The beach was empty at the White Sandy campground Thursday, a situation sure to change by this weekend.

White Sandy is the newest campground along the Missouri River, officially open at 8 a.m. today. Located south of the Black Sandy campground along Hauser Lake, White Sandy has 32 campsites, a boat launch with courtesy docks and trailer parking, a fish-cleaning station, toilets, tables, potable water, a swimming area and picnic shelters.

The sun glistened off the new blacktop and picnic tables Thursday as state and federal officials, commissioners from a half-dozen counties and representatives from PPL Montana touted the partnerships that carried the campground from concept to completion.

Brad Spencer, the chief operating officer for PPL Montana, called the new campsite “the crown jewel” of the 32 projects the company has developed along the Missouri River.

“The work here, by far, is some of the best work that’s been done,” Spencer said. “In my career, I’ve seen a lot of things come about that were a vision to begin with. To finish those, it takes a lot of teamwork, commitment and drive. I want to thank everyone who was involved.”

Gov. Brian Schweitzer noted that it was a cooperative effort among PPL Montana, the state’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks department, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, local counties and Montana’s congressional delegation.

“This is a celebration of all things Montana,” Schweitzer told a crowd of about 50 people who gathered for the grand opening ceremonies. “This is a celebration of partnerships. This is a celebration of our corporate friend, PPL Montana, and of the partnerships between the federal government and the state of Montana.

“This is a place where families, for generations to come, will be enjoying the fruits of the labor that occurred here during the past few years.

The project began back in the 1990s, as the BLM looked at the crowded Black Sandy campground and realized that additional recreational facilities probably were warranted along Hauser Lake, a Missouri River reservoir formed by the Hauser Dam.

When PPL Montana began its relicensing process in 2000, the company had to look at two issues — what kinds of enhancements were necessary, because the utility company created the reservoir by building or owning the dams on a river; and as more people were being drawn to the reservoirs, what needed to be done to mitigate their impacts.

So PPL worked with state and federal agencies, as well as the public, to consider maintenance, development and acquisition needs. Those discussions led PPL to buy 89 acres of steep, mountainous terrain just south of the current Black Sandy campground, for about $1 million.

An additional $2 million, which included federal funding, covered the cost of leveling and improving the site.

PPL Montana will pay for operation and maintenance of the facility, along with the other 31 recreational sites, until at least 2040, which is when its license comes up again for renewal.

Howard Lemm, assistant state director for the BLM, added that camping at White Sandy will be free this year so the agencies can work out any kinks.

“So please enjoy this wonderful recreation area this year and for years to come,” Lemm said.

Showers may miss campers over part of weekend

It looks like Helena will get a brief break from the recent storms during most of Memorial Day weekend.

Meteorologist David Williamson with the National Weather Service in Great Falls said today’s storm should give way to sunny skies, with highs forecast in the lower 70s on Saturday and the mid 70s by Sunday.

“Saturday and Sunday look like they’ll be pretty nice,” Williamson said. “But we have another system coming down late Sunday.”

He added that there’s a pretty good chance of rain by Sunday night, with showers during the early hours of Memorial Day.

“But it won’t be a total washout,” Williamson said. “Monday morning looks kind of bleak, but the rains should be decreasing to scattered shower by Monday afternoon, with highs around 60 to 65 degrees.”

Getting to White Sandy

From Helena, go North on I-15 to the Lincoln Road exit. Head east to the T-road and turn left (north). Follow the dirt road about a mile; at the next fork, the Black Sandy campground is to the left and White Sandy is to the right.

Projects Editor Eve Byron can be reached at 447-4076 or by e-mail at eve.byron@helenair.com