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54 °F 5 Day Forecast Friday, November 28, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend October 21, 2003 Council to look at Mt. Ashland plan Some want Ashland to look at the various Forest Service options By BILL CHOY for the Mail Tribune ASHLAND —The controversial proposed expansion of Mount Ashland’s ski area will be revisited at tonight’s City Council meeting. Council member Kate Jackson is proposing that the council broaden its position on expansion and address concerns about the Forest Service’s draft environmental impact statement. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Civic Center council chambers, 1175 E. Main St. The council voted 4-3 Oct. 7 to neither endorse nor oppose expansion and to ask the Forest Service to implement safeguards if the agency approves new development. Advertisement The vote triggered an angry response from those at the meeting who oppose expansion, some who angrily yelled at the council after the vote. Jackson, who has a master’s degree in soils science, is suggesting the council’s statement to the Forest Service address broader concerns about water quality and quantity, forest health, wildlife habitat and landslide hazard impacts in the Middle Fork of the East Fork of Ashland Creek. "I think it’s important to provide direction to the Forest Service with these comments," Jackson said. "We’re part of a larger public process." Her revisions request restricting activities in the Middle Fork area until phase two of the expansion, followed by intensive monitoring of impacts to water quality and forest health. "It builds on what (city public works Director Paula Brown) wrote and adds to it," Jackson said. "This proposal takes the extra step of looking at the forest health. ... The health of our watershed depends on the health of our forest." The Forest Service is accepting public input on the draft environmental impact statement until Thursday. If an alternative is approved that allows installation of a new chairlift, Jackson proposed a list of activities that should follow. They include ensuring the base of the chairlift is outside an Engelmann Spruce grove to the east of vegetation associated with wetlands. If the vegetation can’t be avoided, the lift base should be as far east as possible and include design standards to minimize disturbance of soils and water and to enhance restoration of the area with native vegetation, Jackson said. Also, Jackson suggested employing a scientific team during the first phase of installation to assess the impacts of development. The team, she said, should report to the Forest Service. While the council has been split with this issue in the past, Jackson hopes her revised proposal will pass. "I’m hopeful this is a statement the council can endorse," she said. "I’d wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of writing it up if I didn’t think so." Bill Choy is a reporter for the Ashland Daily Tidings. Reach him at 482-3456. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times