San Juan Island Trails Committee Minutes

June 11, 2008

Next meeting: Wed., July 9, 5 pm, Whidbey Island Bank meeting room

Meeting was called to order at 5:05 by Chairman Don Jarrell. Motion to approve the minutes of the May 14th meeting was made and seconded. Introductions were made throughout the room.

Present were: Kyle Davies, David Dehlendorf, Louise Dustrude, Glen Garrett, Eleanor Hartmann, Teresa Hill, Liz Illg. Ann & Don Jarrell, Cinda & Mark Pierce, Chris Wolf, and Shirley Zyph

1. Don Jarrell reminded everyone of the importance of recording our volunteer work for trails on a monthly basis, especially gathering hours from the various Roche Harbor and Land Bank work parties.

2. David Dehlendorf reported on the Land Bank’s attempt to purchase an additional 300 acres of Beaverton Valley Marsh area. This acquisition could result in a new loop trail from town, from the ball fields, to the existing Beaverton Valley Marsh. The Land Bank has approval from the County Council to apply for Wetland Restoration and Recreation Grants from the state and federal governments for funds to purchase this property for approximately 5 million dollars.

3. The SJI Trails and Orcas Pathways get-together has been postponed to the fall. Alice Hurd will work with the Orcas group to finalize an agreeable date.

4. Don Jarrell announced that comments on our Cattle Point Trail Plan have been received from the Land Bank, Public Works, Island Rec and the National Parks, and have been incorporated into the finalized plan. The Plan will be ready for public distribution upon completion of the revised full trail map. In addition, the first easement document from a landowner along the trail will be presented to Lincoln Bormann at the Lank Bank on June 12th, so it may go through the County's legal approval process. The Land Bank will discuss the issues of the easement on the Pratt property at their meeting June 13th. Alice Hurd will attend and report back to Trails.

5. Don Jarrell reported that the Communications Committee will be updating our website with the addition of information on specific trails to be accessed by clicking on a particular trail, and including our meeting minutes. A Flora Map is being designed by Louisa Nishitani and will be added to show what plants, wildflowers etc. may be seen along certain trails at certain times of year. There was a discussion on how to make our site more user interactive. Various ideas were proposed although at issue was cost if our "webmaster" had to monitor and respond frequently to users’ questions and requests. Ann Jarrell volunteered to learn how to do this and be the website "queen". Trails meeting info is now posted on the new San Juan Island Library Internet Calendar.

6. David Dehlendorf gave an update on Public Works support of the Park to Park Trail. Rachel Dietzman has walked the area and has proposed a 50k placeholder in the Public Works suggested projects plan. County Council must approve the project in order for it to get into the PW Budget. David is working with Rachel on legal issues, survey costs, estimates etc. to get this trail project elevated to County Council approval at their July 29th meeting.

7. An update on the ongoing work on the Roche Harbor Trail network was given by David Dehlendorf. There are now 6.5 miles of trails. 10 large maps of the whole system will be installed in a few weeks. Paper copies of the main map will also be available for pick up at various places along the trail.
A work party is planned for Friday the 13th to do some repair work on a graveled area that remains wet, as well as rototilling about 800 ft of mowed area. This area will then be compacted, a mesh fabric laid out and graveled on top. It has been realized that a definite gravel trail needs to be established so people know exactly where the trail is, and to keep walkers from using the whole wide mowed area. The Committee thanked the owners of the rototiller, tractor, and trailer for volunteering their equipment. David brought up the need for some sort of Stewardship Group for trail maintenance on an "on going" basis. Several ideas were suggested: a sign-up at trail head by users; designation of one "observer" who reports back to Trails once a month on problems and conditions; "adoption" of the trail by a Roche Harbor homeowners association member. David will discuss this further with Harry Dickinson. There will be some sort of event and or hike planned later this summer to officially open up this trail network to the public.

8. The Land Bank Work Party on June 7th was reported on by David Dehlendorf. 14 volunteers from SJI Trails committee (Sam Connery, Kyle Davies, David Dehlendorf, Susan Dehlendorf, Louise Dustrude, Rick Exstrom, Glen Garrett, Eleanor Hartmann, Alice Hurd, Don Jarrell, Mike Lazzari, Cinda PIerce, Mark Pierce, Steve Ulvi) joined Doug McCutchen and 4 other Land Bank volunteers on the Land Bank property along Westside Road. The work consisted of clearing existing trails of growth and building new trails. The volunteers were schooled by Doug on how to build trails with 2 new pieces of equipment - the Rogue Grub Hoe and the McLeod. Because everyone was so enthusiastic about these special trail building tools, Mark Pierce reported on some research he did on the Internet regarding availability and costs. It was decided, to save on shipping costs, that he will purchase a dozen of each hoe, some for individuals who already expressed an interest in buying some, and for others who may want to. About 50 hrs of work was done by trail workers, and everyone enjoyed Eileen Drath's delicious brownies she generously made before leaving for her vacation to Europe.

9. David Dehlendorf told the group about work on a new trail to connect the parking area on West Valley Road to English Camp. The route goes through Roche Harbor HIghlands property back in from the road to the main maintenance station of the Park Service, and then across the road and down the service road to the parade ground. Some areas need a clean out, the rest to be constructed. David has talked with Jim McNairy who is in charge of the High School Hiking Club. He seemed interested, and will arrange to walk the path with Will Hamilton of Saltchuk to flag it. He'll then talk to the members of the Club about doing this project this summer for possible school credit. David will follow the progress and report back.

10. Don Jarrell asked for members’ approval to create a Nominating Committee to recruit members to become Board Members for 2009. All so approved. He will form the Committee who will then approach individuals for permission to put their names on the ballot as new officers.

11. Liz Illg gave a very informative report on the Scenic Byways designation San Juan has just received. The next meeting to discuss the results of the SSJI Survey regarding Scenic Byways direction will be held on June 17th at the Elements conference room from 11:30 - 1:00 pm. She also gave a detailed report on the San Juan County 2008 Transportation Summit she is organizing to take place September 17th from 10-5 at the Fair Grounds. There will be Exhibitors, Workshops, and Hosted Community Conversations. Liz encouraged all to "talk it up" and participate. She also is in need of about 40 volunteers to help facilitate the day of the Summit. SJI Trails Committee will be creating and staffing a booth for the event.

12. Don Jarrell announced that the local chapter of the United Way has decided that their project for their "Day of Caring", a special day of community volunteerism, they will build a section of the Cattle Point Road Trail on the Land Bank property. This project will involve about 40 - 50 people. There is no United Way money in any way involved in this project. It is simply a day when United Way volunteers organize an event to help the community.

Meeting was adjourned at 6:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Cinda Pierce, Acting Secretary