Ice Age Flood Trail project thawing out
CUTLINE: The Ice Age Flood Trail would take advantage of the geological history of the northwest by curving across the topographic riches of the area, such as Dry Falls in Washington state. The project has reached the desks of several U.S. senators and representatives, and although no timeline is set, the congressional backing has the supporters of the project dreaming of a path of people being drawn to the trail, giving a big boost to the tourism industry of the region.
After a year-long wait, congressional support a good omen for four-state pathway
Congressmen from four states and two parties are hoping the Ice Age Floods Trail, a project frozen for a year, soon thaws into a reality.
The trail, the brainchild of the Ice Age Floods Institute with an estimated price tag of between $8 million and $12 million, is a project destined to turn the geological riches of the northwest into an environmentally sound tourist attraction, and is expected to occupy about 25 acres of land across Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.
Right now, U.S. representatives and senators from the area are working on passing the Ice Age Floods Act of 2004, which would enable the development of the trail, designating the land and authorizing funds to be spent on it.
"We are encouraged that it can pass," said Jim Pritchard, the treasurer of the IAFI. "We hope we can have the entire delegation across the four states sign on."
The delegation, includes a bipartisan group of Washington state lawmakers, such as U.S. Reps. George Nethercutt, R-5th District, Jay Inslee, D-1st District, and Richard "Doc" Hastings, R-4th District, as well as both U.S. Senators from this state, Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, who are Democrats.
The trail, which would start in Missoula, Mont., would cross Idaho's Farragut State Park, enter Washington state just southeast of Spokane, heading west into Dry Falls and Ephrata, past the Tri-Cities, and then toeing the northern Oregon border alongside the Columbia River. From there it would head just east of Portland, and then it would break south past the Willamette Valley and down to Eugene. Throughout the trail, interpretive sites would be available for people to learn about the geological history around them.
The idea not only has generated support in Washington D.C., but in the Columbia Basin, where organizations such as the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce, the Grant County Board of Commissioners, and the Adams County Economic Development Council have pledged their support.
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are trying so that the Ice Age Floods Act of 2004 passes before this year's session is over.
"We will push as hard as we can," Hastings said. "If it does not pass this year, we will certainly make a big push next year."
The lure of the project is a big part of its attraction, Hastings said, as the effect of devastating floods can still be seen, they will become even more of a tourist attraction, as their history is unique in North America.
There is no set timeline for the the trail design to begin, but most sides see the fact that the Ice Age Floods Act has already reached Congress as a big plus.
Given the fact that the trail spreads across four states, the act emphasizes protection of private property owners near the trail from liability. The trail's 25 acres of land can only be acquired by exchange, donation or purchase from willing sellers, a statement from Hastings' office read.
Dale Middleton, the president of the IAFI praised Hastings, saying the Pasco lawmaker had been very careful making sure no private property is threatened.
The importance of the trail for Grant County, Middleton said, is based in the area's geological wealth, which should be a draw to county residents.
"Grant County has some of the most spectacular (geological) features," he said. "It should be of particular value in the county to see the effects of the floods."
The educational value was not lost on those who endorsed the bill.
LeRoy Allison, Grant County Commissioner, highlighted what he saw as the chance for people to not just watch but to learn about the consequences of age-old floods from Montana to the Pacific.
A similar project in southeast Utah, Allison said, has markings alongside the roadway teaching people about the geologic history of the trail. A path like that, Allison said, could become a "huge" event in terms of the natural history of the area, as well as the tourism industry.
Middleton agreed, saying that taking advantage of the geological features would draw people to the area, and experience what he termed the joy of experiencing "what a lot of water can do."