Committee urges General Plan language to evaluate abandoned ditches and canals for trails

A committee member at a county trails meeting pressed the committee to add language to the County General Plan requiring that abandoned ditches and canals be evaluated for conversion to trails before easements are relinquished. "We ought to get that something put in here that says that, that before they're relinquished, look at the possibility of making that into a trail," the committee member said, arguing the right-of-way already exists in many places and that opportunities may be lost if the land is returned to adjacent owners.

The appeal came during a broader discussion of trail stewardship, public access and maintenance. Committee members and staff repeatedly noted that flood-control function and liability must be considered before any conversion. "You have to figure out who's liable for the county and the landowner before you can make any heavy decisions," a staff member said, adding that the general plan can include aspirational language without resolving all legal details.

Members discussed concrete near-term projects alongside the policy proposal. The group confirmed culvert and trail-repair work is planned for the Colburn Trail and Temple Mountain area, with dates discussed (the committee mentioned the 17th and 18th for an upcoming work window). One participant noted the culvert under discussion may be about 18 inches in diameter, and the group agreed to reassess shoulder and drainage issues at a parking pullout that floods.

Staff and volunteers reported that grants and mapping work are underway: a grant-funded mapping contractor has been paid and flagged routes on one trail, and partners including Wade, Jim and Mike have walked courses to assess maintenance needs. The committee emphasized coordinating machine allocation across projects; members said machine availability, weather and access routes will determine which projects proceed first.

Damage after large events was raised as a stewardship and enforcement problem: members said participants in nearby downhill or endurance events had driven into and carved up previously intact hills, and law enforcement has collected drone and video evidence of violations. The committee urged better event education, closer coordination with event organizers and more on-the-ground monitoring during vulnerable weeks.

The committee directed staff and volunteers to collect site photos and coordinates to help prioritize repairs and to coordinate with road crews and Justin for any road approach or culvert work. Members also discussed outreach to local schools and festival organizers to involve youth in stewardship and to publicize new trail access once work is complete.

The proposal to add trail-evaluation language to the general plan was described as a low-effort, high-value insertion: "You could add that as little as 10 words in there and that would cover it," the committee member said. No formal policy change was made at the meeting; members agreed to review specific wording and submit notes for inclusion in the plan update.