Cougar Bay Future Focus Of Meeting

The future of public land on Cougar Bay will be discussed Wednesday at North Idaho College.

The federal Bureau of Land Management has scheduled a meeting to gather opinions about how it should develop 12 acres of land. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Kootenai Room of the student union building.

Cougar Bay, known for its bountiful wildlife, lies on the northeastern side of Lake Coeur d’Alene.

All kinds of ideas about development are welcome, BLM official Bill Cook said Monday.

Some people already have shown an interest in low-intensity uses, Cook said, perhaps emphasizing environmental education. In contrast, the bureau is planning a five-lane power boat launch on its nearby Blackwell Island land.

The BLM’s next steps will include writing a draft plan and environmental assessment. A final development plan could be completed by mid-fall, Cook said. , DataTimes