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Salmon Field Office seeks comment on changes to recreation fees and management

Idaho
Idaho Falls DO
Salmon FO
Media Contact

SALMON, Idaho — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) seeks public comment on a proposed business plan to collect fees and improve the visitor experience at six recreation sites managed by the Salmon Field Office. Collecting or increasing fees provides the BLM with resources needed to cover increased operational, maintenance and emergency response costs associated with increased use. 

The proposed Salmon Recreation Business Plan includes Williams Lake and McFarland Campgrounds, Shoup Bridge, Tower Rock, and Morgan Bar Campgrounds, and the new Tarpons Roost Cabin. The plan also includes Special Recreation Permits (SRPs) associated with two sections of the Upper Salmon River and all the SRPs not associated with the Salmon River. The plan proposes to increase the current $5 per night single campsite fee at all campgrounds to $15 per night per single campsite. The plan also proposes designating two group campsites at Williams Lake and McFarland Campgrounds and initiating a $30 per night, per group campsite fee.   

The Proposed Business Plan also includes a fee program for a new reservable rental cabin known as Tarpons Roost currently under construction along the Continental Divide, near Lemhi Pass. The fee will be used for the maintenance and yearly operations cost of Tarpons Roost. The plan proposes a $75 per night fee for the cabin. 

“We took a hard look at our fees in the Salmon Field Office. For BLM to continue to meet the publics’ needs we felt adjustments were needed. I encourage everyone to look at the rationale in our plan and let us know what you think,” said BLM Salmon Field Manager Linda Price. “I am also very excited for our new rental cabin up on the Divide. It is a beautiful location with a fabulous log structure I’m sure the public will enjoy.” 

The fee changes were determined through a comparative cost review of similar public and private facilities in surrounding counties. Operational and maintenance costs include trash removal, vault toilet pumping, improving picnic site amenities, vandalism repair and road and trail maintenance. The rationale for the fee increases, comparisons to other campgrounds with similar amenities, operating costs, and anticipated revenue are found in the business plan.

The plan can be viewed online, or at the BLM Salmon Field Office at the at the address listed below. Comments will be accepted through June 5, 2024, by the following means: 

For more information, please contact Travis Seaberg at 208-756-5400.

-BLM-