September 4, 2004
Alternative 6 likely to be chosen
By Emily Morris
Tidings Correspondent
The much anticipated Final Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Mount Ashland Ski Area expansion could be ready any time now, according to Ashland District Ranger Linda Duffy.
The FEIS contains five expansion alternatives, and one no-action alternative. The Forest Service is leaning toward recommendation of Alternative 6, said Duffy, which would include expansion on both sides of the disputed Middle Branch of Ashland Creek's East Fork.
Alternative 6 is a variation of the Mt. Ashland Association proposal, and has changed from the Draft EIS released in 2003. It includes ski runs into the Middle Branch, but to minimize the impact on sensitive wetlands, a bridge would be laid across the creek crossing by a helicopter, which is preferable to excavating for a bridge, said Duffy.
The alternative includes the removal of 37 Engelmann Spruce, but the area's unique whitebark pine groves would remain undisturbed.
It excludes additional parking spaces and the proposed Moraine Lodge, replacing the lodge with toilets and a ski patrol structure, Duffy said. Because of parking limitations, the ski area would be forced to revamp its shuttle system, Duffy said.
Tubing facilities with an additional 20 parking spaces, a yurt, composting toilets, chairlift, night lighting, and watershed restoration projects were included in all the expansion alternatives.
The final expansion decision rests with Rogue River and Siskiyou National Forests Supervisor Scott Conroy, along with the Klamath National Forest Supervisor. A small southern portion of the ski area is located in the Klamath National Forest.
Should expansion be approved, the City of Ashland, as the Special Use Permit holder, would decide whether or not to implement the expansion in phases, and whether or not to appoint a Quality Control/Quality Assurance Team to oversee work, Duffy said.
Final report delayed
Originally slotted for a spring release, the FEIS has been continuously postponed, most recently because of a ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals concerning the northern spotted owl.
The ruling said that under the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is applying an inadequate standard to protect the spotted owl. The Fish and Wildlife service is only maintaining the current species, not providing for population recovery, said Joseph Vaile, campaign coordinator of Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center, one of the groups who participated in the suit.
The ski area is located on land designated as critical habitat for the spotted owl, which means it is used as roosting and foraging territory, Duffy said. In the Draft EIS, the Forest Service relied on a 1999 biological opinion by the Fish and Wildlife Service. It was decided that while expansion would affect spotted owl habitat, it would not affect their overall population, Duffy said.
The Mt. Ashland project was not named in the suit, but Duffy said she is in the process of validating the 1999 Fish and Wildlife opinion as a conservative measure.
The ski area sits poised at the top of the Ashland Watershed on 961 acres of federal land. The city leases the Special Use Permit for $1 a month to the Mt. Ashland Association, a nonprofit group formed to manage the community-owned ski resort.
Currently there are 114 acres of ski runs, and a disproportionate 78 percent is advanced terrain. Ski area General Manager Jeff Hanson said the resort is short on parking, lodge and rental shop space, as well as beginner runs. The expansion increases the proportion of novice terrain.
"We would fund expansion in phases primarily through a capital campaign. We have reason to believe we can raise $2 million," said Hanson, basing figures on a study commissioned by expansion proponents.
Hanson said the initial phase of expansion will cost about $2 million, while the entire project could go well over $5 million. Currently, MAA and community members are firming up plans to raise funds. The initial development phase will include mainly base area improvements, but is dependent on finances, said Hanson.
"Conservative analysis says we will increase revenues by 13 percent in 5 years," Hanson said.
The ski area has had financial difficulty in the past, but the MAA hopes with the expanded terrain and improved facilities to appeal to a wider group. If the resort fails and ceases operation, the city assumes the costs for restoring the mountain, which would about $360,000, said Ashland Finance Director Lee Tuneberg.
"The ski area's current list of assets far exceeds that amount," Tuneberg said.
Economic feasibility aside, Ashland residents have long been divided on the proposed expansion of the community-owned ski resort. In 1991, the Forest Service set the land aside for recreational use, allowing expansion under certain conditions.
The ski area is considered a valuable community asset, and proponents say is a valuable part of the local winter economy.
But so far, many Ashland residents have been persistent in trying to preserve the rare species habitat, centuries-old trees, submerged streams and a stand of Engelmann Spruce in the area.
Right now the area cannot be traversed without jumping from log to log, but Alternative 6 involves laying a bridge across the fragile wetlands and cutting into the pristine McDonald Peak Roadless Area.
"If you cut into one area, when does it stop?" asked Tom Rose of the Rogue Group Sierra Club.
The Sierra Club and the Headwaters environmental group backed a community proposal that would limit expansion to the eastern portion of the Special Use Permit area, stopping where there would be a creek crossing.
Even those critical of the expansion generally give, or used to give, the Mt. Ashland Ski Area positive reviews for its environmental efforts. A lot of energy has been spent trying to reverse damage done during construction in 1963, when the thin topsoil was scraped with a backhoe to clear for ski runs, said Duffy.
Duffy said modern development of runs will not develop problems beyond natural soil movement. It will not alter waterways, she said.
Soil compaction, erosion and sedimentation caused by construction and tree removal would be mitigated by the Ashland Watershed Restoration projects included in the FEIS, she said.
"When the Forest Service says that they have refused to listen to a myriad of independent expert analyses - from reports ranging from tree removal to soil compaction," said a clearly skeptical George Sexton, conservation director of KS Wild.
Sexton believes the Forest Service is ignoring obvious threats to the watershed. "It is not even controversial to say removing canopy increases peak flow. How many times will Ashland flood before they put two and two together?" he asked.
But Duffy contends that while changes might occur in the immediate area, no data has been found that the water quality would be affected in the overall watershed.
Another concern is change in migratory patterns and noise pollution in the Siskiyou Crest Corridor where the ski area is located. The Pacific Fisher, a forest carnivore that once ranged through much of the Pacific Northwest, has been found in the expansion area. Recently the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center filed a notice of intent to sue the Fish and Wildlife Service for the Fisher's listing under the Endangered Species Act, but that will not affect the current project.
Duffy said the impact is unfortunate, but the land was already set aside for recreational use in 1991.
A recommendation is contained in the FEIS, presumably alternative 6, but the final decision will rest with Rogue River National Forest Supervisor Scott Conroy and the Klamath National Forest supervisor.
Following that Record of Decision, which could be released simultaneously or within 30 days following the FEIS, there is a 45-day appeal period.
Local environmentalists say they cannot predict whether they will appeal without first reviewing the FEIS. If there is no appeal, the Mt. Ashland Ski Area expansion could be begin as early as day 50 after the record of decision.
Opponents of the ski area expansion have predicted on-site protest at first hint of chainsaws.