[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,85,97],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6575696,"mediaKeyId","3071386-4598e0540ad9bc151043a90e8127e4b9","parentId",3071386,"title","Valley County workshops Perpetua road-mitigation plan; questions remain on baseline, guarantees and winter access","audioSeconds",4104,"startMs",0,"endMs",4104000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071386-4598e0540ad9bc151043a90e8127e4b9&start=0&end=4104","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071386-4598e0540ad9bc151043a90e8127e4b9/thumbnail_0.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6575696/Valley-County/Idaho/Valley-County-workshops-Perpetua-road-mitigation-plan-questions-remain-on-baseline-guarantees-and-winter-access","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575696-697aa325ea291230b8c1a002d0753383/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152189&Signature=jXU1k~lzZr02xQLWP7aqPk6kqdotRO3MuEpWUwmZR-JJtnmvbFG3a9jclrjo1V2ikZWbNnfuOP6T1ORuIDXgOJyH3JXHAw1g1VIbBpFDhUnVu~xGVZ~wrca~AijDuDxzVSAGUgGddnq19AxkO-aIP4yn95ersTReLKXhBHSO~5HlAKlqTAHunalO8BXx5v-ziu3EpW9YmryXsrUSkn8N-yhWVBAX7VINDJ6HYl0VEwuhk2N8gh0gh0xS8EPZIE6D3X6c1UNfmXimlRMGQVHPK5I0IW0OvxymqPSeQuqT7FEO3GgqBcGORxLL4MxAInDiWpyYMaOp7tpuLDwNntUsFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Valley County","date","2025-04-21T21:52:52.037Z","article","Valley County commissioners and representatives of Perpetua held a workshop April 21 to discuss a proposed road-mitigation agreement tied to the Stibnite mine project, focusing on baseline road-condition assessment, an annual mitigation payment for routine wear, a corporate financial guarantee for excessive damage, and winter access and safety measures.

The discussion centered on Warm Lake Road (Johnson Creek access) and related routes that Perpetua expects to use for construction and operations. \"I'm Sherry Moppin. I'm the chairman of the board,\" Commission Chair Sherry Moppin opened the meeting; Commissioner Neil Thompson identified himself as \"Neil Thompson, county commissioner.\" Deborah Nelson, who introduced herself as \"also here with Perpetua,\" explained Perpetua's approach to mitigation and guarantees.

County commissioners said the agreement must clearly define what counts as routine summer and winter maintenance versus \"excessive wear and tear,\" and they want a pre-construction baseline study in hand before signing. Deborah Nelson said the company expects the baseline will identify current conditions and that an annual mitigation payment would cover Perpetua's share of normal wear. She described a corporate guarantee — an alternative to a traditional bond — that the county could draw on immediately if post‑baseline monitoring shows damage above the baseline. \"If there's excessive wear and tear over the baseline condition, that would be Perpetua's ability,\" Nelson said, adding the guarantee would be structured to allow a draw within five business days.

Commissioners pressed for more detail on how annual mitigation amounts were calculated and on the party performing the baseline study; Perpetua said Geoengineers is doing the assessment. Commissioners also asked how heavy-vehicle trips and axle configurations would be counted. Perpetua representatives said the project will use scales to track loads and trips once construction progresses, and that existing state and federal permitting (for example, Forest Service authorization and Army Corps of Engineers 401 permitting) remain prerequisites for the schedule Perpetua outlined.

Schedule and traffic management: Perpetua said its current schedule assumes receipt of a Forest Service letter of implementation and the Army Corps' 401 authorization in the coming weeks; the company described an earliest-start target near July (after July 4) for initial construction activities, subject to permit timing. Early construction would include site prep and worker housing foundation work; Perpetua expects heavy, oversized deliveries during construction (large mining equipment in pieces) and a shift to standard heavy-truck traffic during operations. To reduce light-vehicle impacts on recreation roads, Perpetua said it plans a logistics facility to consolidate deliveries and to run worker transport convoys and buses.

Winter access and safety: Commissioners raised multiple safety concerns for winter recreation and for the county's ability to maintain safe travel on Warm Lake Road during heavy snow. Perpetua said it will \"try and take over the winter portion of the maintenance\" for impacts attributable to the project and noted it intends to maintain full road width for passing where required for safe travel of its truck traffic. Commissioners urged a clearer definition in the agreement of \"winter maintenance\" versus \"summer maintenance,\" and recommended incorporating the county’s existing technical maintenance specifications directly into the agreement rather than only referencing them.

