Wording error keeps John Wayne Trail open

Washington state 9th District Reps. Mary Dye and Joe Schmick attempted to close a substantial section of the 250-mile John Wayne Trail by sneaking a provision into the state's Capital Budget, which passed this past legislative session, but a language error has at least temporarily derailed their efforts.

The trail is a part of Iron Horse State Park and spans from Cedar Falls in the Cascade Mountains, through central Washington to Tekoa and the state line with Idaho. The representatives attempted to close a 130-mile section of the trail from Vantage on the Columbia River to Malden, but because of a typographical error in the language, which stated the trail would be closed "from the Columbia River to the Columbia River," the provision has been nullified until it is amended or the language is corrected.

Schmick said he proposed the closure because the trail isn't used frequently, the influx of crime along it and the lack of improvements by the state parks department since it was constructed in 1980.

"I'd prefer putting money in part of the trail that actually gets used," Schmick said.

Schmick noted since he was elected into office eight years ago his delegation has been repeatedly asked by property owners to look into the John Wayne Trail. Many complained about crime, like theft, trespassing, vandalism and illegal dumping, he said.

He referenced a blog posted in 2012 that followed a group as they travelled the trail and trespassed on several properties.

"I suspect this is pretty common," Schmick said. "There's a real lack of respect."

He also noted the lack of available water along the trail and the potential fire hazard from the spread of dry noxious weeds.

Schmick described the issue as "a no win-situation."

Schmick said he's had landowners in other portions of the trail upset the trail near their home wasn't closed, and he's received comments from trail advocates voicing their defense for the trail.

Dye was unable to be reached for comment Tuesday.

Not everyone agrees with the effort to close the trail section.

"They didn't have the respect to tell us," said Ted Blaszak, a member of the Tekoa City Council and president of the Tekoa Trestle and Trail Association.

Blaszak noted the welcome sign heading into Tekoa reads "Welcome to the end of the John Wayne Trail."

Blaszak accused the representatives of sneaking the provision into the budget at the last minute and didn't even have time to review the language.

The Tekoa City Council unanimously condemned Dye and Schmick's decision.

A press release from the Tekoa Trestle and Trail Association said the closure of the trail would negatively impact the economies, social life and identity of several communities along the trail.

Blaszak said he and his wife walk the trail at least three or four times a week.

Blaszak said he is happy about the typographical error by the legislators because it gives trail advocates a chance to save the trail.

"That trail is used all the time by horse riders and bicyclists," Blaszak said.

More than 30 people attended an emergency meeting Monday night in Tekoa to discuss the issue and express their concerns in support of the trail.

Blaszak said he has started searching for funding to keep the trail open and he is in talks with the Palouse Regional Transportation Planning Organization about receiving some of the $200,000 it just received in grants it will give out to local cities for alternative transportation projects. Blaszak said he has also reached out to Washington Parks in hopes of receiving a portion of a $200,000 donation from a Washington man intended for trail use.

"There's a lot of money out there to preserve the trail that our legislators haven't been looking for," Blaszak said.

Blaszak said he hasn't noticed any crime while walking the trail and he noted littering to be limited.

"There is a lot of crime - someone is trying to steal our trail," he said. "That's the crime."

The Tekoa Trail and Trestle Association is asking anyone in support of the trail to contact their state legislators.

"To remove the middle half makes it segments of a trail," Blaszak said. "It's a great trail and a great treasure to our state. It makes no sense to give it away for nothing, and forever."

Dye will speak about her decision at a city meeting in Tekoa on Sept. 30.

A state representative from the 44th district, Hans Dunshee, is planning a hearing to discuss if the trail should be closed.

If the trail is closed, Schmick said, the land will be given to the landowners but the state would retain a permanent easement if it wanted to reestablish the trail at a later time.

Josh Babcock can be reached at (208) 883-4630, or by email at jbabcock@dnews.com.