1354 Joseph Branch Trail

CITY OF ELGIN, OREGON RESOLUTION 1354 (2015)

A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT ENDORSING THE PLAN OF RAILS WITH TRAILS BY THE ELGIN CITY COUNCIL

WHEREAS:  The Elgin City Council consider bicycle and pedestrian transportation to be of utmost importance to the region by providing the region with recreation and transportation opportunities as well as the possibilities of economic and community development; and

WHEREAS:  The Wallowa Union Railroad Authority (WURA) gained ownership of the rail line in 2001 and retired all substantial debt in 2013; and

WHEREAS:  The Friends of the Joseph Branch, a 501(c)(3)organization formed in 2002, operates the Eagle Cap Excursion train from the new Elgin depot, finished in 2013, to the Minam crossing.  In 2013 a group of citizens approached the WURA board of directors to encourage consideration of building a multi-use recreational trail on the railroad’s right of way.  The WURA board of directors and a citizen group approached the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission (OPRC) in April 2013 to request the support of the agency in determining the feasibility of an Elgin to Joseph 63 mile rail-with-trail project; and

WHEREAS:  The Elgin City Council feel that it is in the best interest of the citizens of Elgin to endorse said project;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Elgin City Council hereby endorses Rails With Trails, and will provide technical assistance when available and needed for the duration of the project.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this 28th day of April 2015.