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Bannock County approves waterways funds for two Lava Hot Springs access projects
Summary
Commissioners authorized using county waterways money to back two access-improvement projects in Lava Hot Springs — a new stair set and a rebuilt floating-ramp structure — after the Live Out Springs Foundation described $45,000 in combined needs and partner matching that could finish work across years.
Tyson Coster, executive director of Live Out Springs Foundation, told the Bannock County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 4 that the foundation is seeking county waterways funds to repair and improve public river access at Lava Hot Springs.
"I found out there may be some waterways money available," Coster said, and described two projects: "one comes out of the back parking lot of the foundation, and then the other is actually it's an access ramp to the floating dock." He estimated the combined cost at about $45,000 and said private partners would pay any gap the county funding did not cover.
Commissioners pressed on safety and parking. One commissioner noted that heavy weekend traffic near Highway 30 and the current get-out location create hazardous conditions; Coster said past wooden structures have failed and that the ramp would be rebuilt in metal with rubberized grading so the floating dock can move separately while remaining supported.
County staff advised that waterways allocations must be dispersed annually, but they also noted opportunities for partner matches that could allow a multi-year completion plan. Commissioner (speaker 4) moved to submit the county's waterways funds to the Lava Foundation for the two projects; the board approved the motion and asked the foundation to provide an invoice and documentation for the funds to be released.
The board's action authorizes staff to permit payment to the Lava Foundation with the understanding the funds will be applied to the two projects Coster described. No formal dollar transfer schedule was recorded in the meeting minutes beyond the motion to submit the county's waterways allotment.
