News Release Archive

Reclamation Seeks Public Input on a Proposed New Campground at Lake Cascade

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
Steve Dunn, sdunn@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: August 21, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking public comment on a proposal to allow the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) to convert Poison Creek Campground into a day-use facility, and to construct a new campground on the northwest shore of Lake Cascade near Tamarack Falls Bridge.

IDPR has a lease agreement with Reclamation to operate recreation sites as part of Lake Cascade State Park. Relocating the camping facilities from Poison Creek and creating a day-use park there would reduce the negative impacts and noise due to the ongoing construction of the Tamarack Resort. IDPR reported in 1999, that construction of the resort would have detrimental impacts on visitors using the Poison Creek Campground.

The proposal calls for the construction of about 50 sites to accommodate tent and RV camping at the former YMCA site. This would be an increase in camping options from the Poison Creek Campground which has about 38 camp sites.

Reclamation will be preparing an environmental assessment to analyze the environmental impacts of the proposed project as required by the National Environmental Policy Act. Reclamation is asking the publics assistance in identifying issues and concerns regarding the proposed campground project that will be included in the environmental assessment.

A public open house providing information about the proposal will be held at the Ashley Inn in Cascade, Idaho on August 29, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. The meeting facilities are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Direct requests for sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired, or other auxiliary aids, to Steve Dunn (208) 383-2222.

Reclamation is also seeking written comments on this proposal. Comments can be mailed to: Bureau of Reclamation, Snake River Area Office, 230 Collins Road, Boise ID 83702-4520, Attention: Steve Dunn or e-mailed to sdunn@pn.usbr.gov. Comments must be received by September 15.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.