County backs RR trail, city balks at request

Whitman County commissioners voted Monday to sign on to a letter asking the state to set aside the right-of-way of the defunct railroad link between Colfax and Pullman for a possible trail.

Colfax City Council last week delayed a decision to endorse the letter, crafted by Pullman City Supervisor John Sherman.

Colfax, county and Pullman leaders discussed the letter in a meeting May 4 at Pullman City Hall.

The draft copy of the letter summarizes previous discussions on the rail-trail proposal. Included in those discussions is a proposal by Stan Patterson, operator of the W & I Railway, to transfer the rails from Colfax-Pullman line and use them to restore the Thornton-Oakesdale line.

That project would link the two rail systems in the county.

Rail traffic between Colfax and Pullman has been cut off since the South Palouse fire burned a trestle over the South Fork Palouse River east of Colfax in August 2006.

Sherman’s letter includes a short statement with signature space for Pullman, Colfax, Albion, Whitman County, Port of Whitman and the Pullman Civic Trust which was one of the major organizations behind development of the Bill Chipman Trail. The statement expresses support for rail service in the area, but supports use of the rail bed as a connecting path in the event the rails are pulled.

Colfax Attorney Bruce Ensley, who said he was speaking as a resident, advised the council of the status of the area’s four-county railroad authority which has been created by the state. Ensley noted the operation has been limited in funding provided by the state to maintain the lines.

City council members decided to seek more information before voting on whether or not to authorize the mayor to sign on to the letter.