Port addresses Trail, railroad and infrastructure issues

DAYTON–The Port of Columbia Commissioners addressed many issues pertaining to the Touchet Valley Trail, the railroad, grants during the recent Zoom monthly meeting on April 14.

Phillip McKeen, resident of Walla Walla whose parents reside in Dayton, was present for the Zoom meeting and spoke during the public comment period to say he is "following up on efforts with the trail, as well as some of the opposition. I think there is a lot of useful information, but I'm not seeing it when I look back at the minutes...Knowing that there are a number of vested interests in that trail, there are people who have the land adjacent to the trail, there are people who are wanting to use the trail–both for tourism, as well as for local transportation. It seems like it would be a good idea to have some of that local commentary captured, as well as the opportunity to say, 'How can some of those needs be met in all directions without having it result in heartfelt disagreements?' The other concern would be, 'What happens when there's things like chemical spray in the area? What happens when there's a need for field access?' All of these different considerations that I didn't feel were adequately captured in the documentation."

Commissioner Sean Milligan addressed the concerns stated by McKeen about additions to the Port's website in preparation for the public trail meeting on April 26 at 5:30 p.m., to be held by Zoom. "Jennie has fairly recently added quite a lot of information including a document addressing many of the local concerns prepared by a member of the trail's steering committee."

"If after you read that, if there are other questions you might have, you might submit them in advance to the Port so they can be addressed at the public meeting," Commissioner Earle Marvin added.

One document that won't be available in time for the trail meeting is the Economic Impact Analysis. According to Dickinson, the firm tasked with preparing this document cannot have it ready for the meeting. However, they can have an "impact forecast" complete in time. Dickinson says she is working with this firm to do the same kind of analysis for all Port property–Rock Hill Industrial Park, Blue Mountain Station, Lyons Ferry Marina, the railroad and the trail. She said the firm conveyed it would be ready by June. Milligan responded, "That would be helpful information in any of our future deliberations" over the question of return on investment in regards to the high-cost maintenance needs of the railroad.

Dickinson told the Commissioners that she recently attended at Washington State Broadband Office Zoom meeting with the purpose of ascertaining what entities within the State would be ready to build when broadband money is made available. Dickinson gave them all the information requested to convey the Port is ready and waiting for help in funding the $2.6 million project to build the infrastructure needed for the City of Dayton and outlying areas out the North Touchet and west on Highway 12.

The question Dickinson presented to the Commissioners for future discussion is whether to pursue the State money, which is a combination of grants and loans, or delay the project possibly until 2023 when federal money is available which would not include loans that need to be repaid, but requires a 20% match at $520,000. The Port received a matching-funds grant from Sherwood Trust for $20,000 but is seeking additional funds. Dickinson said that the City of Dayton has COVID money that can go towards broadband and are working with the Port towards this cause.