By JIM WRIGHT Standard-Examiner staff When Rep. Jim Hansen retires later this year, one of his last official acts may be to bring about the completion of the proposed 27-mile Centennial Trail system winding through Weber County. Several of Hansen's staff members went on a recent tour of the trail's route, which largely follows the Ogden and Weber rivers, and they seemed to like what they saw. "When his staff was out here, they encouraged us to use the term 'Legacy Project,'" said Nate Pierce, Ogden City's chief administrative officer. "(Hansen) is looking for legacy projects, and it's our hope that this would be a successful one." Local groups and officials have been courting Hansen for his support in obtaining $7 million to complete the project. One of Hansen's staffers said the courtship is blossoming. "The trail is a great opportunity for the citizens of (Weber County) to have access to beautiful surroundings, to just get away from it all," said Michael Dunn, district director on Hansen's staff. "People can hike, ride a bike, maybe stop and drown a worm." The proposal to raise federal funds to complete the trail has the full: of Rep. Hansen, Dunn said "It one of those things where we can improve the environment and do it in cooperation with managing the growth of these cities," Dunn said. "He's 100 percent behind projects like that." Dunn said Hansen would like to be remembered for his efforts to conserve natural resources in Northern Utah, and the Centennial Trail fits easily into his political philosophy. "It certainly would be something befitting Congressman Hansen as a dyed-in-the-wool conservationist," Dunn said. Weber Pathways, a citizen's group, is coordinating the efforts of the communities involved in the project. The organization estimates that completing the trail system will cost about $7 million more than what has already been raised or committed, said Elliot Hulet, chairman of the board of Illustration by EMILY MARCUS/Standard-Examiner trustees. The Centennial plan The Centennial Trail project has been in the works for nearly a decade. It would create a 27-mile loop of nonmotorized trails, following the course of the Ogden River from the mouth of Ogden Canyon to its confluence with the Proposed Centennial Trail January 16, 2002 (Cont'd)