiedresponsibleparty
Expandedtrailnetworkforrecreationaluse Higherinsurancecostsforliabilityoflandowners
Expandstrailnetwork Homesalongtrailwithprivatecrossings,splitpropertieswithtrailExtendtrailnetwork,bringeconomicopportunitytomoretowns Howmanytrailrelatedincidentsarethere?
Firefightingaccesstoareaifatrailthroughit Ifatrail-educationofusersforsafety
Futurepossibilitytoreturntorailroad Ifatrail-highcostofbuildingtotaxpayers
Futurepossibilitytoreturntorailroad Ifatrail-trespassing
Futuretransportationcostsforexportsviarailstill_____[illegiblewriting]
Iflandownerneedsareignoreditwillsetupalongtermadverserelationship
Futureuseasarailroad Ifrailservicerestoredinfuture-maintainrecreationcorridoradjacent
HavesomethinglikeChipmanTrail Impactonwildlife
Healthbenefitsfromtrailuse Infringementonlandowners
Ifrailroadisneededagain,isavailableforfutureuse Infringementonpropertyrightsofindividuals
Improvehealth Lackofcellphonesignal-firstaid
Improvedmaintenance-weedcontrol Lackofemergencyaccess
Increaselikelihoodthatitcouldreturntoarailroad Lackofmaintenancecost
Increasesalesofrecreationalequipment Landownerconcernsforliability
Increasetourism Landvalue
Keepoptionsopen Legalchallengesforthcoming
Keepspropertyinhandsoflargergroup Legislaturecouldchangedirection-doesnotnecessarilymeantrail
Keepstheroutewhole;preservingfutureopportunities Legitimacyofrailbankinginfuture
Legacyforfuturegenerations Liabilities
Lesscartraffic Liabilityandprivacy
LiabilitiespassedontoanentityotherthanWSDOT Liabilityissues;ie.Injuries,theft,fire,
Maintaintransportationbetweentowns Lossofprivacy
Maintaintransportationbetweentowns Lossofprivacy
MaintainingROWforRailre-development Lossofprivacy-propertyrights
Moreeyestopolice Lossofrailline
Morepartiestoshareexpense Lossofrailusage
Morerecreationalopportunities Lotofbridgestoconvert-maintain
Multi-generationalopportunities Maintaincorridorinsuchawaythatstays"agoodneighbor"
Nextgenerationhasoptions Maintenance-weedcontrol,repair
None Maintenancecost
Networkoftrails Maintenance-weedcontrol&_______[illegiblewriting]
None Maintenancecosts,who,howmuch?Nativeplantssprayedout?None Makingsurepeoplearesafe
OpensOptionsforrailbankingorROWdisposal Medical-emergency-phoneservice
Opportunityfordisabled Moremoneyspenttokeeplandownerscontent
Opportunityforgrants Needfarmequipmentcrossings
Opportunityforgroupstobeinvolvedwithtrail Needsomeonetocoverbuildingcosts
Opportunityfornon-motorizedtransportation Needsomeonetocovermaintenancecosts
Opportunitytoreestablishrailserviceinthefuture Non-abandonmentisnotanaccuratedefinitionofrailbanking;Nevergoingtobeusedasarailroad
Optimizingcurrentstateforatrailwhilemaintainingthecohesiveownership
Notadecisiveprocess
Optionsfor"healthy"activity Poorcellcoverage
Optionforrailwaytocomeback Notmaintainedproperly
Appendices21
RAILBANKINGcontinuedOPPORTUNITIES CONCERNS
Possiblebetterfiresuppressionbygovernment? Potentialissueswithagriculturalchemicals-morefarmingnexttotrailthanChipmanorCoeurd'Alene
Potentialeconomicbenefitfrombuildingnetworkoftrails Potentialofvandalism
Potentialfor"local"control Precludeprivateownershipofindividualsegments
Potentiallightrailinter-community Privatepropertyconcerns-landownersmighthavetobuyfencing,etc
Potentialreturntolandowner-re:deed Problemswithlitter
PotentialtoconnecttoJohnWayneTrail Publicland?Huntingrights?
