Public comment period ends, master plan controversy continues

Public comment on the Hot Springs State Park draft master plan ended June 6, but the controversy is far from over.

Director of Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources Milward Simpson said the state will learn from the public comments in order to create a finalized master plan.

"We will look for patterns for recommendations," Simpson said. "We will then make small changes to the plan based on those and finalize the plan."

The state will remain open to what the public wants, Simpson said.

"We are hoping to finalize the plan by the end of the summer, but if there is an overwhelming want to have more public comment periods or public meetings, then we will do that. We want a plan that encompasses what the public wants as well as what's best for Hot Springs State Park."

Simpson said he appreciates all feedback the state has received on the draft master plan.

"I appreciate members of the public who took the time to comment," he said. "We were very pleased with all of the feedback we received. It was good to see people energized and participating in this process."

Despite the efforts of the state to include facilities like Star Plunge in the draft master plan, there is still much confusion about whether or not the facility will be eliminated, will be given a lease or will be forced to use potable water rather than mineral water in their facilities

Hot Springs State Park Superintendent Kevin Skates said he was not sure why there was so much misinformation going around about Star Plunge and the use of mineral water.

"After the steering committee meeting on March 14 where Roland Luehne gave a presentation of behalf of Star Plunge, Star Plunge was put back into the aquatics zone of the plan," he said. "I'm not sure why there is still misinformation going around about the Star Plunge being eliminated or all of the facilities having to use potable water. During steering committee meetings and public meetings, eliminating mineral water was never talked about."

Skates did say expansions in already existing facilities, such as new slides, may have to use potable water.

"The most important thing to understand is that we have to have a plan in case the spring keeps diminishing," Skates said.

Star Plunge owner Roland Luehne said he has no idea what will happen from here.

"I have no idea what the state really wants or why they want to do what they want to do," he said. "What I do know is that if they cut back the use of mineral water for Star Plunge or Tepee, it isn't going to bring the terraces back any faster. It's just going to take time."

Regarding a longterm lease, Luehne said he has not heard back from the state.

"We have not heard a response from our letter three years ago regarding a lease," he said. "They won't talk to us. They won't comment to us. Without a lease, we're doomed. We can't get any loans to expand or anything. I know the park wants to expand, and I would like to expand. I'm wanting them [the state] to be my partner the whole way through, but it seems like they don't want to be partners with me."

Luehne said that without a lease, the state could shut their water off anytime.

"Any minute they could shut off our water, they could say, 'You don't have a lease, so we're going to turn off your water,'" he said.

Star Plunge has two petitions going - one online and one at the business - and over 7,000 signatures.

"The petitions say 'Save Star Plunge. Give us a lease. Secure our Future,'" Luehne said.

Simpson said the state would discuss a lease with Star Plunge once the draft master plan is finalized.

"We told Star Plunge long ago that once the plan is finalized, we will talk lease agreements," he said.