When it comes to the river, follow the rules
You can do your part to keep the North Fork clean by following the rules for using the county-provided dumpsters.
Photo by JOSH McDONALD
WALLACE — Now that Shoshone County is well into its annual high traffic season on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River, county officials hopes that anyone headed into the area will do their part to keep it clean.
Over the last few summers, the Shoshone Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) have been hard at work trying to come up with solutions to remedy a growing litter issue on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River.
During the course of that time, concern has arisen from locals and outsiders alike, as the popular recreation grounds have been growing considerably more full and less maintained by those using the area.
As it has been the case for the last few years, the county will have dumpsters up the North Fork area, which are there for the use of anyone enjoying the river.
“These dumpsters are up there for the people recreating on the river,” commissioner Jay Huber said previously. “They aren’t up there for local folks to be dumping their household trash.”
This year, the dumpsters will be located near the Bumblebee Cutoff, as well as near G & G Riverstop — formerly known as Babin’s in Prichard.
The BOCC has plans to make sure that additional dumpsters are placed during higher traffic weekends, so the containers don’t overflow and require additional labor to maintain.
There will also be signage at each dump site that will inform those using the dumpsters what can and can not go into them. This includes things like construction waste and appliances.
Along with the dumpsters moving and following the added signage, folks visiting the North Fork will 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 law enforcement patrols will be spending a considerable amount of time in the area, as the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office will once again have designated deputies just for the area.
“We want that area to be as safe and accessible as possible,” Huber said previously. “We need folks to follow the rules or otherwise, legal action will have to be taken.”