Snake River Canyons Park Board
Open Meeting Minutes
Thursday, November 14, 2024
Blue Lakes Country Club, Jerome, Idaho
Attending Board Members: Chairman Bill Bridges, Jeff Pierson, Becky Dean, Mark Reyes, Steve Paulson, Brenda Weekes, Stephen Haag, and Greg Moore (via phone). John Weston joined by phone for shooting range.
Guests: Jerome Commissioner Art Watkins (via phone), Mike Tilka, Aaron Utz with Idaho Power, Matt Courtney with the BLM, Larry Hall adviser, and Rebecca Wildman taking minutes.
Bill called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. with a quorum present.
Minutes: Bill emailed the Board with suggested corrections to the minutes; several said they couldn’t open the file. Brenda read the changes and asked about September’s motion regarding volunteer awards. Bill clarified this was fixed in the October minutes. Volunteer program discussed and correct BLM meeting as a summary with Larry not in attendance. Becky moved to accept the minutes with corrections, Steve seconded, motion carried.
Treasurers Report: $56,682 in account with $3,300 spent on toilets and gate. Nonprofit account has $10677.36 same as last several
Park Reports: Yingst gate moved higher up road with lock installed and EMS has extra keys. RV Park fence has been cut at pit toilet, cattle guard and at 600 road. Security company will be putting up cameras. Portable toilet at Yingst was knocked over and garbage bin missing, could have been wind. Pink spray painting at Vineyard, IDL and Yingst Grade, and a water station left at North side Evel Knievel landing area. Security going out twice per night now and have removed an overstaying camper; Bill will get them an extra set of keys to vault toilets. Garbage cans now at RV Park. Site #6 had a transformer dismantled and Bill hired someone to remove remains. RV park had three abandoned trailers removed costing $660.
Shooting Range: John Weston joined by phone. Uncertain on proposed Murtaugh range, but SRCP’s preferred area north of I-84 is now progressing. David at BLM said acoustics test planned, he requested footprint of first stage, and environmental studies may be done next Spring. BLM has no real objection to building the range, but proposal was to make first stage smaller. John estimates 25-30 acres for purposes of environmental clearances, and after first stage, adding proposed 200-yard rifle range and pistol range. BLM requested a digitized boundary and Mark Reyes was asked to assist John with this. BLM has a fast-track assessment and John said a permit is not necessary as range will be sponsored by BLM. Clearance needed but easier as this location was previously an established gravel pit. Dairy within one-two miles proximity. BLM ask Bill to set up a meeting with the permittee. The meeting was on Nov. 13 at Renew in Jerome. Requests from range permit holders: 1) add cattle guards at fence five miles out to avoid fence being left open, 2) wells added for additional water source for cattle, and 3) incorporate a cattle trap to help corral efforts. They expressed some concern if park continues to expand but like the idea of a defined shooting range opposed to current stray bullets.
Shoshone Falls Overlook: Report on September 30th meeting at BLM office and October 3 meeting with Bill, Brenda, Larry, Mark and Stephen Anderson with Civil Science. Commissioners approved Civil Science taking panoramic photos of how overlook will look. Downsizing number of parking spaces to 35-50 spaces including RV and Handicap parking (South side overlook has 37 spaces). Keep site as primitive as possible and plan to charge for use in the future. Roads 24’ wide with shoulders in areas on a compressed gravel. Access will have some turnouts and turnarounds, not a huge loop like original design. RV parking in lower level for easier access. Placed as close to wall as possible with a natural camouflage, and concessions and toilets adjacent to knoll. Photos will be taken from Twin Falls side, jump site, ticket booth, and from Jerome site looking South into Twin Falls. Accommodating 35-40’ length for RVs and larger vehicles. Concession building 12’x16’ sufficient and initially bring in temporary toilets. Stephen will get with group and Larry will complete a write-up for presenting at the SCRP December 12th meeting. Original budget of $200k with $110k spent and $90k left.
Matt reminded if fees charged the proceeds need to go back into the project that generates the revenue. Matt will research comparable areas to reflect what BLM needs at their end.
Projects: Rock Crawling Park and Horse/RV Site at 700 road are Projects #3 and #4 and have been turned into the BLM. Yingst Grade is still first priority with easement up to 14’, but Matt has not seen Yingst paperwork come in.
Other: OHV plans with obstacles to be built; plan submitted to BLM. Shoshone Falls/Dierkes area is closed until April for major road repair and park may see more visitors on North side. Yingst Grade culvert fix may need to request bids. IDL has a proposal by Swing Adventures for a swing rope over the canyon with company meeting in early December, with Idaho Dept. of Parks and Recreation. Becky Dean agreed to serve as Secretary starting next year. Volunteer program needs volunteers to help organize and Brenda shared an outline of what can be done. Idaho Conservation League has planned a cleanup at Vineyard this Saturday asking volunteers to register. Discussed where to park and cooperation with adjacent landowner.
Special Events: Becky shared ideas about utilizing a special events application/permit. Extended discussion about the county’s role versus SRCP’s with document management, parking, liability, insurance, etc. Agreed county takes this on and to ask for their assessment and mitigating SRCP’s risks. Becky elaborated on Land Trust ordinance parameters and P&Z.
Next Meeting Thursday, December 12, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at the Blue Lakes Country Club.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 12:45 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.