Puget Sound Mags: Crystal BC Access Meeting with USFS

Did the MORA people say what they would actually do, like "we will patrol the boundary and cite anyone who crosses into the park without a valid single-ride lift ticket!"? Can they actually do that?

I doubt that there are all that many skilled backcountry skier/law enforcement rangers working in the park during the winter anyway, to patrol several backcountry gates every weekend all season long. Still, it would suck to get a ticket. Maybe one of those right-wing legal defense foundations which I normally can't stand would defend me as some kind of test case...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mcwop

Weird, when Buster did the original post I sent the email. Today (10/25/04) I get home and there is a delivery note from the USPS for a certified letter from the Department of Agriculture (was not home to sign)? I am like: "WTF does the DoAgri want with me?" Since the Forest Service fall under that department - I wonder if it has to do with the Crystal thing?

Anyone else get a certified letter from the DoAgri? Or, am I in trouble for some Agricultural crime?

---

I signed for my certified letter today. They spent $4.42 in postage to tell me that they are dismissing my appeal without review.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vets

I signed for my certified letter today. They spent $4.42 in postage to tell me that they are dismissing my appeal without review.

---

Yep, spent a half hour driving to my lovely post office in a part of Baltimore that resembles a war zone in Iraq. They already had sent me the email.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by skinnyskier

Did the MORA people say what they would actually do, like "we will patrol the boundary and cite anyone who crosses into the park without a valid single-ride lift ticket!"? Can they actually do that?

I doubt that there are all that many skilled backcountry skier/law enforcement rangers working in the park during the winter anyway, to patrol several backcountry gates every weekend all season long. Still, it would suck to get a ticket. Maybe one of those right-wing legal defense foundations which I normally can't stand would defend me as some kind of test case...

---

I believe that Crystal are obliged to pay for a ranger to patrol the boundary it's buried somewhere in here -
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/projects...f_decision.pdf

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by skinnyskier

Did the MORA people say what they would actually do, like "we will patrol the boundary and cite anyone who crosses into the park without a valid single-ride lift ticket!"? Can they actually do that?

I doubt that there are all that many skilled backcountry skier/law enforcement rangers working in the park during the winter anyway, to patrol several backcountry gates every weekend all season long. Still, it would suck to get a ticket. Maybe one of those right-wing legal defense foundations which I normally can't stand would defend me as some kind of test case...

---

Not clear how it will be enforced, but the onus of enforcement is placed on the ski area, a private entity with no mechanism for public appeal. It's likely that the enforcement will consist of passes being pulled or possible banning from lift use or even the permit area.

I've already tried some of the legal defense organizations, but they're not interested.

To those that contacted the USFS, thanks much.
Right now, the USFS has backed off on the boundary closure for the non MRNP boundary. But the park is digging in, claiming that people have cut branches and that allowing skiers who use the lifts into the park is an extension of the corporations business into the park.
It's true that some branches on the ridge traverses have been cut to allow for access. But the number of branches cut doesn't begin to approximate the amount of branches cut by the average camper every summer.
As far as the commercial extension, what's to prevent them from claiming that car rentals that come into the park are not an extension of the rental business, or the hotels/B&Bs on the edges of the park's guests are not extensions or your clothes or socks or your car?

It seems like they're really reaching to keep skiers out when the impact we've had is negligible when compared to other users.

Buster, keep kicking ass. These government machines keep rolling along doing whatever they can to stop the opposition from getting a word in edgewise. You must be the sticks in there spokes.