Burley, Idaho (KMVT-TV) The Milner Historic Recreation Area is six miles west of Burley, and just upstream from Milner Dam. The area has four miles of public land right on the Snake River, and it's a very popular recreation spot. But the Bureau of Land Management says the area could use some updates.

Mike Courtney, Field Manager for the Bureau of Land Management's Burley Office, says, "There's 8 semi-developed sites there currently that are antiquated and not built for the current recreation standards, bigger RVs and bigger boats."

In addition to upgrading those camping and fishing sites, the BLM wants to eliminate the entrance fee, have free use and day use areas, and add a camping fee, as well.

Courtney says, "The Milner Historic Recreation Area also contains 5 miles of pristine Oregon Trail ruts. We plan to develop an interpretive trail, 3 miles of trail there, with a return. So there'll be potentially a 6 mile loop that would follow the trail ruts to the east and return along the river."

Courtney says the updates would have to be phased in over several years, and that the BLM is looking for partners to help out with different parts of the project.

Courtney says, "We're shooting for a decision of record sometime this winter, and potentially some of the work next fiscal year."

The deadline for public comments is August 10th. You can mail your comments to the Burley Bureau of Land Management Office, 15 East 200 South, Burley, Idaho, 83318. If you have questions, you can call 677-6600.

July 20, 2012.