an uphill battle
Commenters Object to Bitterroot Resort Proposal
By Matthew Frank, 2-08-07
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A majority of citizens who submitted comments to the Forest Service regarding the potential for skiing atop Lolo Peak are opposed to the idea, according to an analysis conducted by the Sierra Club.
The results indicate that about 80 percent of the comments were in opposition to the proposed Bitterroot Resort, and of those, 43 percent cited wilderness, roadless and primitive values as the main reason. Twenty percent spoke out in favor of development.
The Forest Service, in response to its revision of the Lolo and Bitterroot National Forest management plans, received nearly 2,000 total letters, 1,014 of which were specific to the future management of the public lands around Lolo Peak.
“It’s very telling,” said Bob Clark of the Sierra Club, “that between these two forests, the future of just 12,000 acres garnered more than half of the comments. It shows the level of interest and concern.”
As Perry Backus of the Missoulian reports, Bitterroot Resort Chief Executive Officer Jim McGill said he wasn’t surprised by the comments. “We’ve found that it’s usually the people who are opposed to a project who voice their opinions,” Gill told the Missoulian.
Forest Service officials are now reviewing the comments as they develop final management plans, which will be released in the spring and followed by a 30-day comment period.
“The results of the comment analysis are what they are, “ said Clark. “There isn’t any bias.”
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Comments
I think that people who would support this project probably have jobs, oh I mean better things to do than write letters to the Forest Service.
If they have "better things to do" than participate in the democratic process of their government, then they have no business whining.
-Californiamontanacan
1) I support protection of Forest Service Research Natural Areas - areas that have the highest level of protection the FS can give - Carlton Ridge Research Natural Area, for instance.
2) I support open space preservation, and development that provides opportunity for low and middle income people to get in on the ground floor. Not exactly what you had in mind, eh, Tom?
3) I support the value of community and public opinion - I support decisions that self-interested communities make in the best interest of their shared future. - That's why the comments run against your silly little proposal, Tom.
4) I support the Forest Service for refusing to cave and allow you to build a ski resort in a roadless area, a research natural area, and an area prone to landslides.
5) Finally, I support Tommy's right to do whatever the hell he wants with HIS property. Keep your dozers, chainsaws, lifts, condos, McMansions, and marketing off our public land, sir. Go ahead, Tom, Develop! That muddy, knapweed covered hill you've got there might even be able to support man-made snow for a couple of weeks every season!
- on a side note - I just moved to Durango, and we currently have a rich weasel Texan with his sights on Wolf Creek resort here - he wants his own 'lil Vail up there. - he's having trouble though, Tom, and he's a damn sight richer than you are!
Good Luck, A$$*≤!