HomeMy WebLinkAboutMAA_Letter
September 25, 2006
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City of Ashland
Mayor Morrison
20 East Main St.
Ashland, OR 97520
By
Dear Mayor Morrison,
The Mt. Ashland Board of Directors was elated by the initial decision announced by U.S. District Court
Judge Owen M. Panner on September 20, determining that the u.S. Forest Service and the Mt. Ashland
Association were entitled to judgment on the environmental claims brought by the Plaintiffs.
Regardless of a favorable decision last week from the U.S. District Court, the Mt. Ashland Board of Direc-
tors has voted to delay moving forward on its long-awaited 71-acre expansion as a gesture of its willing-
ness to partner with the local community for the best interests of the Mt. Ashland Ski Area.
Mt. Ashland Association still plans to review the District Court's opinion, expected within the next few
days, before making any fInal determination regarding the schedule to precede with the expansion project
activities on the ground. Further, in addition to obtaining any required agency authorizations, Mt. Ashland
Association has decided to refrain from any tree-cutting or ground-disturbing activity until at least October
20 in order to allow Plaintiffs a fair opportunity to seek an injunction pending appeal, should they choose
to appeal.
While the Forest Service estimates that it will be ready to execute a timber settlement sale contract by ap-
proximately October 5, Mt. Ashland Board of Directors voted to wait a minimum of 30 days before under-
taking any tree-cutting or ground-disturbing activities.
The expansion would add 16 trails, two lifts and 200 parking spaces on the mountain. Expansion coordina-
tors have spent decades planning and evaluating the project to ensure minimal impact to environmental re-
sources and most needed improvements to ensure the decades-old ski area continues to function as a re-
gional destination.
The Mt. Ashland board of directors felt its intentions to delay work until, at the earliest, October 20th,
would be a signifIcant gesture of good faith and a reflection of its ongoing commitment to serving the best
interests ofMt. Ashland and the Rogue Valley community.
Mt. Ashland * PO Box 220/693 Washington Street * Ashland OR 97520
Phone (541) 482-2897 * Fax (541) 482-3644 * Email: info@mtashland.com