Lolo Peak
Group says Thousands Oppose Resort
By Kirk Siegler, 12-01-05
Members of a group fighting Tom Maclay’s proposal for a destination ski resort on Lolo Peak say they’ve now collected signatures from some 2,500 Missoula and Bitterroot valley residents opposed to the plan.Daphne Herling of Friends of Lolo Peak handed the latest results of her group’s ongoing petition drive to a Missoula staffer of U.S. Senator Conrad Burns Wednesday afternoon.
“I hope you’ll tell the Senator that these petitions are strictly volunteer, people are doing this in their spare time,� Herling told Larry Anderson, the Senator’s Missoula field representative.
The move comes in advance of Burns’ meeting here Friday on the forest management revision process. Officials on the Lolo National Forest are currently in the midst of revising the forest’s management plan – the document that ultimately guides how the land is used. Anderson said he and his boss appreciate the input and plan to listen to both sides as the debate over the proposed ski resort heats up in the coming months.
“We look forward to getting comments from everyone that’s involved,� Anderson said.
Citizen groups like Friends of Lolo have been very much involved throughout the Lolo Forest’s scoping process this year, attending en masse various public hearings in Missoula and the north Bitterroot. Forest managers have already indicated a commercial ski development on portions of the Carlton Ridge Research Natural Area doesn’t fit in with the current management plan on the Lolo. And every indication is their final decision won’t bring drastic changes to the current plan.
But opponents of the resort worry someone higher up in the agency, or a member of Congress, might intervene and allow the proposal to move forward. Bitterroot Resort officials maintain that is not part of their plan at this time.
But Sharon Dill, who lives in the Carlton Creek drainage and attended the meeting at Senator Burns’ office, isn’t so convinced. She’s not about to forget the fight.
“We don’t want that area to become another Aspen or Vail,� Dill said.
[End of article]
I live in Whitefish, but grew up in Missoula. Here in Whitefish, the Big Mountain is working on their master plan that should take the resort forward for the next 50 years. Missoula is missing an opportunity, both economically and recreationally, for locals. I know of no one in Whitfish that looks upon the development of Big Mountain with disdain. We are proud of the "gem" in our back yarrd. Lolo Peak is where Missoul's ski are should have been built some 45 years ago. Come on Missoula, get on board!
Comment By Benjamin Courteau, 12-03-05I live in Missoula, but I lived in the Bitterroot for years. I also lived in Colorado for half of my life. Ronald some places are just not ment to become ski resorts, and the Carlton Creek/Ridge area is one of those places. Missoula/Ravalli counties already have enough trouble with unbridled development without a "destination" ski resort. I am a skier, have been all my life, and that is terrible terrain for ski runs. In addition, the lower half of the proposed area has terrible snow conditions for most of the season, and will likely only become worse as our climate changes. I think Montana has enough ski resorts; we don't need another on Missoula's only viewable Bitterroot peak. Mr.Maclay is not out to create a great ski area, the entire plan is focused on the development of Maclay's land, not skiing. He is out to line his pockets with millions at the expense of Missoula and the communities in the Bitterroot.
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