Civic Trust rep asks port to revisit rail exit policy

Richard Wesson, representing the Pullman Civic Trust organization, last Thursday asked Port of Whitman Commissioners to revisit their decision to support abandonment of the Colfax-Pullman railroad property in the event the state decides to pull up the tracks on the now-idle line.

“Look at your mission statement and at least back off. Don’t have any decision at all,” Wesson urged. “This is good for farmers down the road,” he added.

The board Feb. 5 approved a move to support the abandonment option if the state’s PCC rail authority moves to pull up the tracks.

The PCC has considered rail banking the right-of-way, and the Pullman Civic Trust had proposed developing a trail on the railroad property in the event the land is banked.

“You need to understand that the trail would be an economic asset,” Wesson said. “Studies are finding that businesses, chambers and cities are seeing trails as beneficial.”

“The port has discounted a trail,” he said. He said no one has the answers about the costs and funding of the trail. He also said the Palouse Conservation District might be able to get some federal grants for a trail.

“People love their trails,” he said. “It’s an economic asset that has potential.”

Wesson said the Pullman Civic Trust is organizing a petition drive and said they could have hundreds of signatures in a very short time.

“Let’s get together and deal with this issue,” said port Executive Director Joe Poire. “We’ve been dealing with this issue for at least the last eight years. You’ve brought up a lot of good points. I would love to articulate to you where we are today.”

When the Port of Whitman County board met on Feb. 5 four members from a group called “Friends of the Railroad” urged abandonment of the railroad right-of-way and turning the property over to adjoining land owners.

Poire at that time said the proposed plan of the Washington State Department of Transportation is to remove the rails from the line between Colfax and Pullman and use it on other segments of the PCC Rail system.

Estimated value of the rails is $2 million.

After discussion, Commissioner Dan Boone made a motion that if DOT proceeds with removal of the rail on the line between Colfax and Pullman, the rail line property should then be abandoned. Boone and Commissioner John Love voted in favor of the motion. Chairman Tom Kammerzell recused himself from the discussion and abstained from voting because he owns land along the line.

Wesson said Feb. 20 the trail proposal is uncertain even with total port support and will take many years.

He read part of the port’s mission statement.

“The Port of Whitman County is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens of Whitman County through industrial real estate development, preservation of multi-modal transportation, facilitation of economic development and provision of on-water recreational opportunities.”

Wesson pointed out the rail corridor is a public asset that was bought in good faith by the citizens of Washington who deserve to receive a value from it. Congress provided the legal means of banking an idle rail bed in order to preserve possible future rail use and have a rail system in the interim.

He noted a 19-mile section of trail from Colfax to Pullman would link up the Chipman Trail to Moscow and the Latah Trail to Troy. The Latah Trail has been extended south on the former rail grade down to Kendrick. Wesson said the trail could be extended to Julietta, but there’s a glitch in the section from Troy to Kendrick. The trail then would stretch for 60 miles.