Conservationists Respond to Approval of Vail Expansion
12/5/97
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Headline: Conservationists Respond to Approval of Vail Expansion
Source: Rocky Smith, Colorado Enviro. Coalition " 303/837-8704 --
rockys@cecenviro.org
Celena Olden " 970/845-7902
Ted Zukoski, LAW Fund " 303/444-1188 x213 -- lawndwater@lawfund.org
Date: 12/5/97
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, December 5, 1997
CONTACT: Rocky Smith, Colorado Enviro. Coalition " 303/837-8704 --
rockys@cecenviro.org
Celena Olden " 970/845-7902
Ted Zukoski, LAW Fund " 303/444-1188 x213 -- lawndwater@lawfund.org
CONSERVATIONISTS RESPOND TO APPROVAL OF VAIL EXPANSION
The Rocky Mountain Region of the Forest Service today rejected an appeal by
seven conservation groups and a dozen individuals challenging the White
River National Forest's decision to approve the Vail Category III ski area
expansion. The decision removes the last Forest Service hurdle to the
expansion, which will cut the heart out of a 4,000 acre roadless area by
bulldozing ski trails on over a square mile of public land, and constructing
12.2 miles of roads and ski-ways, 4 lifts, and a 20,000 square foot
restaurant. The project will also destroy habitat for the endangered lynx.
Vail Associates will reap millions in profits from this use of
taxpayer-owned lands, and pay only a fraction of those profits to lease the
area.
"We're disappointed that the Forest Service is determined to approve this
destructive development in violation of the law and its own regulations,"
said Rocky Smith, forest ecology coordinator for the Colorado Environmental
Coalition. "It's a slap in the face to Vail Valley residents and to the
wildlife and resources the Forest Service is required to protect. We will
continue our efforts to stop this unnecessary project. This could include
litigation."
VA must clear at least two additional hurdles before proceeding with the
project. First, it must obtain permits from the US Army Corps of Engineers
permitting it to destroy wetlands. Second, it must obtain a special use
permit from Eagle County to comply with planning and zoning regulations.
"The message we will be taking to the County Commissioners is simple: Vail
CAT III will lead to more traffic, more congestion, more pollution, more
sprawl, an even greater need for affordable housing, more pressure on the
available water supply, less wildlife habitat, and less unspoiled country,"
said Celena Olden, an Avon resident. "That's why so many Vail Valley
residents oppose this project. The millionaires at VA are sacrificing the
community to satisfy their lust for profit."
The groups filing the appeal included: Colorado Environmental Coalition,
Ancient Forest Rescue, Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project, Defenders of
Wildlife, Sierra Club (Rocky Mountain Chapter), The Wilderness Society, and
Sinapu. A dozen individuals, including a former chief accountant for Vail
Associates, also signed on to the appeal.