Compromise Reached To Keep River Campsites Archaeological Value Prompted Forest Service To Push Closure

The U.S. Forest Service and the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association have agreed on new practices that will keep open several public campsites along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, even though they have archaeological values.

Association president Greg Edson said his members were concerned that public access might be closed completely.

The campsites were examined last summer and the Forest Service at first recommended that the sites be closed.

Salmon-Challis National Forest Supervisor George Matejko said the service will allow guided and unguided groups to continue to use the campsites with some changes to protect areas with cultural values. The Outfitters and Guides Association made similar recommendations earlier to the Forest Service and Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.

Under the changes, Cameron Creek and Pebble Beach no longer will be assigned campsites, but will be open for visits.

White Creek will be a primary camp, with a portion of lower Jackass where archaeological features are not located.

Camping will be restricted on the lower terrace of Cow Creek, but permitted. Rock Island, White Creek and Cow Camp will be assigned as campsites when the growing season is over, and only as needed.

Pungo and Lower Jackass campsites were reopened with restrictions.

Members of the outfitters group, Forest Service officials and a representative of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes made a field trip to the area.