Happy Trails

Cliff and Emily look back on 2013 and the progress made on the Bay Trail, Arcata Ridge Trail, The Elk River-Hikshari, Eureka Waterfront Trail, Fortuna's John Campbell Memorial Trail and many others.

Cliff talks with Oona Smith, Senior Planer and Susan Ornelas, Chair of H.C.A.O.G. They explain what the organization is and their involvement in trail development.

Cliff and Emily talk with Tom Phillips of the Humboldt Trails Council about recent EEMP grant (Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program) to complete wildland/single track trail system at BLM Lacks Creek.

Cliff and Emily talk with Laura Cohen of the Rails To Trails Conservancy about who they are, what they do, and new funding opportunity here in California. Also other rail to trails and rail with trail successes are discussed.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Sage Glegg of the Bigfoot Trail Alliance. It's been nearly a year to the day since we last talked with Michael Kauffmann about the trail. Since then the Alliance has become an official 501C3 non-profit. This nearly 400 mile trail snakes through some of the most beautiful wilderness through several counties and states (California and Oregon). Sage who recently hiked the entire trail reported on its beauty and areas that need some love and improvement. Since the formation of the alliance, giving love and improvement to this treasure has been their goal.

Today Emily and I spoke with Greg Orsini, General Manager of the McKinleyville Community Services District about the McKinleyville Community Forest. An agreement has been worked out with Green Diamond and the proposed McKinleyville Community Forest is moving forward quickly. This 600 plus acre project is now seeking grant funding and could be a reality as quickly as 2 years.

This morning Emily was in the studio along with Karlson Hubbard, Program Director of the Backcountry Trails Program. Karson, a 17 year veteran with the CCC enthusiastically talks about the thousands of miles of trails that the corps has built, maintained or restored over the years. We also talked about all the current and local projects they are involved with.

Today Emily and I talked about all the train projects that are getting attention this year including the Humboldt Bay Trail North (Arcata to Braecut), Humboldt Bay Trail South (Barecut to Eureka), The Eureka Waterfront Trail and many more.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Marie Jones, City of Fort Bragg Community Development Director about the new South Coastal Trail along Fort Bragg's waterfront.

Emily and I wrap up the year of Happy Trails with a look at the new Federal Transportation Bill and what it means to Humboldt County. We also look at the new CalTrans Guidelines dealing with protected bikeways alongside roadways. We also look forward to 2016 and all the local projects we have to look forward to.