The recreational trail network across the Palouse is one of the mostnotable attractions of the southeastern Washington region. However,over the past five years, little action has been taken to improve thesepathways or create connecting routes between trails. According to publicsurveys conducted in 2015, is something that the Palouse communitysees as an important area of focus (see right figure).

This is the goal behind the Palouse Regional Active Transportation Plan.

Palouse Long-Term Investment SurveyTransportation Projects Needing Improvement

The Palouse Regional Transportation PlanningOrganization (RTPO) has been serving the Asotin,Columbia, Garfield, and Whitman counties since1991.

With the help of government organizations, localagencies, and community members, the PalouseRTPO has been at work since September 2019developing and building on the foundations ofthe Palouse Regional Active Transportation Plan.

WHAT IS THIS PLAN FOR?

WHO IS BEHIND THIS PLAN?

THE PALOUSE REGIONAL ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

STEERING COMMITTEE

CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEEThis includes members of various advocacygroups on the Palouse who have had anysuggestions or any recommendations for thePalouse trail network for years before.

This planning group includes representativesof local government or government-fundedorganizations which have relevant relationsto this plan.

WHAT EXACTLY IS AT STAKE HERE?

Currently, the Palouse RTPO, along with the help of committees andorganizations, have developed a list of 150 trails on the Palouse.

Along with the names of these trails, the PRTPO has also gathered individualtrail information, such as walking surface, available activities, and permitrequirements.

Because of the heavy costs that areinvolved in constructing new recreationaltrails, the intent behind this plan is to makeit possible for trail managers and localagencies to receive state and federalfunding for proposed trail projects.

The plan will act as a detailed informationalresource containing logistical, accessibility,and administrative data for each trail on thePalouse. This information will be translatedto an online GIS platform so that trail userscan easily plan hikes, bike rides, and walks.

A TRAILBLAZING RESOURCEMAKE WAY FOR PROJECT FUNDING

Alongside addressing a technical advisorycommittee, the Palouse RTPO is currentlyoperating the planning process with thehelp of two committees:

HOW ARE DECISIONS BEING MADE?

THE FUTURE OF PALOUSE ADVENTURES

PH

ASE

1

Formation of committees

- Steering (SC)- Citizen Advisory (CAC)

2. Project timeline

3. Literature review

Identify region-wide (RW) stakeholders

Public & stakeholder outreach• RW public meetings• Online surveys

Trail data translation- GIS platform

Further research- Economic impact- Environmental justice

Phase Iinterim report

PH

ASE

2

Case studies on proposed projects- Economic impact- Environmental justice

PH

ASE

3

Finalized report• Complete data• Recommendations• Project priorities

Plan approval & adoption. The public user domain will be launched.

Provide & assist with new project funding

The plan will be revisited every 5 years as construction is underway. The PRTPO will work with government organizations and landowners to promote proposed trails.

GENERAL PUBLIC

RW ADVOCACY GROUPS

RW LOCAL GOV

DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION

Collect user data from the 25 most popular trails

1

Second public & stakeholder outreach - Public feedback on preferences / recommendations- High-priority projects will be determined by collected data

- Identify connectivity gaps- Land ownership- Schematic assessment

Within ten years (2021-2031), the project is expected to reach 25% of total completion.

THE PATH TO PLAN ADOPTION

WHAT’S AROUND THE BEND

From feedback from trail organizations, advocacy groups, committees, and the public, the Palouse RTPO will determine where opportunities for trail connection can be implemented.

The Palouse RTPO, along with the help of the committees, intends to conduct economic impact analyses on existing trails or current trail constructions.

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHERAfter determining the most neededconnectivity gaps and evaluating theeconomic impacts of discussedprojects, the PRTPO will determinewhich projects should be prioritizedand initiated in the summer of 2021,followed by a 10-year plan laying out25% of all proposed projects.

ENVIRONMENT & EQUITY

The analyses will be studied to get a good understanding of how to run trails economically and how it might affect the Palousein the long run.

ECONOMIC VITALITY

This will allow for new trails to keep communities safe and to give equal opportunity for recreation.

The PRTPO will reach out to experts on environmental justice to develop a plan to combat socioeconomic or environmental issues that have been overlooked in past trail projects.

CONNECTING THE DOTS

Feedback connecting paths should be placed in order to make necessary link between trails or bike paths throughout the Palouse.

YOUARE

HERE

ASOTIN COUNTY

EasyMediumHard

LEGENDB = Bike W = WalkH = Hike HB = HorsebackWS = Winter Sports MR = Motored Traffic

TOTAL TRAILS - 20

Place a pin in an area where you see a trail is missing or incomplete.

COLUMBIA COUNTYTOTAL TRAILS - 47

Place a pin in an area where you see a trail is missing or incomplete.

EasyMediumHardUnknow DifficultyProposed Trail

B = Bike W = WalkH = Hike WS = Winter Sports HB = Horseback MR= Motored Traffic

LEGEND

GARFIELD COUNTYTOTAL TRAILS - 29

Place a pin in an area where you see a trail is missing or incomplete.

EasyMediumHard

B = Bike W = WalkH = Hike HB = HorsebackWS = Winter Sports MR = Motored Traffic

LEGEND

WHITMAN COUNTYTOTAL TRAILS - 54

Place a pin in an area where you see a trail is missing or incomplete.

EasyMediumHardProposed Trail

B = Bike W = WalkH = Hike HB = HorsebackWS = Winter Sports MR = Motored Traffic

LEGEND

City of Pullman