Snake River Canyons Park Board
Open Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Blue Lakes Country Club, Jerome, Idaho
Attending Board Members: Chairman Bill Bridges, John Weston, Greg Moore, Jeff Pierson, Becky Dean, Mark Reyes, Steve Paulson, and Brenda Weekes. Not present: Stephen Haag
Guests: Matthew Thompson, Jim Williams, Brad Spears, Jeff Trammell, and Bill Maikranz from SIORA; Jerome Commissioner Art Watkins, Aaron Utz with Idaho Power, Matt Cortney with the BLM, Larry Hall, and Rebecca Wildman taking minutes.
Bill called the meeting to order at 11:09 a.m. with a quorum present.
Minutes: Approved with motion from Greg, Brenda second, motion carried.
Treasurers Report: $10,677 in account. Bill believes the county’s budget amount is incorrect and will check.
Tent Camping: Suggestion from former board member Sue Williams to consider expanding the RV park and include in expansion options for tent camping. Discussed with suggestions to address current issues before considering expansion, including adding a dumpster. Becky will research hiring a security company to check on RV park daily. Art will make other inquiries.
Website: Fifteen recreational activities have been identified that can be added to the website. SIORA has a website and will share link with Bill. Bill’s phone number is on website and averages 10 calls/questions per week.
Broken Bridge: Bottom two railings still not replaced. Bill will inquire with Gerald Martens on the status. Noticed fresh graffiti.
Yingst Grade Easement: Discussed parking lot expansion noting Fish & Game and Jerome Highway Department are part of any plans. Brenda thought proposed plans existed to address traffic flow for Highway District Snow plow. Bill will do follow-up to see if an expansion is possible before budget year end.
Culvert replacement with one bid in at $17k, including some rock and gravel work and some trail widening and cleanup. Noted picnic tables ready to be placed once trail is completed. Steve opened a discussion about access for BLCC and valley residents in the event of fires or emergency vehicle access. BLCC is private property and only BLM can respond to fires and did have engines on hand for fire earlier this year. Seventy-five percent of Twin Falls potable water comes from Jerome side. SRCP’s permit application with the BLM for the right of way includes ability to widen Yingst Grade to a maximum of a 10’ width. Shared that park users expressed desire for grade to remain non-motorized, but after discussion sentiment was in favor of possibility for emergency-only vehicles to have access, pending road being modified and dependent upon funding of modifications. Matt will clarify some of the Right of Way technical stuff with Brenda.
Shooting Range: John met with County Commissioners when the BLM was speaking on the Murtaugh shooting range area. John has multiple concerns with that location including: absence of environmental studies, lead goes into the river, shooting into the walls, and location is below high-water mark. BLM meets with Jerome Commissioners, Murtaugh Mayor and others on September 19th. BLM is trying to offer safer options than Indian Springs and Jerome site is still in consideration but believe there are concerns with timing and current grazing rights in place. Jerome area has had all precursor work completed and just needs final BLM approval. Preference for BLM to run the range, but Jerome County or SRCP could run it in the alternative. SRCP has spent time and money to move this project forward and member of the Board are frustrated that the project has stalled.
Shoshone Falls Overlook: Larry Hall, acting as an advisor to the SRCP Board, shared that he has retired from Jerome 2020. Larry previously emailed the project proposal with an estimated cost of $1M. Construction could begin upon funding noting modifications to keep costs down including a compressed gravel road, a 16×40 pre-spec concession/storage building, and vault toilets. Geotech studies concluded some sloughing off of the canyon walls, so an initial 20×50 flat overlook with a possibility for a future cantilever to be added later. A steel rail would go around the area for viewing. The lower area would need some blasting for the road and parking area with access to loop around, including 40+ acres earmarked. All study work has been paid jointly by the county and Idaho Power. Noted Idaho Power’s additional $250k commitment has timing constraints. Comparisons to the Twin Falls Shoshone Falls grade which sees roughly 125,000 cars per year with a charge or $5 per car = $625k/year which would allow additional things to be built or upgraded. Water can be brought into the site various ways and electric access still unknown. Not much necessary in the way of permitting except BLM approval of the site. Proposal submitted last May to BLM. With the $1M estimate, only an additional $500k would be necessary to complete the project. County would be asked to contribute, and other corporations could be tapped.