Potentialtrail PublicusenexttoprivatepropertyPreservecorridorforfuturetransportationneeds RailbankingdoesnotseemappropriatefortheCAPcorridor
Preservesforfutureunknowns/futuregenerations Railsremoved-hardertorebuild
Preservesopportunityforfuturerail Safetyconcerns
Propertyvalueincrease Safetyconcerns-humansanddomesticatedanimals
Propertyvaluescouldincrease Safetyissues
Providesalternativetransportation Securityofadjacentlandownersandwildlife
Providesforwildlife Toilets(none)
Providesopportunityforbuildingatrail Toomuchpublicuproarifitwasatrailandreturnedtorailroad
Publicenjoymentofthebeautyofnature Trash
Publicenjoymentofthebeautyofnature Trespassing
Railbankfortransportationcorridor-buildingatrail Trespassing
Railbankingopportunity-retainChipmanTrail Whatdangersdolandownerssee?
Recreation Whathappenstocorridorafterit'srailbanked
RecreationDrivenBusinessopportunities Whowillmaintainthecorridor?
Recreationalopportunity Whowouldberesponsibleforcostofmaintaining
ReducemoneytotaxpayersifWSDOTnotresponsible Whowouldberesponsibleparties?Remainpublic;Privatenolongeroption; Retainoptiontoreturntoactiverailroad
Ridingopportunitiesforyoung&old
Safepassageforfamiliessotheydon'thavetobeonthehighway
Safepassageforfamiliessotheydon'thavetobeonthehighway.
Safety-alternativetoridingonroad
Safetyofpeoplenotusingtrail
Saveresources
SecureChipmanTrailrailbanking
Sharethelandscape
Takeadvantageofexistingknowledge&resources
Tourismdollars
Tourismdollars
Tourism,economicgrowthinColfax,Albion,Pullman;B&B,Tavern,bikemechanic,cafes
Tyingcommunitiestogether. Wegettrail
Wildlifehabitatcorridor
Wildliferefugecouldbenice
Appendices22
DISPOSALOFROWOPTIONOPPORTUNITIES CONCERNS
Accesstoourfields …[illegiblewriting]_________developmentAllowmoretimefordecisions All3communitieslose®ionloses
Benefitslandowner Allowtoomuchtimefordecisions
Controlourownweeds Aretheygoingtocleanuptheweedsandfencesbeforewalkingaway?
Eliminatescostsofpublicmaintenance Bikeshopslose
Eliminatestaxpayerfinancialliabilityandlegalliability Clarityaboutabandonmentneeded
Feelmorecomfortableaboutlivestockhealth(trespassers) Cohesivetransportation
Forcedecision-making Completelossofcorridor
Keepfutureoptionsopen Conflictbetweenownersandwalkers
Keepprivacy Costnotonlyconsideration
Landownerhavetopaytaxes Difficultyreassemblingsegments
Landwillbeusedonewayoranother Emotionalelement
Landownercollaboration Environmentalconcern
Landownersalongtheline Environmentalconcerns
Landownerscancleanupthecorridor Historyofpropertyownership
Landownersdonothavetomaintaincorridor Ifabandoned,goestotrail(vsROWdisposal)
Landownersgainbacktheirlandlegally Impossibletobringbackrailservice
Leastlegalcost Increasecrime,decreasepropertyvalues
Lesslitigationpossibly Interferewithpropertymanagement
Lesstaxburden Largecosttore-establishrailcorridorfortransport
