In March, Representative Tharinger's funding proposal for planning, acquisition and development of the ODT-Eaglemount trail was included in the updated spending plan announced by budget leaders from the Washington state Senate and House of Representatives.  The Bill, SHB 2380 included the following language:

(2) A maximum of $1,000,000 of unused funds in this appropriation may be used for further planning, acquisition, and development of the Olympic discovery trail project between Discovery Bay and the trail's intersection with the Larry Scott trail in Jefferson county, without requiring matching resources.

On March 30th, after floor consideration by the House and Senate, SHB 2380 was passed, signed by the Speaker of the House, signed by the President of the Senate, and delivered to the Governor.

Good!

The news in March was not all good for the ODT in Jefferson County, however.  During the month we learned that there were potential funding issues with respect to the Discovery Bay section of the trial (the section that runs from Old Gardner Road to Snow Creek).  Those funding issues will have to be addressed before the County can proceed construction of that critical section (which will eventually connect to the Eaglemount section I am working on).   Considering, among other things, that the County’s Public Works Department is very strained because of staff shortages – I understand they have been looking for new hires for two-plus years – and road failures in the west end, the County needs to get the Discovery Bay funding issues resolved before Public Works can focus on the ODT-Eaglemount planning project.

Hopefully, within the next few months the County can satisfy the RCO’s requirements regarding matching funds, endangered species, tenure and control, etc, for the Discovery Bay section of the ODT.  It will then proceed with Eaglemount.