PORT ANGELES — The long-term goal of connecting Port Townsend to LaPush on the Olympic Discovery Trail soon will creep 807 feet closer to reality.
Two Clallam County commissioners approved on Tuesday a right-of-way agreement to purchase a .56-acre strip of old railroad grade to connect the trail between Sequim and Blyn.
Commissioners Mike Doherty and Mike Chapman penned the agreement to purchase the easement from Shawn Severse, Lisa Brown and Kelly Schwarz for $8,891.20.
The county also will construct a sitting bench on the north end of the right of way, located near the intersection of Old Blyn Highway and Blyn Road.
The Jamestown S’Klallam tribe owns a half-mile-long section of the railroad grade from the tribal center going north.
The county’s segment of the easement completes a 3,600-foot-long section that the tribe plans to build from the tribal center to Blyn Road.
“It might be built relatively soon, if it’s included in the economic stimulus package,” said Clallam County senior transportation planner Rich James, who has championed the Olympic Park Discovery trail.
Eventually, county planners hope to connect the hiking/biking/equestrian trail from Port Townsend to the Pacific Ocean.
Commissioner Steve Tharinger did not attend the meeting.
Appraisal questioned
Katherine Houk, during public comment period, questioned the appraisal of land the county is buying with state funds for the Dungeness Estuarine Floodplain Acquisition project.
She said that she thought Tharinger, who owns a portion of the land the county is buying with state funds, has a conflict on interest with the project.
Tharinger has recused himself from all consideration and discussion during the yearlong project.
The state wants to push back the dikes on a 1.8-mile stretch of the lower Dungeness River to help restore wildlife habitat. Commissioners Doherty and Chapman last week voted to move ahead with the $380,000 purchase, which will be reimbursed through state grants.
“I would like you to look at the appraised value of the properties because I believe the appraised value doesn’t reflect the current market,” Houk said.
“The appraisals were done before the downturn in the market, and I think that you as buyers using the taxpayers’ money, should get another appraisal before you go through with those outdated appraisals.”
County Administrator Jim Jones told Houk that the county was not involved in the appraisal.
“The appraisal was done on behalf of, and accepted by, the state,” Jones said.
“We didn’t have any role, neither Steve nor anybody in the county had any role, in either ordering or accepting the appraisal.”
A public hearing on the Dungeness Estuarine project is scheduled for Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
In other action in Tuesday’s board meeting, commissioners Doherty and Chapman approved:
• An agreement to purchase a right of way for the Miller Road culvert project. The $600 cost does not include fence restoration.
• A $61,000 provider agreement with Trillium Treatment Center in Port Angeles for chemical dependency services to unfunded adults. The money comes from the county’s Chemical Dependency and Mental Health program.
• Engineer recommendations for the Clallam County Courthouse energy improvement analysis. Fees and services will be negotiated and paid for out of the 2009 capital projects.
• A plat alteration to change the boundary line between two lots owned by Kevin Estes Homes, LLC.
• Amendments to county policies, one for service animals.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