Lesstaxdollars Legalentanglementsofpropertydeeds
Liability&costremovedfromstate-Opportunitytoputcoststowardsworkingrailroad
Legislativeinaction
No'landlock'situation(mergingofland) Lessmoneyforlawyers
Nolongerhavealiabilityondomesticpets(chaindogs) Liabilityforenvironmentalremediation
Nolongerhavefinancialresponsibilitiesfromtaxbase Liabilityofland
Offtaxpayers? LoseallotheroptionsregardingfutureuseOpportunitiesforfuturelandowner Losebridges
Opportunityforstate(orlandowner)tosellwhattheyown Losecorridor
Originaldeeds,thewaywrittenwillreturnlandtoowners LoseoptionforrailbankingordisposalofROW
Potentialtobuy-selltheland Losingrecreationalopportunities
Potentialtoexpandthepropertytaxbaseforcounty Lossof"commons"
Potentialtoreturnlandtoadjacentlandowners Lossofcommunityopportunities
Privacygained Lossofdemocraticprocess
Privateentitiesgainfinancialvalue Lossofecologicalcorridor
Propertybackontaxrolls Lossofeconomicdevelopmentfortourism
Public/Privatepartnerships Lossoffireaccess
PutbackontaxrollforState Lossoffuturerailuse
Reducedliabilitytotaxpayers Lossoffuturerailroadoption
Reducedtrespassing Lossofhistoricrailtrestles-impactingpotentialfortourism
Reducesurbanization Lossofpublicaccesstotheresource
RelieveStateoffinancialburdenofmaintenance Lossofpublicproperty/ROWRepurposingmaterialsfromtherailroad LossofpublicuseRequireslegislativeapproval LosstofuturegenerationsReturninglandtoowner Lostopportunitiesforkids,businesses,money
Appendices23
DISPOSALOFROWcontinuedOPPORTUNITIES CONCERNS
Returninglandtotaxroles Lostopportunity-forever
Rightfulownersoflandgetpropertyback Mayendupwithabandoned,unusablelandonyourfarm-inwhatconditionwillWSDOTreturntheland?
Safety Missedopportunityforeconomicandrecreationalopportunitiesiftheyabandon
Safety Missingtourismbenefit
Self-determinationforlandowners Misunderstandingofthelegalityoflandownership
Stopstrespassingfromtherailroadtracktopeople'sproperties Neverbebroughtbackasarailroad-Pigeon-holefuturetransportation(i.e.lightrail)-can'tpredictfutureneeds
Settlelongtermlegalissues Nooversightofcontaminatedrailbed
Someonewillmakemoney Nopossibilityoftrail
Wildlife Objectionamonglandowners
Willatrailneedpermitstocrossacreek?Noneedforpermits Onceit'sgone-it'sGONE
Onceit'sgone-it'sGONE
Onceright-of-wayisgone,itisgone
Ownershipboundaries-disputes
Potentiallossofpublicrailaccess
Spillage/contaminationfromyearsoftherailroadworking.Whathappenswhenitrequirescleanup?Doesthestateorownerdealwithit?(Coal,heavymetals,oil)
StillrequiresLegislativeapproval
UnknownAgencytransferbylegislature
Unknownfinancialissues
Unknowns
Whatenvironmentalconcernswillbeaddresseduponremovaloftrack?Aretheretoxicremnantsfromyearsoftrainusethatneedtobeaddressedbeforereturningtoowner?
Whoisresponsibleforclearing(rail,trestles,etc)Owners/WSDOT?
Who'sresponsibleforinfrastructure?
