Ketchum Aiming for New River Water Park

KETCHUM, Idaho (AP) — Officials in Ketchum say private supporters of a proposed whitewater park will pay for an environmental assessment on a possible transfer of federal land needed before the central Idaho project can move forward.

Ketchum Parks and Recreation Department Director Jennifer Smith told city councilors that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has listed the city's land transfer request as a low priority and, due to budget restraints, won't complete a review in less than three years.

The Idaho Mountain Express reports the city hoped to start work by fall 2014. Smith says private groups are expected to cover the cost of up to $50,000 to hire a third party to review the environmental assessment required by the BLM. Ketchum officials hope to build the park north of the city.