Snake River Canyons Park Board

Open Meeting Minutes

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Blue Lakes Country Club, Jerome, Idaho

Attending Board Members: Chairman Bill Bridges, Mark Reyes, Steve Paulson, Brenda Weekes, John Weston, Greg Moore, and Becky Dean. Not present: Stephen Haag and Jeff Pierson.

Guests: Lisa Cresswell, Matt Courtney and Shane Wilson with the BLM, Jim Williams with Southern Idaho Off Road, Larry Hall for the Overlook project, guest Mark Barnes and Rebecca Wildman taking minutes.

Bill called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. with a quorum present.

Minutes: Brenda asked for amendments to change the culvert to 20-30’ length not width, and construction for the overlook to not start until after August 1, not August 15. Becky motioned to approve the minutes with amendments, Greg seconded, motion carried.

Treasurers Report: Account balance is $12,677.36 with county account balance $55k. Bill informed that two “no shooting” signs were replaced at a cost of $800. Several options to purchase signs were suggested.

RV Park: The Backcountry Horsemen will add to existing corrals. A corral pole will need to be replaced. As many as 18 camper units occupied so far this month with only 13 available spaces. The corral area can accommodate camper overflow.  

Weed Abatement: Steve Paulson informed he has applied Behr Ground (pre/post emergent) to all parking lots and the Disk Golf Course, the RV park, edges, island, bathrooms areas, etc. Steve said it is the most extensive application ever done for the park. He will check back in on budget and to plan for future applications. The county is paying for the chemical and Steve will keep any excess for next year. Weed spraying in the next few weeks for noxious weed season. Seed to repair culvert work on Yingst grade wouldn’t go in until fall and Steve got numbers to Bill for budgeting.

Website and Brochure: Brenda would like the website to include projects that are in the works. Bill and others agreed this was a good idea. Brenda handed out an overview of projects and asked the Board to help complete and will also send in email. Locations for brochure placement were discussed, including the TF Visitor Center, KOA, and Off Roaders. Suggested it might include a QR Code and smaller map with more locations, etc.  Noted change on brochure to website instead of Facebook page. Mark volunteered to keep the Facebook page refreshed and Bill to provide him the login information.

Shooting Range: John Weston shared a handout and noted we are waiting for the studies to be completed. The project could start as early as September. John believes it could be one of the best shooting ranges in Idaho. Jerome County and the park will serve as hosts along with Fish and Game, as they may utilize the range for hunter education. The Jerome County Sheriff’s department may volunteer monthly cleanups, and the Archery Club is also willing to help. Brenda asked for the Board’s and BLM’s permission to add the Shooting Range project to the website as a project in progress. John reminded that this will not be part of the park, and Bill asked BLM how they would like it to be run adding the park would prefer to not responsible. Lisa believes Jerome county and Fish and Game will manage the range.

Yingst Grade Right of Way: Repairs are complete. Commissioner Crouch had informed Bill that the replacement gravel was too coarse. Bill said finer aggregate has been added and walkers are pleased. BLM is working on categorical exclusion (NEPA) documentation for the Right of Way. Lisa will let the SRCP know when it is final; she estimates it will be in May.

Shoshone Falls Overlook: Larry noted the BLM provided conditional approval at the last meeting with suggested modifications. Larry provided a handout with responses to the BLM’s positions and gave an overview including:

• Weeds: Tri-County Weed and the SRCP Board will request the county has a Tri-County Weed program in place.
• Raptors: Response is that construction will only take place been August 1 to December 15, and anything not completed in those months will wait until the following year.
• Rangeland: Addressing desire to build a fence that contains the roadway and installing a cattleguard. Randall with the IDL indicated that cows are already grazing in that location, and as such Larry suggested the park may not need to include a cattle guard and fencing.
• Standard Color: BLM’s environmental standard color is shadow grey and that the project will have buildings, toilets, etc. fabricated and/or painted in that color and concrete structures will be stained.
• Accessibility: There is a desire for the project to include accessibility and comply with ADA regulations suggesting four ADA parking spots and toilet facilities at the rim area. The plan would camouflage any structures and Larry noted there is a natural rise in that area. Larry shared a letter from the project engineer and affirmed we’d like to provide accessibility and avoid potential legal action.
• Notify Permittees: Matt with the BLM recommended that permittees are aware of the scope.
• Updated Overlay: Bill clarified more engineering changes will be made including the plan for ADA parking/restroom at the rim. Matt emphasized the BLM will need an updated visual overlay including the proposal with Larry adding that section including a vehicle turnaround.
• Regular Parking Lot: Greg asked if the proposed lot will have sufficient areas for RVs to turnaround and Larry stated there will be a parking area for cars and one for larger vehicles with the intent for the overlook area to remain as primitive as possible.