WSDOTmaintain?Minimalweedcontrol
WSDOTMAINTAINSROWOPTIONOPPORTUNITIES CONCERNS
Keepstheoptionsopen AnymoneyspentistakingawayfrommoneyneededforviablerailroadKeepsthecorridor Can'tbuildbecausecountywon'tgivepermit-potentialtobeland-locked
-duetocrossingproblem(nobodyknowswhataccessis,socountywon'tgivepermit)
Keepsitthewayitis Communitynotbenefitting,notmovinganywhere
Aknownentityisincharge Concernthatwewon'tmoveahead,stalling
Allopportunitiesarestillthere Concernsaboutfuturemaintenance,notcurrentlymaintained
Allowsforagriculturaltransporttomarketinfuture Conditionscoulddeterioratefurther
Allowsfortrainuseinfuture Continue(not)maintaining
Allowstime Continuedlegalissueswithprivatecrossing
Blockingthebiketrail Costofmaintenancetaxpayer$
Buytimeforafuturedecision Costtaxpayersmoremoneyjusttositthere
Concernsoflandownersonrailwaywouldbetotheirbenefit Costtaxpayersmoremoneyjusttositthere
Appendices24
WSDOTMAINTAINSROWcontinuedOPPORTUNITIES CONCERNS
Couldprevent"landgrab" CosttaxpayersmoremoneyjusttositthereCreatespossibilityforfuturerailuse CosttoWSDOT
Deeperpocketsformaintenance Currentlynotadequatemanagement
Doesn'tturntotrail Cutsouttaxdollarsthatcouldgotothestate
Easiestoption Delayincreasesfuturecost
Ifdambreached,railtransportwouldbeaviableoption deteriorationoflinesastheyexist
Ifstatemaintains&ownsit,wont'gointoatrail Don'tknowwhat"maintains"entails-details?
Insurespotentialrailuseineventdamsarelost DOTputsitonlowestpriorityforon-goingmaintenance-weeds,etc
KeepcurrentROWsastheyare EasternWAignored&lowpriority($)Keepscorridoravailableforfutureoptions Ecologicconcernfornativehabitat-sprayingKeepsoptionsopen FirecontrolconcernKeepsoptionsopen FirehazardontherailLandownerspreferthisoption Gapbetweenoperator&WSDOTleavinginadequatecareMaintaincorridor Howtheywillmaintaintherailline-whowillberesponsible?Maintainsingleownership Howtokeeppeoplefromtrespassing?Becauselandisstateownedbut
trespassingisissueMaintains&securesChipmanTraileligibilityforrailbanking HugeexpenseformaintenanceMaintainsstatusquo Informal,unauthorizedpublicuseMaintainsthepublicROW Isitwisestewardshipof"state"resourcesMaintainstherailforfutureuse KickingthecandowntheroadMoreclearlydesignatestasks&responsibility Lackofresourcestomaintainweedcontrol,firesuppressionMorecosteffective LackofresponsibilityformaintenanceMorelikelytorestartrailserviceinfuture Liabilityforlandowners-forpersonalinjury,fire,&lawbreakingMoreopportunitiesforalloptions LiabilityfortrespassersNoonedestructivetowardsland Limbo-uncertainfutureNowinners/losers LimitsoptionsformaintenanceOpportunitiesforfutureuse LosetherightforpublicaccessOpportunitytogrowoutdoorrecreationalactivities LossofawarenessthatitisapublicROWPossibilityofpassengerrailuse Maintainhardware,bed,intactastransportationcorridor?Possibleincreaseinfocusofcare&maintenancewithWSDOTonlyinvolved
Maintenancecostpassedontolandownerswithnobenefit-costinmaterials,equipment,&labor
Postponesor"pushes"thedecision MaintenanceofexistingfencesPotentialforpublicaccess Maintenancereliability
Potentialotheragenciestobecomeinvolved MoneyspentbyWSDOTwouldnotbeavailabletoaddressothertransportationneeds
Preservesforfuture Nobenefittolandowners,railroad,taxpayers-NOONEbenefits
Putsoffdecision Nochangesfromstatusquo
Putsoffdecisiontofuture NopublicaccessRe-establishmentofrailservice Nobodytopoliceregulations
Remainspublicproperty(Needtoclarifywhat"PublicProperty"means)
