Mount Ashland Ski Area expansion revived
Marty Pennanti, 13.03.2010 04:03
After two years of delay caused by federal court injunction, a new round of analysis and comment is scheduled for April.
Middle Fork of East Fork of Ashland Creek, site of proposed ski area expansion
The U.S. Forest Service yesterday revived its plan to approve expansion of the Mount Ashland Ski Area with a Notice of Intent published in the Federal Register.
A new environmental impact statement designed to clear legal hurdles set by a federal appeals court will be released for public review and comment on March 26, according to Forest Service snow ranger Steve Johnson.
The public will have 45 days to comment on the EIS, after which the agency will decide whether to let stand its 2004 decision approving the expansion, or to withdraw or modify it.
The notice states that the agency will not consider issues besides those where the court found violations environmental law, including landslides, water quality and sensitive wildlife.
In 2009, the Ski Area Citizens' Coalition gave the Mt. Ashland Association
a "D" grade on its annual Ski Areas Environmental Report Card, making it the least environmentally friendly ski area in Oregon.
View the SACC Report Card for Mt. Ashland here:
http://www.skiareacitizens.com/index.php?nav=report_card&de=72
View the Notice of Intent here:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue-siskiyou/projects/mtashlandski/index.shtml
For more information and ways to get involved visit:
http://www.mountashland.com
