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Council discusses Rillba Canyon gate tied to minephase-3 bond release; motion supports county action on gate
Summary
Council members discussed a county gate at Rillba/Rilda Canyon that remains locked pending PacificCorp (permit holder) phase-3 bond release; after staff explained the gate's status in the permit bond process, the council voted to support county action to remove the gate if appropriate, subject to commission ratification
Council members discussed a locked gate at Rillba (Rillba/Rilda) Canyon after staff read correspondence from the state Division of Oil, Gas and Mining indicating that PacificCorp's post-mining land-use permit application for the Deer Creek Mine is in the administrative phase and that the final (phase-3) bond-release process is underway.
Staff summary and legal status: Staff read a letter indicating that the state has determined a permit application administratively complete for a proposed post-mining land-use change, and that PacificCorp remains in a phase-3 bond-release stage. Staff advised that while the Forest Service and the reclamation authority have duties tied to bond release, the presence of multiple locks and the ended contractor relationship leave the gate's status in question.
Council action: After discussion the council made a motion "we support that" (a motion recorded in the transcript immediately after staff described the phase-3 bond-release status) and voted in favor. Council members and staff agreed to coordinate with county commission staff so that any physical removal of gates or changes to access would be ratified by the commission as necessary.
Why it matters: Council members expressed interest in restoring public access where reclamation milestones have been met, but several also cautioned that bond-release requirements and potential liability claims could complicate unilateral action; the council flagged the need to coordinate with legal staff and the county commission before physical changes are made.
Ending: The meeting record shows a unanimous affirmative vote on the motion to support action; members noted they would notify the commission and coordinate with county staff before taking physical steps.