Notasattractiveforeconomicdevelopmentonanindividuallevel(potentialnewemployeesinare)
Reservesawildlifecorridor Notdeciding
Restorationofrailroadfunction Notusingourtaxdollarswisely
ROWforfiberopticline Nothingchanges(lostopportunities)SchweitzerEngineering&Pullmanexpansionneeds Nothinggetsdone
SimpleROWtransfer,ifanotheragencycomesalonginfuture Opentointerpretationonwhatis"good"maintenance
Appendices25
WSDOTMAINTAINSROWcontinuedOPPORTUNITIES CONCERNS
Someonetobeheldaccountableforthemaintenance Parkinglotforrailcars
Speederscouldrideonrailroad Poormaintenanceduetobudgetcuts
StateagencycoulddoabetterjobmaintainingROW Possiblechangesinaccesstopersonalproperty-maintainexistingaccess&crossingpoints
Statusquo Possibleinadequateweedcontrols
Statusquo Possiblelostopportunities
Stayastransportationcorridor PotentialtochargeownersforROW
Thepossibilitytobringbackrailline Responsibilityforweeds,security,crossings,etc
Theywillspraytheweeds Riskforfiredangerincreasedwithoutpropermaintenance
Timeformoreoptions&funding Safetyconcerns
Truckingcostfluctuations-railcouldguardagainst Safetyoflivestockandpeople
WSDOTmaintains,opportunityforrailtocomeback Spendingmoneyfornothing
WSDOTrequiredtomaintaincorridor Sprayinvolvedwithweedcontrol
WSDOTresponsibleformaintenance,weedcontrol,&firecontrol Statenotdoinganything:weedcontrol,crossingmaintenance,signage
Statusquo
Takingofpropertybythegovernment
Taxpayerliability
Theownershipofthepropertyuncertain
Thisisalimbostate-bettertomovetoa"real"outcome
Toomanyquestionsthatneedclarification
Trespassingonprivateproperty
Uncertaintyaboutwhatwillhappenwiththerailline
Wasteofmoneytomaintainwithoutreason
Weedcontrol
Weedcontrol&fencingincluded
Weedcontrolharderonrailroadvstrail
Weedcontrolharderontrailvsrailroad-easierbecausenopedestriantraffictoworkaround
Whatdoes"maintain"meanwithorwithouttracks? Wherearethebetteroperators
Whowillmaintainweedsfences?Notmaintainednow
Whowillmaintainweedsfences?Notmaintainednow
Whowillmaintainweedsfences? Willtheychangeorchargefeestolandownerslikeishappeninginother
areasinWashingtonState
Wouldn'tbemaintained&fundsnottheretomaintain
WSDOTbadmanagement WSDOTforbidexistingcrossing-landowneraccessinterferedwith?
WSDOThasliabilitybutnopayingentityforfunding
WSDOTmaynotbeveryresponsivetoneedsofadjacentpropertyowners WSDOTveryslowtorespondtoconcerns&whenmaintenanceisneeded-
statusquo WSDOTwon'tdoanythingbutcrossing&keeplandownersland-locked WSDOTwon'tsprayweeds-won't"gateoff"trestles WSDOTwon'tsprayweeds-won't"gateoff"trestles
Appendices26
“PARKINGLOT”WRITTENCOMMENTSWorkshopparticipantswereinvitedtoleaveadditionalcommentson3x5cards.Thesecardswerepostedonthewallinanareadesignatedasthe“parkinglot”foranonymoussharingofthoughtsandquestions.
• Excellent.Welldone.Thankyou.• DisposeofProperty.Opportunity.Economicdevelopment.Helpingbringpeopletosmallcommunities(Colfax&Albion).• DoesDOTMaintainROWmeanthatfundingcomesonlythroughDOT?• Withregardstoiftrailwascreated,woulda'pervious'path/concretebeanoptionforanenvironmentallyfriendlypathway?• Whatconditionarethetrestlesin?CosttorepairandMaintainbridges?Costoftrailsignage?Willnewpersonnelneedtobehiredfor
trailmaintenance?• Oneofmyconcernswiththisdiscussionisthatverylittlethoughtseemstobegiventohowitaffectsadjacentlandowners.The
monetaryvalueoftheirpropertymaynotbeaffected,buttheirpersonnelestimationofhowtheyvaluetheirpropertycouldstandtobeseriouslyimpacted.
