Snowbowl Gets Upgrades After Long Wait

Albuquerque, NM -- Southwestern Regional Forester Harv Forsgren has affirmed the decision for the Snowbowl Facilities Improvement Project on the Coconino National Forest (NF) by Forest Supervisor Nora Rasure. This project authorizes ski area improvements, including snowmaking using reclaimed water. The proposed project is consistent with the Coconino NF Plan as amended with the exception of cutting eleven trees in the Mexican spotted owl protected activity center. The study and decision documents acknowledge significant tribal concerns for the spiritual values and religious beliefs and practices associated with the San Francisco Peaks. This decision does not preclude the continued use of the San Francisco Peaks for religious beliefs and practices, and does not violate First Amendment rights. The Snowbowl is located entirely on the Coconino NF on the western flank of the San Francisco Peaks. The ski area is operated under a 777-acre Forest Service-issued permit. Snowbowl is approximately 15 miles north of Flagstaff, one of the four largest metropolitan areas in Arizona. Snowbowl is surrounded on three sides by the 18,963-acre Kachina Peaks Wilderness, which was designated by the U.S. Congress in 1984. As stated in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), the overall purpose and need for the projects is to provide a consistent/reliable operating season, and to improve safety, skiing conditions, and recreational opportunities by bringing terrain and infrastructure into balance with existing demand. The environmental analysis of the Snowbowl Facilities Improvement Project was thorough, reasoned, and in line with environmental laws and regulations. For more information about the FEIS, please visit the Coconino NF Web site at: www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/nepa/ 2005/feis-snowbowl/index.shtml This decision constitutes the final administrative determination of the USDA Forest Service, as stated in 36 Code of Federal Regulations 215.18(c). There is an automatic stay in place. This means that the proponent (Arizona Snowbowl Ski Area) may not begin the improvements before June 30, 2005 which is fifteen business days following the issuance of the review decision. The initial Snowbowl decision was announced on March 8, 2005 and called for "a broad set of upgrades and improvements to the ski area." After this decision was made by Coconino National Forest Supervisor Nora Rasure, the decision entered a 45-day appeal period. Several requests for appeals were made with the final outcome explained in the above article. Snowbowl will now be able to "make artificial snow using reclaimed wastewater on just over 200 acres of skiing terrain." An additional 74 acres of new ski runs will be added, improvements will be made to the lodges and a managed snowplay area will be constructed by the resort. The majority of the costs for the analyses, which were approximately $1 million over 2½ years were funded by the AZ Snowbowl. All of the upgrades will be financed by Snowbowl.