By Brenda Starkey
Chronicle correspondent

     REPUBLIC - Ferry County commissioners appointed nine members of a new Recreational Trail Committee April 27.
     The group is charged with developing a management plan for the use and maintenance of the rail corridor between Torboy and the Canadian border.
     Appointees are adjacent landowners Gordon Strandberg, Richard Lybarger and Bobbi Weller; small business owner Jim Schumacher; Backcountry Horsemen member Larry Hemming; Curlew Community Association representative Landon Swafford; Kettle River Advisory Board member Ed Watt; motorized recreation enthusiast Stan Christie, and Ferry County Rail Trail Partners representative Bob Whittaker.
     The original plan was to appoint one law enforcement person to the committee, but since none expressed interest, a third adjacent landowner was named.
     After the election of officers, the RTC will start dealing with trespassing issues and signage on the corridor, county officials said.
     The RTC will meet once a month and members will serve two-year terms, according to the newly revised and approved bylaws.
     Commissioners said they anticipate the group will have a volunteer facilitator.
     Under the bylaws, the committee will review, comment and advise county commissioners on proposed trail management rules, policies and ordinances prior to their adoption.