Recreational property rental on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests (IPNF) embodies a history that extends back to 1906. There are nine tracts of land along Priest Lake that include a total of 123 residential/recreational leases. The IPNF has determined “each tract, lot, building and landscape must be analyzed under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) for eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and any potential effects permit renewal may have on the improvements and any archaeological remains contained within each tract and lot.” This means that any leaseholders who wish to reconstruct their cabin, build an addition, or add a garage must have the project reviewed to determine whether the project will impact the historic setting and aesthetic of the lease lot and tract.
The IPNF had determined that the cabin and a shed on Lease Lot #599 of the Shoshone Bay Recreation Residence Tract represented a contributing factor to the Tract’s eligibility for inclusion on the NRHP. This review was done to determine if the reconstruction of a cabin and shed would impact the Tract’s eligibility. The owner of the cabin desired to remove the end additions of the cabin, lift the main body of the cabin to pour a proper foundation beneath it, then reconstruct the cabin to its current configuration. The cabin was originally a single crib design built in 1933. Additions built in approximately 1958 included additions at either end of the cabin, a vestibule on the back, and a glassed-in front porch. This resulted in the nearly full econfiguration of the roof mass. Later changes included installation of skylights and a deck. The owner had planned to reuse as much material as possible during the reconstruction, and to match the existing plan and aesthetics. Plateau determined that the proposed renovation of the cabin on Lot #599 would have No Adverse Effect to the Shoshone Bay NRHP listing.
This historic review was performed under the authority of an Archaeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA) permit which was issued to Plateau Archaeological Investigations by the Idaho Panhandle National Forest.
Location: Bonner County, Idaho
