Opponents of Future Plan

Opponents see it as fundamentally flawed, because increasing flows of people and traffic into the sensitive mountain region will result in drastic environmental consequences for the native flora and fauna that populate the region. They see FuturePlan as the worst-case scenario because the area is ill equipped to handle the burden of forecasted (and future) growth and feel this will threaten the quality of life and scenic splendor residents have come to expect. Others, such as the Silver County Small Business Alliance, worry that the proposed new regional center featuring many new chain stores will significantly impact their ability to compete because of the buying power and business tactics of these chains. Other opponents to FuturePlan, worry that such widespread development in these rural towns would mean that privately owned land would be subject to the plans of the regional and state governments, and would reduce the ability of landowners and current mountain residents to resist eminent domain. Opponents of FuturePlan view the proposed shopping center as unnecessary and unreasonable given the spin-off growth and development that such a center would promote, especially since it would require the expensive and potentially destructive expansion of Route 128. Community-minded advocates are wary that such a center would take valuable business away from the independent shops and stores in the surrounding towns and villages.

Organizations and Interest Groups in Opposing FuturePlan:

Chamber of Commerce-Vermillion

Silver Cliff Historic Society and Tourism Board

Trout Lake Homeowners Association

Historic Industries Coalition 

Ranching and Farming

Silver Area Network for the Environment (SANE)

Pure Nature