The Williams County Park Board on Sept. 16 approved a deed conveying sublots 2 and 3 at Blacktail Dam as presented and received an implementation update on the park master plan that included construction progress, trail planning and water-quality monitoring.

At the meeting Karen (staff member) said attorney Thomas Clay, Kay Lyle, Dan Kay Lyle and the purchaser, identified in the packet as Greg Zivaldi, had previously presented to the board and that the proposed deed includes a short history and the purchaser’s intent to preserve public road access. Karen told the board she had run the deed past county counsel and that counsel indicated it was acceptable.

Why it matters: the deed formalizes an earlier agreement to convey the two sublots and is tied to ensuring road access for adjoining parcels; staff said the deed language preserves documented planning intent and public-access expectations.

Action: a motion to approve and authorize the chair to sign the deed was moved and seconded at the meeting and carried on a roll-call vote. The deed itself references that the exchanged land was intended to ensure lots would have public-road access and noted the purchaser’s parcel number/address in the packet (referred to in the meeting as 2201).

Master-plan implementation update: Parks staff (Jeremy) summarized where work stands across multiple sites. Lookout Park has one accessibility-related parking correction that the original contractor has until Sept. 20 to complete; if not done the prime contractor (JE Dunn’s subcontractor) will be replaced and JE Dunn will seek remediation. Cote d'Oreille requires a handful of small fixes (tree replacement and culvert clearing). Blacktail’s main campground construction is largely complete except for landscaping; concrete slabs, bathroom foundations and fish-cleaning station slabs are in place, and crews expect trails and paving to be finished within weeks, with gangways and some bridges deferred to spring.

Staff highlighted trail-management concerns: because the new trails will total more than five miles, the parks department plans to restrict motorized vehicles and use barricades, split-rail fencing and boulders at access points. The board discussed the potential of a dedicated ATV area on leased west-side property, which was included as a future option in the master plan; some members said a designated riding area might reduce off-route use of multiuse trails.

Water quality and sampling: staff reported cyclical algae blooms and described how cooler nights can accelerate toxin release as algae die off. Jeremy said that recent visual conditions had improved and that testing by the county health department and the soil conservation district had helped identify a separate E. coli source south of Blacktail that appeared to be a failing drain field; that sampling point was added after last year’s elevated readings and allowed staff to rule out the park’s dam release as the E. coli source. Staff said they are pursuing landowner engagement and potential conservation projects with local landowners (including a named family referenced as Moen) to reduce nutrient runoff from livestock and fertilizer use.

Campground numbers and next steps: staff distributed packet pages showing camping revenues have run above budget this season and reported a notable uptick in use at Little Egypt and Epping/Springbrook. Staff said they will continue outreach and monitoring, pursue trail protections and bring any major contract or construction-price decisions back to the board for approval.

Taper: the deed approval was a discrete consent action; most other items reported were informational and will generate follow-up actions or additional approvals as contractors submit final prices.