BOCC hopeful slight changes yield big results on North Fork
Photo by JOSH MCDONALD The North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River is a summer hot spot for locals and vacationers alike. A few small changes by the county commissioners will hopefully help both groups cut back on some of the maintenance issues that have plagued the area over the last few years.
WALLACE — Over the last few summers, the Shoshone Board of County Commissioners have been hard at work coming up with solutions to remedy a growing issue on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River.
For years, concerns have been raised by locals and outsiders alike as the popular recreation grounds have grown more full and less maintained by those using the area.
The BOCC has been very active in identifying and assessing problems and evaluating possible solutions.
This summer, despite rumors to the contrary, there will be no fee or toll system for recreators headed up the river, but there will be a few changes that folks may notice.
Last year, the county had dumpsters set at popular areas for campers and recreators to use, however it became a problem when many locals began using the dumpsters for their own means.
“These dumpsters are up there for the people recreating on the river,” said commissioner Jay Huber. “They aren’t up there for local folks to be dumping their household trash.”
Unlike last year, when the dumpster was set up at the Bumblebee cutoff, this year the dumpsters will be located between the Snake Pit and Conoco Gas Station near the check station — right off Coeur d’Alene River Road. These dumpsters will also be monitored by cameras.
The BOCC hopes that having the dumpsters in a more heavily watched and trafficked area, as well as being under surveillance, will deter anyone from doing major dumping in the dumpsters.
It will also act as a cost-cutting measure for the county.
“Last year, we were picking up that dumpster roughly every other day,” said commissioner John Hansen. “It cost the county roughly $28,000 in fees and fuel to maintain the dumpster. We will save a few bucks each trip by not having to go all the way to Bumblebee each time.”
Along with moving the dumpster, visitors to the North Fork will now need to make sure they are parking in designated areas.
Due to the narrow roads along the North Fork, that means no parking on the shoulders of the road.
Increased patrols from law enforcement will also be noticeable, as the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office will have designated deputies just for the area.
“We don’t want to make a bunch of changes, but we do want that area to be as safe and accessible as possible,” Huber said. “We need folks to follow the rules or otherwise legal action will have to be taken and more changes will have to come.”
The BOCC will gauge how effective their changes will be in a few short days when Memorial Day kicks off the summer season.