Humboldt County approves resolution to seek multi‑million dollar trail grants, pledging $50,000 a year for three years

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt a resolution supporting grant applications to connect the Prairie Rivers route to the Three Rivers Trail, moving the project forward with a local commitment to help secure competitive federal and state funds.

Staff told the board the project is roughly a $5 million build and that earlier regional TAP funding awarded $750,000; additional regional and statewide TAP rounds offer around $1 million and up to $5 million respectively. The presenter said a realistic county local match is likely in the $250,000–$300,000 range and that construction is projected for 2029, making rights‑of‑way and a defined route urgent for a competitive application.

The nut of the request was the board’s pledge to set aside $50,000 a year from the county’s capital improvements account for three years and to cost‑share with the county conservation board. Board members discussed potential funding sources for the match, including REAP receipts, community foundation commitments and earmarking a portion of HCCB revenue sharing. Staff also noted a pending federal reimbursement of about $100,000 for a separate land purchase that could be pivoted toward the match if recovered.

Supporters emphasized the unusually favorable leverage—staff characterized the opportunity as “95% of the project paid for through grant funding”—and urged the county to place an application while the funding is available. Opponents and cautious board members stressed the competitive nature of the grants and the need to guarantee the local match before final commitments.

A motion to adopt the resolution, including the three‑year $50,000 commitment and a 50/50 revenue‑sharing approach with the conservation board, was moved and seconded; the board confirmed the motion in a roll‑call‑style sequence and carried it.