Campground to possibly be converted

Heather Hasty

Valley Press

There has been a proposal to convert Clark Memorial Campground to a dispersed site, which means that all the equipment would be removed from the site. The campground is adjacent to the Thompson River on Forest Highway 56, five miles north of Highway 200 and eight miles northeast of Thompson Falls.

The site is currently a non-fee campground with five campsites complete with fire rings, picnic tables and a concrete vaulted toilet. According to Dave Wrobleski, Resource Assistant with Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District, currently the site has relatively low use.

"When not underwater [the site sees] likely three to seven parties per week during the peak season," Wrobleski said.

According to a press release on the proposition, "The Clark Memorial Campground has been identified by the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District for conversion to a dispersed site because of low use, flooding and to reduce recreation maintenance costs."

It went on to say that the site flooded several times over the spring of 2008.

"Because of low recreational use, I believe our limited recreation maintenance funds would be better spent at other, more popular recreation sites," Wrobleski said.

The proposal includes the removal of all equipment, the picnic tables, fire rings and the concrete vaulted toilet. The existing campsites would be reseeded with grass and the gravel road would remain open for river access and public recreational use.

The Ranger District proposed to move the concrete vaulted toilet to Thompson Pass, located 20 miles west of Thompson Falls on Prospect Creek Road. The reason for the move, according to the release is that due to increased recreational use of the area sanitation concerns have arose.

The site would still be open to campers without the equipment. With the flooding of Clark Memorial Campground the maintenance of the vaulted toilet has increased.

"The toilet needs to be pumped after flooding and who knows what germs get into the river. As long as the toilet isn’t eroded underneath or washed away, they hold up to damage very well," Wrobleski said.

He added that with the extra maintenance costs spent on the flooding issues other areas are likely not getting the attention it needs due to the traditional budget.

Although there is not an open meeting planned to discuss the issue Wrobleski said that they would be happy to discuss any concerns with individuals at their convenience. Any comments should be sent by Monday, Feb. 23 to Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District, Attn: Dave Wrobleski, P.O. box 429, Plains, MT 59859.