Kootenai County, Lakes Highway District agree to pursue $1, one-year lease to restore Bayview boat launch

Kootenai County commissioners and the Lakes Highway District on May 1 agreed to pursue a short-term $1, one-year agreement to allow replacement of the Bayview boat launch dock this summer while both bodies negotiate a longer-term solution.

The action followed a hours-long discussion of a proposal from Lakes Highway District chair Chairman Tweed to transfer title of the launch property to Kootenai County “with no money exchange,” and concerns from county commissioners that acquiring the property could create ongoing maintenance and funding obligations below the high-water mark. Commissioner Duncan said the county needs more financial information before taking permanent ownership and recommended a temporary agreement to buy time for analysis.

The dispute centers on what the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) will accept to permit a new dock. Nick Snyder, identified in the meeting as the county parks director, told the boards he first requested an authorization letter from Lakes Highway District on Jan. 13 and that the district later asked for a hold-harmless agreement. He said the county signed a hold-harmless agreement on March 25 but IDL rejected the hold-harmless and a later “no objection” letter as insufficient under Idaho law, and that IDL requires the permit application be submitted by the party with full rights to the launch or its lessee.

“The first attempt to get the letter, I believe, went out...I think it was, January 13,” Snyder said. He described subsequent exchanges in which Lakes Highway District declined to sign the permit application, and said that left the county unable to submit the IDL application to reinstall the dock.

Chairman Tweed told the meeting he and the Lakes Highway District are willing to deed the land to the county and include a right of reverter to prevent future private sale. “We—re willing to just give you the land. No money exchange. Just quick title over to you guys,” Tweed said, adding that the district cannot spend money below the high-water mark and that the county has historically managed the launch.

Commissioner Duncan and other commissioners pressed for a shorter interim solution. “I prefer a one-year MOU,” Commissioner Duncan said, describing a memorandum of understanding that would outline both parties’ responsibilities for the coming season while they develop a longer-term plan. County legal counsel and staff discussed whether an MOU would meet IDL’s permitting requirements.

Eric Shanley of Lakes Highway District said correspondence in the record shows the district provided a “no objection” letter that IDL later deemed insufficient. Shanley said he called IDL and understood only a rights holder or lessee can submit the permit application.

Public commenters urged a quick resolution. Bayview resident Chad Cadnam suggested pursuing grant funding; longtime resident David Londorey described a 2004 accident and said the launch is essential for emergency access, describing serious injuries he suffered after a fall on the lake. “Without a dock there, believe me, we can—t get the ambulance too wet,” Londorey said.

County and highway district staff agreed to proceed with paperwork to buy time: legal staff will circulate a draft one-year lease (modeled on prior $1 leases) or MOU to the Lakes Highway District, and the county said it would schedule a special meeting to approve the agreement quickly if needed. Commissioner Metari said the county could send finalized language within 24–48 hours for review; Lakes Highway District representatives indicated they would sign the permit or agreement if it meets legal parameters.

No formal vote was taken at the meeting. Instead, both bodies left with a staff direction to exchange and finalize lease/MOU language and seek the permitting steps needed to reinstall the dock for the 2025 boating season.

Why it matters: The Bayview launch provides public access to Lake Pend Oreille and is used for recreation and emergency response. The boards— compromise aims to restore the dock quickly while preserving options for long-term ownership and maintenance.

Next steps: County legal staff will circulate a draft $1, one-year lease (and, if requested, an MOU) to Lakes Highway District and to county staff. If the language is ready, county commissioners said they will schedule a special meeting to approve the agreement so Parks and Waterways director Snyder can proceed with IDL permitting. If IDL accepts an MOU in lieu of a lease, the county will pursue that route; if not, the $1 lease will be used as the interim authorization to permit and install a dock this season.