News Release Archive

Comment Sought on Campground Use Changes and Marina Construction at Lake Cascade

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, 11/21/2007 14:05
Scott Short, sshort@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: November 21, 2007

The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking public comment until December 20, 2007, on a proposal to allow Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) to convert Poison Creek Campground at Lake Cascade to a day use facility and construct and operate a small public marina and related facilities at the Poison Creek site.

IDPR operates recreation sites on Reclamation lands at Lake Cascade as part of the Lake Cascade State Park lease agreement. The proposed public facilities would be constructed and operated by Tamarack Resort under a concession agreement with IDPR.

Poison Creek Campground is located on the northwest shore of Lake Cascade. Tamarack Resort is located immediately to the west of Poison Creek where major development associated with the resort is occurring. The ongoing construction and pedestrian traffic from the Tamarack Resort makes Poison Creek best suited for day use facilities.

Reclamation's current Resource Management Plan, prepared in 2002, and an earlier plan developed in 1991, both proposed a small public marina for the West Mountain Campground vicinity, near what is now Tamarack Resort.

Reclamation, IDPR, and Tamarack Resort have coordinated to develop a conceptual plan for the Poison Creek site that includes the following key features:

" 40-slip marina/boat rental " Fuel dock and gray water pumpout " 2,000 square foot retail store " 1,500 square foot restaurant " Log boom wave attenuator " 40-space dry boat storage building, 20 per level " Mooring Buoys " Additional car parking " Trailer rig parking " Swimming area " Group picnic pavilion " Stair and ADA ramp access to beach " Other recreational activities

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires Reclamation to evaluate the impacts of this proposed action on human and natural environments. Reclamation intends to develop an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the action of converting the existing Poison Creek Campground to a day use facility and for the construction and operation of a small marina.

In May 2007, a separate draft EA was prepared and made available to the public, Tribes, and government agencies regarding the construction of a new campground that will replace campsites lost at Poison Creek to day use conversion. Reclamation's decision on developing the replacement campground is expected in early 2008.

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 December 20, 2007.

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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.

Relevant Link:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/srao_misc/poisoncreek/index.html