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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Guide Weather Subscribe Contact Us October 25, 2004 Appeal workshop helps show people the ropes By Emily Morris Tidings Correspondent Almost 30 people attended a recent workshop in the Ashland Public Library that dealt with writing and filing an administrative appeal to the Mount Ashland Ski Area expansion project. Wet snow gathers on multi-colored leaves above Ashland on Ashland Loop Road. Temperatures dropped as rain pelted the Valley with snow in higher elevations this weekend. Sunday night's low reached a chilly 32 degrees in the city. Andrew Mariman | Ashland Daily Tidings Many community members have expressed both support and opposition to the approved expansion. According to the final environmental impact statement, 3,269 comments were received during the 90-day comment period following the draft EIS, almost half of which supported the final chosen alternative. Of those who submitted comments, about 40 to 50 intend to appeal the Forest Service's decision, said Tracy Bungay, one of the organizers of the workshop. "It is a group of people that came together to talk about what we can do next," Bungay said. Bungay said the appeals are individual choices; the workshop was designed to give citizens another tool at their disposal. The appeal must be postmarked by Nov. 8 to the appeal deciding officer, Pacific Northwest Regional Forester Linda Goodman in Portland. She has until Dec. 23 to make a decision. Joyce Casey in the Forest Service's Portland office said not every decision is appealed, and on a controversial project it is not unusual to get maybe 5 to 10 appeals, although often like minded groups consolidate their appeal. A possible appeals record may have been the recent Biscuit fire timber sale, which received 37, said Casey. As demonstrated by that decision, the sheer number of appellants does not affect the final decision. Local environmentalist Jay Lininger led the workshop. Handouts, such as an appeal template and outlines to the appeal writing process, were provided. Only those who submitted substantive written or verbal comments during the scoping process or draft environmental impact statement comment period have standing to file an appeal. In addition, potential appellants have to demonstrate that it affects their personal interests, Lininger said. "You don't have to be an earth worshiping tree hugger to have standing," you just have to have an aesthetic interest, Lininger said. Lininger referred to where the Record of Decision states, "There would be a loss of recreational value for people who seek out remote and pristine natural settings � Any spiritual attributes some people associate with the Middle Fork area spruce grove or similar settings may also be lost or reduced." According to federal regulations, the burden-of-proof falls upon the appellant to demonstrate that the Forest Service failed to consider substantive comments or violated public policy. After the Nov. 8 deadline, interested parties such as the Mt. Ashland Association have 15 days, or until Nov. 23 to comment on the appeals. Within those same 15 days, Rogue River National Forest office Supervisor Scott Conroy has to meet with appellants and attempt to resolve the issue. If no resolution is forthcoming, an appeal reviewing officer reviews the appeals and submits a written recommendation to Goodman. The final decision is due by Dec. 23. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Slippers Isotoner Slippers Dsw Shoes Ceramic Piggy Banks Fanny Mae Eloans Calenders 2005 Calender 2005 Accelerate Weight Loss Programs Citibank Student Loans Acs Loan Matchmaking & Dating Scripts Adventure Travel Conference Calls - $50/Month Security Systems student loan consolidation helzberg diamonds Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams