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Wildsight hails Mile Hill speed zone news
Wildsight is celebrating the provincial government’s commitment to a speed limit reduction on the Radium Mile Hill (Highway 93/95) to decrease risk to both Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep and motorists travelling in the Columbia Valley.
This is the result of months of effort by many, including Radium Hot Springs resident Nicole Trigg who drew national media attention to the issue, other residents, the Ktunaxa Nation and Shuswap Band members as well as conservation groups, local politicians (Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Doug Clovechok, Radium Hot Springs Mayor Clara Reinhardt, RDEK Area G Director Gerry Wilkie), and provincial and municipal government staff who have all championed the need for action.
The province contracted Ktunaxa and Shushwap guardians through the late winter and spring to raise awareness and slow traffic on the hill. Now, the announcement of a speed reduction from 90 km/hour to 70 km/hour coming this fall is welcomed by concerned groups like the Lake Windermere Rod and Gun Club and Wildsight, both which had activated their members to push for speed reduction and a wildlife overpass.
“I want to thank the more than 1,300 of our supporters who wrote to the province on behalf of the bighorns,” said John Bergenske, Wildsight’s Conservation Director. “This is an important step. The Minister of Highways and Infrastructure, Rod Fleming, committed to taking action and prioritizing this issue when we met. The province has made steps. However, funding is yet to be fully committed by either the province or the federal government for the needed wildlife overpass and fencing.”
While Wildsight believes the government is listening, there is more to be done.
“Until the funding is in place and wildlife overpass construction is underway, everyone will have to keep speaking up for the Bighorn Sheep,” Bergenske said.
Lead image: The province contracted Ktunaxa and Shushwap guardians, pictured to the left, through the late winter and spring to raise awareness and slow traffic on the hill. e-KNOW file photo
Submitted by Wildsight
