Officials in Ketchum say private supporters of a proposed whitewater park will pay for an environmental assessment on a possible transfer of federal land. That land is needed before the project can move forward.
Ketchum Parks and Recreation Department Director Jennifer Smith told city councilors last week that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has listed the city's land transfer request as a low priority. Because of budget restraints, the agency won't complete a review in less than three years.
The Idaho Mountain Expressreports the city wanted to start work by fall 2014.
Smith says private groups are expected to cover the cost of up to $50,000 to hire a third party to review the environmental assessment required by the BLM.
Ketchum officials hope to build the park north of the city.