[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6167263,"mediaKeyId","5411772-d57279226e0f91622af53b9c6e6dbe8f","parentId",5411772,"title","Residents press board over Blacktail sublot deeds and Game and Fish fence; board asks for records and outreach to agency","audioSeconds",964,"startMs",1539000,"endMs",2503000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5411772-d57279226e0f91622af53b9c6e6dbe8f&start=1539&end=2503","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5411772-d57279226e0f91622af53b9c6e6dbe8f/thumbnail_1539000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6167263/Williams-County/North-Dakota/Residents-press-board-over-Blacktail-sublot-deeds-and-Game-and-Fish-fence-board-asks-for-records-and-outreach-to-agency","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167263-76b1d6eb56646959f5ef698c84728218/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969578&Signature=LgBuTNqExl~HOEMwGE3Dn1-ZVjEQ0zB4ICMQySSI709mNf~FnqBAwu5mXQ6Zl7FDIgPPZWlbzR4u~CiVXgvccOgScfutZIOKEvE7wmMo9I0qEwOxA1W8gN3DunXyb2qHBGGki9euor~1bguBARmH5pp-KZm3SvZ4Eg49auOtxIbp7h958~2zwoKwSdz~iKpTnQzAdJHL3ic5TqMynRFFmvEb6Vx-KmmLd5ZayyFjY~iWc9cWRJAQTgkF4lNpghPClG3oM6LRmbj1YyIWmy55VzTXsOb~kccINM6J2qGbyj7ky8I2g9JwJC53tJfCLuiZl7z4goylptNky-Wodosl8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Williams County","date","2025-07-15T00:00:00Z","article","Longtime Blacktail residents said they were told decades ago that two sublots adjacent to their cabins would be deeded into private ownership, but county records the Park Board staff checked do not show a recorded deed in the residents’ names. Residents urged the board to locate historical files and minutes to resolve the title question.

Greg Zavoni, who said he served on the Blacktail governing board for many years and was president of the Blacktail Dam Association, told the Park Board the swap that created the current parcel boundaries was negotiated in the 1990s and that some paperwork indicated the small sublots should have been transferred to private ownership. He said the original survey, talks with state Game and Fish representatives and later county action created a complicated boundary situation that residents now face.

Zavoni and his sister, Zona Bjornsson, both said they and other residents have used and maintained the land inside the green line around their cabins for decades. They said a planned Game and Fish fence along the blue line (the agency’s property line) could block historic access and require a neighboring property owner to remove trees and a shed to restore a 20‑foot access easement.

Park staff said planning and zoning signed off on plats in the 1990s and the recorder’s office recorded those plats, but staff has not found minutes showing a motion transferring the two sublots into private deeds. Staff asked Zavoni to provide any deeds or minutes he can find. The board agreed to give Zavoni until the next meeting to provide documentation and directed staff to search archived minutes and files. Staff also agreed to invite Kent Botswager of Game and Fish to a future meeting to discuss the planned fence and options, including whether a land swap or recorded easement could resolve access issues.

Board members discussed practical options if no deed is found: accept a recorded easement to preserve access, negotiate a land swap with Game and Fish for a small parcel in exchange for a larger tract elsewhere, or pursue sale of county property at fair market value under county code. One board member noted past small conveyances had been executed (a quarter‑acre conveyed for $1 in another instance) but emphasized that any sale now would normally require a public process and fair market valuation.

No formal board action transferring property was taken at the meeting. The board instructed staff to continue document searches, to report findings at the next meeting and to seek Game and Fish participation in follow‑up discussion. If documentation proving private ownership is produced, staff said it would settle the matter; if not, the board said an easement or negotiated solution would likely be required.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Williams County Park Board - Jul 15 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Longtime Blacktail residents told the Park Board they believe two sublots were intended to be deeded privately decades ago; Game and Fish intends to place a fence along its property line, and the board asked staff to search historic minutes and records and to invite Game and Fish to discuss options including a possible land swap or easement.","taxTitle","Williams County, North Dakota","taxId",58404,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167268,"Park staff reports progress on Lookout, Cote D'Oree and dam projects; camping demand and water quality updates reported",945,469000,1414000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5411772-d57279226e0f91622af53b9c6e6dbe8f&start=469&end=1414","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5411772-d57279226e0f91622af53b9c6e6dbe8f/thumbnail_469000.jpg","/articles/6167268/Williams-County/North-Dakota/Park-staff-reports-progress-on-Lookout-Cote-DOree-and-dam-projects-camping-demand-and-water-quality-updates-reported","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167268-f8ae1c1026f7a0506b7a91f8a13b05bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969578&Signature=E8XmzMzPY-rdKf5hVAOG0xdTG1lKCCWDNEbQ6v~~-XNVpaxT5KR3HVXWrnW~AelpE2ZQHwH031rN6Q0vgDdgXF76rDyqDNWxYLXfR8ovZtpi62~4RvGDVBPFZ3SF~lhVAM4x84YQt38Vfn9Y0h4tA-NDZRPRb3ruj1N5zz2FNC5~QNjS2wyxQItX4q8Uyjho9mP4bfAqniQIQtBkEepjm~XtkB2~WONCJtZkSgIqM75Xvt324IDMunK4P0v8JTzhzfqrRGNwBC0GiJjcueLnI~xcE5TKH1uz9d7icjLBlO2hmY-7DfKJ7WBROi31KJ-DgfQzlSND3IbzgarDZIe9Yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Park staff updated the Park Board on master plan implementation, construction punch‑list items and camping usage across the park system, and reported a water‑quality sampling response after a blue‑green algae sighting.

