Residents condemn proposed Trestle Creek development

SANDPOINT — About a dozen area residents spoke before an audience at Sandpoint High School’s auditorium as part of a hearing held by the Idaho Department of Lands. 

Most expressed firm opposition to a proposed marina development on the shore of Lake Pend Oreille near the North Branch of Trestle Creek. 

The Oct. 7 hearing was organized by IDL to field community input ahead of a decision whether to approve a permit for the development. 

According to a background statement published by IDL and recognized as accurate by the applicant, Valiant Idaho, LLC/Valiant Idaho II, LLC aims to make several changes to the shoreline and the creek area. The application includes a plan to construct an 88-boat commercial marina in the area, install a breakwater, dredge on the lake, implement erosion control infrastructure, and reroute a section of the creek. 

Valiant Idaho, LLC/Valiant Idaho II, LLC is closely affiliated with The Idaho Club and proposed a similar development in the area last year. Attempts to develop a marina in the area can be traced back decades. 

At the Oct. 7 hearing, Whiskey Rock Planning + Consulting owner Jeremy Grimm spoke as the agent for the applicant and provided context for the proposed project. He specified he was speaking from the perspective of his business, not from the perspective of his role as mayor of Sandpoint. 

“The project certainly does reduce the scope and the impact from others in the past,” Grimm said of the current plan. “We hope that the objective criteria outlined in the Idaho Code and IDAPA rules are sufficient to make this application approved.” 

Members of the public then provided comments; almost all speakers called on IDL officials to deny the application. Commenters cited concerns that the development would cater to a wealthy subset of part-time residents to the detriment of environmental quality, and that Trestle Creek’s role as a spawning ground for kokanee salmon and protected bull trout merited protection from further commercial infrastructure.

“In this case, the department must decide whether the 88 boat slips that The Idaho Club proposes to add to Lake Pend Oreille is more important than the recovery of bull trout. And to me, the answer is clear — it's not,” said commenter Brad Smith. 

“I'm going to resist this project until it's finally dead forever. And I think that 99% of the people in this room are here with me,” Kyle Volkman, Sandpoint resident, said. 

Additionally, Eric Berntsen testified on behalf of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, which owns a 5.8-acre parcel of land where the creek meets the lake. 

“This is a biological hotspot very important to the tribe,” said Berntsen. He added that the tribe was not satisfied with the reroute of the creek or the bank stabilization infrastructure described in the application. 

“We're honestly a bit disappointed that the design engineers didn't reach out to us to coordinate on the project,” Bernsten said. “I think it's premature to grant the permit at this time.” 

Merritt Horsmon later spoke on behalf of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Horsmon specified that the department does not aim to show support or opposition to the project, but to give recommendations to mitigate threats to fish and wildlife. 

Horsmon told attendees IDFG has concerns with the proposed redirection of the creek, which had been described as a restoration in the application. 

“To call it a restoration you would need to restore it to its original alignment, and I’m not sure anyone still knows what that is,” said Horsmon. He added that IDFG recognizes there are improvement opportunities for the creek that would benefit wildlife. 

“Right now, it is not ideal for fish,” he said of the existing route. “We would like to see a reroute done regardless of the project, because it would be a benefit for bull trout.” 

Horsmon also said nutrients in the area could contribute to the formation of a weed line, which could expose bull trout and kokanee salmon to threats from predatory fish. 

“A weed line at the mouth of Trestle Creek would be perfect habitat for all of the predators,” Horsmon said. He added that the applicant did not contact IDFG when developing its plan for rerouting the creek. 

According to Leslie Hayes, who presided over the hearing, parties will produce closing briefs by Oct. 18, and a final decision will be made by IDL Director Dustin Miller within 30 days of Oct. 18. 

Hayes told the audience she would issue a recommended order regarding the application, but that, “the director has the authority to reject that order, modify that order, or affirm that order consistent with his understanding of the regulations here in the state of Idaho.”