There have been two attempts now for Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) to expand its current terrain by 276 acres with the addition of three lifts and a gondola onto the neighboring Snodgrass Mountain. In November of last year, the first official expansion proposal onto Snodgrass was rejected by the U.S. Forest Service. Then in December, CBMR filed an appeal for the decision and yesterday the U.S. Forest Chief, Tome Tidwell, affirmed the decision, supporting the denial with a formal review.
For the rest of the details, here’s the Release:
U.S. FOREST CHIEF AFFIRMS DECISION FOR CRESTED BUTTE’S SNODGRASS MOUNTAIN EXPANSION PROPOSAL
“MT. CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. - July 14, 2010 - Today U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell released a decision on his formal review of the recent appeal decision concerning Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s (CBMR) Snodgrass Mountain Expansion Proposal. The review was conducted by Associate Deputy Chief Gloria Manning on behalf of Chief Tidwell. Manning affirmed the decision by Deputy Regional Forester James Peña and Forest Supervisor Charlie Richmond.
“Of course we’re incredibly disappointed with this decision,” said Tim Mueller, president of CBMR. “The Forest Service has decided it is appropriate for one Forest Service employee to decide the future of an entire community with no public process whatsoever. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, U.S. Senator Mark Udall, other elected officials and thousands of citizens have asked the Forest Service to allow public review through a NEPA process,” added Mueller. “The Forest Service has refused.”
Chief Tidwell’s decision directs Forest Supervisor Richmond to discuss with CBMR whether or not there is a proposal for skiing on Snodgrass Mountain that can and will be considered by the Forest Service. CBMR looks forward to those discussions.
“As far as next steps we’ve just received the decision and have not yet received the attachment,” added Mueller. “We are considering all of our options.”
Background:
On December 18, 2009, Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) filed an appeal with the U.S. Forest Service disputing the agency’s November 2009 decision to reject the resort’s proposed expansion onto Snodgrass Mountain without conducting a public review under NEPA. In its appeal CBMR asked the Forest Service to initiate a public and objective NEPA process for Snodgrass.
About Snodgrass Mountain
The proposed Snodgrass Mountain expansion would increase the amount of intermediate and advanced terrain at CBMR with 276 acres of skiing served by three lifts, a beginner carpet, and a connector Gondola from Crested Butte Mountain. Snodgrass Mountain is located adjacent to Crested Butte Mountain.
For more information about the proposed Snodgrass Mountain expansion visit http://www.snodgrassfacts.com
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