Conservation looks at cashless camping

By APRIL KELLEY
Humboldt County Conservation Director Todd Lee updated the Humboldt County Conservation Board on the sale of the Reasoner Dam.

“R.I.V.E.R. Development did agree to accept the purchase agreement as it was presented after our last special meeting with the addendum included, that basically says we’ll provide them with any documentation, studies, inspection reports et cetera that pertain to the dam,” Lee said.

Both sides had agreed to create an easement through county land so that R.I.V.E.R. Development Inc. can get to the dam to work on it.

“Our attorney suggested doing something a little different called a maintenance access agreement. Fewer hoops to jump through, cheaper but just as binding,” Lee said.

Both the attorneys for the county and R.I.V.E.R. Development Inc. have agreed that the access agreement is sufficient.

Three Rivers Trail
Lee let the board members know that a representative from Snyder & Associates will be attending the Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday, Sept. 21, to give a presentation on the trail project.

“This will give the board the opportunity to ask questions, if they have any, and present a scope of work packet,” Lee said.

Lee will attend the meeting along with Webster County Conservation Director Matt Cosgrove.

He also let the board know that the wayfinding signs have been completed and will be installed soon.

The signs were created by Jake Zweibohmer, a local graphic designer and an instructor at Iowa Central Community College. He created the signs while studying for his master's degree through the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

As part of his degree, he created wayfinding signage for the trails in Humboldt.

“We will be working on getting those installed here in the next couple of weeks. We received a community foundation grant for about half of the cost of that project. And the deadline for completion is Sept. 30,” Lee said.

Cashless Camping
Lee discussed the possibility of going to a cashless system for camping rental fees.

“The county conservation system has given us the opportunity to use a cashless type system with our camping, with our campgrounds,” Lee said.

“We've had our two cabins at Sheldon and our shelter online, and that's been flawless,” Conservation employee David Erdman said.

“Essentially, there'd be a barcode at each campsite. A camper would just scan the barcode with their phone and it would take them to a website where they could just pay for it online,” Erdman continued.

The board voiced concerns over campers who prefer to use cash and those who have trouble using technology.

There are several upsides to using the cashless system.

Those who are traveling from a distance could get online to see if spaces are available.

It would also take the burden off the camp host of collecting cash and needing to get it deposited.

Erdman will attend a meeting in the coming weeks to gain more information regarding the cashless system.