Puget Sound Mags: Crystal BC Access Meeting with USFS
Fellow Lift Served BC Users:
While you may have events planned with the Slugs of Mystery or the Sea Gulls game for Monday 10/18 at 3:30, note that there is going to be a meeting between the USFS and the appellants to the Crystal Mountain Record of Decision regarding the Crystal Mountain Master Development Plan.
The subject of the meeting is the proposed boundary closure. Note that this does not imply that North Backcountry or South Backcountry is closing, since they are within the Special Use Permit area. If this is new to you, please come out from under your rock. It will prohibit skiers that use lifts from touring into nonwilderness, wilderness and National Parks areas bordering the ski area.
This is new, the ski area had been allowed to have open boundaries up until this review. There's a number of technical issues in the appeal:
the appeal is based on the fact that the review did not follow the procedures spelled out by either the USFS or Mount Rainier National Park.
I can supply at least 1 of the submitted appeals for background.
In addition, what has gone on behind the scenes is that MRNP has leaned on the USFS to force this closure. What is rotten is that MRNP did not participate in the MDP review process and is trying to assert the agendas of a few administators without exposing themselves to a public process.
The meeting is at:
Renton Community Center (425-430-6700)
1715 Maple Valley Highway; Renton Washington
Note: If you didn't participate in the MDP review over the last 4 years, you will be limited to listening only UNLESS you request INTERESTED PARTY STATUS.
REQUEST INTERESTED PARTY STATUS:Where to write and what to say, to
request active participant status at the Hearing. Just say that you would like to be considered an interested party because you have been following the
matter, and believe you have some valuable input to provide at the hearing, or something similarly brief. The request must be emailed or snail mailed
by meeting time. Send to:
Appeal Deciding Officer
ATTN: 1570 Appeals
333 SW First Ave, PO Box 3623
Portland, OR 97208-3623
or Email to: appeals-pacificnorthwest-regional-office@fs.fed.us
Journalists are encouraged to attend. This may be a landmark case that will limit backcountry access to skiers using lifts all across the nation.
