Lincoln County has pulled the plug on the woman who was running the Trail Head Grill at the Kootenai Falls Public Park.

In a letter to Troy resident Candy Clark, dated Oct. 1, the lease she had with the county to operate the concession was terminated Sept. 30.

According to the letter, the lease agreement allowed Clark to operate a catering service at the building. The county alleged a handful of violations in terminating the lease.

They included the failure to perform daily cleaning of the public restrooms at the trailhead, located just off U.S. 2, six miles south of Troy. Members of the public have reported that the restrooms were not kept clean.

Another lease violation included Clark subcontracting with at least two vendors who paid her to sell merchandise at the park. Also, Clark sold advertising on the county-owned building, also not permitted in the terms of the lease.

The final violation was disposing of wastewater by dumping it on the ground, a violation of the county’s Wastewater Treatment and Disposal regulations.

After it was discovered, Clark was granted a temporary variance to dispose of wastewater in the public restroom through Sept. 30, 2025. But county officials said Clark hadn’t presented a compliance plan to the county Health Department.

Clark did not reply to a request for comment by The Western News.

County officials said Clark was aware for the last 90 days that she needed to find another solution for wastewater disposal after the temporary variance expired.

They said in the Oct. 1 letter that Clark contacted various county offices on Sept. 23 and 24, saying she wasn’t given adequate time to address the issues. But the county pointed to tracking information that the letter was available for her to pick up on Friday, Sept. 19, and that Clark acknowledged receipt by email on Sept. 22.

District 2 Commissioner Jim Hammons said at the Oct. 1 county commission meeting that Clark had moved out of the building and was no longer operating at the location. He also said he’s been taking care of keeping the bathrooms clean.

“We need a better contract,” Hammons said. “Hopefully we’ll find someone more committed to the upkeep of it.”

Hammons said food trucks may be a future possibility for the site.

Clark signed her first lease agreement with the county in 2017 and began operating May 26. She signed a new agreement with the county April 1, 200.

Kootenai Falls Public Park is one of the county’s top attractions with visitors ranging from nearby locales to worldwide travelers taking in the impressive water falls and rock formations.

Scenes from the 2015 Oscar-winning film, “The Revenant,” featuring actor Leonardo DiCaprio, were filmed there. Also, scenes in the 1994 movie with Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon, were also filmed at the falls.

County officials said they’ll accept bids to run the concession sometime next year.