Decision was in the public's best interest?

For their grand finale in 2022, Bonner County commissioners gave away our beautiful public access point at Camp Bay to an Arizona developer. Even under a court order to make their decision in “the best interest of the public,” they decided a 1/2-mile dirt path down a hill would serve the needs of our elderly and disabled. And, if able to negotiate the hike, they wouldn’t mind looking into a marina, instead of the sweet view centered in the bay which they’ve enjoyed for as long as they can remember.

When residents explained that kayakers and anglers would have to take several 1/2-mile laps to portage their boats and gear into this less desirable drainage area, they still made the trade. The limited number of public locations to launch a small boat was noted, but Dan McDonald claimed there were “plenty of places." He counted 40. Truth is, there are only 15 available to the public, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Steve Bradshaw delivered a single-minded sermon on “private property is more important than public access,” while missing the fact the public is not asking to cross onto private land. The public simply wants their established access to their publicly funded right-of-way, as it’s been since 1908.

Particularly unsettling, a Dec. 14, 2022 letter from IDFG was ignored by the commissioners. It stated, “IDFG is interested in partnering with Bonner County to provide a better access site in Camp Bay.” Obviously, not what the wealthy developer wants, but it’d clearly be in the public’s best interest.

For McDonald and Connelly’s last month serving in office, many are concerned about their expressed need to make this decision, even while passing on the developer’s offer to add more to his path proposal. What forces were afoot that forced Commissioners’ decision now?

REBECCA HOLLAND

Sandpoint