Mission Statement
The mission of the Friends of Banner Mountain is to protect Banner Mountain and its natural and cultural resources for the benefit of residents, visitors, and future generations.
Who We Are Today
Friends of Banner Mountain (FBM) is an all-volunteer, grass roots, 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that strives to ensure a safe and healthy mountain for its residents. FBM sets
its goals and objectives through a nine (9) member Board with input from its Neighborhood
Leaders and neighbor volunteers. FBM is dependent upon community volunteer
cooperation to accomplish its project goals and the annual Membership funding drive to
provide the necessary funds to support its activities.
Organization communications are provided through:
- Subscriber email
- BannerMountain.org website
- Friends of Banner Mountain facebook page
- Banner Mountain Firewise Community Meetings
- Annual Membership Meeting
Our History – The Birth of Friends of Banner Mountain
Early in March of 1984 Betty Simpson (with her late husband Joe), and Bob Szabo began the task of organizing the neighbors on Banner Mountain to prevent the reopening of the Banner and the Lava Cap Mines by Franco-Nevada, Inc, a Canadian corporation. It became apparent the Board of Supervisors would most likely grant a zoning change from RA-5 to RA-5-ME and a use permit to allow mining when by a 3 to 2 vote they authorized a contract for a Draft EIR. The newly elected BMHA Board decided they needed legal help, and started a serious fund raising campaign. The first Board members were Betty (President), Bob (VP), Jim Barrick (Treasurer), Frank Bartlett, Joan Lancaster, Mary McDaniel, and Austin Sawvell.
By May 1985 the Board of Supervisors had approved the rezoning and issued a use permit with many of the important mitigation measures deleted despite the numerous appeals to deny the request. The BOS realized that decision put a lot of other parts of the county at risk and decided to form a umbrella coalition named REED (Reliable Economic Environmental Development) under the chairmanship of Bob Szabo and Ralph Young to solicit support from people around the county. However, on the advice of their attorney, the late Michael Remy, in June they filed a suit against the BOS and Franco-Nevada to rescind the rezoning. While the suit never went to trial, REED was able to get a referendum on the ballot to overturn the BOS decision for the November election. BMHA and all its supporters won the election by a mere 8 votes. By mutual agreement, the suit was not dropped, but held in abeyance in the event an applicant tried again. This was a major victory for the people against a moneyed organization and some unconcerned politicians. For more details, ask us for a reproduction of some of the old news letters.
In the following years, considerable effort went into working with the BOS and the planning organization to reduce the adverse environmental aspects of the Mineral Management Element that was to be incorporated into the County General Plan. This element defined the policy and standards for any future mining operation. Mining is of great historical value in this community, but with much of the land converted to residential zoning it is important that many safeguards be built in to statutes. Ironically, the Lava Cap Mine is now a EPA Super Fund site due to the huge quantity of arsenic released into Clipper Creek.Other important activities and issues taken up by BMHA involved traffic safety on Banner Lava Cap Rd, careful scrutiny of the various subdivisions that were planned and developed on Banner. Another long term priority was fire safety. Working with the responsible fire departments, they were able to advise members of fire safe methods and evacuation information. Eventually, the Fire Safe Council agreed to periodic chipping of brush in the area.
In 1995, BMHA was able to get agreement from a propane supplier and a septic service to offer discounts to members. Members who took advantage of these discounts enjoyed a considerable amount savings.
The membership and neighbors have benefited greatly during past years due to the effort and dedication of all of the past Directors, Officers and volunteers.