Snake River Canyons Park Board
Open Meeting Minutes
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Blue Lakes Country Club, Jerome, Idaho
Attending Board Members: Chairman Bill Bridges, Greg Moore, Stephen Haag, John Weston, Becky Dean, and Brenda Weekes. Not present: Steve Paulson, Jeff Pierson, and Mark Reyes.
Guests: Advisor Mike Tilka, Jerome Commissioner Art Watkins, Aaron Utz, Idaho Power, Lisa Cresswell, Mary Ellis and Matt Courtney BLM, Randal Brunmeier Idaho Department of Lands, and Rebecca Wildman taking minutes.
Bill called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. with a quorum present.
Minutes: The July 11, 2024, Minutes were approved with motion from Greg Moore, _Becky Dean second, motion carried.
Treasurers Report: Bill reported our bank account has not changed in months. $10,677.36
Three accounts: $34k balance from the County, and $32k for Yingst Grade from SILT, Soil & Water and City of Twin Falls donations. Yingst grade will go towards Mermaid Cove culvert improvement with discussion on culvert size and placement costs. Mike may know another contractor to ask. IT account is separate but will be incorporated into the county budget as they are now doing IT. Discussed options for remainder of the $34k annual budget. Bill will inquire about extending Yingst gravel parking lot.
Tent Camping: Need to fundraise $100k, mostly for building the road. Bill has railroad ties.
RV Park: Some over-staying campers were evicted and three left behind a lot of garbage that Bill picked up. Steve noticed some who had left and are now back. If people are shooting, let them know this is a non-shooting area. If they indicate they are hunting and show a valid hunting license, they can stay, otherwise, the Sheriff can be called to respond.
Bill posted a temporary sign that fire restrictions are in place. IDL is also not issuing any burn permits. Discussed placing yard flags in pits that say “No Fires” or QR codes that explain no fires. Greg suggested Road Work Ahead for flags/signs. Bill asked for someone to follow through on this.
Website: Jerome’s IT now managing and website is improved.
Broken Bridge: Two lower railings were damaged this spring and are being fixed. They should be replaced soon. Bridge is now dry and useable.
To check the water flow levels, call: 1-800-658-5771
Yingst Grade Easement/Improvements: The Mermaid Cove area is on the Jerome Golf Course HOA property and they have granted permission for SRCP to replace collapsing culvert. Bill believes it is 5’ diameter and was plugged in 2017 when water overflowed and caused trail damage. In October when canal water shuts off, SRCP can begin working on the culvert replacement.
Mark Reyes and Brenda Weekes created GPS maps indicating the placement of benches, picnic tables, and signage. Brenda gave copies of the final plan to the BLM representatives and will send it electronically. Lower rockslide area will need more clearing, which can likely be accomplished with a small Bobcat-type vehicle. Noted the trail should be no more than 14’ wide with actual 10’ finished width. Some areas may need backfill gully to prevent erosion, and discussed how this might be accomplished. BLM timeline to process final easement is 45 days to three months. They have the archeologist survey and wildlife specialist report, and are waiting on a plants report, then just the NEPA to complete. Mary Ellis is in the local office now and came here from the Las Vegas area. Bill added the concrete gate will be moved higher up the road near the parking lot, with a lockbox for the key, but all on Fish and Game land.
Shooting Range: John has exhausted options to get a feasibility study completed as the project is deemed too small. He shared his own drafted feasibility and assessment report compiled from his work over the past few years. John shared this report with the Board Members, BLM and IDL. He will be mailing copies of this report with cover letters to Idaho Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, Congressman Mike Simpson, Idaho BLM Deputy Director Karen Kelleher, and Interior Department Secretary Debbie Halland asking for their assistance to get this project accomplished.
Bill shared the shooting range history and details for the benefit of the new BLM representatives. John added that the alternate shooting ranges Cody proposed at an earlier meeting have several code issues and that our proposed site has everything needed for the requirements. Lisa said Dave is the lead on the shooting range and will look into where it falls in priority level, thinking the Malad River one is first in line. Bill added that multiple groups have offered to help fund this project, once it is approved by the BLM. Lisa will follow-up.
Shoshone Falls Overlook: Bill shared history and interest in placing an overlook on the Jerome side over-looking Shoshone Falls and that funding to build parking lot and road is half covered. Larry Hall was working on this project and Brenda and Mark also volunteered to help.
Trail on IDL from Bridge to Overlook and Cattle Guard Issue: Randal said there is no progress on this and to not expect anything until after fire season. IDL now has their own legal outside the AGs office. Attorney General department is now separated from IDL legal.
The cattle guard on the road from Highway 93 into the park has a buildup of dirt and when snow filled it in last winter the cattle inside the park/IDL wandered onto Highway 93. Bill and Commissioner Ben Crouch attended the Jerome Highway Department’s meeting last month but did not get a resolution as they said this cattle guard is the Idaho Transportation Department’s responsibility, and they are looking into it.
IDL’s recreation person is Todd and Randal will bring him in for further discussion on the proposed Trail Project and other projects including the Tragic Alley climbing crag trail improvements, Idaho Parks Department looking at building a challenge course, and Red Bull wanting to recreate the Evel Knievel jump and land on IDL property.
The Cattle Guard issue needs to be resolved before further discussion on the Trail Project. The reason why this is a challenge to solve is because a traffic plan must be put in place to close the road and direct traffic. Brenda asked Art to ask the Highway District if they are willing to implement a traffic control plan. Randal added if it not resolved by winter the IDL won’t allow cattle on their common allotment due to safety concerns.
Airport Storage: SRCP now has a storage cabinet at the Jerome Airport to store paint and other supplies. Contact Marty is at the airport office (small house as you enter the airport) if you need access. Bill will try to label paint as to where it should be used.
Volunteer Group: Becky volunteered and asked for the Board’s input on what it would like accomplished. Past volunteers include the ATV crew with annual cleanup, horse group, and volunteers on Yingst grade collecting trash. Brenda reminded the idea to give volunteers a patch for so many hours of service, with chevrons added for additional service. We have already established a volunteer plaque including one for a volunteer group and one for a professional who has been involved. Brenda shared design ideas and first 100 patches estimate cost is $475. Greg suggested a pin instead of a patch. Idea of QR code at volunteer stations to request pins. Suggested contacting NHS from High Schools, High School Senior Projects, Scouts, Jerome Sheriff’s work duty, Bird Watching group, Magic Valley Fly Fishers, 4-H Clubs, Daughters of the American Revolution, etc.
Maintenance/Budget for 2025: Art said the budget is not finalized yet.
New Business: Brenda asked about the Yingst Grade parking lot. Idaho Fish and Game and Jerome County Highway District are working together to address. There were 25 cars there recently and F&G wants to organize the parking lot better. Lisa asked to be shown the abandoned camp trailer.
Next Meeting: Thursday, September 12, 2024, 11am – 1pm, Blue Lakes Country Club.
With no further business the meeting adjourned at 12:46 p.m.
Executive Sessions may be held pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1) as needed during time such sessions are called.
Note: Any person needing special accommodations to participate in the meeting should contact the committee secretary, 208-293-2426; 48 hours prior to the meeting.