WCUA Projects and Action

ACTION NEEDED BY 12/21 - POTENTIAL LOSS OF SKI ACCESS!

Perpetua Gating of Warm Lake Summit Rd. for Stibnite Mining Operations:

As Perpetua Resources (managers of the Stibnite Mine project) and Valley County continue to discuss winter travel on Warm Lake Road, we want to keep you informed as changes arise that have the potential to impact backcountry skiing and splitboarding. As you may already know, Perpetua is taking over the plowing of Warm Lake Road this year from the county and negotiations have been ongoing about exactly how that will look.


Over the last few days we learned about a recent development that we want to make you aware of.

Perpetua will be putting in a gate on Warm Lake Road to prevent vehicle traffic over Warm Lake Summit (they are plowing the road now all the way to the mine, but it will not be open to the public). Originally, that gate was planned to be at the point that the county has previously stopped plowing, where snowmobile parking has been/the start of the snowmobile road and the location where non-motorized backcountry users have parked to access the ski terrain that is just to the SE of the road, above the Youth with a Mission (YWAM) camp. Now, they are discussing backing up that gate up to a mile and potentially limiting sled and/or foot traffic beyond the gate.


This location features awesome terrain and one of ONLY TWO road-access locations in the area (the other being Big Creek Summit). Even if they do keep it open to foot-traffic, adding a mile each way on a flat (plowed) road makes an already long trip to get there significantly longer.

We just learned about this development on Tuesday and we need your help in acting fast to oppose this change–both the moving of the gate and the potential to limit pedestrian traffic beyond the gate. Perpetua has suggested they will likely have a guardhouse at the gate.


While players like Perpetua have a lot of money and sway compared to our community, we’ve been coming to understand how little folks outside of our community even know about what we do/what backcountry non-motorized travel is. We see this as an opportunity to not only oppose these changes, but to educate the county and Perpetua about our passion and our growing community.

We know it’s a busy time of year for everyone and we appreciate you taking action quickly before the next county commissioners meeting on Monday, 12/22.


Here’s how you can help:

  1. Email the county commissioners (the more the better!):

    1. commissioners@valleycountyid.gov

    2. Caldwell, Katlin - Commissioner (District 1)

    3. Maupin, Sherry - Commissioner Chairman (District 2)

    4. Thompson, Neal - Commissioner (District 3)


Here’s some helpful language to include:

Dear [insert commissioner’s name]:

As a backcountry [skier or snowboarder] in Valley County, the terrain currently accessible where the plowing ends on Warm Lake Road is one of only TWO locations with road-accessible terrain in the county that can be approached without a snowmobile, which many human-powered recreationists enjoy. Adding a gate that adds up to 2 miles roundtrip on a flat, plowed road significantly reduces the accessibility of this beautiful terrain that we love. In addition, if pedestrian access is prohibited beyond the gate that would end our ability to enjoy one of our favorite places in Valley County.


We request that if a gate is needed, that it be installed at the location where the plowing currently ends and allow us to continue to enjoy our beautiful snow-covered mountains this winter and beyond.

Thank you,

Name

Address (helpful to know where people who access this terrain live)


  1. Go to the meeting next Monday. You can find the agenda here. The gate will be discussed during the 9:05 am agenda item. There is nearly 2.5 hrs budgeted for this item. While there is not currently time for public comment built-in and allowing that is at the commissioners' discretion, we have been informed that given amount of time allotted and the gravity of this decision, we may have a chance to speak. These meetings are quite long, but if you love local government and have the time, we’d love to have additional support there! Pls feel free to reach out to us and let us know if you plan to attend!

  2. Forward this email to people you know who may be willing to participate
    in this opposition

  3. Share and repost our social media posts from Facebook and Instagram

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The West Central Uphill Alliance (WCUA) is a 501(c)(3) approved non-profit organization.