Cougar Bay dock dump

Over fifty years ago I rode the school bus from Cougar Gulch looking out at the log booms in Cougar Bay and knew they were part of Idaho’s legacy.

Today I look at Cougar Bay and see it being used as a dump site for derelict docks, gangways, old boat houses.

I was told from the Idaho Department of Lands the people responsible do not have a permit nor are they paying the state for using this site.

The company builds new docks for customers around the lake taking their old docks to Cougar Bay were they are “stored” saving the cost of removing the old docks from the Lake.

Not only does this create an unsightly mess, the “storage” creates a potential hazard with this end of the lake being the most congested.

The three busiest boat ramps are here on the north end and they serve Idaho residents, out-of-state visitors and most of the over 13-plus boat rental agencies serving the CdA area. Then add the Spokane River homeowners and marina boat operators seeking access to the lake.

There have been accidents in this area and it’s just a matter of time before we have a fatal accident. (no one would have imagined two planes colliding on a clear day above Lake Coeur d’Alene)

There will be a Request for Encroachment hearing on October 3rd with the Idaho Department of Lands for continued use of Cougar Bay as a storage area.

Please join me in expressing your opinion by attending this meeting or sending a letter directly to the Idaho Department of Public Lands.

Rod Stach

Coeur d’Alene