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Council hearing ski area reports By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings The Ashland City Council will hear presentations from city staff about possible effects of the proposed Mt. Ashland Ski Area expansion during a special Monday study session. The two-hour session begins at noon in the Ashland Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main St. Although the meeting is open to the public, citizen input may not be taken because of time constraints. "Most of the meeting will be filled with presentations and council discussion," said City Administrator Gino Grimaldi. Earlier this summer, the U.S. Forest Service released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement detailing a no-expansion alternative and five expansion options. The agency's preferred option, Alternative 6, includes new ski runs west and downhill of the existing ski area, new chairlifts, a snow tubing facility, a second lodge near the summit, an expanded parking lot and other facilities. The ski area is located on Forest Service land in the Ashland Watershed, source of the city's drinking water. At Monday's meeting, Forest Service staff will give a short presentation on whether an expansion would affect water quality and quantity, according to Grimaldi. City Public Works Director Paula Brown, who is responsible for the city's water treatment plant, also will present her findings on the issue. Finance Director Lee Tuneberg and City Attorney Paul Nolte will discuss any financial risks of an expansion, Grimaldi said. The City of Ashland holds the lease to the non-profit ski area, which is operated by the Mt. Ashland Association. Some have questioned whether an expansion would jeopardize the financial health of the ski area, and if the city would be liable for the costs of restoring the land in the event of the ski area's financial failure. Finally, Fire Chief Keith Woodley will discuss the impact expansion could have on wildfire risk in the Ashland Watershed, Grimaldi said. Community members will have a chance to offer input to the council on the expansion during a public hearing scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, in the council chambers. The council then will discuss the ski expansion during the regular council meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, with possible discussions to continue on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Comments to the Forest Service from the council and the public are due Oct. 23 because of an extended comment period. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -