Not everyone is in favor of a boat ramp

Henry’s Fork Watershed Council held a public meeting Tuesday discussing details on the proposed boat ramp project.

The proposed site is west of Rexburg along U.S. Highway 33, and surrounded by residential homes.

Currently, there are no public access sites in the proposed area.

The goal is to create a boat ramp that would be consistent with past efforts to provide public access to rivers, both upstream on the Teton River.

The river supports a quality trout fishery mainly of cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout.

Julie Coray, a concerned resident who opposes the project said fisherman already fish that area.

“They already have access to fish that area. And we’re saying they don’t need a boat ramp,” Coray said.

People discussed the pros and cons of the project using Watershed Integrity Review questions.

Fish and Game Regional Fishery Manager Dan Garren explains how he thinks the meeting went.

“We will go back and try and figure out how we can re-plan this project, address some of the issues that were brought fourth and bring back a proposal that is maybe better suited to the site and the concerns of the people,” Garren said.

Those who oppose the idea spoke out about the safety issues and environmental impact concerns.

“My concern is that this is not a good area of river to be floated by inexperienced floaters. And if a boat ramp is put in its going to draw the public to an easy access point and then we’ll have more stranded victims on that stretch of river,” Coray said.

Coray said there isn’t enough scientific data on how the ramp would effect the river’s eco system.

The meeting concluded without endorsement from the Henry Fork Watershed Council.

Dale Swenscen, co-Facilitator for the Henry Fork Watershed Council, said, “The outcome was basically that the Henry’s Fork Watershed Council could not endorse the Idaho Fish and Game proposal to install a boat ramp on the south fork of the Teton River.”

Garren said the next step is to formulate a plan that helps people reach a compromise that benefits all parties on the issue.