Document text
Ski debate nears end of run Debate remains heated over the expansion of the ski area on Mount Ashland. Thursday marks the deadline for comment on three alternatives under consideration by the U.S. Forest Service. As comment period closes, most favor Mount Ashland expansion By PAUL FATTIG ASHLAND -- The mountain of letters grows as the deadline approaches for public comment on the draft environmental impact statement for the Mount Ashland ski area expansion proposal. More than 600 comments have arrived at the Ashland Ranger District, the most for any forest issue since the Rogue River National Forest called for input on its proposed plan in the late 1980s. Thursday is the last day to comment. It couldn't come too soon for Steve Johnson, the district's project leader for analysis of the proposed expansion. "I'll be glad when we are completely done with this," Johnson said. "It's been going on a long time. We owe it to ourselves in the Forest Service and to the community -- the proponents and the opponents -- to finish this and move on. "This debate has brought out the best and the worst in people," he added. "It has been very emotional for both supporters and opponents. There has been a lot of soul searching for a lot of people. It's been hard." About 70 percent of the comments thus far support some form of expansion, Johnson estimated. The draft EIS contains three alternatives: no action; Ski Ashland's $3.3 million proposal; and the Forest Service's scaled-back version. The report lists no preferred alternative. The Mount Ashland Association, which operates the publicly owned nonprofit ski area, hopes to build a new chairlift, expand parking, expand existing lodge, build a ticket service building near the parking lot, and add a composting toilet facility in the area known as the Bowl. Expansion supporters say the plan would reduce crowded conditions while creating more intermediate and novice ski trails. Led by the Rogue Group Sierra Club but including some skiers and snowboarders, those opposing the proposed expansion say it would damage the watershed supplying the city of Ashland. Opponents also express objections to the impact on rare plants, including a stand of Engelmann spruce. They object to expanding into the McDonald Peak roadless area. And they have suggested any expansion should occur to the east in the area known as the Knoll. The letters run the gamut of concerns, and include everything from a comment written on the inside of a cereal box to e-mail. Some are typed, others are written in longhand. "The ski area is long overdue for well-planned growth, and a decade of exhaustive studies have shown minimal environmental impact will result," wrote a Medford school teacher in support of Alternative 2, the scaled-back version. Noting that he takes his students to the mountain to ski, he said more beginning and intermediate trails are needed for skiers with lesser abilities. "With our children being tempted more and more to turn to material values and the `me' world of consumerism, we must do everything it takes to make sure they remain spiritually connected to our land," he added. Another writer wasn't concerned about the impact on the roadless area. "I don't believe 47 acres of `my' land as a U.S. citizen is too much when we are talking about 9,500 acres in the McDonald roadless area," wrote the Ashland resident. A man in Syracuse, N.Y., wrote in support of the expansion, calling it wise multiple use. "Athletics and recreation facilities divert young people from undesirable activities such as crime, violence, substance abuse, premature sex and other aberrations," he concluded. An Ashland resident tended to agree, noting he was in support of Alternative 2. "Although my family and I are not downhill skiers, I see the ski area as an important recreational facility for the children of Ashland," he wrote. "It provides them with a safe and healthy place to spend their time." Another Ashland resident wrote to change her mind. "I would like to change my position on the expansion of Ski Ashland," she wrote. "After reading many people's heartfelt and thoroughly researched views on preserving the watershed, I feel the beauty and diversity of this area is too rare for additional impact." One letter from a climatologist at an Oregon university supported Alternative 2, while another scientist from the same institution opposed any expansion. Many letters commend the Forest Service for its work in putting together the draft EIS. Others say it was poorly crafted, inaccurate and lacked depth. Some comments were form letters opposing expansion and in support of wilderness: "The proposed ski expansion into 500 acres of pristine wilderness and municipal watershed will cause destruction of wilderness, roadless area, creeks and wetlands, rare plants and animals, old-growth forest, views and landscapes. This is not acceptable. Please offer more alternatives, including one for the Knoll." But in a handwritten letter chock full of spelling errors, a young skier in Grants Pass said he liked Alternative 2. "I have been skying since I was two," he wrote. "Mount A is a very good mounten and it wood be grate if it cood get better. I hope you will lett the mounten expand. It wood be grate." The agency has yet to receive what Johnson expects will be lengthy comments from major environmental organizations or the skiing industry. Those letters will arrive before the deadline, he predicted. "What we want are comments on the draft EIS that are substantive," he said. Comments should note why the writer is for or against any of the alternatives. "To help us propose a thorough and complete EIS, we need substantive comments that clarify or add new information." Comments should be sent to: Linda Duffy, Ashland Ranger District, 645 Washington St., Ashland, OR 97520. A final EIS and decision are expected late this summer. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA