REPUBLIC - Ferry County's new trail committee May 20 discussed trespassers on the abandoned rail bed between Torboy and Danville.
The committee, during its first meeting, also helped put in motion measures to secure the two most dangerous features of that right of way.
The nine-member committee, which is to make rail trail recommendations to Ferry County commissioners, discussed whether the rail bed should be marked with "no trespassing" signs until it is developed.
Committee members appear to be split equally between those wanting the trail to be open only to non-motorized traffic and those wanting some motorized use.
They generally agreed that the tunnel along the Kettle River between Curlew and Danville and the Curlew Lake trestle hold the biggest potential for liability for the county.
Committee members learned that 40 ecology blocks purchased by the North Ferry Enterprise Committee and donated to the county could not be used on the south end of the 29-mile rail corridor because of a provision of the NFEC grant.
The commissioners' clerk said there was no money in the county budget to purchase more ecology blocks.
Ferry County Rail Trail Partners President Bob Whittaker volunteered funds from that non-profit organization to buy four blocks to secure the trestle.
That group's mission is to preserve the corridor for a non-motorized community rail trail. Supporter donations were used to purchase the blocks, which were placed May 22.
"We are happy to help the county make these first key steps toward securing the corridor and preserving this valuable community asset," Whittaker said. "There is much work to be done, but this is a very positive move by the county and also benefits adjacent landowners who have been experiencing unauthorized vehicle trespass around the lake."
Bobbi Weller, who was chosen to chair the county's trail committee, said she has experienced problems with both motorized and non-motorized users on the rail bed. She lives in the Blacks Beach area adjacent to the rail bed.
Various members of the committee shared their visions for the trail, but Weller said she thinks the perfect scenario would have separate trails for motorized and non-motorized use.
All committee members promised to try to find common ground on trail issues.
Some members objected to a plan to recommend county commissioners pass an ordinance forbidding motorized use of the rail bed except for law enforcement and farm use until a trail can be developed.
They said they felt that such a measure would be prejudicial against motorized recreation enthusiasts.
Research will be done into the legality of restricting access to the rail bed until it is developed into a trail. It was not clear if federal rail banking statutes allow such a restriction.
The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4. Subsequent meetings will be at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month in the county commissioners' office behind the courthouse.
