September 15, 2004

Mt. Ashland's growing pains

By Emily Morris
Tidings Correspondent

The Forest Service's decision on the Mt. Ashland Ski Area expansion came as a disappointment, but not a surprise to local groups who had hoped a more modest proposal would be chosen.

The face of Mount Ashland would change significantly if a plan for expansion of the ski area approved by the Forest Service goes through.

Once a legal notice appears in the Medford Mail Tribune, sometime next week, there is a 45 day appeal period. Only those who submitted comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement may appeal.

Based on earlier interviews, it was expected the FEIS would identify Alternative 6 as the preferred alternative. The final decision by Forest Supervisor Scott Conroy was a combination of the two alternatives, which attempts to "minimize environmental effects predicted under Alternative 2, by modifications that are associated with Alternative 6."

The approved 71 acres of new ski terrain includes expansion into 40 acres of the McDonald Peak roadless area, and into the Middle Fork. In addition, there will be two chair lifts, two surface lifts, a parking lot expansion of 220 spaces, a four-acre tubing facility and additional infrastructure.

The FEIS was delayed while Ashland Ranger Linda Duffy reviewed the affect of expansion on the protected northern spotted owl, known to roost and forage in the area. It was determined that while 44 acres of their habitat would be affected, their population would not.

Joseph Vaile, campaign coordinator for the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center, said that he was disappointed the ski area was expanding into an area where the ecological risks are very high - the Middle Branch and roadless area.

"Seventy one acres will have a bigger impact on land by fragmenting several hundred acres," Vaile said.

The FEIS states that there is the risk of sedimentation included in the parking lot expansion, and it is the responsibility of the Mt. Ashland Association to see that it is properly mitigated. According to the FEIS, watershed restoration projects during the first year will enhance the overall quality of the watershed.

The decision allows a creek crossing along the western edge of the wetlands. "The run crosses the creek where it is within well-defined banks. Potential effects and crossing distances to the wetland have been reduced," Conroy's decision read. Among other standard requirements included in the decision, a Forest Service hydrologist or geologist will monitor construction in the wetlands.

Tonya Graham, executive director of Headwaters, said she was very disappointed and upset at alterations in the community alternative from the DEIS. The community alternative was submitted by Headwaters, and the city asked that it be included in the analysis.

The community alternative suggested the Forest Service issue two separate decisions; allow expansion of current facilities, but monitor a gladed plot for five years to gather soil data before continuing expansion. The Forest Service did not consider this for "fiscal and logistical reasons."

"We have extremely sensitive soils and don't have the data to tell if the ecosystem can handle this kind of development," Graham said.

Headwaters and other environmental groups said they haven't had time to review the FEIS before considering an appeal.

"Certainly we will write a comment, whether or not it will be received," said Tom Rose of the Rogue Group Sierra Club. The Sierra Club had proposed limiting expansion within the existent footprint of the ski area.

Ashland activist Eric Navickas said there will be local protests and as a last resort civil disobedience.

"We are in for a long legal battle," he said.

Ashland Ranger Linda Duffy said she cannot think of a project she has worked on that passed without an appeal. It is a normal part of the process she said. Without an appeal, expansion could on day 50 following the notification of a decision.

Still, Jeff Hanson, general manager of the Mt. Ashland Association, is holding out hope that the merit of the project will speak for itself.

"Hopefully, people will see that in the scheme of things, this is relatively small," Hanson said of the expansion project.