If you mark every state park on a map of Idaho you soon realize there are a couple of big areas where few exist. One of those is in north central Idaho, where much of the public land is designated wilderness. Another, is in southeastern Idaho.

In 2006, during then Governor Kempthorne's Experience Idaho Initiative, the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation set out to develop a new state park in this under-served area. Kempthorne appointed a citizens committee to examine potential sites, which were nominated by the public. They selected a site along the Snake River between Blackfoot and Firth. The riparian site had been largely untouched and contained a significant black cottonwood forest.

Kempthorne was confirmed as Secretary of the Interior before the selection could make it to the Idaho Legislature. The Legislature approved acquisition and development of the park, but it was vetoed by Governor Otter.

The privately held site was later acquired by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe and is now a wildlife preserve.

Now, the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is considering another site for a state park in southeastern Idaho. It is far from a done deal, but it looks promising. Trout Unlimited purchased a small lodge and campground in the Mud Lake area to protect the wildlife and habitat. It is their wish to sell the property to the State of Idaho and have the Idaho Department of Fish and Game manage the wildlife resources, and the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation manage the recreation side of things.

Information about the proposal was presented to the Idaho Park and Recreation Board in November, 2014. The Board directed agency staff to work with Fish and Game and Trout Unlimited to further develop the proposal, stressing that public input was essential.

We'll keep you posted.