Latah Trail Project Update

["Loreca Stauber" <lstauber@latah.id.us>]

 On 22nd January 2001, the Board of County Commissioners voted to purchase K
& M's interest in the abandoned railroad right-of-way from Moscow to Troy
for $163,520.  By January 31st 2001 the County would have formally assumed
ownership of K&M's holdings along the right-of way and the Latah Trail
Project will have its feet on solid ground and pised to proceed toward the
goal.  This acquisition will need to be followed by other negotiations to
secure the remaining portions presently owned by individuals in the
community.   In the meantime, if you count yourself as a supporter of the
project or inclined to support the project, now is the time to become
actively involved.  The Latah Trail Foundation (LTF) and its core community
proponents have been steadfastly pursuing avenues of funding to help defray
the present and anticipated acquisition, development, and subsequent
maintenance costs.  The LTF and the County also need citizen ideas on how
to galvanize a broad-based, active community participation in the trail
project.   A group of community members will be meeting next Wednesday, 31st
January 2001 at 10 a.m. or during the noon one-one-half hour in Room 2-B of
the County Courthouse to take stock of what needs to be done at this point.
Several tasks that will require help include: completing the application to
the Idaho Transportation Department for "phase 2" of the trail development
and acquisition, developing a conceptual design for the pedestrian/bike
trail and in the process reaching out to as broad a representation of the
Latah community for ideas and assistance in creating the trail design,
refining plans for the use and maintenance of the trail so as to ensure best
use and neighborliness, and so on.  Its onward and forward for a cause
worthy of the good citizens of Latah County.  Please contact Andy Grant,
Latah County Parks and Recreation Director if you can do something for the
project, or if you have questions about the process and substance of the
making of a public trail.  Thank you and best wishes, Loreca