HomeMy WebLinkAboutHyalite Canyon letter of support for plowing
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable City Commission
FROM: Aimee Brunckhorst on behalf of Mayor Sean Becker
Stacy Ulmen CMC, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Letter of Support for the Friends of Hyalite to secure grant money
from the Rural Schools Act Funding Grant for snow plowing
Hyalite Canyon Road
MEETING DATE: August 20, 2012
MEETING TYPE: Consent
RECOMMENDATION: Approve a letter to the Gallatin County Resource Advisory
Committee supporting a grant application from Friends of Hyalite
that would secure $10,000 to help fund snow plowing efforts on
Hyalite Canyon Road, thus assuring year round access.
BACKGROUND: Joe Josephson from the Friends of Hyalite is applying for a Rural
Schools Act (RAC) Funding grant to help offset the cost of plowing snow from Hyalite Canyon
Road. As you know, Hyalite Canyon is an important winter recreational area and the Friends of
Hyalite have asked the city to let the Resource Advisory Committee know how much we value
winter access to this area. The Mayor would like the Commissioners to join him in this letter of
support urging the Committee to consider funding this grant request.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission.
Attachment: Draft letter to USDA-Forest Service
Mayor
Sean Becker
Deputy Mayor
Jeff Krauss
Commissioners
Cyndy Andrus
Chris Mehl
Carson Taylor
CITY OF BOZEMAN
121 N. Rouse
P.O. Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771
Phone: (406) 582-2320
Fax: (406) 582-2344
TDD: (406) 582-2301
www.bozeman.net
August 20, 2012
Gallatin County Resource Advisory Committee
Babete Anderson
USDA, Custer National Forest
1310 Main Street
Billings, MT 59105
RE: RAC Funding for Hyalite Canyon Road Snow Plowing
To Whom It May Concern:
The city of Bozeman Mayor and Commissioners request that you seriously consider
the application received from the Friends of Hyalite for Rural Schools Act funding to
plow snow off Hyalite Canyon Road. Winter access to this area is important not only
from a quality of life perspective, but also for the strength of the winter economy in
this region.
Hyalite Canyon is somewhat unique to the area as it provides excellent ice climbing
that attracts hundreds of climbers each year thus bringing in much needed winter
tourism dollars to the community. Ice climbing is not the only feature that makes
Hyalite Canyon unique. This area is also ideal for early season cross country skiing
and is why the local nonprofit Bridger Ski Foundation, has invested many resources
to work with the Forest Service to enhance and develop ski trails in this area.
The city of Bozeman feels strongly about our connection to the surrounding landscape
and we understand how important local, recreational opportunities are to the health of
our community. Residents and visitors alike have greatly enjoyed having access to
Hyalite Canyon over the last several winters as an ideal destination for ice fishing, ice
climbing, snowshoeing, sledding, back-country and cross-country skiing and as a
gorgeous place to just enjoy the scenery.
City of Bozeman residents, businesses and recreational visitors would be very grateful
if you could support the continued efforts of the Friends of Hyalite to keep this area
open year round by again generously providing funding for snow plowing.
Thank you in advance for your time and support and the faith you have shown in the
past for the efforts of the Friends of Hyalite.
Sincerely,
City of Bozeman Mayor and Commissioners
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