Olympic Discovery Trail soon may run from Ediz Hook to Blyn
By Jim Casey, Peninsula Daily News
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The work — mostly paving — is expected to cost between $250,000 and $300,000, said County Engineer Ross Tyler.
Now, only a route through the west side of Port Angeles and along the old Milwaukee Road railway grade remains to be built for the trail to run from Blyn to the Elwha River.
Farther west, the county sought a grant from the state Recreation and Conservation Office to finish the segment called the Adventure Route — because it is suitable only for hikers, road bikers and equestrians — from the Elwha to Lake Crescent at a cost of $150,000.
Also last month, the county received an easement from the U.S. Forest Service to continue the trail from the lake to just east of the top of Fairholm Hill.
Restore railroad tunnels
Meanwhile, the county has applied for a separate grant to restore the Spruce Railroad tunnels on the north shore of the lake and upgrade the trail to Cooper Ranch Road at a cost of $1.4 million.
That project would allow road bicyclists to use the trail to avoid U.S. Highway 101 on the lake's south shore and let persons who use wheelchairs to travel the route.
Eventually, the trail is planned to connect Port Townsend and LaPush.
In other action Tuesday, commissioners approved leasing a five-acre section in the northwest corner of Robin Hill Farm Park to the National Park Service.
There, Olympic National Park personnel will grow native vegetation they will transplant to the Elwha River Canyon after Lakes Aldwell and Mills are drained when the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams are removed.
The county will receive $6,000 a year from the park service for 10 years, according to the lease, which carries two five-year renewal options at reduced rates.
Grant will help save farms
Commissioners on Tuesday also:
The money also will help develop a brochure and Web page to inform citizens of preservation options.
Beitzel previously had represented the cities of Forks, Port Angeles and Sequim on the health board while he was a Sequim city councilman.
He left that post Dec. 31 after he was elected to OMC's board of commissioners.
The new funds will pay for On-site Septic System activities in the Marine Recovery Area in the county's East End.
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Reporter Jim Casey can be reached at 360-417-3538 or at jim.casey@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: March 04. 2008 9:00PM