The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Meeting focused on fairness and NEPA
Crested Butte Mountain Resort is now in wait-and-see mode in its appeal of the U.S. Forest Service’s decision to not allow lifts on Snodgrass. And resort executives shouldn’t have to wait too much longer. A decision should be announced within a month.
The owners of the resort, along with their attorney, traveled to California last Friday, April 2, to give an oral presentation on their appeal to the officer considering their plea. They characterized the meeting as “going well.” Resort owners Tim and Diane Mueller hope it was a worthwhile trip.
Region 5 Deputy Regional Forester Jim Peña is the appeal-deciding officer; his office is in Vallejo, Calif. A one-hour oral presentation about the CBMR appeal was allowed for the ski resort.
“The meeting on the appeal went about as expected,” said CBMR president Tim Mueller. “We gave our presentation that focused on fairness and NEPA [National Environmental Policy Act] regulations. Mr. Peña listened well and seemed to understand our position.”
Regional Forester Charlie Richmond made the decision last November to not allow CBMR to even continue pursuing the idea of lifts on Snodgrass. CBMR appealed that ruling and since then, both sides have filed arguments for their respective positions. Richmond listened in on the phone at the Friday meeting but did not travel to California for the 60-minute presentation.
Mueller said there were very few questions asked during the meeting. While Richmond was on the phone, “It was understood up-front that he wouldn’t say anything or ask any questions.
“All in all, I thought it went well,” Mueller continued. “Mr. Peña will close the record this week and will issue a decision within 30 days from then.”
Richmond was out of the office this week and declined to issue a statement during the appeal process. Peña did not return phone calls after the meeting.
