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 review of Lease Lot #7 was done to determine if the construction of a garage would affect the setting or aesthetics of the Tract. Plateau determined that the cabin is a contributing property to the Neopit Tract’s NRHP eligibility, but that the cabin itself should not be recommended as eligible for inclusion on the NRHP. The integrity of the cabin had been compromised due to the alterations on the rear elevation. Although the alterations are in keeping with feeling, setting and sense of place, the original architectural style/design of the cabin has been affected. In addition, it appears that the cabin may have been built elsewhere and moved to the current location. It was recommended by Plateau that the construction of a garage, which will be built in a complimentary style and at some distance from the cabin, will result in No Historic Properties Affected. The final determination by the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office has not been provided.
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
