Face Lift For Docks Requested Kootenai May Seek $207,818 From Idaho For Work At Lakes

A face lift is in store for dock and launching facilities at three local lakes if the state awards the Kootenai County waterways department three grants worth $207,818.

The department also is requesting $37,885 in state money to purchase new buoys, buoy lights and a midsize work boat.

Kootenai County typically nets the biggest share of the statewide Waterway Improvement Grants - as much as a third of what’s available statewide.

The money is collected through a portion of the state gas tax - 8 of a percent of the gas tax, to be precise.

But to land the grants, the county has to offer up matching funds. The county’s share for these grants would be $25,000. County commissioners are expected to vote today on whether to authorize that expense.

Kootenai County has the largest number of boaters in the state and the second-greatest amount of boat able water.

Bonner County has the most water and the second-largest number of boaters.

Here are the grant-funded projects proposed for Kootenai County:

An expansion of the boat launch parking area at Upper Twin Lakes. Now the launch site is so narrow that there’s almost no room to turn around with a boat trailer. The $144,200 estimated cost would go toward purchasing land, upgrading the parking area, installing a vault toilet and picnic tables; Enclosing the swimming area at Hauser Park and installing personal watercraft slips along a new section of dock. The estimated $46,118 cost would also pay for a handicap-accessible approach ramp, a sidewalk and reinforcement by the boat launch to prevent damage to the lake bed from power-loading boats;

Improvements at three sites on Fernan Lake, including new anchors to prevent docks from drifting at Fernan Park, handicap-accessible approach ramps, and a vault toilet at Fernan Park. The total cost is estimated to be $38,500;

Purchase of 12 new buoys, 15 solar power light systems and a crane with an electric winch to handle the buoys at a cost of $12,000;

A 20-foot work boat at an expected cost of about $29,885. Now the county has one large boat and a small fishing boat, but nothing suitable for routine runs to boater parks around the lake or working with equipment in shallow areas.

, DataTimes