Kootenai County officials discuss 74‑slip River's Edge community dock and river safety concerns

The Kootenai County Board of Commissioners heard a presentation from the Idaho Department of Lands on a pending encroachment permit for a proposed community dock at River's Edge Apartments on the Spokane River, and county and law‑enforcement officials urged more agency and public comment before the application is decided.

Mike Amer, a permit specialist with the Idaho Department of Lands' dock permit program, told the commissioners the River's Edge application proposes a community dock system with about 74 slips and that the public‑comment period for that application closes August 4. Amer said the proposal “appears to meet our rules and regulations” for community docks, including the department's frontage formula and 25‑foot lateral buffers from property lines, and that the department is reviewing whether the design preserves a 366‑foot navigational corridor down the middle of the river.

The application and the broader issue of added dock capacity on the Spokane River drew objections from the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office and marine deputies, who warned the river is congested and that design and location in narrow sections could create safety hazards. Robert Norris, Kootenai County sheriff, said, “The sheriff's office will be submitting a letter adamantly against this…