Advocates of Smart Plan

Advocates point out that by concentrating growth in existing urban areas, new growth could be easily incorporated into existing water, sewer, natural gas pipelines as well as existing transportation facilities (including roads, bike trails, and public transportation). In addition to building two new access roads out of each new development, building outside of the city limits would require expansive infrastructure development and would place these sensitive wildlife and wetland ecosystems under tremendous stress. As it stands, the proposed developments of Crimson View and Mineral Mountain would impinge directly against the sensitive habitat of the Yellow breasted toad- an endangered, keystone species of mountain wetland toads integral to the entire Wamasana Valley ecosystem. Community minded activists point out that by concentrating development in existing urban areas, the scenic beauty that drives the region’s tourist industry, and the high quality of life residents have come to expect, would not be compromised at the expense of urban sprawl and runaway development. By creating growth boundaries in the region, FuturePlan would prevent large-scale development of agricultural lands and mountain grade open space that many use as a refuge from the urban areas. The solace and inspiration people gain from hiking, biking, and fishing in the mountain areas could be disrupted with additional roads, traffic, and noise and air pollution that would likely accompany this growth.

Advocates of Smart Plan:

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