Gates, signage and enforcement: Commissioners and county staff discussed options for limiting public access during hazardous periods — proposals ranged from enhanced signage and electronic reader boards to a gated access with fob or electronic entry for authorized vehicles. County officials noted they lack unilateral authority to close the road; closures would involve the sheriff’s office and the commissioners. Perpetua and county staff agreed to work on mechanisms that balance project needs and public safety while recognizing extreme winter conditions could affect gate operability and power reliability.

Funding and repair timing: Commissioners said parts of Warm Lake Road were chip sealed about eight years ago and that a reseal may be needed soon regardless of the project. They signaled possible local funding mechanisms, including road levies or assessment districts, and asked Perpetua for documentation showing how mitigation amounts were derived so the county can evaluate short‑ and medium‑term budget impacts.

Environmental and permitting dependencies: Perpetua representatives repeatedly tied the start and scope of work to pending agency actions, including Forest Service authorization and Army Corps 401 permitting. Perpetua said borrow‑site testing and other road‑material work would proceed as permits and ground conditions allow.

Next steps: Commissioners asked Perpetua to incorporate more specificity into a revised draft agreement: (1) include the county’s technical standards for summer and winter road maintenance; (2) specify the baseline‑study scope and timing; (3) clarify the form and liquidity of any corporate guarantee or segregated account; and (4) provide the methodology and supporting data for any annual mitigation fee. County staff will review the corporate-guarantee language and seek references and legal input before agreeing to the approach.

The workshop closed with agreement to continue drafting language and to schedule follow-up meetings once the baseline assessment and additional permit steps are further along.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Valley County Board of County Commissioner Meeting April 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Valley County commissioners and Perpetua representatives discussed a proposed road-mitigation agreement for Warm Lake Road tied to the Stibnite mine project, pressing for a pre-construction baseline study, clearer definitions of winter versus summer maintenance, details on how heavy truck impacts will be measured, and assurance that funds for repairs will be immediately available if damage exceeds baseline conditions.","taxTitle","Valley County, Idaho","taxId",51032,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":44,"_43":78,"_45":78,"_47":79,"_49":80,"_51":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":83,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":84,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6575684,"Commissioners ask Soil & Water Conservation District to formalize relationship with county, provide audits and MOU",4655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071386-4598e0540ad9bc151043a90e8127e4b9&start=4655&end=4655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071386-4598e0540ad9bc151043a90e8127e4b9/thumbnail_4655000.jpg","/articles/6575684/Valley-County/Idaho/Commissioners-ask-Soil-Water-Conservation-District-to-formalize-relationship-with-county-provide-audits-and-MOU","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575684-76c9a2e54044f23dce6cfbcd7e7c63ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152189&Signature=EjJyXOqYuX8kLQ7kHvMCcSQJ4JitBLEf-3tmgsI5HK83yZnwsAc0-ulWwcB4L-f~1sZybwWRrc3YdQY3nJg1gBLfIUOAmEKuXo5SwQvnGe5bDu2a-mmpeTJlEXezICWCMRwHnEPI1zGZrB6U6BiBM85dbFs7EzVZwMkrryoR3DGTXymQsSQMV2yFxunf4rntwixwT76Qd5YF93SAaFRsnyxpcVFO0U04SYpD~PshtAs03w33JBYRNN0j90WgDW7sKcXYSLlyCMKNttqioWi020OBZZ2fJL3MRccsKQxshM4PhLNsZE9NR0NZM6pL49dDkMfkmBLVFP7dXvT1EGDZFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Valley County commissioners told the Soil & Water Conservation District at their April 21 meeting that the county needs clearer documentation of services the district performs using county facilities and resources, and asked the district to provide reports and materials the county can use to draft a memorandum of understanding.

A district representative described routine operational support the district receives — including office space, mail and printing access, and occasional IT or logistical assistance — and said the district provides annual match reporting and receives a modest local operations allocation (the presenter referenced an $8,500 annual contribution). Commissioners, citing new county auditing standards, asked for a written list of services the district has received and a state-level annual match report so the county’s civil attorney can draft an MOU outlining permissible uses of county resources and accountability requirements.

Commissioners said some other quasi‑governmental entities that receive county funds are required to provide full financial audits, and asked the district to provide similar documentation or clarify why a different standard should apply. The board asked staff to gather examples of how other counties structure relationships with their local soil and water districts and to return with draft language for an MOU.

