Tamarack Resort would build, maintain new camp close to resort's main entrance
The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation board last week decided to keep negotiating with Tamarack Resort to build a marina and day-use area on Lake Cascade.
The board decided at its meeting in Pocatello last week to further negotiations with Tamarack Resort and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for converting Poison Creek campground to a marina and day-use area.The campground is on land the state leases from the federal agency.
The state agreed to a formal study of the proposal to include a public comment period, but the study would not begin until the contract is signed, P&R spokesman Jennifer Wernex said Tuesday.
An agreement could still be two to three weeks away, Wernex said.
State staff had recommended the board sign the contract to have Tamarack fund the improvements and manage the renovated campground, which is located across West Mountain Road from the main resort entrance.
The board authorized state parks Director Robert Meinen to sign the contract, but only after terms were agreed upon.
Once the environmental study is finished, the state would discuss plans and contracts for construction. "It's. still way to early to talk about a finished product. We don't yet know what it will be," Wernex said.
These are some of the main points under discussion among the parties:
• The resort would assume full risk and responsibility for construction, and the state would not be subject to liability during or after construction.
• Tamarack would operate the facility for 20 years, at which time facilities would transfer to P&R.
• There would be a long-term easement for overflow parking.
• A skate park and tennis courts contained in the conceptual plan would be built in the future contingent upon state approval.
• Tamarack would set up a maintenance fund.
• The state would receive 2.5 percent of gross revenues from the concession or a minimum of $12,000 per year.
The board liked the idea of expanding the public's access to the lake and offering marina services, including gas pumps on the lake, Wernex said.
"Being able to fuel up on the water will be a tremendous convenience for those that frequent Lake Cascade," she said.
The project would develop all 22 acres of Poison Creek campground, and the 18 camp sites would be moved to the former YMCA campground nearby.
Sketch courtesy Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Sketch shows concept plan for renovation and expansion of Poison Creek Campground near the entrance to Tamarack Resort, top left.
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Amenities offered by the facility could include maximum moorage for 75 boats, on-the water boat fueling, a restaurant, and a general store selling such items as food, beverages, boating supplies and fishing tackle and bait.
Tamarack Resort would design, build, operate and maintain facilities.
Campsites and facilities at Poison Creek campground would be relocated to a site on the north end of the lake. Then, the existing campground would converted into a marina and day use area.
The replacement campground would have to be completed before the conversion could begin.
The state recognized in 1999 when Tamarack Resort, then known as WestRock, was still in its infancy, resort traffic would end the tranquility for lakeside campers.
Before Valley County gave its nod to the resort, the state, B of R and Tamarack agreed in March 2001 that Poison Creek be switched to day use for the benefit of the general public and Tamarack guests and residents.
Other developments followed) months before the solicited proposals for the marina.
In June 2006, Tamarack promised to pay $750,000 to pay for the replacement campground, and to provide $300,000 toward the same facility in lieu of building screening along the West Mountain, Buttercup, Huckleberry and Curlew campgrounds in the vicinity of the resort along West Mountain Road.
