The Mineral
Mountain Village
The Mineral
Pass area of the Forest
was formerly the site of unregulated logging activity. Reforestation efforts have been relatively successful; however,
the area is not presently home to any old-growth stands. The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, beaver,
goshawk, and elk, attracting hunters and campers.
The City of
Vermillion would like to slate two sections
of the Mineral
Pass along I-15 for housing developments. In addition, Vermillion is proposing the construction of a road through
the Mineral
Mountain
area, to connect the Mineral Mountain Village with the
Wamasana Shopping Center
and to provide a traffic short-cut between I-15 to I-128 to
the location of the proposed Crimson Mountain Development. Thus, the two proposed developments and the shopping center would
be conveniently linked, increasing their attractiveness for buyers considering
work in Vermillion and residence in quiet, natural surroundings.
Proposal:
(a)
The Forest will aggressively assume efforts to
restore the environmental integrity of the area, and therefore will not
permit the development of the Mineral
Mountain Village or the proposed
road. Campfires and hunting
will also be prohibited, as they pose additional threats to the integrity
of the area.
(b)
Silver County
Forest will permit the development
of the Mineral
Mountain Estates, provided that the developments
aim to have a "minimal environmental impact" on the surrounding area. Therefore, approval hinges on “design with nature” that minimizes
visual and functional disruption of the natural area in which it will be embedded. The Forest will require that developers conduct extensive Environmental Impact Analyses, and do everything possible through design and available
technology to preserve the environmental integrity of the existing area, regardless of the costs. In addition, the Forest will approve a two-lane, 25-mile-per-hour road connecting I-15 and I-128 as a convenience to the
Mineral Mountain
Village inhabitants. Commercial usage of the road will be barred and through-traffic
will be discouraged.
(c)
The Forest will allow the development of the
Mineral Mountain
Village and the proposed road. Attention must be given to integrate the housing developments with
the natural environment, however strict restrictions will not be imposed. The speed limit of the road will be 45 miles per hour, and heavy
trucks and commercial usage will be permitted as it is the most efficient
route from I-15 to I-128.
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