IDAHO OUTDOOR RECREATION FUND ADVISORY COUNCIL
On November 7th, the Idaho Outdoor Recreation Fund Advisory Council met to discuss project timelines and deadlines and review preliminary projects. Kathy Muir with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) discussed how to grade applications. She discussed how scoring is not an easy process, and there will be six (6) priority merit and scope questions. Ms. Muir encourages the Council to break down the budget of each project to see what the money is going to and if a project has a funding match. Seth Griggs, Idaho Association of Counties, asked if the Council can partially fund projects or if it is all or nothing. Director Buxton, IDPR, noted no rules, and the Council can decide. Other areas to be considered are if the landowner can maintain the property, the public opportunity to voice opinions, whether positive or negative and if environmental clearances or permitting will delay projects.
Director Miller, Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), asked about the funding match, specifically looking at how it wasn’t a requirement but could earn points for projects. He is curious if this is something they should require in the future. Ms. Muir noted how the agency doesn’t require a match, but it is an unwritten rule that having it would allow them to get a higher score. Gretchen Hyde, Director of the Rangeland Resources Commission, brought up incorporating letters of support, particularly community support, in applications in the future. Mr. Griggs asked if it is fair to add new requirements after projects have already been submitted. Director Buxton noted how to match was included in the application, and there will always be better thought-out projects than others, and she doesn’t think they need to change criteria. Rep. Petzke (R-21) asked if the scores are binding or if there will be a qualitative analysis along with this. It was explained that the recommendations from the Council go to the Governor and then the Parks and Recreation Board. There will be multiple entities reviewing the projects before the decisions are finalized.
The Council created a subcommittee to create specific criteria for the grant review: Skylar Jett, Benn Brocksome, and Kari Kostka will be the subcommittee members. Chairwoman Jett noted that IDPR has good criteria and shouldn’t be too hard to create criteria specific for grading these projects. She stated the next meeting is scheduled for December 14th, and today, she would like to set deadlines to ensure everything is ready. Ms. Muir discussed the process for IDPR, and council members have about a month for projects to get prescored. When the Council meets next, they will discuss each project, and members can change scores before finalizing them. The last component is averaging the scores and ranking the projects. Then, the Council will average the scores and rank the projects. Sen. Lent (R-33) wants to see projects scored by the December meeting. There were questions about whether they keep accepting projects, and Benn Brocksome, Idaho Sportsmen, discussed creating cohorts or monthly/quarterly deadlines if they opt to keep the project portal open. Mr. Griggs discussed having a hard deadline for projects and setting a deadline for when scores should be done for the next meeting. There was a consensus that the Council should have project scores ready by December 14th. The Council is interested in setting a submission deadline for November 17th to allow for new projects to be submitted and for current projects to submit more information if they desire. Laurel Sayer, CEO and President of Perpetua Resources, voiced her support for having a hard project deadline, as this is a standard.
Chairwoman Jett transitioned the council into reviewing submitted projects, noting they would not review the projects that Director Buxton presented at the previous meeting. Kenzie Castor presented the Valley County Boulder project and looked at the Boulder Lake Road recreation area. Phase one of the project proposes a twelve (12) to eighteen (18) lot campsite with twenty (20) to twenty-five (25) parking spots at the campsite/trailhead along with two (2) bathrooms. She discussed how they will have picnic tables, fire rings, and tent pads. Chairwoman Jett asked about the project cost and if they could get a clarification on that. Ms. Castor clarified they are asking for $348,000 but have a $60,000 match. Director Miller asked about the ongoing costs and if they will use user fees to retain the site. Ms. Castor stated there will be a $10 usage fee and a $5 parking fee, plus Valley County has a track record of maintaining their campsite. Ms. Castor mentioned she could get a commitment letter from the local transportation department for maintaining the road. Johanna DeFoort, President of Central Idaho Trail Riders Alliance, supported this project. Director Miller discussed how IDL is moving away from land use permits and getting lands under lease for security purposes.
The Payette Land Trust presented their project and how they would like to secure an access easement on endowment lands with access to Ponderosa State Park. Director Miller discussed managing timber lands near McCall as an ongoing challenge, and IDL has a constitutional mandate to maximize sales on these lands. However, he expressed interest in exploring this project more as he doesn’t believe an easement would be too expensive. IDL currently has no income coming from this land, but they would need further to discuss the value of the right-of-way on this land. Kendra Kenyon, Executive Director for the Idaho Foundation for Parks and Lands, discussed how their project would give access to recreation for those with disabilities. They own a 5.9-acre parcel on the Boise River near Expo Idaho, and they are asking for the state to own it so that it is open for public use. She discussed how the Ada County Commissioners funded a renovation of Expo Idaho with the idea of having biodiversity, trails, sports fields, and farmers markets. It would have wheelchair access and low-maintenance trails. The praise value is $500,000 to $700,000.
Jason Wright, Donnelly Snow Mobile Firm, presented a rough proposal draft explaining how he discovered the application the day before. He has been requesting aid in purchasing an 18-acre parcel on the market since September 2022. It is adjacent to Tamarack, and Mr. Wright explained that the current parking in this area is haphazard and wants to create a winter snowmobile parking lot. The intent would be to transfer to Valley County, but it could also stay with the state. His goal is to generate and maintain revenue for the area. With the extended deadline, he can approach individuals for a match, but Donnelly Snow Mobile Firm is prepared to support with their funds. Mr. Griggs noted it would be beneficial to have county support.
Sydney Kennedy, Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), presented their application for an aquatic invasive species prevention campaign. The project will consist of a multi-media campaign to educate the public on aquatic invasive species. ISDA, in the past, has done campaigns and would like to revamp its paid advertisement and physical signage on key access points and tourism information. They are asking for $200,000, and the Department will match the funding, but they haven’t decided to what extent. Director Buxton asked how this will be for recreation and differs from their usual campaigns and if they will have permanent signage.
The final presentation was from Idaho for All, a new non-profit whose mission is to provide all-terrain track chairs for trails. A few states across the country have implemented projects like this; one in particular is Georgia. The chair reservation is online, and the education component park personnel would be notified forty-eight (48) hours in advance to ensure the chair is ready for the individual when they arrive. The proposal lays out the timeline, community education, and awareness that this is available for those who need it. Director Buxton asked for more detail on shelters and plug-ins and where they might be stored in existing locations. She also noted the reservation system would either be linked to IDPRs or use IDPR's existing reservation system. Mr. Griggs asked about the line item for maintenance and who takes the lead. Idaho For All discussed that equipment maintenance was based on Georgia's program, and Idaho for All would handle maintenance.
