Idaho hot springs shut down to protect health, safety

BOISE – An Idaho recreation spot known as the Skinny Dipper Hot Springs has been shut down by federal officials.

Bureau of Land Management officials plan to remove illegal piping and illegal pools during a temporary five-year shutdown at the Boise County hot springs. The agency also plans to re-establish vegetation in the area, reported KTVB-TV.

BLM conducted an environmental analysis on the pools in 2015 that showed they’re unsafe and damaging natural resources.

Officials also cited public health and safety concerns at the hot springs. There have been nearly 150 incidents there since 2004, according to BLM Four Rivers field manager Tate Fischer, including underage alcohol consumption, public intoxication, public nudity, assault and rape. He said the region also has health hazards like hypodermic needles, dirty diapers and human waste.

“If the pools weren’t there, we wouldn’t be dealing with those safety and health hazards,” said Fischer.

The closure means that anyone visiting the springs can receive a $130 ticket. The shutdown began Tuesday.

BLM has worked with Antonio Bommarito and a nonprofit group, Growing Change, over the past year on a plan to keep the hot springs open.

Bommarito said they have come up with a design for a new trail system that will offer access to different parts of the mountain in a more environmentally friendly way.