No formal enforcement actions were taken; commissioners asked the district for documentation and said county staff and the district will work toward an MOU that clarifies services, access to county resources and reporting requirements.","County commissioners told the Soil & Water Conservation District April 21 to provide a report on services and funding received, and requested a memorandum of understanding and financial audit language to clarify use of county resources and in-kind support.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6575688,"County briefed on EPA technical assistance to study sewer options south of Tamarack",170,4170000,4340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071386-4598e0540ad9bc151043a90e8127e4b9&start=4170&end=4340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071386-4598e0540ad9bc151043a90e8127e4b9/thumbnail_4170000.jpg","/articles/6575688/Valley-County/Idaho/County-briefed-on-EPA-technical-assistance-to-study-sewer-options-south-of-Tamarack","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575688-34d2c96cdc692952431d94dc22bcffd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152189&Signature=i1bDntYHK83ETbF3Ye1AW6uJwt4DgiM6vbTCVf0YneKSLWKz8hb1ojRPpavcyr1hpa~AreraWB9p87I2UhLOxBQigRqHImi7mlmHJu~nhqaFBddtZT-zfPp0~kf6ZCbKtudnHn4OCG1AhTvCgrKPWlTBWebYa5iE1EfwOGD65LF0W8O2uxCr850AvzOyto5x6Vr-zUhpDHQ7dLT1VCLKsYD7Z-wXah1jBPXlB7oB3fAhZVJkYD3dqUScToe3vYMoOAFva28y~04AwgkJ8-j-NoAnCo33kJnu0OypXBq4wzUtQBzOQQGlGR4u9qSTV4-ivMr-faZFaGrV9cf6n9aS7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff briefed commissioners April 21 on an EPA initiative called Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap, which would provide no-cost technical assistance to assess wastewater needs and options for the area south of Tamarack and the Southlake recreational community.

A staff presenter said the effort would initially inventory on-site systems and identify options for forming a southern Valley sewer district that could coordinate with the City of Cascade; the initiative would not itself fund construction but would bring technical expertise to support planning and funding strategies. The presenter said the city of Cascade voted unanimously to engage with the initiative and that Southlake and other stakeholders had been meeting to map service areas.

Commissioners asked for follow-up and attendance at meetings by county representatives to support planning and to seek funding for water testing and verification of source pollution where needed. No formal county financial commitment was made at the meeting; staff said the next phase is an assessment and outreach to affected households.","County staff described an EPA initiative offering no-cost technical assistance to evaluate wastewater solutions south of Tamarack; officials said the program could help assess sewer options and identify households in need.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6575691,"Valley County commissioners approve letter of support for Hot Springs WMA riparian fencing grant",173,4187000,4360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071386-4598e0540ad9bc151043a90e8127e4b9&start=4187&end=4360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071386-4598e0540ad9bc151043a90e8127e4b9/thumbnail_4187000.jpg","/articles/6575691/Valley-County/Idaho/Valley-County-commissioners-approve-letter-of-support-for-Hot-Springs-WMA-riparian-fencing-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575691-723f3595cd2edd61a0fc1a3c12a50af0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152189&Signature=RCKV3tOu6o1C-p9-Ro-4Nw1H3unZ2fhCNNFCBnOqvAG3GEB9FrS1OE~XXNcjNAaSIAj46MdkdQwdx88F0iGD5VEMTCJ3KajWRWHXQA2Kap0IaN6pXom~B9~AEKIfSabDKMvdM64ZGMIqUDJZOIZJgrZv5EovCaH9i5unYbEg44Z5-cWr61blHlN1eTPHxbgK9zoEpFu0JKrW526SYUpfE5uv2ogLwmCw7tRPC3Ilh299xzaTaP8oEpHX4SL6s3IIR50afOXOWzKu4p~cscoDfBL~VUDuwHwCBIIY3aVv2OhNKv~k6-0Yml9iRNrGtLStph4mutMQu7v0cXapXUSM8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Valley County commissioners voted April 21 to approve a letter of support for a state agricultural best‑management practices (BMP) grant application to install riparian fencing and livestock exclusion measures at the Hot Springs Wildlife Management Area.

A county staff member said the project would leverage a high match from the Bureau of Reclamation and praised past work at the site. The presenter described the application as competitive and noted a smaller statewide funding pot this year for similar water-quality grants.

Commissioner (unnamed) moved to approve the letter of support; the motion was seconded and commissioners responded, \"Aye,\" approving the letter. The board did not specify conditions attached to the support.

Next steps: County staff will file the letter with the grant application and continue coordination with project partners; the county did not record additional funding commitments at the meeting.","The board voted to approve a letter supporting a state agricultural BMP grant application for riparian fencing and livestock exclusion at the Hot Springs Wildlife Management Area; the motion passed unanimously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Valley County workshops Perpetua road-mitigation plan; questions remain on baseline, guarantees and winter access

Commissioners ask Soil & Water Conservation District to formalize relationship with county, provide audits and MOU

County briefed on EPA technical assistance to study sewer options south of Tamarack

Valley County commissioners approve letter of support for Hot Springs WMA riparian fencing grant