Volunteers sought for Public Lands Day

National Public Lands Day is scheduled Saturday at the Bureau of Land Management's Blue Creek Bay recreation site, eight miles east of Coeur d'Alene.

"We're looking for volunteers who don't mind getting a little bit dirty and who want to help improve their public lands," according to a press release.

Volunteers will help with trail maintenance, noxious weed removal and other site improvements at the Blue Creek day use area, also known as the Wallace Forest Conservation Area, during the event. The site received major improvements in 2009 through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding.

Picnic tables and grills were installed, along with a vault toilet, two docks for swimming, fishing and boat moorage, a boat launch, accessible walkways and an information kiosk.

The public has played a key role in the development of the recreation site on 736 acres of public land around Blue Creek Bay.

"The biggest improvements to the area have been those that the public has assisted with over the past several years. From planting native species to trail construction, work done by volunteers has transformed the Blue Creek recreation area into a unique gem along Lake Coeur d'Alene," said Kurt Pindel, outdoor recreation planner for BLM's Coeur d'Alene Field Office.

Anyone interested in lending a hand should plan to be at the site by 9 a.m. Dress for the weather and bring work gloves, boots, and drinking water. Work tools will be supplied.

The project should be completed by noon on Saturday. Those that lend a hand during the event will be given a T-shirt or a pass for free entry into their favorite federal public land area requiring a fee for entry.

Information: Kurt Pindel, 769-5015 or Suzanne Endsley, 769-5004.