IDL Trail: Bill reported that Randal has proposed the trail to the State and is waiting for responses with alternative ways to submit it. IDL and BLM are tied up with fires and will respond when they can. Bill mentioned asking the National Guard to do the work but hasn’t heard back from them yet. Greg applauded Commissioner Watkins’ and Howell’s success in the cattle guard cleaned up where it enters the park from Highway 93.
In reference to the Yingst Grade discussion above, Jeff Petersen, BLCC GM, spoke to the club’s concerns on road access and safety, particularly regarding fire services protection. Brenda shared we are appointed by Jerome County as advisors and work under a 20-year lease with the BLM and are under the county’s master plan. The right of way with the BLM recently expired and we are waiting approval. The Board has asked for a width option, but prefers it to remain as a non-motorized trail for pedestrians and bicycles. Widening for motorized access was discussed, but that was scaled back due to budget constraints. Mentioned alternatives. Brenda proposed a possible design that would keep a trail feeling with low planting down the middle. Once right-of-way is completed, the holder is responsible for maintenance. Brenda recalled a road improvement estimate thinking it would be $75k or $80k. Jeff Peterson will share spec sheets he has for access to compare and may join future meetings and future conversations with commissioners.
Marked Trails: SIORA committee to address interest in park outside of their 27 year on-going annual cleanup. Last fall they submitted an approved trail system with fiberglass signs and naming theme. Previous signs are down and SIORA hoping rock placement at sign base may support placement. Shared “Eight-Mile Trail/Easy Trail” perimeter trail handout. Noted the state land that is fenced, and the trail goes around it. Bill also noted the CSI land and suggested SIORA present this plan to CSI.
SIORA would like to display signage at the RV park, on state line as entering and/or ITD land. Discussed placement with permission on SRCP land and that permission needs to be given for land on state or ITD property. Steve asked for pre-view of signage, that it coincides with the SRCP theme. Note too that contact should go to SIORA or QR codes that allow clarity. Noted plans for coding through trail system and ON-X off-road maps. Don Zuck Arbor could be a staging area for off-road areas. Discussed considerations for RV campers with off-road vehicles, future events, etc. Suggested to SIORA to help the park be good neighbors, encouraging notifying residents in lower canyon, etc. SRCP may be able to help with signage costs or have resources.
Discussed 5-year plan priorities and changes. SIORA asked about Don Zuck Arbor expansion. Discussed park’s openness to proposals, depending on BLM approvals and funding. SIORA asked for pictures of the major five weed species for identification purposes. Steve will provide photos and the booklets, and he asked to be notified if there is a large weed patch to spray. BLM can send weed guide too and SIORA can post on their website.
Volunteer Groups and Liability Release: Becky shared that the county’s requirement for an event is 500 or more people. P&Z looking at other requirements like liability, safety protocols, etc. She will bring to SRCP as it unfolds.
Becky contacted High School Counselors regarding seniors who might need project ideas; SRCP is now on their list. Becky asked we come up with ideas including bench alcove setting, graffiti removal, etc. Additionally, the website www.justserve.org lists community service needs. Jerome County has a general release of liability for volunteers and Becky suggested the Board each sign annually and she will maintain hard copies. Suggested signing after standard policy procedure in place with consideration of electronic filing process. Becky will ask Commissioners at their next meeting what they prefer.
Becky brought up Brenda’s ideas on how to reward volunteers. Greg motioned to eliminate proposal on volunteer awards, John seconded. After discussion, motion passed. Bill noted that Dr. Jim Irwin has been busy cleaning up along the canyon rim.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 1:47 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.
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.