Bridger Development Zoning “Sell-out” Verdict out till mid May

By FuMa, New West Unfiltered 4-18-07

The crest between Brackett Creek and Bridger Canyon is the key divide between the watersheds of the Gallitan and Yellowstone watersheds. It is a crossroads that was traditionally used by Native Americans. Its unique topography is a literal bottleneck and passage between three valleys. THE PROPSAL IS TO CORK IT.

This proposded mountain village would do nothing to increase the quality of Bridger Bowl or Bridger canyon, rather it would be a serious degredation of an otherwise wild place for the profit of the few and the sacrafice of the character and community orientation of Bridger.

By its very definition Bridger is a community ski area. How does 452 units of resort-type cabins, 75 single-family homes, an 8,300-square-foot lodge, and ski lifts to serve these accomidations serve the community.. Fact is it dosent! All facitaties are designed for overnight guests, not for locals or community in any way.

At night the distant light of Bozeman can be seen over the Bridgers. It is a relativley empty place.

IT is a capitalistic scheme to develop the area. It does not offer new or better terrian to ski but rather an aternative base area to be called "Alpine Base" to the North of Bridger. Proponents of the proposal argue that this will make BridgerBowl more viable.

The astheic and envirnmental costs are a year round burden to bear for an offering of a seasonal benifit to an allready overcrowded ski area that is in favorable adjacentness to town. IT is only 15 miles from Bozeman!

“This development is what the drafters of the Bridger Canyon zoning ordinance intended,” Sobol, an attorney representing the developer, defended.

Really the proposal signifigantly softens zoning in a formerly tight zoning area. If these republican pigs have their way we can kiss the good ole days of Bridger bye-bye.

There are some improvements that can be made within the framework of a development but the charater of this proposal is clearly in the interest of the few at the cost of the whole....

Hoping integrity and a higher vision can prevail on this sacred land. [End of article]