Realtor | Corey Dwan

  Representatives from the board of Coalition for Lifts on Snodgrass met with forest service representatives on Wednesday, October 13, 2010.  Our meeting lasted approximately
1-1/2 hr.

To summarize that meeting: We learned that when CBMR met with Mr. Richmond recently, he told CBMR he would not reconsider his decision to deny the application made last year for expansion onto Snodgrass Mountain.  He also told CBMR he did not intend to provide any guidance as to how CBMR could present an application for lift-served skiing that would be acceptable and thus he was prepared to discuss with CBMR how he should proceed on an amendment to the Forest Service plan that would remove the designation of Snodgrass as suitable for lift-served skiing.  CBMR then proposed that the Forest Service delay consideration of an amendment to the Master Plan so that CBMR could come to the Forest Service with a new proposal, one that would incorporate a “non-traditional” approach to possible uses for Snodgrass Mountain as well as establishment of new intermediate areas on the main mountain Mr. Richmond said he agreed to consider such a plan but that it was up to CBMR to present a proposal to him. 
             
            Mr. Richmond and his aides at our meeting made it clear that Richmond will not approve any plan with more than one lift and may not approve the construction of any lift.  Also Mr. Richmond said that he was opposed to snowmaking and extensive cutting of trees. 

            Mr. Richmond said he and CBMR had agreed that CBMR would go forward with community outreach to explore ideas for a new plan and the Forest Service people would meet internally.  Then Mr. Richmond and CBMR will get together again in December.

Richmond indicated he did not expect review of any new CBMR proposal to take as long as the previous review took and he said he did not expect there to be a need for any more geological studies. 

Mr. Richmond urged CLS to meet with environmental groups that have opposed development on Snodgrass and other opponents so that a plan can be proposed that will have broad community support.  Specifically, he urged CLS to meet with representatives of Colorado Wild, HCCA and the local forest service ranger in Gunnison. 

CBMR has told CLS it is in the process of hiring a facilitator to hold community meetings to discuss new proposals for Snodgrass and the main mountain.  It plans to hold these meetings in the next two or three months.  CLS will be included in the meetings.  CBMR also plans to put a place on its website where people can submit ideas for non-traditional, low-impact development.

            CLS will keep you advised of meetings CBMR is holding in the community about the future development on the main mountain and Snodgrass.  In addition, we urge CLS members to provide us or CBMR with your thoughts about how the mountain can attract more skiers as well as summer visitors to our area.  Also, we welcome your thoughts about what actions you think CLS should take in the near future and the role of CLS in the upcoming community discussions. 

Thanks,
CLS Board of Directors