Joseph Branch Trail Consortium

Joseph Branch Trail Consortium (JBTC) is a diverse group of citizens and organizations whose mission is to develop a viable multi-use plan for the Wallowa Union Railroad Authority’s (WURA) rail right-of-way. A multi-use plan envisions:

effective and beneficial multiple uses of the WURA’s rail right-of-way for our region and citizens;
ascertaining realistic options for a rail-with-trail system in collaboration with the WURA, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Oregon Department of Transportation, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the Nez Perce Tribe, landowners with properties adjacent to the railroad right-of-way, and other agencies and stakeholders with trail uses, and the residents of Wallowa and Union counties;
increased public access —which will contribute to the growth of the regions’ economy as well as to the betterment of our health and quality of life;
honoring the rail’s and trail corridor’s history; and
establishing a legacy of responsible stewardship of our unique natural asset for future generations.

Joseph Branch Trail Consortium is made up of voices from the medical, outfitting, equestrian, bicycling, hiking, Nez Perce Trails Foundation, and other communities.

Our Team

Union County

Name /Office

About

Charlie Gillis
La Grande, OR 97827

Attorney
Board Member, Blue Mountain Conservancy
Retired Nurse Practitioner
Interests: cross country skiing, bicycle touring, fishing

Kim Metlen
Imbler, OR 97841

Co-owner Oregon East Cycling
Co-owner, Joseph Branch Railriders
Member, Regional ODOT Transportation Advisory Committee
Promoter, Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway

Joe Kresse
La Grande, OR 97850

Member of the Union County Planning Commission
Bicycle Representative of the Union County Transit Committee
Former President of the Friends of the Joseph Branch
Former President of the La Grande Forestry & Landscaping Committee

Wallowa County

Penny Arentsen, 2018 President
Joseph, OR 97846

Owner, Winding Waters River Expeditions
Outdoor recreation interests
Former coordinator of K-12 Natural Resource Science Programs at Wallowa Resources
Interests: Raising & playing with my kids, Cycling, Horseback Riding, Skiing, Hiking, Rafting

Dr. Emily Sheahan
Enterprise, OR 97828

Family Physician at Mountain View Medical Group
Facilitator for Complete Health Improvement Program
Member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Member of the Oregon Academy of Family Physicians
Board member of the Eastern Oregon Healthy Living Alliance
Outside interests: spending time with my family enjoying the great environment that we live in hiking, rafting, camping, biking, running marathons, and playing volleyball.

John Baker, 2018 Treasurer
Wallowa, OR 97885