• WSDOTholdsquitclaimdeedto300mi.ofRR.Isthereamap?WhatisthecostpermiletomaintainthestandardintheROW?• Concernforaccesstoemergencyservicesonthetrail&lackofcellphoneservice.• HowdoRailstoTrailshappenaroundtheUS?Alltheseissueshavebeenaddressedbefore!• Whoownswhat?• QuestionsforWSDOT:In2004whenthestateinvested$28million(?notcertainofamount)basedontheeconomicstudybyKen
Casavant-whatamountwasinvestedintheColfax-Albion-PullmanRR?Whoownsthetracks?Ties?Isthereawaytorecoveranypartofthattaxexpenditure?Also,istheRRrightofwayownedbyWA?oradjacentlandowners?Ifinthefuturerailusedoesbecomeeconomicallyprofitable,howcouldtheROWbeprotectedasarailline?
• Toocostlytorebuildtrestlesandthemaintenancecostishighalso(13trestles).Firstneedtofindoutwholegalowneroflandis.Noneedtorailbankbecausepossibilityofanotherrailroadisalmostnil.Costtotaxpayersistoohightodoanythingotherthanreverttopropertyowners.
• Costtothetaxpayerstobuildthetrail,maintaintrestles.EasementswordedforrailroadpurposesonlyaccordingtoFederalCourtcasesarenottobereadtoincluderecreationaltrails.Landownersneedmoreofavoice,tohavemeetingsbeingrunbyWSDOTandthePullmanCivicTrustsmellsofcollusionandsmellslikethefixisin.
• Intheinterimbetweendiscontinuance-abandonment,whoisresponsibleformaintainingtheproperty?
• Pollpeople&seeiftheywantpassengerrailserviceontheline.Ido.
• Pleaseexplainwhytheoriginalrailroad/landowneragreementisnotgoingtobehonoredaswritten-inotherwords,whatisthelegalhistoryofrailbankingandhowdoesitaffectprecedingcontractsbetweenthelandowners&therailroads?
• Idea-Whatwouldbethepossibilityofacompromise:Thelandrevertstothepossessionlandowneronacontingencybasisbutthecorridor"remains"sothatifaneedreturnedforarailroadthenitcancomeback-notrail.
• "WhatdoesDOTown"(RhetoricalQuestion).About90%ofthecorridortherailcompany(DOT)ownsarightofwayeasementforlegitimaterailroadpurposes(inthedeeds).Dotownstherails,ties,trestles,butnottheland.Theremainingapproximate10percent,thepropertyisownedbyDOT.
• DoesWSDOTmaintenanceofROWincludetheabilitytopullrailandties?
• Whowillbetheleadagent??
Appendices27
APPENDIXB:TranscriptsofFall/WinterCommunityWorkshopSeriesThesecompiledtranscriptsfromfourworkshopsheldinPullman,WAandWashingtonStateUniversity(November,2016)andagaininColfaxandAlbion,WA(December2016)includeallofthecommentscapturedbyfacilitatorsduringsmall-grouptablediscussionsandaresortedinto12generalcategories.Anyclaimsmaderepresenttheopinionsandthoughtsexpressedandhavenotbeenverifiedforaccuracy.ThediscussionpromptsweretodiscusshoweachrailcorridoroptionmightimpactLOCALCOMMUNITIES,INDIVIDUALSINTHECOMMUNITIES,andCORRIDORNEIGHBORSspecifically.TheoptionsdiscussedwereDisposalofROW;RailbankingandTrailCreation;andWSDOTMaintainsROW.
