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County approves snowmobile-ordinance summary for publication as Warm Lake access changes threaten grooming routes
Summary
Commissioners approved publishing the summary of Valley County’s snowmobile ordinance; recreation staff warned a proposed Warm Lake closure tied to the Perpetua project could remove roughly 38 miles of groomed trail and reduce registration revenue by about $10,000 annually.
Valley County commissioners voted Dec. 8 to allow publication of a summary of the county’s snowmobile ordinance; staff said the summary will be printed in the local paper as part of public notice ahead of the ordinance taking effect.
Gretchen Binghamen, identified in the transcript as the recreation director, told commissioners that online payments for recreation passes and parking permits are live and that the county will present the recreation plan (RecPlant) for adoption next week. She also said the county is applying for several grants, including requests for snowmobiles and a trailer to support grooming, and is reviewing grant match amounts in upcoming budgets.
Binghamen warned commissioners that a proposed closure or gate at Warm Lake associated with the Perpetua project could eliminate grooming access east of Warm Lake this year. She estimated the Warm Lake loss at about 38 miles of trail and another 12 miles elsewhere — roughly 50 miles total, about 10% of the county’s groomable network — and said the club currently receives about $10,000 a year in registrations tied to Warm Lake. Binghamen said Perpetua agreed in a community agreement to pay the club roughly $10,000 a year for the first few years but emphasized the county needs a maintenance/road agreement to ensure recreational access.
The board approved the motion to publish the ordinance summary after a second was recorded and two commissioners voiced “Aye.” Staff will proceed with publication and continue working on permits, signage and outreach to educate users about the ordinance and where to obtain permits.
Commissioners also discussed potential equipment needs and storage (an enclosed trailer to protect new snowmobiles) and options to reroute grooming to other trail areas if Warm Lake access is restricted.
