Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Autumn Escape
    • Amateur Photographer of the Year 2023
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Autumn Escape
    • Amateur Photographer of the Year 2023
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / Speed will be reduced on Radium Hill to avoid bighorn sheep mortalities

Bighorn sheep on the Radium Hill. MOTI file

Speed will be reduced on Radium Hill to avoid bighorn sheep mortalities

June 21, 2022 //  by Carolyn Grant

Share this:

Travellers along Highway 93/95 in the B.C. Kootenays are part of the solution when it comes to reducing big horn sheep mortality on the Radium Hill.

“I can now confirm that the speed will be reduced this fall from 90km to 70 km from the top of One Mile Hill past the pullouts to the 60 km in Radium.” said Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Doug Clovechok in a press release.

The sheep are currently in higher elevation grazing areas and typically are not near the highway during the summer.

Much of the lobbying for the reduced speed limit came from the conservation group Wildsight which began calling for the speed to be reduced last February. Wildsight had also asked for the closure of the passing lane on the hill, but a Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure spokesperson indicated that was not on the table.

“We’re extremely happy to see the speed reduced in the fall when the sheep will be back down,” said John Bergenske of Wildsight. “But there is still work to be done on the overpass.”

That overpass, similar to those in Banff National Park which were put in place primarily to keep elk off the highway, would work for sheep as well, advocates say.

A lot of work on the overpass has been done by various advocates, including Clovechok, Mayor Clara Reinhardt, RDEK Director Gerry Wilkie, Kent Kebe, and the Windermere Rod and Gun Club and others, who formed a working group to look at sheep mortalities. Some funding was secured for the upcoming budget year for a study and report on the overpass. Meetings have been held with MOTI, Parks Canada and more.

However, Bergenske says he needs to see a commitment to funding the full project from the province and the federal government as well.

“Reducing the speed is a stop gap. It’s helpful, but we really do need the overpass funding in place,” he said.

Bergenske says he feels the federal government should step up as well because the sheep are right next to a national park, in fact much of their range is within the park.

“That’s the big announcement we are waiting for,” he said.

However, he does thank the people who wrote to MOTI to ask for the speed reduction.

“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.”

This is the result of months of effort by many, Bergenske says, including Radium 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 (MLA Doug Clovechok, Radium Hot Springs Mayor Clara Reinhardt, RDEK Area G Director Gerry Wilke), and provincial and municipal government staff who have all championed the need for action.

“Everyone deserves a pat on the back,” he said. “But we’re not done yet. Until the funding is in place and wildlife overpass construction is underway, everyone will have to keep speaking up for the Bighorn Sheep.”

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: British Columbia Destinations, Okanagan Getaways, Wildlife

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

5 fun ways to celebrate the 2023 Calgary Stampede!

Touted as the ‘Greatest Show on Earth,’ the 2023 Calgary Stampede celebration promises to be…

5 fun ways to celebrate the 2023 Calgary Stampede!Read More

Ticket to ride: Southern California theme parks roll out new attractions for summer

By Pam Kragen, The San Diego Union-Tribune And they’re off. Theme park season is officially…

Ticket to ride: Southern California theme parks roll out new attractions for summerRead More

2 kokanee lake fisheries come to Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island anglers no longer need to travel to the B.C. Mainland to fish for…

2 kokanee lake fisheries come to Vancouver IslandRead More

Chilliwack Mural Festival returns bigger, bolder in its 3rd year

The Chilliwack Mural Festival is going to be bigger, bolder and more beautiful than ever…

Chilliwack Mural Festival returns bigger, bolder in its 3rd yearRead More

Victoria International Airport increases accessibility with autism resource kit

The Victoria International Airport is increasing accessibility with the launch of an autism resource kit.…

Victoria International Airport increases accessibility with autism resource kitRead More

Visiting Mount St. Helens is inspiring and alarming all at once

‘This is it.’ In March 1980, Washington’s Mount St. Helens rumbled awake. A series of…

Visiting Mount St. Helens is inspiring and alarming all at onceRead More

Guided June hikes explore old-growth forests in seven Kootenay communities

Wildsight, a non-profit working to protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable communities, is offering guided walks…

Guided June hikes explore old-growth forests in seven Kootenay communitiesRead More

Parks Canada plans major rewrite of more than 200 historic site plaques

They’re affixed to old buildings where someone important used to live. Or they’re mounted on…

Parks Canada plans major rewrite of more than 200 historic site plaquesRead More

Victoria International Airport welcomes new airline with Friday Harbor route

Victoria International Airport (YYJ) has welcomed a new airline. Kenmore Air now provides the only…

Victoria International Airport welcomes new airline with Friday Harbor routeRead More

Previous Post: « Victoria fly fishing club marks 45 years with new Cowichan River angling map
Next Post: Three Beacons: Take a tour of three Everett-area lighthouses »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

5 fun ways to celebrate the 2023 Calgary Stampede!

June 7, 2023

Ticket to ride: Southern California theme parks roll out new attractions for summer

June 7, 2023

2 kokanee lake fisheries come to Vancouver Island

June 6, 2023

Chilliwack Mural Festival returns bigger, bolder in its 3rd year

June 6, 2023

Recent Posts

5 fun ways to celebrate the 2023 Calgary Stampede!

June 7, 2023

Ticket to ride: Southern California theme parks roll out new attractions for summer

June 7, 2023

2 kokanee lake fisheries come to Vancouver Island

June 6, 2023

Chilliwack Mural Festival returns bigger, bolder in its 3rd year

June 6, 2023

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon

Copyright © 2023 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved