Committee reviews phase‑1a trail easement plan; $26,000 local match sought for five properties

Landis (county trails staff) briefed the committee on a Phase 1a trail project that would create about two miles of trail between Green Canyon and a Dry Canyon/Smithfield corridor and said construction financing is already committed through a state outdoor recreation award.

Why it matters: committee members were asked to consider a local match for land acquisition to accompany state construction funds. Landis said the county needs roughly $26,000 to acquire easements for five properties in Phase 1a; that easement acquisition would be used as part of the local match to unlock state construction funding for trail construction.

Nut graf: The project is part of a longer corridor the county envisions (Phase 1a as the near-term, fully funded construction piece; Phase 1b would add roughly 1.7 miles). Staff said Phase 1a construction money comes from a state program (described in the meeting as the Outdoor Recreation Initiative / state funding bucket); acquisition of easements and other local match commitments remain the applicant’s and local partners’ responsibility.

Key points from the presentation

Landis described the grant context and schedule: Phase 1a is funded for construction through the state’s outdoor recreation initiative (state officials expect the county to secure land or easements as part of the local match). Landis gave an easement cost estimate for five properties at approximately $26,000 total. Landis said the easement width estimate for construction is 15–20 feet; committee members urged securing a consistent 20-foot corridor where possible.

Project scope and finances

- Phase 1a length: ~2 miles (construction funded). - Phase 1b length (potential add): ~1.7 miles (additional funding needed). - Estimated easement acquisition for five properties (Phase 1a): ~$26,000 total (staff estimate). - Larger acquisition estimates for a hypothetical full Phase 1b were discussed (on the order of a hundred thousand dollars plus, depending on municipal participation).

Staff and committee discussion and next steps

Landis said staff are pursuing other matching funds and preparing title reviews and that the state has reopened certain funding buckets that might help with acquisition. Committee members asked about timeline urgency; staff said the state expects demonstration of readiness and that there is a two-year spending window on current funds, so the county would aim to commit acquisition funding promptly. The committee discussed scheduling the staff report and review for the next meeting; staff indicated Phase 1a would be ready for an application and staff report for the committee’s March meeting and that Phase 1b might be added if additional details arrive sooner.

Quotes

Landis (county trails staff): “This is phase 1a of 7 total miles of trail between Green Canyon and Smithfield Canyon that we're trying to build. This the construction for this is funded.”

Staff summary of acquisition needs: “We'd be looking for, I think, our Sunrise estimated about 26,000 to do the cost of the easement to these 5 properties.”

Ending

Committee members encouraged staff to proceed quickly on title and easement work to demonstrate readiness for state funds; staff said they will prepare a staff report for the committee’s next meeting and pursue local matching funds and landowner coordination.