Port of Columbia paves the way for final Trail Concept Plan

DAYTON–The Port of Columbia Commissioners met with members of the Touchet Valley Trail Steering Committee and were presented with a Concept Plan as a result of months of meetings.

The Trail Steering Committee consists of representatives from various entities including, but not limited to the City of Dayton, City of Waitsburg, Columbia County departments, Washington State Parks, Washington State Department of Transportation, National Park Service, Columbia Rail, Anderson Perry, Waitsburg Commercial Club and Palouse Regional Transportation Planning Organization.

According to the committee, “Concept plans are preliminary documents planners use to describe possible design solutions addressing project goals, opportunities and challenges. They are written using the best information available at the time, understanding that some of the concepts could get modified and adjusted as more detailed analysis, design and engineering occurs.

Concept Plans are a useful starting point in planning projects, helping to promote consensus among community leaders and stakeholders by articulating goals for development and use of the property. They are also useful documents for securing grants, appropriations and assisting in other fundraising efforts.”

Committee members present at the regular board meeting shared their support for the project and the benefits it would bring to the Waitsburg and Dayton Communities by offering this for its members and drawing in people from other places to use it. According to WSDOT, the trail makes sense because a bike route already runs along Highway 12. Lewis and Clark State Park would attract new visitors because of the trail.