History. In 1984, the Forest Service released a draft environmental impact statement for expansion of the Telluride Ski resort into Prospect Basin and the surrounding area, just south of the existing ski area. There was considerable opposition to this proposal. Perhaps as a result, the Forest Service approved a slightly modified version of the expansion in 1996. However, the approved version was still objectionable, and it was appealed in September of that year by the Colorado Environmental Coalition, The Sheep Mountain Alliance, and Phil and Linda Miller.
After the appeal was denied by the Deputy Regional Forester, appellants filed suit in Federal District Court in Denver. As a result, the Forest Service rescinded its approval. The agency than appointed a new project leader (the objectivity and ethics of the previous leader had been questioned). A draft supplement to the final EIS was published in early October, 1998.
The Proposal. As with the original proposal,
the centerpiece of the current one is Prospect Basin. A new lift would
be constructed to the top of a ridge between Palmyra Peak and Bald Mountain,
opening up a whole new basin to skiing. Much grading or "contouring", i.
e., earthmoving, would have to be done to construct ski runs in this pod
because the first few hundred yards are very steep, but then the terrain
is almost flat.
Up to six other new lifts could be constructed
nearby to access even more terrain, depending on the alternative chosen;
the total increase in skiable acres ranges from 50% to 148%. This could
include runs in the Skunk Creek area, opposed by people owning land near
there and by others because it is one of the last intact forest ecosystems
near the ski area. Also, up to seven new restaurants could be built!
The Impacts. It would take a considerable amount of earthmoving to contour the new runs to the proper steepness. Otherwise, skiers would have a brief expert run followed by a long, almost flat section. The idea is to make more intermediate terrain, but even with the extensive contouring, it won't be very good intermediate skiing. This grading could cause a great deal of erosion and sedimentation into Prospect Creek. Wetlands in Prospect Basin would be adversely affected, especially if runs are contoured. Noxious weeds could also get established.
The Prospect Basin runs would destroy some of the best cross-country skiing in the Telluride area. Cross-country skiing is already limited there because much of the potentially suitable terrain is avalanche-prone.
The integrity of the largest patch of old growth forest within the ski area boundary would be destroyed, as cutting and grading runs there would fragment habitat for wildlife species needing this type of habitat. Old growth forests in the Telluride area are already scarce because of extensive timber cutting during the time the area was settled and mined, roughly 90-120 years ago. Many forests have regenerated since then, but they are nowhere near old enough to develop the old growth characteristics needed by some wildlife species.
Telluride is already a non-attainment area under the federal Clean Air Act. Under that Act, the federal government cannot approve, fund, or permit any action that would cause a violation or worsen an existing one. Yet with any expansion, more people would drive to the area, reducing the already poor air quality in violation of law.
As locals know all too well, there is a severe shortage of affordable housing in the Telluride area, making it difficult to find enough workers to operate the ski area. But an expanded ski area will require even more workers, making the already bad situation considerably worse.
The expanded area could be used in summer, forcing the resident elk herd out. The presence of potentially large numbers of people, brought there by ski lifts, would adversely affect other wildlife species as well, especially during their nesting periods.
Does the proposed expansion seem like a good idea to you? If not, please read on.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
We need to send a strong message to the Forest Service that the expansion is not acceptable. Thus please write to: Robert Storch, Telluride Draft Supplement, USDA Forest Service, P. O. Box 388, Norwood, CO 81423. Your letter must be postmarked or hand-delivered by November 23.
Make some or all of the following points in your letter:
--State that the runs in Prospect Basin would not make good beginning, intermediate, or expert ski terrain, because of the dramatic change in steepness, no matter how extensively contoured. And mention that this grading would lead to unacceptable impacts to wetlands, soils, and water quality, and could lead to the establishment of noxious weeds.
--Note that the expansion would cause an illegal increase in air pollution in the Telluride area.
--Object to the fragmentation of old growth forests. Note that they are already scarce. Also object to the adverse impact on wildlife generally, including elk and other species. On this basis, object to construction of any runs in the Skunk Creek drainage and oppose lift-served summer use of Prospect Basin.
--Object to the expansion on grounds that the
affordable housing crisis would get even worse.
For further information, contact: Rocky Smith at
303 839-5900, or Joan May at the Sheep Mountain Alliance office in Telluride,
970 728-3729.
Rocky Smithrocky@sinapu.org
Scott Silver, Executive Director,
Wild Wilderness
248 NW Wilmington Avenue, Bend OR 97701
Phone (541) 385-5261 E-mail: ssilver@wildwilderness.org