Snake River Canyons Park Board
Open Meeting Minutes
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Blue Lakes Country Club, Jerome, Idaho
Attending Board Members: Chairman Bill Bridges, Mark Reyes, Steve Paulson, Brenda Weekes, Stephen Haag, Greg Moore and John Weston. Not present: Jeff Pierson, Becky Dean.
Guests: Jerome Commissioner Art Watkins, Stephen Andersen with Civil Science, Larry Hall formerly with Jerome 2020, Randall Brenmeier with Idaho Department of Lands, David Frieberg with BLM and Rebecca Wildman taking minutes.
Bill called the meeting to order at 11:05 a.m. with a quorum present.
Minutes: Brenda requested changes to the minutes regarding stakeholders, clarification regarding three entities, cattleguards, fence fixing and that this information was passed onto others. Bill reminded that shooting range area is owned by the BLM, and not in the SRCP. Steve Paulson motioned to approve the minutes as amended by Brenda, Greg second, motion carried.
Shooting Range: Dave summarized visit from John Weston and BLM requesting he submit to BLM the smallest possible footprint for clearances. BLM will attempt to complete clearances this spring, and if completed, they could start moving dirt this fall, however, there is no funding for the proposed range, and suggested to start finding the funds. Dave is optimistic adding there are ways to make accommodations if needed. John summarized features of the proposed range and that he will re-send the map files to BLM. Ranchers receptive on shooting range plans and partnership that may support them with discussion about rancher wish list for installing cattle guards and a new well. John estimates there is enough funding to install Phase 1; it could being this fall and operate as a BLM range that works with SRCP or Jerome County to help manage it. Range funding may need different structure if outside grants are brought in.
Bill was informed about another 320-acre property for sale as a possible shooting range, describing it off Hwy 25 with very difficult access, and not a viable option.
Volunteers: Need someone to steer volunteer committee and someone to help with grant writing.
Treasurer Report: Spent $3,900 from County fund, with $56,037 balance for fiscal year. Other account unchanged at $10,677. Culvert repairs will come from a separate account and will be completed in February. The past Yingst Grade grant is closed and noted the $12k grant previously given from the Soil Conservation District was for educational, interpretive, signage, and plantings.
RV Park: Garbage cans are being used but also garbage is left out. Last month park paid to have a heavy abandoned transformer removed. Security picked up 3 of 4 discarded pallets in site #13. Security instructed to ask over-stayers to leave and inform Sheriff to act if they don’t comply. Marker for #13 knocked over and request for help to set it back up. Corrals need a manure bin with suggestion to move a garbage can to that area.
Web Page: Board member bios are up with a few updates still needed. Other organizations are listed and many links to websites.
Parking Lots: Need all parking lots to be graded around March. Inquiry about rock gravel down the center of the Yingst Grade path; Randall suggested asking Dean at Fish & Game.
Shoshone Falls Overlook: Project Development Request was shared noting it is the first document to give to the BLM for approval. Intent is to make this as primitive as possible while accomplishing the desire to have an overlook. Stephen Andersen with Civil Science explained the request with thirty to fifty parking spaces, temporary facilities, concession trailer, trash, and toilets. Earth-tone construction with an intent to camouflage buildings. Proposal includes photographs taken by from South side of canyon. Stephen explained Exhibits B, C and D. Discussion about accommodating views and history of rim property and requirements.
Larry laid the timeline and funding estimates projecting a $800k budget of which $90k has been paid out. Idaho Power has committed $250k leaving $500k needed to make this project happen, possibly coming from the county and/or corporations. Park will need approval from BLM, Civil Science to complete drawings, start bidding process, arrange for $250k from Idaho Power, seek additional project funding, have Civil Science help with building permit and Jerome County P&Z approval, and Idaho Department of Lands would need to approve road access (not Jerome Highway District). February 1 through August 1 is identified as possible eagle/bird migration; commencement of project could take place after August 1. Completion of work may take a couple months. Discussion about fee to use the road and that it would need to be agreed upon by SRCP, Jerome County, BLM, IDL, etc. Previous meeting noted any funds project generates would need to flow through to this project only and could not be used elsewhere. Discussion about concession facility and fire protections (i.e. a secured metal shipping container building), and walkers avoiding fee station (not an issue).
Stephen estimated it would take another couple of weeks to complete final drawings on the site. Discussion if there was enough information present for the board to approve and request project be presented to Commissioners. Brenda motioned to present the Request to Commissioners to approve and send to the BLM. Several felt it prudent to first have Civil Science finalize with placement of images on photos for a full visual. Motion was amended to get Civil Science’s full visual before moving forward, Greg seconded; motion carried.
Discussed awareness there may be concerns about eagle nesting, although no sightings have occurred for over ten years, and Randall suggested getting a consultation with Fish & Wildlife if necessary, noting the IDL easement says you must follow BLM’s rules and wildlife biologist would first complete an assessment for nesting activity. Madison Pettinger is the BLM’s new wildlife biologist.
Trail: Randall informed that IDL’s OHV/Recreation Specialist Todd Wernex started working on this and would like to meet in January, adding that grants may be available.
Vineyard Cleanup: The Idaho Conservation League did a cleanup at Vineyard. Last year they had eight 30 gallon bags of trash; this year they only had six 30 gallon bags, however, there is a fair amount of trash in the lake. Suggested AWOL might be willing to dive for trash cleanup.
Trail Through CSI Property: A section of land on the east side of Highway 93 and north of the Shoshone Falls Road is owned by the College of Southern Idaho. Bill met with CSI President Dean Fisher requesting permission to extend a trail through CSI property. BLM has approved other parts of the proposed trail but can’t approve the CSI portion. Bill and others plan to attend the CSI Board of Trustees Meeting on Tuesday, January 21 at 4pm in the Taylor Building Rooms 276/277 and Bill will send a reminder.
BLM Recreation Forum: On February 26 the BLM is hosting a recreation meeting at BSU and SRCP has been invited. Facilitated by the National Park Service and described as a state-wide recreation summit and as part of national effort for BLM to capitalize on future recreation with over 100 people representing recreation and getting user viewpoints.
Replacing Flags: Flags at the Frisbee/Foot course last about two years. Steve Paulson motioned for SRCP to replace the Frisbee/Foot golf markers on a two-year cycle, Greg seconded, motion carried.
Volunteer Program: Asked if there are grants for a volunteer program and Steve Paulson suggested all financial institutions have programs.
Marked Trails and Historical Knowledge: Steve Haag shared information about the marked trails, CSI meeting, need for more signs and some on-going maintenance. He plans to research cost saving options. Discussion about naming trails and Dave will make inquiry with the BLM on their direction for why they ask for certain names to not be used. Steve will approach Native Americans about meeting with park leadership. Discussion about interpreting historical use of park areas from BLM, State Historical Society, and Tribes with framing important (i.e. We don’t want to make mistakes in locations, naming, etc.).
Nominations for Awards to Park Volunteers: Discussed suggestions and will vote at next meeting.
Discussion: Bill counts ten parking lots including: Yingst, frisbee golf course, dirt bike trail, Edmonton overlook, top of Blue Lakes Grade entrance to Golf Course, RV Park, lot at the end of the road before grade goes down, Don Zuck Arbor, Hansen Bridge North side both sides of the highway (DOT does part), west side with fence and picnic table. Steve Paulson said we should be bare ground spray these lots, vacate the east side of the North side of Hansen Bridge and he will do an assessment of lots.
Next Meeting Thursday, January 9, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at the Blue Lakes Country Club.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
