Updated recreation fees in effect for BLM sites in North Idaho

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – The Bureau of Land Management’s Coeur d’Alene Field Office has updated fees at multiple recreation sites in north Idaho including day use and annual boat passes for the Blackwell Island and Mineral Ridge boat launches, camping fees for Mica Bay and Windy Bay Boater Parks, and Huckleberry and Killarney Lake Campgrounds. Recreation fees were last updated at these sites in 2012. Revenue generated from the collection of fees is retained for continued maintenance and improvements for the site.

The updated fees reflect the swelling costs of materials and services as well as increased visitor use. Business plans prepared last spring for each site analyzed comparative costs of similar public (state and county) and private facilities in surrounding counties as well as evaluated operational and maintenance costs such as trash removal, vault toilet pumping, improving picnic site amenities, vandalism repair and road and trail maintenance. The BLM conducted a 30-day public comment period last summer to gather feedback on the plans before finalizing the business plans. The business plans were also approved by the BLM Idaho Resource Advisory Council.

“We took a hard look at our existing recreation fee sites, managed by the Coeur d' Alene Field Office, and determined for the BLM to continue to meet the public's needs and adequately maintain the sites; that adjustments were necessary.” said BLM Coeur d’Alene Field Manager Ray Pease.

The updated recreation fees were effective on April 1. Specific information about each recreation site can be found on www.blm.gov or by contacting the field office at 208-769-5000. Final business plans for the site are available for viewing at https://on.doi.gov/44l9qhd or at the BLM Coeur d’Alene Field Office.