Blackwell Island boat launch, recreation site to close Tuesday

COEUR d'ALENE – The annual seasonal closure of the Bureau of Land Management's Blackwell Island boat launch and recreation site will be Tuesday.

The facility will re-open for the public’s enjoyment just before Memorial Day weekend in May.

After Tuesday, BLM suggests boaters use the Mineral Ridge boat launch on the east side of Lake Coeur d’Alene. The launch is open year-round and the $40 season pass for Blackwell Island also covers Mineral Ridge. Without a season pass, the Mineral Ridge launch use fee is $6 per day.

Blackwell Island not only offers four boat launch lanes and parking for more than 130 vehicles with trailers, it also offers picnic facilities, including a large pavilion that is available on a rental basis, wildlife viewing along the boardwalk trail, walking paths, and an interpretive native plant garden.

• Meanwhile, BLM will be finalizing hazardous fuels treatments on the Mineral Ridge Trail east of Coeur d’Alene next week. The work to be conducted is the final phase to reduce hazardous fuels at the recreation site.

Due to pile burning activity planned for Thursday the trail and surrounding area will be temporarily closed for public safety.

The trail will be open for use except for Thursday. However, hikers may experience some delays along their route as small diameter fuels are being removed along a portion of the area. “Trail guards” will be stationed along the route to help the public avoid interaction with the work being conducted.

During the temporary closure of the Mineral Ridge area, the parking lot, trail and picnic area will not be available for public use. As an alternative hiking or picnic area, the BLM suggests the Blue Creek Bay trail system about 2 miles north of Mineral Ridge. A second alternative is the John C. Pointner Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary trail system along Cougar Bay on the west side of the lake.

For additional information, visit http://on.doi.gov/1m7ZSwe or call 769-5000.