Thank the Forest Service for Protecting Snodgrass Mountain

Let's take this opportunity to THANK the Forest Service for their good work. On May 6th the U.S Forest Service upheld its recent decision not to allow ski area expansion on Snodgrass Mountain, just north of Crested Butte. Deputy Regional Forester Jim Peña affirmed GMUG Forest Supervisor Charlie Richmond's denial of Crested Butte Mountain Resort's (CBMR) expansion proposal for Snodgrass. After a thorough analysis of a complex situation, the Forest Service has now twice come to the conclusion that Snodgrass is fundamentally unsuitable for lift-served skiing. We applaud the Forest Service's well-reasoned decision. However, the fight to protect this beautiful mountain and its wildlife isn't over. Now, more than ever, we ask you to voice your opinion and support the Forest Service decision to protect wildlife habitat and roadless areas from proposed development. Snodgrass Mountain's public lands remain threatened by unnecessary, environmentally destructive development. Proponents of the expansion continue to put pressure on agency employees and elected officials in attempts to overturn the recent decision and open the mountain to the bulldozers, logging and disturbance required to expand lift-served skiing. Ecologically sensitive roadless areas offering solitude could still give way to ski trails and lifts. Habitat for endangered species, including the magnificent Canada lynx, could also be impacted if the Snodgrass decision were reversed. Please click here to send a letter to the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service - Tom Tidwell. Tell Chief Tidwell that his agency has done the job right and that protecting Snodgrass Mountain protects an area important to you. It won't take more than five minutes, but it could make all the difference. It is essential that the Forest Service hear your support today! Thank you. Click HERE to Support Snodgrass Mountain!

Ask the Forest Service for Winter Travel Management Planning

The USFS is considering including Winter Planning as part of the new Planning Rule. The Planning Rule guides the creation process for all of the Forest Plans and Travel Management Plans that affect the places we care about. Adding Winter Planning to the new rule would greatly benefit human powered winter recreation and the conservation of winter wildlands across the United States. Together, we can make this a reality! Comment now via the Planning Rule blog. Tell the Forest Service to include winter travel planning in the new Forest Planning Rule. Motorized winter travel is the last, greatest unregulated use in our National Forests. It is time for the Forest Service to recognize its negative impacts and bring it into line with regulated summer travel use. For additional info, check out the Planning Rule website.

WRNF Travel Plan Addresses Lynx, Winter Travel

Great article in the Summit Daily Voice.  And a good quote from a Forest Service biologist:


“There’s a tendency to focus on summer,” McGuire said, explaining that, for lynx, the exact location of cross-country ski and snowmobile routes is crucial.

Friends of Berthoud Pass Cleanup Day

Check out the Facebook page for the event.

Date:	Saturday, June 19, 2010
Time:	8:00am - 2:00pm
Location:	Berthoud Pass summit

Description

Just announced: June 19th, 8:00am - 2:00pm, Berthoud Pass Adopt-a-Highway litter clean-up.

We'll spend an hour or two picking up other people's candy wrappers and cigarette butts along US40, then fire up the grill, toss a Frisbee and down some cold ones.

Bring sunscreen and work gloves. We'll provide trash bags, safety vests and lunch. Every volunteer gets a "I (heart) Berthoud Pass" t-shirt!

Come on out and join us in a really worthwhile effort.

Meet at the summit parking lot at 8:00.

Skiing Mag: Hillbilly Haute Route

Skiing Magazine reported recently on skiing the backcountry in Colorado. Check out their story.