The county commissioners have expressed interest in gaining title to campgrounds and boat ramps at the McPhee and House Creek recreation areas from the San Juan National Forest.
They say county control will facilitate improved recreation and business opportunity at the under-used reservoir, and be less bureaucratic than federal management.
At a meeting last month with forest officials and aides of Sen. Michael Bennett and Rep. Scott Tipton, commissioners urged the land be conveyed to the county. Such action is not unheard of, but federal land transfers typically require a bill be passed in Congress.
A land transfer would likely take two to three years to negotiate, and come with operation and maintenance costs that are currently heavily subsidized by the federal government, according to a recent report from the Dolores Public Lands office.
“The facility owner is responsible for infrastructure replacement, improvement, and maintenance,” the report states.
Infrastructure at the McPhee and House Creek sites is valued at $5.6 million, not including roads and parking areas.
The McPhee campground has 80 campsites, nine flush toilets, a water system, paved loops, a playground, six sun shelters, and 12 RV-type sites with electrical and sewer hookups. The McPhee boat ramp has a large paved parking area, a six-lane concrete boat launch, vault toilets, picnic units, and an informational kiosk.
The House Creek campground has 10 composting toilets, three camping loops, a well-water system, 73 campsites, paved roadways, eight sun shelters, and 22 RV sites with electrical hookups. The House Creek boat ramp includes paved parking, a dock, and vault toilets.
According to the report, boating use at the McPhee boat ramp is estimated at 7,000 visits per year. At the House Creek ramp, boating use is estimated at 1,000 visits per year.
Campground occupancy rates are low, about 20 percent for both McPhee and House Creek between May and September. The campgrounds are under concession and fees are charged.
But “current operations are not financially sustainable and are significantly subsidized,” according to the report. “The facilities were constructed in the 1980s The infrastructure is aging and needs continual investment.”
In 2014, the Forest Service spent $40,000 maintaining facilities the the McPhee site. The campground sewage system, lift station, and leach field were overhauled. At the House Creek campground $16,000 was spent on maintenance. The water system has persistent leaks, and the well requires a state certified operator for testing and servicing.
The report shows the McPhee site has a backlog of maintenance needs estimated to cost $350,000. The House Creek site backlog is estimated to be $158,000.
According to the report, “At current occupancy, the average monthly revenue for the campgrounds is estimated at $12,000 per month from May through September.”
Other shortcomings listed in the report for McPhee facilities include, marginal condition for paved roads, parking lots, and buildings; aging water distribution systems, and outdated composting toilets.
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