Radium Hot Springs’ beleaguered Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep herd may be heading to a safer place thanks to an announced speed reduction for Highway 93/95’s Mile Hill, reported Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Doug Clovechok this morning (June 1).

Village of Radium Hot Springs Mayor Clara Reinhardt, Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Electoral Area G Director Gerry Wilkie, MLA Clovechok, Radium resident Kent Kebe and the Windermere Rod and Gun Club have lobbied the government for the past year to reduce speeds on the Radium Hill, immediately south of the village coming into town.

Yesterday in the Legislature, Clovechok had the opportunity to ask the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure (MOTI) important questions in what is known as the Estimates Process.

“This has been just one aspect of the larger work we have carried out over the last few years towards getting an overpass,” noted MLA Clovechok.

“We heard loud and clear from our constituents that they felt the speed reduction was necessary. I can now confirm that the speed will be reduced this fall from 90m to 70 km/h from the top of Mile Hill past the pullouts to the 60 km/h in Radium.”

This speed reduction will begin this coming fall.

Currently the sheep have moved to summer grazing areas.

“Thank you to all the voices who spoke with us. The momentum continues to grow in our common effort to protect the sheep. MOTI has also confirmed that there is a newly designated project manager for the sheep overpass and that the province has been in conversation with the federal government about funding the project.

“This is great news. As Margaret Mead said; “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has,” Clovechok concluded.

Lead image: A bighorn sheep licks salt beside Highway 93/95 on Mile Hill south of Radium last winter. e-KNOW file photo

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