Far West Skier's Guide 2011-2012 - (Page 47)
PUBLIC AFFAIRS: 2011 UPDATE
By Scott Bowker
Vice President - Public Affairs, FWSA
photo courtesy of Schweitzer Mountain
triple; Park City – Three Kings triple. Washington: Crystal Mountain – High Campbell triple. Wyoming: Jackson Hole – Marmot double. Alberta, Canada: Marmot Basin – Paradise Express high speed quad, School House triple; Vista Ridge – Syncrude Bison quad.
cuit Court. In May 2011, after review of construction plans and site designs, Coconino National Forest Supervisor, M. Earl Stewart, authorized the implementation of the Arizona Snowbowl water pipeline construction project for snowmaking and the building of new ski runs. Construction began in May 2011 on an initial $1.3 million underground segment of the 12-inch-diameter 6.5 mile pipeline from Highway 180 - along the Snowbowl Road corridor to the Snowbowl - of the total 14 mile long pipeline project from Flagstaff. Phase 1 is expected to provide snowmaking for 134 acres of the approved 205 acres starting in the 2012-2013 season. In June 2011, six protestors were arrested after locking themselves for a few hours to construction equipment and to each other in the pipeline trench. Arizona Snowbowl had won approval of its snowmaking plan when in June 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the previous case - Navajo Nation et. al. v. U.S. Forest Service (originally filed June 2005) - that had been decided in Arizona Snowbowl’s favor at the U.S. 9th Circuit Court level. ■ Land Management Planning Rule: Provides an overall framework of assess, revise/ amend and monitor for forest plan developments, revisions and amendments which includes recreation and multiple use among the priorities. National roundtables were held in April, May, and July 2010, and a science forum was held in March 2010. DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Statement) NOA (Notice of Availability) in Federal Register February 2011, FEIS (Final Environmental Impact Statement) NOA expected in November, 2011, with the decision and implementation expected in December, 2011. Larry Hayden lhayden@fs.fed.us 202-205-1559 www.fs.usda.gov/ planningrule ■ The Proposed Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act will allow seasonal or year-round natural resource-based recreational activities that encourage outdoor recreation and enjoyment of nature while harmonizing with the natural environment provided that such activities are located within the developed portion of the ski resort. Activities expressly permitted include zip lines, mountain bike terrain parks and trails, frisbee golf courses and ropes
courses. Excluded activities are tennis courts, water slides and water parks, swimming pools, golf courses, and amusement parks. Bill S. 382 was sent to the full Senate in July 2011 and bill H.R. 765 was sent to the House of Representatives in June 2011. ■ American Dream Meadowlands (formerly Meadowlands Xanadu) is a $2.7 billion megamall project in East Rutherford, NJ. It includes a 700 foot indoor ski slope which was approved in May 2011 for $200 million in state tax breaks for its new developer. Triple Five of Canada owns the 4.2 million square foot Mall of America in MN and the 5.3 million square foot West Edmonton Mall in Alberta, Canada. This three million square foot development is expected to open Phase 1 in fall 2013; and Phase 2 in spring 2014. It is predicted to serve 55 million visitors annually. Plans includes shops, restaurants, nightclubs, a 26-screen movie theater, a 3,000-seat perf o r m i n g a r t s t h e a t e r, i n d o o r g l a s s domed amusement and water parks; and a skating rink in addition to the indoor ski slope. ■ Antelope Butte, WY. Nonprofit Antelope Butte Foundation (Mark Weitz, Chairman) plans to reopen the ski area which has been closed since 2004 between Shell and Dayton, WY for the 2012-2013 season. The 250 acre ski area has an annual snowfall of 200 inches, a summit elevation of 9,400 feet with a vertical drop of 1,000 feet, two double chairlifts and a rope tow. www.facebook.com/AntelopeButteFoundation ■ Battle Mountain, CO. Planned ski area near Minturn, CO with 4-5 fixed lifts, plus 3-4 snowcats to take skiers to the top of lifts, about 170,000 square feet of commercial space (coffee shop, ski shop, chili shacks). In April 2011, the Colorado Supreme Court had agreed to hear a case, Town of Minturn v. Sensible Housing, Inc., Case No. 10SC670, involving an annexation dispute between the Town of Minturn and a company claiming an ownership interest in the parcels to be annexed. Minturn has an agreement with Crave Real Estate to annex 4,300 acres into the town for the project. In December 2010, the developer Crave Real Estate won key water rights for its proposed 1, 210 acre-foot reservoir at Bolts Lake, south of Minturn which would
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The snowmaking supply line is being installed along Snowbowl Road this past summer. The installation is projected to be completed next summer for snowmaking to be functional for the 2012-13 season. The photo looks down on Upper Volcano. The run starts directly below the top of the Agassiz Lift. This will be the steepest groomed run in the Southwest.
photo courtesy of the Arizona Snowbowl
■ Arizona Snowbowl: Save the Peaks Coalition filed an injunction in January 2011 and the opening brief in April 2011 in the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to appeal the December 2010 ruling by U.S. District Judge, Mary Murguia in Phoenix that Save the Peaks Coalition which opposes snowmaking waited too long to file their new lawsuit (Save the Peaks Coalition v. U.S. Forest Service filed September 2009) and that the U.S. Forest Service adequately considered the risks of using reclaimed water to make snow. A separate March 2011 emergency injunction to stop tree cutting and construction in furtherance of snowmaking pending the outcome of the appeal was denied in April 2011 by the U.S. 9th Cir-
Far West Skier’s Guide 2O11 - 2O12
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Far West Skier's Guide 2011-2012
Far West Skier's Guide 2011-2012
Contents
The Premiere Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide Well Received
Board of Directors, Trustees
President’s Message: FWSA Offers Many Benefits, Trips & Activities
FWSA Committee Chairmen and Other Representatives
National Ski Council Federation Serves Councils & Clubs Nationwide
Far West Members Prepare for Winter, 2012
Council Information
Communications: The Key to Success!
Building Your Snowsports Program
FWSA Individual Membership Form
Order Form / Far West Skier’s Guide
FWSA Travel Program
FWRA Board of Directors
FWRA Program
FWRA Silent Auction Donors
FWRA League Race Chairs
FWRA Race Schedule
Race Trophies
FWSA Athletic Scholarship Program
Far West Ski Foundation Objectives
FWSA 2011 Convention
FWSA 2011 Convention Sponsors
Silent Auction & Travel Expo Participants - 2011
Travel Expo/Silent Auction Milestones
Convention Door Prize Donors
2011 Councils’ Man & Woman of the Year
FWSA Service Award Winners
FWSA Safety Person of the Year
FWSA Western Ski Heritage Award
FWSA Club and Council History Recognition
FWSA Snowsports Builder Awards
Charities & Our Communities
2012 FWSA Convention - Ogden, Utah
FWSA Plans Future Conventions
Public Affairs - 2011 Update
Bernd Ritschel & The Bavarian Alps
Lodging Guide
FWSA Council & Club Information
Clubs, Councils & Families Come Together
Regional Ski Shows
Far West Skier's Guide 2011-2012
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