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Ski club urges Libby to accept $250,000 NRDP grant to remove gravel spoil pile; council to place item on future agenda
Summary
Representing the local cross-country ski club, Jared Lampton asked the council to approve a $250,000 NRDP-funded removal of a gravel spoil pile and asked the city to request an extension of the NRDP public-comment period (deadline cited as July 10) so the project application can be finalized and considered by the council.
Jared Lampton, vice president of the local cross-country ski club, told the Libby City Council the National Resource Damage Program (NRDP) is prepared to fund $250,000 to remove a gravel spoil pile and create a proposed parking area if the city approves the project and supports the required application steps. Lampton said the NRDP public-comment period closes July 10 and asked the council to request an extension and schedule the matter for a future agenda so stakeholders can align on details.
The request came during the meeting’s public-comment period. Lampton said he has submitted a proposal and supporting documents, including a removal-and-disposal proposal dated Aug. 4, 2023, and a parking-lot plan. He told the council the NRDP had “all the information” and that the funding is contingent on city approval and timely action. Lampton asked the council to allow the NRDP to extend the public-comment period while the city and the ski club resolve outstanding details.
Council members and staff discussed logistical concerns: who will apply, whether the city should take the lead because the pile sits on city property, and the need to put the project on a formal agenda so the legislative body can consider changing earlier direction to leave the spoil pile alone. One councilor suggested the city could lead the application to ensure engineers and design meet city standards; others said the item should be placed on a future agenda for full council consideration.
Next steps noted during the meeting: staff said they would contact the NRDP (staff referenced a contact named Sydney Stewart in the transcript) to request an extension; council agreed to place the project on a future agenda for formal consideration and potential action. The council did not vote on the project at the meeting.
The council also discussed the project in the context of prior council decisions that had previously left the spoil pile unchanged; several councilors said any move to accept grants and change the spoil-pile policy should be brought to the full council for a vote.
