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Ski Ashland plan gets another look Forest Service starts new environmental analysis with more info By PAUL FATTIG ASHLAND - The Forest Service is taking another run at the proposed Ski Ashland expansion plans atop Mount Ashland in the Rogue River National Forest. The agency announced Friday that it will begin a new environmental analysis process after studying the comments made on the draft environmental impact statement released early last year. More than 1,500 comments were received. "This is not a 'starting over' but a continuation that reflects extensive public involvement," stressed forest supervisor Jack Williams. In particular, the process will include examining two major points brought up in many of the comments: expanding Ski Ashland east toward an area known as the "Knoll" as well as improving the current ski area. "We are also looking at other ideas," said Linda Duffy, ranger in charge of the Ashland Ranger District. "We have so much more information than we had when we did the first analysis." In the draft EIS, the three alternatives included no action; an alternative proposed by the Mount Ashland Association that would expand the ski area by some 71 acres to the west; and a third alternative that would expand it by 63 acres. Although the Forest Service had no preferred alternative, the third option reflected agency concerns as well as earlier public comments. The third alternative recommended expanding the main lodge instead of building a midmountain lodge as proposed by the association. The expansion plans drew the ire of environmental groups concerned that it would degrade the watershed, which the city of Ashland relies on for its municipal water supply. The Rogue Group Sierra Club, which had led the opposition to the association's proposal, applauded the agency's decision to begin a new environmental analysis. "It's a very good thing," said spokesman Tom Rose of Ashland. "Our concern was that, between the association and the Forest Service, they would go to final EIS without addressing other alternatives." The decision to continue the process shows the agency is listening to the public, he said. But Jeff Hanson, general manager of Ski Ashland, a facility owned by the public, had hoped the process, which began in 1991, was nearing an end. "We appreciate that the Forest Service is working to provide the best information possible to the public and the decision makers," he said. "They are taking a good hard look. "But, obviously, we think they've done that already in large measure," he added. "The draft EIS issued last year was the result of years of study." The association, which represents a broad base of the Rogue Valley, believes the proposed expansion can be accomplished with negligible impact on the environment, he said. "Our frustration is that this could delay the obvious community benefits," he said. "But we're happy that throughout the process, there has been such incredible interest. This does give us the opportunity to incorporate some of those good ideas." The new process will include field work this summer with the new analysis released this fall or winter, Duffy said. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.