Snowmass Village – For the second time this year, the U.S. Forest Service has rescinded its approval of a Colorado ski area expansion.
In both cases, at Breckenridge and Snowmass, the local forester had approved the expansions. The Forest Service says the approval of the regional forester is required.
In the latest case, Aspen Skiing Co.’s expansion onto Burnt Mountain and the replacement of the Sheer Bliss chairlift were at stake.
“We’re kind of in a mating dance over who’s the appropriate person to sign,” said Jim Stark, the winter sports administrator in the Aspen Ranger District.
In January, the Breckenridge district ranger approved a controversial chairlift proposed by Vail Resorts. In March, a regional review team said the chairlift should have been reviewed by the forest supervisor.
Further complicating matters, a new forest supervisor, Maribeth Gustafson, took office this month.
The Forest Service’s backtracking isn’t likely to affect the Snowmass expansion. The work wasn’t to begin until 2006.
Meanwhile, the ski industry has filed a complaint over the delays. The National Ski Areas Association, an industry lobbying organization, sent a letter to Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth asking that the Forest Service continue to delegate authority for decisions to district rangers rather than making everything go through the forest supervisor.
