I was raised in the Wood River Valley and returned a few years ago to raise my own family in Ketchum. I take preserving quality of life in the valley seriously. To that end, I am also on the board of the Idaho Conservation League, which is the state's oldest and largest membership-based conservation organization. Idaho values like clean water, air and natural places are increasingly lost to poorly planned development and sprawl. We've all seen examples over the years, and now we have an opportunity to avoid repeating mistakes of the past.
The Wood River Valley is a special place, rich with clean water, spectacular beauty and abundant wildlife that support our unique way of life. Time and again, the people of Blaine County have taken responsibility to keep Blaine County special. Together, we updated planning and zoning guidelines to ensure thoughtful development and growth. Blaine County's 2025 ordinances aim to protect that which belongs to all of us.
The large subdivision called Cove Springs proposed for the Bellevue Triangle could change Blaine County forever. The Blaine County Planning and Zoning Commission and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game rejected the proposal. The Blaine County Commission should do the same and instruct the developers to apply under the current 2025 guidelines.
I am concerned about the impact to our water, our wildlife and our special way of life. If we allow poorly planned developments, the very things we treasure will be lost forever, as has happened in so many other places.
Join us Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Old County Courthouse in Hailey and ask the Blaine County Commission to reject the Cove Springs proposal. For more information, go to our Web site at www.wildidaho.org.
Michael Wise
Ketchum
