An Idaho Supreme Court ruling has granted full judicial review of a developer’s efforts to create parcels in the Coolin wetlands along Priest Lake’s southern shore near Coolin.
The dispute began after undisclosed development plans were discovered in 2021. The developer created 34 parcels in the wetlands while working with the Bonner County Planning Department. Records filed with the Bonner County Recorder’s Office included 54 quitclaim deeds, 27 boundary line adjustments and 27 exempt waivers.
The developer also filed two Minor Land Division applications involving the further division of three 20-acre parcels.
Litigation continued for almost six years. The Idaho Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the developer’s efforts were entitled to full judicial review and found that Idaho subdivision laws had been intentionally circumvented.
The Lakes Commission contacted local, state, tribal and federal officials after the plans came to light. The commission opposes development applications that would destroy the wetlands.
Ford Elsaesser, who lives in Priest River, wrote about the wetlands in a column dated Oct. 28, 2026. He described the area as a “Crown Jewel” and criticized the use of legal “loopholes.”
Gov. Dirk Kempthorne appointed Elsaesser as chair of the Lakes Commission more than 20 years ago. The Idaho Legislature created the commission to advise the state on water quality and quantity throughout the Lake Pend Oreille, Pend Oreille River, Priest Lake and Priest River basin.
The commission’s stakeholders include people who live or vacation in the area, fish in its waters and whose families have visited the lakes for generations.