Committee backs right‑of‑way validation for Kaniksu Land Trust water‑trail stop at West Cedar Lane

Bonner County’s Waterways Advisory Committee voted Jan. 23 to support beginning right‑of‑way validation work at a contested launch site on West Cedar Lane, a step requested by Kaniksu Land Trust and Project 7B as part of broader water‑trail planning.

Katie, a project presenter working with Kaniksu Land Trust, told the committee that an inventory of shoreline access points uncovered several locations where signage, private use and physical barriers have created confusion about whether sites are public. “What we found was a lot of right of ways along the shores of Lake Pend Oreille that don’t have either good signage … or it’s been somewhat assumed by a neighbor and a boat is parked there or a garden is planted there,” Katie said, citing one West Cedar Lane site where Corps signage has been removed and a cable blocks a ramp.

Katie said validating the right of way will require survey work and a title search; she did not provide a cost estimate. Committee members noted the question is limited to the single ramp at this stage and emphasized that validation would clarify public access for recreation and emergency use. “My suggestion…would be foundational questions: what is the scope, what is the proposed method for confirmation, and what are the costs and who would assume those costs,” Chair Ray said.

The committee approved a motion to support Kaniksu Land Trust’s request to pursue right‑of‑way validation and to present findings to county commissioners once a focused plan and cost estimate are available. Members described the effort as part of a longer water‑trail project that could later be used to prioritize improvements and to seek grant funding for signage and facilities.

Votes at a glance • Motion to support Project 7B/Kaniksu Land Trust request to validate West Cedar Lane right of way — outcome: approved (unanimous).