County expresses interest in sub-leasing Dworshak State Park
By Alannah Allbrett
Clearwater County Commissioners have sent a “letter of interest” on behalf of the County, to the State of Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR), expressing the County’s interest in potentially sub-leasing Dworshak State Park. “We initiated the process,” Commissioner Stan Leach said. “IDPR needs to step up to the plate and help us make it happen.”
Commissioner Don Ebert said, “We are waiting for IDPR to respond to tell us a yes or no if they will enter into a discussion about the County running Dworshak State Park.”
Commissioner Ebert said, “Merrill [Director of IDPR] has not been able to reach the Chairman of the Board regarding our letter.”
The commissioners stated they did not want the park on a permanent basis, but they don’t want it to close in transition while the existing lease is still in place.
The existing lease between IDPR and the Army Corps of Engineers holds the Corps responsible for costs (such as damage to the docks) exceeding $5,000. If a sub-lessee were to take over management under that lease, the same provision would apply. Also, IDPR has a reservation system already in place through their website
The commissioners outlined three different approaches which might be taken. 1. “Apply pressure to IDPR to keep the park open – try to find money somewhere to help them do that.” Stan Leach said he was not sure, “If we had the money, would you want to throw it at that situation?” 2. “Try to find some money to allow the Corps to run the park, if they would do so.” “They have the infrastructure in place to do so, and they are going to end up with it by default.” 3. “What if another entity, potentially the County, were to sub-lease it?”
“Possibly the County could partner with the City, the Chamber, and surrounding counties – everybody that’s effected,” Leach said, “Maybe we can pool enough resources until we can find some long term viable solution.”
The question was asked if the Nez Perce Tribe had been approached yet with regard to managing the park. Chris St. Germaine, Clearwater County Economic Development (CEDA) said that she had done some follow up on it. “They are looking at the numbers. It’s a numbers game,” she stated. “They would probably prefer to operate under their own lease” was her assumption. But that would be a question for the Tribe she said.
Another consideration might be Dworshak Reservoir Association managing the Marina portion of the park under a cost share agreement. St. Germaine said, “In order for them to charge a fee, they would need to take care of everything from the visitor’s center all the way down. All of the receipts that they would generate would stay local.”
The City of Orofino has sent a letter to northern Idaho Chambers of Commerce and State representatives will be contacted.
Stan Leach said, “We will keep identifying the best questions to ask.”
A representative from Orofino will try to attend the IDPR Board meeting this week to be heard in the Public Hearing portion of the agenda.