Kootenai Falls to remain open for recreation, commissioner says

Access to the Kootenai Falls will remain open during the pandemic, but local officials have closed bathrooms and plan to post signs with safety guidelines in the near future.

The decision to keep the popular destination spot open rests with the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, although they coordinate with the Kootenai National Forest. Commissioner Jerry Bennett (D-2) told his colleagues on the board April 15 that he preferred to see the site remain open despite calls for its closure.

“The governor said to go out for a hike; It’s a good, convenient spot,” Bennett said at the meeting, which was held via a telephone conference call. “It gives people some access to recreation.”

Outdoor recreation is one of the exemptions carved in Gov. Steve Bullock’s pandemic directives. But as COVID-19, the disease linked with novel coronavirus, spread across the country, residents — many taking to social media — questioned whether officials ought to close the area to visitors.

Bennett, speaking during a separate interview, said he received several phone calls about the situation.

Based on personal experience, he believes those visiting the site are following proper social distancing etiquette.

“I’ve been down there six times in the last two weeks and you know on a [nice day] there’s going to be quite a few cars in there, but I’ve walked down there twice all the way past the bridge and people have been polite and respectful, stepping off the trail,” Bennett said.

Another concern is whether the destination — one of the region’s premier tourist attractions — is bringing in out-of-towners who have potentially been exposed to the illness elsewhere. The falls, which make regular appearances in tourism brochures, outdoors magazines and on the pages of national publications like USA Today, serve as one of Lincoln County’s main attractions.

Bennett reported seeing several out-of-state license plates on recent trips to the area, mostly from nearby Idaho, he said.

“There have been Idaho cars down there. But Idaho is 30 miles away. So that’s going to happen,” Bennett said. “But we also have to put that into context. It’s been two-and-a-half weeks with no community spread.”

Bennett said he understood residents’ frustration with the situation and the decision to close the area’s bathrooms is one of the actions local officials have taken to mitigate possible spread. Normally, during this time of year, the bathrooms are cleaned once a week. Given the risk of spreading the virus that way, Bennett said it made sense to keep them off-limits.

Another sign will advise people of the risks inherent in visiting the site. The Troy Volunteer Ambulance crew has already made one trip to the area in recent weeks. Having to cover emergencies at the falls potentially exposes first responders to coronavirus as well, Bennett said.

He hopes the signs will encourage visitors to take precautions.

Bennett also ordered “no camping” signs for the area after a group of people camped in the area several weeks ago.

Overall, though, he believes most people are following the rules and cleaning up after themselves. He cited anecdotal evidence of picking up a little bit of trash — and most of it leftover from last year — during a recent trip.

“[People] are going to go completely crazy if they can’t get out and enjoy the sunshine,” Bennett said. “I think that’s a great place to do it.”