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SummaryReportfor2016

CommunityDiscussions

IncooperationwithWashingtonStateDepartmentofTransportation

Colfax-Albion-PullmanRailroadCorridor

CommunityDiscussions

SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 ii

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 iv

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 vi

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

SUMMARYREPORTFROMCAPCORRIDORCOMMUNITYDISCUSSIONS–2016 viii

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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


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.


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


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.


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.


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.


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:


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


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.


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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.


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.


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


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.


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.


VI.InClosingThecommunityprocesswasanefforttohelpthepubliclearnaboutthepotentialfutureoptionsfortheCAPCorridorandtodiscusstheoptionsandwhattheycouldmeantoeachparticipant,bothindividuallyandatacommunitylevel.Theworkshops,organizedthroughthepartnershipofPCT,WSDOTandNPS,weredesignedforneighborstomeeteachotherandshareperspectivesthroughcivildiscourse.Thisreportmayserveasaresourcetolegislatorsandothersabouttheoptions.Inreviewingthegoalsandoutcomesguidingthework,themembersoftheLeadershipCommitteeagreedthatthepublicprocesssuccessfullyaccomplishedthegoalstoeducate,engagethecommunityincivildiscussions,andidentifyquestions.Wethankallparticipantsfortheirtimeandenergy,andespeciallyfortheirthoughtfulcommentsthroughout.Weappreciatethededicationofthepropertyownersinthecorridorwhocametoallfiveoftheworkshopstoensuretheirvoiceswereheard. PreparationoftheSummaryReportLisaCarloyeandBobbieRydertooktheleadindraftingthisreportasrepresentativesforPullmanCivicTrust.Thisreportisbasedonthecommunityworkshopsandtheresearchgatheredtoinformthediscussionandfindanswerstooutstandingquestions.NPSstaffhelpedreviewthewrittenreport.ThedraftreportwasreadbyWSDOTpersonnelandallmembersoftheLeadershipCommitteeandensuingdiscussionwasusedtoeditandfinalizethesummaryreport.TheLeadershipCommitteeendorsedthisfinalreportonJune8,2017.


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&regionloses

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

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EFFECTSOFEACHOPTIONONTHELOCALCOMMUNITIESCOMMENTScontinued

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EFFECTSOFEACHOPTIONONTHELOCALCOMMUNITIESCOMMENTScontinued

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EFFECTSOFEACHOPTIONONINDIVIDUALSCOMMENTS

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EFFECTSOFEACHOPTIONONCORRIDORNEIGHBORSCOMMENTS

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EFFECTSOFEACHOPTIONONCORRIDORNEIGHBORSCOMMENTScontinued

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EFFECTSOFEACHOPTIONONCORRIDORNEIGHBORSCOMMENTScontinued

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

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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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