News

The Valley County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will hold a hearing on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 1:00 pm at the Valley County Courthouse located at 219 North Main Street in Cascade, Idaho to validate the portions of the Old Council Road, otherwise known as FAA Road, that cross private property, east of the Payette National Forest, as a public road in accordance with Idaho Code § 40-203 and § 40-203A.

The Old Council Road runs from Red Ridge Road, near the Adams County line (44.789918, -116.201557) in the west to West Mountain Road in the east, near the junction with Smylie Road (44.796678, -116.164631).

You are invited to participate in the public hearing and/or comment on the proposal. You may view the hearing in person or by going to our website, www.co.valley.id.us and clicking on "Watch Meetings Live.”

You may comment in person, by U.S. Postal Service mail, or by email. Written comments greater than one page must be received at least seven days prior to the public hearing. If you do not submit a comment, we will assume you have no objections. To be included in the staff report, comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2025.

Direct questions and written comments to: Larry Laxson, Recreation Director, PO Box 1350, Cascade, ID 83611. Mr. Laxson can also be reached by telephone at (208) 405-3148 or by email at llaxson@co.valley.id.us.

RECORD OF SURVEY FOR COUNCIL ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY

The draft Recreation Strategic Plan is now available and public comments are open. We invite you to review the plan and provide feedback here!

Two open houses are being held to share the plan and get feedback from the community:

➡️ March 6, 2025 at 6pm in the Community Room in the McCall Public Library 

➡️ March 11, 2025 at 6pm at the Emergency Operations Center (across from the Sheriff's office) in Cascade

Contact: David Walsh, Acting Public Affairs Officer, 208-373-4105, david.walsh@usda.gov

Snowmobile routes changed northwest of Sage Hen Reservoir 

BOISE, Idaho, Dec. 6, 2024 – The Boise National Forest, together with Valley County recreation staff, have made changes to the groomed snowmobile routes located northwest of Sage Hen Reservoir area for the 2024-2025 season. These changes were made to ensure public safety by avoiding damaged roads and bridges due to the 2024 Lava Fire.

“Snowmobiling is very popular in the Sage Hen area and on West Mountain,” said Emmett District Ranger John Wallace. “Working with the County, we’ve come up with solutions to allow snowmobile use around the Sage Hen reservoir area.” 

Additional groomed routes may be available on Forest Service roads 607, 609 and 653D.   Valley County Recreation Director Larry Laxon says “Grooming the new loop will be contingent on low elevation snow, but we will make an effort to get it done.”  

Laxon encourages snowmobilers to monitor Valley County’s interactive grooming map to assure the route is groomed and runnable. Go to the Valley County Groomed Snowmobile Routes Map for updates.

Closed routes this season are referenced on the Lava Fire closure map and will include Forest Roads 653, due to a compromised bridge and the 624 and 625 due to road damage. These closed routes will be clearly marked on the ground with barricades and will not be groomed for snowmobiling.

The 618 road, known as the Third Fork Road, is also closed by Gem County due to road damage near Mill Creek Summit and is impassable.  Refer to the Payette National Forest closure for details.   

Winter travel maps for the Boise National Forest can be found on our Maps and Publications website. 

For questions, contact the Emmett Ranger District at (208) 392-3700.

Attached: Closure Order and Map identifying closed routes within the Lava Fire burn area and related photos.