Thorough Thorofare study set

NORDMAN — Whatever solution emerges to replace the bedraggled breakwater at Priest Lake, the science behind it is expected to be sturdy.

Bonner County is seeking to add a former U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expert on stream flow alteration and redirection to the design team examining replacement options, according to Bonner County Parks & Waterways Director Steve Klatt.

There is a push to replace the breakwater, which was originally meant to aid log drives during spring runoff, to keep sediment from building up in the Thorofare, the channel that connects Priest Lake with Upper Priest Lake.

Sediment migrates down from the upper lake and coalesces with sand that tends to build up at the north end of the lower lake.

The sedimentation creates a choke point at the entrance to the Thorofare and prevents motorboats from accessing the upper lake.

A replacement breakwater could cost as much as $1.9 million. The breakwater also affords protection to landowners at the north end of the lower lake.

Forces are marshaling to get the project in front of Idaho lawmakers to see about a permanent solution to the breakwater dilemma.

But in order for that to happen, the county intends for the project to earn the support of the Idaho Department of Fish & Game and U.S. Forest Service, in addition making sure the project squares with the National Environmental Policy Act.

“We’re not going to get state money unless we’re satisfying a number of components,” said Klatt.

Klatt said the analysis will determine whether a breakwater is even necessary or whether a breakwater shorter than 1,400 feet will suffice. It will also examine whether beaver introduction in tributaries can curb sedimentation.

“We’re setting the stage to be able to give Sen. (Shawn) Keough real information and real numbers about what some of our options might be for a permanent solution should there be an opportunity to do that,” Klatt said.

The analysis will also likely have to factor in a proposal to maintain a reliable summer pool at Priest Lake during drought conditions, said Erin Mader, a member of Bonner County’s Waterways Advisory Board.

“There’s just a lot of dynamics to it,” Mader said of the breakwater project.

In the meantime, the county is seeking permit approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Idaho Department of Lands to conduct dredging in the Thorofare so it is navigable for motor boaters.

Some are advocating for allowing the sedimentation to continue, which would give non-motorized boaters a place for tranquility on busy summer boater days.

Klatt told the waterways board on Thursday that they can expect to see a proposal to designate Upper Priest a non-motorized zone on certain days of the summer.

“That is something you are fairly likely to hear about in the coming months,” said Klatt.

A proposal to designate Upper Priest a no-wake zone was fiercely opposed by boaters in 2010. A handful of the 80 people who attended the meeting in Coolin supported the measure, but the room was overwhelmingly opposed to it. The proposal capsized and sank.

Commissioner Todd Sudick, who was on the waterways board at the time, recalled that people were so worked up about it that he packed a concealed weapon.

“A huge majority are against taking motorized vehicles out of there,” said Sudick, adding that motorized access facilitates Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

Waterways Commissioner Jim Kelly said enforcing restrictions on Upper Priest would be problematic due to the remoteness of the areas and the access challenges.

“The enforcement of that would be extremely difficult,” said Kelly. “You can only enforce it by getting a marine (deputy) boat up there.?