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Methow Trails seeks county help to amend DOT lease for Highway 20 crossing to expand winter trail network
Summary
Methow Trails presented plans to the Okanogan County commissioners for a new ~2.96‑mile connector that requires an amended right‑of‑way lease with Washington State Department of Transportation to permit a safe crossing of Highway 20; the group said the crossing has good sight lines and would improve winter trail access and emergency redundancy.
James Disoble, state executive director of Methow Trails, told commissioners the nonprofit has secured landowner approvals for a 2.96‑mile trail connector that would cross State Highway 20 and asked county staff to help secure an amendment to an existing county lease with the Washington State Department of Transportation to permit the crossing.
“We partner with over 200 land owners,” Disoble said, describing Methow Trails’ role in managing trails on private and public lands. He said the proposed crossing was attractive because the highway sight lines in the chosen location are long and clear, reducing the risk to trail users.
Disoble and county staff described the project as primarily winter‑use (groomed cross‑country skiing) with benefits including better access for homeowners in the adjoining developments, reduced parking pressure in Mazama, and improvements to existing fire‑break maintenance. Several commissioners asked about grooming noise, frequency and summer use; Disoble said grooming would be limited and that some landowners prefer the route to remain winter‑only.
County staff said the county holds an existing lease with WSDOT that allows trail access at other locations and that a lease amendment would be the normal vehicle to allow the new crossing. The county’s lease specialist and Methow Trails will work together to prepare the amendment language; commissioners indicated they were receptive and suggested the county sign future amendments once WSDOT approves them.
No formal vote was taken; commissioners directed staff to coordinate with Methow Trails and the WSDOT leasing specialist, to prepare the draft amendment and to return with specifics for formal approval.
Ending: Methow Trails and county staff will develop the lease amendment language and provide a formal draft to commissioners and WSDOT; commissioners said they prefer to see the final amendment before a signature and requested outreach to neighboring landowners to confirm operational details.
