NPS to present plan for Ice Age Floods trail

Community members are encouraged to attend an Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail informational meeting Jan. 23 in Coulee Dam.

The national project is to tell the story of the Ice Age Floods, which includes 16,000 square miles in four states and, locally, formed the Grand Coulee.

The meeting in two weeks will feature a report from National Park Service’s Denise Bausch, who will speak on the NPS’ long-range interpretive plan for the trail system.

The meeting will be held Monday, Jan. 23, from 1-3 p.m., in the community room at Coulee Dam Town Hall.

Bausch will give a 45-minute presentation followed by a question-and-answer period.

The meeting will also include short presentations by the city of Electric City, the Coulee Area Park & Recreation District, Coulee Dam Town Council members David Schmidt and Gayle Swagerty, and the chamber of commerce’s Economic Development Council.

Electric City Deputy City Clerk Russell Powers said Monday that he will report on the city’s plan to develop a trail system with an Ice Age Floods theme through the city, which includes parks and recreation plans. The city has been working on its plan for a year and has had several community meetings. The city has designated $400,000 from its hotel/motel fund to springboard the trail’s development.

Bob Valen, of CAPRD, will speak about developing a partnership with the NPS and developing some wayside exhibits, and also building community support.

The two Coulee Dam councilmembers plan to discuss what is going on in their town in regard to trail development.

A member of the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council will also participate in the discussions.

The meeting is being coordinated by Tiffany Quilter of the Grant County Health District.