Brenda made a motion we change the design to move the gift shop and the main portable toilets to the parking lot, but maintain at least 4 ADA parking spots where we have them now and one ADA toilet with adequate screening of topography or rock. John seconded. Motion carried.

IDL Trail Bridge to Shoshone Falls: Bill and Brenda shared information learned from their visit with Randall at the IDL. Randall stated the best mechanism for this project is through a lease with IDL. IDL is not a multi-use agency but may consider a 10-year lease at a lower recreational lease rate estimate of $250/year based on the full acreage of the parking lot and trail. The trail is estimated to be 4.1 miles.

Off-Road Trails/Signs: Jim Williams representing SIORA shared a handout with maps and information indicating they estimate needing 300 sign posts to continue marking trails. A dozen or so for the immigrant trail are down and they’d replace those too. The best price they’ve found is $20/each for 300 or more for $7,275 total. Discussed grants, budgets and SIORA’s volunteer labor. Greg and Becky support the Park asking for the County to pay for signage as it is in line with the goals of developing the park and encompasses volunteers to do the work.  Bill will bring the proposal to the County.  

Grants: Larry thinks the RV grants won’t open until late next January. Larry spoke with excavator Scott Jackson and Kloepher Concrete and is pursing donations and materials towards the overlook.

Rock Crawling Park and Equestrian Campground to BLM: Paperwork has been misplaced for both projects. Bill requested this board formally move to approve projects.

Bill motioned for the SRCP Board to approve the paperwork as is to be sent to the BLM, Becky seconded, motion carried.

Bill motioned for the equestrian campground and trails on 700 East be approved by the SRCP Board and submitted, Becky seconded, motion carried.

Matt said they received the OHV park paperwork but has not received anything regarding the equestrian campground and trails. Brenda will locate the equestrian paperwork and she and Bill will make sure it is signed by the Commissioners and submitted it to the BLM.

Annual SIORA Cleanup: May 17^th at 8:00 a.m. is SIORA’s annual cleanup. BLM has a waiver for volunteers. Becky added that the county also has a volunteer form. Rebecca added that the Southern Idaho Climbing Coalition is holding an Adopt-A-Crag at Tragic Alley on IDL lands, that they have a permit from Randall, and some volunteers may camp on adjacent BLM overnight. Rebecca will get BLM waivers from the cleanup people for the climber volunteers.

Next meeting May 8^th.

With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 12:45 p.m.

Snake River Canyons Park Board

Open Meeting Minutes

Thursday, March 13, 2025

Blue Lakes Country Club, Jerome, Idaho

Attending Board Members: Chairman Bill Bridges, Mark Reyes, Brenda Weekes, Stephen Haag, John Weston, Greg Moore, and Becky Dean. Not present: Steve Paulson and Jeff Pierson.

Guests: Jerome Commissioner Art Watkins, Aaron Utz with Idaho Power, Lisa Cresswell, Matt Courtney and Eddie Sanchez, BLM, Larry Hall and Rebecca Wildman taking minutes.

Bill called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. with a quorum present.

Minutes: There was discussion about changes that were requested to be made.  Motion made that minutes be accepted as originally presented.  Seconded and carried with one dissenting vote.

Treasurers Report: Account balance is $12,677.36 with county account balance $52,358.92 and Yingst Grade account after culvert improvement expenses is $14,399.50. Shoshone Falls overlook’s account had an initial $200K with $100k from each Idaho Power and Jerome County’s match. That account now has $69,688. Once construction begins, and forecast to occur in 2026, Idaho Power will contribute an additional $250k. Questioned if Jerome County was planning to match this additional $250k with Board members having different recollections if this is the case. Next step is meeting to discuss how to achieve the rest of the project’s funding and Bill clarified the Park will need to raise an additional $350K-$400K.

RV Park: Average of five campers per night now. The 5-mph sign has blown over and is now missing. Greg suggested also replacing the handmade sign in the kiosk. Becky offered to pick up trash.

