As proposed by the Palouse Path Task Force and Whitman County Parks Department,
the bike path would go on the railroad right of way (now owned by Union Pacifi
c RR and operated by Palouse River RR). UP and Burlington Northern have been
negotiating for the past several years on track consolidation between Moscow
and Pullman -- each would operate their own trains, but share a common track
between the two towns... presumably the BN line, which is from 1/2 to 1 mile
south of the Mos-Pul Highway, over the hill from Paradise Creek. Within
each town, they would continue to have separate lines and sidings.
I'm not clear on the status of negotiations, perhaps Phil Waite, a subscriber
to this list, could provide additional details.
No private land would be involved, as I understand the plan, unless there was
a desire to move the path farther away from an existing residence than the
existing rail line is.
I hope this helps clarify the issues. KENTON