Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Trails topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Port Authority asks county to take easement for popular walking paths damaged by floods
Summary
Port Authority requested the county accept a recorded easement to manage and maintain walking paths on port property (from the hall bridge east to Libby Creek and out to Spencer Road); the easement would cover walkways only, not the ponds, and legal review by county counsel was requested before action.
The Lincoln County Port Authority asked the board May 6 to accept ownership by easement of a popular network of walking paths that were damaged by recent flooding, saying the port lacks capacity to maintain them and the county has equipment and crews to do so.
The Port Authority representative opened the discussion: "I just wanted to open up discussions regarding the ownership of the walking paths. I'm under the understanding that it was the county who received a grant to build those and historically and then maintain them as well. This last year it was the port's responsibility to maintain them. It did not have the capacity to do that." The representative asked the county to take ownership or accept an easement for the trail corridor from the hall bridge east side of Libby Creek and out to Spencer Road to ensure repairs and maintenance can proceed.
Commissioners and port staff discussed the scope and legal mechanics: the easement would cover the walkways only and not the water bodies (fish and turtle ponds), a legal description must be included for recording, and county counsel should review the completed document before the board acts. FEMA staff had reviewed the concept and did not identify a problem for reimbursement if the easement is recorded, the port representative said. Commissioners asked staff to route the legal description to counsel and return a finalized document for action.