Blue Lakes Grade Unauthorized Excavation: Bill reported, and Matt concurred that property on adjoining Allen estate and BLM has been unlawfully excavated and fencing cut for single and two-track off-roading use. Melinda Bunn from Allen’s has been running cattle on their land and is concerned. Matt said law enforcement is aware and a case has been opened. Matt said BLM is also aware of pink painted vandalized areas.

Website: Jerome county has hired and wants to hire another person for ITD. No concerns on SRCP website for now.

Yingst Grade: Repairs to culvert are completed with a new pipe 20-30’ in width. All work was done on Idaho Fish & Game property. Concern to not channel the spring water across the road and adding appropriate plants to avoid weeds and erosion. Suggested Steve Paulson assess.

Shooting Range: John reported there is no activity yet and Lisa said the BLM should begin work this Spring. John has enough material to build archery range and for two shooting benches and installation can begin once BLM approval is complete. Backstops will be made out of three bails strapped on a pallet, movable to any distance, and basalt rock placed behind to avoid being pushed down.

Shoshone Falls Overlook: Larry reported on activity since last month’s approval of the plan. The steering committee of four plus Steven Anderson, the engineer for Civil Science met with Jerome County Commissioners who approved plan. Plan was then sent to BLM and today they responded in writing with conditional approval. Matt Courtney explained the conditions the BLM would like to see addressed in more detail and summarized:

• Road entering the overlook area will need a cattleguard and possibly fencing to keep cattle out;
• confirmation that there is agreement on all fronts;
• with more people visiting there needs to be more spraying to combat invasive noxious weeds and could be done with Jerome County’s spraying;
• raptor survey will be completed this spring noting historically there are no bird nests in the area. Construction would need to occur after August 15.
• BLM would like to see the concessions and bathrooms located at the parking area and not at the canyon rim; and
• would like the path to the rim wide enough to accommodate an emergency vehicle.

Once BLM receives SRCP’s response that these conditions will be met, then approval is a go. Matt will send the written conditional approval to the Board. Matt added that all should be aware of Idaho Power’s plans for more transition lines and a substation. Bill clarified the power lines are east of the overlook and that the road will travel under them.

Larry and several members of the SRCP Board met with Jerome County Planning and Zoning Building Department. Building Department only concerns were to review the plan with the Jerome County Highway District and check with the rural fire departments to confirm turnarounds. The permit is for road issues and concrete pads for overlook, i.e. actual structures. Concessions and bathrooms are temporary structures. Suggested we ask Commissioners for permit costs to be waived. Larry publicly thanked the BLM for a quick response and for the ability to hold these meetings with the county all within the past month.

Larry indicated the financial plan is laid out in the application that was submitted previously with no main changes. He suggested putting together a presentation to businesses, larger corporations in the area, etc. and create written and video presentations, incorporate maps, Geotech survey video. The naming credit should go to Idaho Power.

Parking areas may need to be addressed considering a larger number of truck and trailers will come. Greg suggested including three pullouts, addressing needs of vehicles 35’ or longer, and Larry will ask Civil Science to provide example options with possibly pull-throughs.

IDL Trail from Bridge to Shoshone Falls: Brenda reported her conversation with Randall at IDL who said everything at IDL is at a standstill with federal government, state and legislative effects on their programs. Greg suggested speaking to County Commissioners about the trail and garnering support from the CSI Board of Trustees.

Grants: The Park is wanting funding for tent camping, trails, the Shoshone Falls Overlook, 700 east parking lot and corrals, and rock crawling park. Greg asked if rock crawling park received BLM approval yet and BLM clarified is has not started on this project yet with discussion about priority list including Yingst Grade now being finalized. Bill will follow-up with BLM on priority list.

CSI Property: Steve Haag reported that SRCP presented to the CSI Board of Trustees a map showing a trail going through CSI’s property. CSI approved for continued use of this existing trail. Steve Haag added that the Idaho State 4×4 Association has new leadership and that they have grants available; Steve will pursue. Steve added that the state has three 4×4 clubs, including the Southern Idaho Off Road Association and that our region’s club has a committee who works with the Park and it will reconvene this Spring.

Corral Building: Sue sent notice to Brenda that the Backcountry Horsemen plan to start working in April to create a fourth corral. Discussion about corral use, cleanup and waste.  

Disc Golf Course: Bill will purchase the new Flags for the disc golf course and will inquire with Charlie Howell and Steve Paulson about cutting grass there.

Next meeting April 10^th.

With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 12:12 p.m.