Crested Butte council looks to Forest Service for clarification

Crowd of 250 fills Jerry’s Gym

Over the course of two hours Monday evening, more than 40 area citizens spoke to the Crested Butte Town Council both for and against expanding ski lifts onto Snodgrass Mountain. At the end of the comment period, the council decided to hold another meeting and ask a representative of the Forest Service to come and educate them on the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) process. That meeting is tentatively scheduled for January 19.

Mayor Leah Williams asked the approximately 250 people in Jerry’s Gym to be civil and respectful while both sides made comments. In the spirit of the holidays, everyone obliged.
Some asked the council to write a letter to the Forest Service asking the agency to overturn the recent decision to not allow the planning to proceed into the NEPA process.
“I am not asking that the council take a position on whether or not lifts should be allowed on Snodgrass,” said former Crested Butte Mayor Mickey Cooper, “but I ask that you encourage the Forest Service to start a full NEPA review and have public forums as part of the process. In an effort at transparency and fairness in government, let’s look at all the ramifications of the proposal.”
Others urged the council to write the Forest Service to strongly oppose lift expansion. “I don’t want to hand over public access to public lands to a private company for private gain,” said resident Ashley Sargent.
“Snodgrass already belongs to all of us. Celebrate our smallness. Lots of people are afraid to speak on the issue because they don’t want to lose their jobs,” she continued. “We’re not a company coal mining town anymore and it’s disappointing some people feel intimidated.”
Eric Beavers asked the council to demand the Forest Service immediately approve lifts on Snodgrass. “We are a tourism-based economy, and working families trying to live here need this,” he said.
Still others recommended the council do nothing. “At this point, I’m not sure of the benefit of weighing in. The Forest Service announced its intention to review the decision of Forest Supervisor Charlie Richmond and the ski area has filed an official appeal,” pointed out resident Steve Glazer. “I am concerned with how divisive the issue has been to the community. Maybe the best thing to do since the town has no decision-making ability is see how things unfold.”
While some argued that Richmond’s decision essentially denied the ski resort and the public due process for public input, others pointed out there have been ample opportunities for the public to chime in and both sides have encouraged their supporters to comment on the plan.
The council was split on what to do. So they set another meeting to gather more information about how NEPA works. Williams will ask Corey Wong of the Forest Service to attend a work session January 19 to go over the ins and outs of NEPA.
“I’m tired of the Crested Butte council doing the job of the Forest Service,” said councilperson Jim Schmidt. “I still can’t believe after five years of dealing with this issue, they didn’t show us the respect to hold a public hearing. This isn’t a council decision—it’s a Forest Service decision. I want to send them a letter asking them to take it into NEPA. I want it off the council’s back. It belongs on the back of the Forest Service.”
Councilperson Phoebe Wilson said the council should remain neutral. “As far as NEPA, I felt NEPA was an appropriate place to go. It is supposed to be a collaborative process. But now I am confused with the pre-NEPA process so I’d like the Forest Service to come and explain it all.”
Councilperson John Wirsing said if the public opinion is taken out of the decision-making equation, the answer is pretty easy. “Look at Charlie’s letter,” he said. “It explains several issues. It’s still Snodgrass Mountain, the good the bad and the ugly, and it’s the job of the Forest Service to gather the facts and figure it out.”
He also implored the business community to take responsibility for the success or failure of their business. “It isn’t about Snodgrass,” he said. “To put the success or failure of your business on Snodgrass is just riding on the coattails of another business… the ski area. Do the best you can do. Increase the quality of customer service. We need to move on and focus on making this the best place we can.”
Councilperson Reed Betz said he’s felt like he’s had a target on is back since the issue exploded. “I’ve had a hard time the last couple of weeks and I don’t appreciate the threats. It’s important that if Snodgrass goes to NEPA, we have a seat at the table.”
Quoting Simon and Garfunkel, councilperson Dan Escalante said, “A man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest. We are clearly divided on this issue. Everyone I hang out with says they don’t care if Snodgrass happens or not, but we as council members have to listen to everyone. I respect the time Charlie put in to make a decision. I think at the moment, we watch where it goes with the appeal.”
Councilperson Roland Mason said times have changed since the council wrote the last letter over the issue to the Forest Service. “The economy hasn’t exactly picked up,” he said. “The town is divided but I think we can write a letter about what is happening now. Times have changed. I think we should get more information and write a statement to the Forest Service.”
Williams will contact Wong to see if he can attend a January 19 meeting to further enlighten the populace on the issue.