2021-04-12-minutes-public-works-study-session

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KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: April 12, 2021 TOPIC: Cooke Canyon Right of Way Establishment ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff Prepare Enabling Documents LEAD STAFF: Mark R. Cook RECOMMENDATION: Direct staff prepare enabling documents. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • In 2020, the Public Lands Access Committee requested Public Works (PW) evaluate establishing public right of way over a portion of Cooke Canyon Road supporting permanent public access to state land. • The County Surveyor has completed his research, field verification and record of survey supporting right of way establishment. • The pending establishment action is supported by Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). • Approximately 5,824 feet of roadway length is added to Cooke Canyon Road. • Right of way width is restricted to 20 feet and varies to as much as 26 feet. BACKGROUND: Responding to a request from the Public Lands Access Committee, the County Surveyor researched, field surveyed and created a record of survey supporting establishment of additional public right of way over Cooke Canyon Road (approximately 5,824 feet). The width of the added right of way varies from twenty (20) feet to twenty-six (26) feet. DISCUSSION: County Surveyor Turnbull has coordinated the pending establishment action with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office and authorized representatives from Washington State DNR. Following right of way establishment, PW will designate the new section of roadway as "primitive" pursuant to Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 36.75.300. The designation allows PW to set the level of annual roadway maintenance. FISCAL IMPACTS: Initial roadway improvements will be programmed in the 2022 Road Maintenance budget. ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1: Record of survey Page 1 of 2 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2021