State park nomination has local opposition

LAVA HOT SPRINGS, Idaho – Bannock County Commissioner Jim Guthrie has recommended Lava Hot Springs as a site for Idaho’s newest state park.

But some private campground owners in the area say the park could hurt their income.

Kim Baton, who owns Cottonwood Campground, said she’s worried about having to compete with state camping facilities. She said her business is limited by its size and electrical capacity.

“We can’t handle some of the big outfits so I refer them to another campground,” she said. “We all kind of cooperate and work together.”

She also said a state park could change the atmosphere of the area.

“Part of Lava’s beauty is its hometown feel,” Baton said.

The Legislature allocated $1 million for a new park in eastern Idaho, part of former Gov. Dirk Kempthorne’s “Experience Idaho” parks initiative. The plan calls for major improvements at six existing parks, repairs at all 30 parks and a new state park within 60 miles of Idaho Falls.

Kempthorne also created a committee to pick a site for a new state park in eastern Idaho. Guthrie, who is a member of that committee, said the park is still in the discussion stage.

“If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t fit,” Guthrie said. “It doesn’t hurt to discuss it.”

He said a state park could improve the area’s appeal and improve opportunities for growth – if area residents wanted it.

“There would never be a situation where something would be forced on an area,” he said. “I think it would complement certain areas in the county. I’m proud of our county and I think we have a lot to offer.”

Jennifer Wernex, a spokeswoman for Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, said a site for the new park has not been chosen but a decision could be made by early October.

“It’ll be up to the committee as a whole to determine what’s best for the area and what the recommendation will be,” she said on Friday.

Mark Lowe, Lava State Foundation executive director, said the town has a lot of free camping areas that could be affected by a state park. The north side of the Portneuf River running through town is a free-use area.

Nathleen Rife, president of the Lava Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, said a state park would bring more tourists to the area.

“A state park is going to attract campers and families, the same kind of people that already come to Lava,” she said.

That could also increase commercial development in the area.

“We could use additional lodging,” Rife said.