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Williams County parks report adds campsites, secures $300,000 road grant and seeks water hookup for Epping Springbrook
Summary
Staff reported plans to add about 14–15 boondocking spots (bringing Blacktail to roughly 25 campsites), a potential potable-water hookup via Northwest Rural Water (saving roughly $75,000 compared with initial estimates), a beaver problem at Blacktail and a $300,000 special road fund grant for a bypass road.
Parks staff provided multiple operational updates: plans to add roughly 14–15 boondocking spots at Blacktail (bringing total camping capacity there to about 25), progress on potable-water access at Epping Springbrook, a beaver problem at Blacktail, and news of a $300,000 special road fund grant for a bypass road.
Jeremy Ludlow said the health department has prepared guidance on campground licensing but is holding a letter pending the outcome of Senate Bill 2385, which would change campground licensing and could shift some licensing authority to political subdivisions. Regardless of that bill’s outcome, Ludlow said staff had a letter indicating how many campsites would be allowable under current rules.
On potable water at Epping Springbrook, staff solicited pricing for a dedicated water line that initially looked to cost about $80,000. Ludlow said Northwest Rural Water plans a major project in the Epping area that would allow the county to tie in for a reported $5,000 hookup fee, a substantial savings versus the contractor pricing staff obtained.
Ludlow also reported a beaver problem at Blacktail and that state trappers had previously had traps stolen while assisting. He said staff would reengage the state trapper to address the issue. The board also learned the county received a $300,000 special road fund grant to help build the bypass road at Blacktail; staff thanked Dennis Nelson for assistance locating the grant opportunity.
Why it matters: The campsite additions and potable-water hookup influence visitor capacity and health-code compliance; the grant helps fund a bypass road that improves traffic flow around the campground; beaver activity creates maintenance and safety concerns.
Staff previewed that camping prices will likely remain unchanged this season and may be revisited next year once the new Cote D'Oreille Dam site opens and master-plan work advances. Parks staff also flagged upcoming volunteer and staffing coordination for Paddlefish events, where parks will manage parking in partnership with volunteers.