EFFECTSOFEACHOPTIONONTHELOCALCOMMUNITIESCOMMENTS
Appendices35
APPENDIXC:BillChipmanTrailUserCountsandInterceptSurveyResultsA. TrailUserInterceptSurvey:
AtrailuserinterceptsurveywasconductedonTuesday,Sept13andSaturday,Sept24,2016attwolocationsalongtheBillChipmanPalouseTrail:atthePullmanTrailheadneartheBleasnerStreetspurandattheMoscowtrailhead.ThissurveywasinitiatedinresponsetoquestionsraisedduringcommunitydiscussionsaboutanoptiontoconvertanunusedraillinebetweenColfax,Albion,andPullmanWA.QuestionsregardingcurrentuseoftheChipmanTrailrevealedthattrailusagehadnotbeendocumentedandnodatawereavailabletoassesshowthetrailisusedandbywhom.TheChipmanTrailsurveywasmodeledafterpublishedsurveys(NationalBicycleandPedestrianDocumentationProject:Forms:http://bikepeddocumentation.org/)andthedatesselectedfellduringtheNationalTrailCounttimeframeanddidnotincludeafootballweekend. Alltrailusersbetweenthehoursof7-9a.m.,11a.m.-1p.m.,and4-6p.m.weregreetedandaskedtocompleteashort,writtensurvey.Thevastmajorityagreedtoparticipate.Atotalof233respondentscompletedthesurvey(110ontheweekendand123ontheweekday).Amongthe233respondents,theirreasonsforbeingonthetrailatthetimeofthesurveywereasfollows(multipleresponsesoftengivenbysamerespondent):
• 63%wereusingthetrailforhealth/exercise.• 37%wereusingthetrailforfun/recreation.• Nearly28%wereusingthetrailtocommutetoworkonaweekday;9%wereusingthetrailtocommuteonthe
weekend.• 18%wereusingthetrailforfitnesstraining.
Demographics:
• Approximately55%oftrailuserswerebetweentheagesof18-45;45%wereabovetheageof45witharelativelyevenspreadofusersineachagegroup.Thefewestusersfallingbetween36-45andover65.Notethattrailusersunder18yearsoldwerenotsurveyed.
• Approximately6%ofrespondentswereonthetrailwithchildren16yearsoryounger.• 58%oftrailusersweremale;42%werefemale.• About54%ofrespondentsarepermanentresidentsofthearea;30%areuniversitystudents.About10%oftrail
usersareretiredandabout6%arevisitors.• 56%reportlivinginPullmanzipcode;30%oftrailusersreportlivinginMoscowzipcode.
0102030405060
18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 66+
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Appendices36
B. TrailUserCounts:
AninfraredcounterpositionedattheWashington-Idahobordercapturedthefollowingactivityonthetrailcontinuouslyforthreeweeks.Thecounterscaptureduserscrossingtheinfraredbeamfrombothdirections.Figures5aand5bshowtwoofthoseweeks(coincidingwiththetrailuserinterceptsurveys).
FIGURE5a:TrailusefortheweekofSept10-16,2016.DatacollectedbyInfraredcounterpositionedattheWA-IDborder.Recordeduserscrossingtheinfraredbeamfrombothdirectionsonthetrail.AtrailinterceptsurveywasconductedonTuesday9/13between7-9a.m.,11a.m.-1p.m.,4-6p.m.Notethatsomeofthelate-nightactivityislikelyduetoanimalstrippingthesensorsratherthanhumantrailusers.
FIGURE5b:TrailusefortheweekofSept24-30,2016.DatacollectedbyInfraredcounterpositionedattheWA-IDborder.Saturday9/24between7-9a.m.,11a.m.-1p.m.,4-6p.m.Notethatsomeofthelate-nightactivityislikelyduetoanimalstrippingthesensorsratherthanhumantrailusers.
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