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Excerpt from:  Ski Communities and New Developments
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December 21, 2009

Crested Butte Ski Resort Appeals Rejection of Snodgrass Mountain Expansion Plan

Forest Service halts plans for ski resort development by Crested Butte

Crested Butte ski resort has wanted to expand for a while. As a result, the resort is hoping that real estate development can take place on Snodgrass Mountain in Gunnison National Forest. But the ski resort hit a snag last Friday when the Forest Service decided to reject the request.

The Denver Post reports on what the Forest Service said about rejecting the real estate development request:

In a Nov. 5 letter to the resort, forest supervisor Charlie Richmond characterized the proposal as divisive to locals, who use the area for hiking, cycling and backcountry skiing.

He cited "geologic hazards presented by unstable soils and unpredictable hydrology," potentially affecting slope stability and increasing avalanches.

As expected, Crested Butte ski resort operators are appealing the decision. They are calling for public comment and environmental study before the decision about the ski resort development is final.

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by Ski Resort Markets | ↑top | link to this#
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Comments
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The Public process 2004-2009, Crested Butte

Untrue the public has been left out

It is simply untrue that the Crested Butte public has been left out of this decision.  Some facts below:

  • Forest Service received 500+ "heartfelt letters" since 2004
  • Town of CB held public forum in Mar. 2008; 150 attended, 50 townies spoke in favor of saving Snodgrass, 1 town resident spoke in favor of lifts
  • Town of Mt. CB sent out 1000+ surveys in early 2000
  • CBMR had 3 public meetings which allowed public comment since 2004
  • Forest service quoted many times in local papers requesting the public to weigh in.
  • CBMR's own website encouraged folks to weigh in
  • Friends of Snodgrass have a petition of 1500 signatures gathered from 2005-2009
  • Towns of CB, and CB South and Gunnison each sent letters to the Forest Service representing their communities
  • Literally, 100's of letters to the editors in the local rags since 2004, for and against
  •  CBMR and Friends of Snodgrass both maintained websites encouraging their supporters to get involved and let their opinions be known.
So this idea that the public was just plain left out of the process is simply not the case.  To continue this line of argument ultimately hurts the pro-lift side credibility, imho.
by Jim Sosinski | December 22, 2009 | ↑top | link to this#
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RE: Crested Butte Ski Resort Appeals Rejection of Snodgrass Mountain Expansion Plan

You make a good point. Crested Butte is calling for public comment, so even though it appears that there has been plenty of public input, the ski resort is still asking for more. Or at least hoping to forestall a final decision.
by Ski Resort Markets | December 22, 2009 | ↑top | link to this#
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