Staff said Lookout Park is nearly complete but still requires an irrigation water connection and a corrected handicap parking slope. At Cote D'Oree staff reported a few final items: plumbing wrap‑ups, five remaining trees to plant and finishing sealer for comfort station floors. At Blacktail staff said the bypass road is being surfaced in layers: the contractor will place a first lift and reopen it to traffic until the final layer is installed later in the year. A new boat landing slab has been poured and installed in stages; staff expects the second slab pour and completion soon.

On camping operations staff said Little Egypt and Epping have been especially busy, with many RV and tent sites full on weekends and increased mid‑week use. Cote D'Oree has also been busy on weekends but shows more weekday availability as users become familiar with the site. Staff described several recent incidents: a fireworks‑started grass fire at Little Egypt that responders and campers extinguished before the fire department arrived (staff estimated the burned area at under a quarter acre, perhaps closer to a tenth), and a stranded oversized camper that required staff assistance to remove.

Staff also reported a sighting of potential blue‑green algae at McGregor and that staff had sent a sample for laboratory analysis. Springwood Dam was inspected after a caller reported algae; staff found only ordinary green algae along some shoreline areas and submitted a sample out of caution. Staff said cool weather should help reduce algae growth over the coming week.

Financially, staff said they had submitted the first half of the year’s invoices for reimbursement under the 3.19 program; those reimbursements will cover eligible work performed to date. Separately, staff said design work has started on Epping Springbrook Dam entrance improvements, with the goal of putting the drive‑out portion of the project out to bid before the end of the year and possibly beginning construction this fall.

Board members asked clarifying questions about irrigation connections, parking slope corrections and timing of punch‑list items. No formal actions or budget appropriations were taken during the update; staff will return with final completion dates and any procurement needs.","Park staff reported near‑completion items at Lookout Park and Cote D'Oree, progress on Blacktail bypass and boat landing, heavy weekend camping demand at several parks, a small fireworks‑started grass fire, a blue‑green algae sample submitted for testing, and submission of 3.19 grant reimbursements for the first half of the year.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167273,"Park board cuts Blacktail peninsula campsites to five after resident concerns",458,667000,1125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5411772-d57279226e0f91622af53b9c6e6dbe8f&start=667&end=1125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5411772-d57279226e0f91622af53b9c6e6dbe8f/thumbnail_667000.jpg","/articles/6167273/Williams-County/North-Dakota/Park-board-cuts-Blacktail-peninsula-campsites-to-five-after-resident-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167273-a17d3f6370e6dc24543003a3d0f9ec22/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969578&Signature=PsrJAxohxCub49oL7-1Ha6J6SAeVI97eyAbwCCziIc5wnoBqKCgw5wuNRO8FoQr-T-tueCDt~Zwutaq72WhUut9xc~kXmco6mSB9kfoCj62IZsmYwLZXraH0UJjyHvClrCR31qNLrSIpqFBYG3W3FH1PsJ9hop~oMaHCZoRMZhrgQ4ToBb0VXBlHL5a1LMmwJa8hvBAzRKFyQVjt~YFfrHfRiqoMOY9eUKGqKPjb5Rq51scMICvoITHTTcBWMy8gm8xd9rOqLAj-2j2SilZ7HdY1Jes13zGbLDvKA~Rkbd20I0KAVywsLJloKHqgABeP2bbxPQCkiVRrWeWf7zmvBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Park Board voted to reduce campsites on the Blacktail peninsula to five and to convert the removed RV sites to parking, moving the shower house farther south to increase separation from a neighboring property. The board approved the change unanimously during its meeting; roll call showed all members voting in favor.

Board members said the decision aims to limit crowding and reduce impacts on an adjacent homeowner who had been effectively landlocked by the earlier design. Park staff presented two options: retain five campsites concentrated south of the beach with expanded parking and a relocated shower house, or eliminate all campsites and convert the peninsula to day use with rentable shelters.

The board’s majority backed the five‑site plan, which staff said would include a beach, a shelter, a playground and parking. Park staff said the five sites could be used as premium or seasonal sites — rented for the summer — though the board did not adopt specific seasonal permit rules in the motion.

Park staff described how the previous plan placed about 10 sites tightly around the peninsula and noted complaints from a nearby property owner about access and noise. One board member suggested designating the five remaining sites as “premium” seasonal sites so occupants would take more responsibility for upkeep; another member said a full day‑use conversion had merit but raised concerns about reducing general public access.

The motion to “adjust the peninsula down to 5 spots, moving the shower house and removing the other RV spots and making them parking” was moved and seconded on the record. A roll call vote followed, with board members voting yes. The change is to be implemented as the staff advances final site layout and accessibility details.

Board members and staff emphasized the change is a design decision at this stage; operational details such as seasonal permit terms, fee levels, and maintenance responsibilities will be determined later. No ordinance or code change was required for this design decision and no formal date for implementation was set.

The board discussion also noted enforcement and nuisance concerns at nearby sites and suggested that premium or seasonal leasing could reduce problems by creating identifiable, accountable users. The option to convert the peninsula entirely to day use remained on the table as a long‑term alternative but was not approved.","The Park Board voted unanimously to reduce campsites on the Blacktail peninsula from 10 to 5, move the shower house and convert former RV sites to parking after hearing resident concerns about crowding, access and trash; seasonal premium sites and a full day‑use option were discussed but not adopted.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press board over Blacktail sublot deeds and Game and Fish fence; board asks for records and outreach to agency

Park staff reports progress on Lookout, Cote D'Oree and dam projects; camping demand and water quality updates reported

Park board cuts Blacktail peninsula campsites to five after resident concerns