For Immediate Release: July 25, 2007
Contact: Ciaran Clayton (202) 225-3536 (o); (202) 557-0165 (c)

Funding for Discovery Trail Secured by Rep. Baird

Washington, D.C. – Southwest Washington continues to see its population grow, which is good for the region’s economy, but also puts a strain on our communities’ transportation infrastructure. As co-founder and co-chair of the National Parks Caucus, Congressman Brian Baird (WA-03), has led the effort to increase awareness of, and resources for, our country’s national parks. Included in the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2008 is $375,000, secured by Congressman Baird, for the Discovery Trail from Long Beach to the Port of Ilwaco.

“The Lewis and Clark National Park is an important part of our community; it brings jobs and tourism dollars to our region and helps educate visitors about the important history of Lewis and Clark,” said Congressman Baird. “The Discovery Trail is critical to realizing the overall vision for the Park and provides residents and visitors a safe route to communities along the Lewis and Clark Trail.”

The Discovery Trail is a 35-mile linear trail, which will ultimately connect units of the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, including Cape Disappointment, Ft. Columbia, Station Camp and Dismal Nitch.

The Discovery Trail provides visitors and residents of Pacific County’s Long Beach Peninsula an alternative transportation corridor since US 101 and SR 100 Loop routes do not have adequate capacity to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists.

This funding will permit the completion of the construction of the Discovery Trail, Phase I, between Seaview and Ilwaco. Planning, design, engineering, and right of way activities have been completed.

In 2004, Congressman Baird led the effort to create the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. The establishment of this park ensures that sites on both sides of the Columbia River are recognized for their role in Lewis and Clark’s journey. The bill received broad support from local communities, state, and federal government representatives and the US Department of the Interior. In 2007, funding was allocated for the Station Camp conservation easement, which completes the Park’s land acquisition plan.

The park incorporates an existing Park Service site at Fort Clatsop in Oregon and three Washington state sites: Cape Disappointment State Park (formerly Fort Canby), Megler’s Rest Area, and Station Camp near McGowan, Washington.

###