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Park staff reports major progress at Blacktail and other sites; identifies trail connection, Corps permitting and 2027 construction timeline
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Summary
Parks staff told the Williams County Park Board on Nov. 18 that Cote D'Oreille and Lookout projects are largely complete, Blacktail campground paving and trails are mostly finished, and design work is underway for Epping Springbrook and Little Egypt. Staff flagged a 150–200-yard trail connection problem near Casey Gunlixson’s house and said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers added a regional review step that affects Little Egypt permitting.
Parks staff told the Williams County Park Board on Nov. 18 that several major park projects are substantially complete and that the board will soon consider related design and permitting steps.
Staff reported Cote D’Oreille and Lookout Park punch lists are largely closed: drainage issues and culvert work were addressed, new irrigation controls were installed and some tree replacements will be handled under warranty. “Right now, Kotaray looks great,” staff said, noting remaining landscaping and minor roadwork.
At Blacktail, staff said an extended construction season allowed the crew to finish campground paving, bypass road paving and much of the trail system. “It looks awesome,” staff said of the campground and trails, but they flagged a pinch point where the trail meets the road south of Casey Gunlixson’s house — roughly 150 to 200 yards — that will need a lower-cost design solution because the architect’s proposed trailhead and parking proved expensive.
On Epping Springbrook Dam, staff described the project as in schematic design and said the team has not yet developed detailed pricing. The project is estimated at about $800,000 in total, with eligibility for up to $500,000 from the state Special Road Fund if the board’s application is successful. “We want to break down right away as soon as construction season opens this coming year,” staff said, describing plans to bid early to be ready for 2027 construction.
Little Egypt work is advancing through meetings with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Staff told the board the Corps has added an intermediate regional review step between local and federal levels that will lengthen the permitting timeline; the board plans to meet with the Corps and the project architect, Brett Gerholt, to coordinate next steps.
Board members asked whether the trails could be used for cross-country skiing and discussed tree plantings and recurring beaver damage; staff confirmed the trail design anticipates multiuse and reported recent beaver trapping removed two beavers at Blacktail and that several newly planted cottonwoods at McGregor were lost. Staff also praised maintenance lead Carter for taking expanded responsibility for park upkeep.
Next procedural steps include finalizing designs, pursuing the Special Road Fund application, meeting with the Corps and preparing to bid projects so work can proceed in the 2027 construction season. The board set its next meeting for Dec. 16 and adjourned at 9:28 a.m.
