Puget Sound Mags: Crystal BC Access Meeting with USFS

**Buster Highmen** · 10-15-2004, 10:44 AM

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.

**PNWbrit** · 10-15-2004, 11:09 AM

Buster - I won't be able to make the meeting. Do you mind If I forward the contents of your message to a bunch of people to drum up support and hopefully get some more bums on seats?

**Buster Highmen** · 10-15-2004, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by PNWbrit

Buster - I won't be able to make the meeting. Do you mind If I forward the contents of your message to a bunch of people to drum up support and hopefully get some more bums on seats?

The more people supporting BC access the better. I think we need to convince the USFS and MRNP that this is serious.
Are you talking TAY? If so, be aware that there are a number of purists on that board who hate lift served skiers.

**Schmear** · 10-15-2004, 11:13 AM

B -

Not sure if I can make it on Monday night (diapers, bottles), but I applaud your efforts and am observing from afar. You may want to ping KD about this meeting as well.

**Zeedashbo** · 10-15-2004, 11:16 AM

i'm thinking we should write an article for the local papers i.e. stranger, seattle weekly etc. faaack, i thought it was on sunday, i have class from 3-6 on monday and it's a once a week class.

edit: damn painkillers make me read too fast.

**Buster Highmen** · 10-15-2004, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Schmear

B -

Not sure if I can make it on Monday night (diapers, bottles), but I applaud your efforts and am observing from afar. You may want to ping KD about this meeting as well.

Monday, 3:30.
How can I get in touch with KD? I PM'ed him, but don't have their email and my PM pword has been dead for some time.

**Schmear** · 10-15-2004, 11:28 AM

Oops, I missed the 3:30 part. So maybe....

Just sent you a PM.

**PNWbrit** · 10-15-2004, 11:35 AM

Buster - Although there's some crossover it's mostly a different bunch. I assumed it was you already talking about this over at TAY. It certainly seemed to get a positive reaction there.

**Buster Highmen** · 10-15-2004, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by PNWbrit

Buster - Although there's some crossover it's mostly a different bunch. I assumed it was you already talking about this over at TAY. It certainly seemed to get a positive reaction there.

Over there? Veraly!
OK, just use your best judgement. This be seareus bidness.

**silas** · 10-15-2004, 12:05 PM

I'll be there......don't expect any changes at this meeting though..."they" don't have to make any decisions at this one.

**Buster Highmen** · 10-15-2004, 01:59 PM

>>b...bump<<

**Gregbo** · 10-15-2004, 02:35 PM

FYI - I forwarded this meeting notification to my old friends at KOMO TV.
The News Director may get someone there to cover it...

**Game Over** · 10-15-2004, 02:53 PM

Thanks for all the effort Buster. Although I don't ski Crystal, I realize the impact this could have on so many ski areas in the US, including my local hills.

If there is anything I can do to help down here in Eugene let me know.

**Buster Highmen** · 10-15-2004, 03:00 PM

I think what I need now is a list of legal resources. I'm hoping KQ tunes in with suggestions.
If any of you august miscreants can suggest a legal resource or has the time to find some heavy dooty lawyers that know this stuff, I'd be appreciative.

What we want is access to public lands including nonwilderness USFS land, wilderness USFS land and National Park land with minimal restrictions.

**Buster Highmen** · 10-15-2004, 05:20 PM

>>bump for the night crew<<

**Buster Highmen** · 10-16-2004, 01:37 PM

>>weekend bump<<

**Rusty Nails** · 10-16-2004, 02:43 PM

BH,

I can prolly help you out on the legal side, but not before Monday. I'll see what I can throw together as I have worked federal land use issues in the past albeit mostly resource extraction issues.

Rusty

**char** · 10-16-2004, 07:07 PM

Buster,

Do you have a link to the actual document which proposes the ban on BC access? I'd like to see the reasoning behind this one.

**Buster Highmen** · 10-17-2004, 12:35 AM

Originally Posted by char

Buster,

Do you have a link to the actual document which proposes the ban on BC access? I'd like to see the reasoning behind this one.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/projects...f_decision.pdf .
With regard to the closed boundary issue there's not much reasoning per se in the document .

**summit** · 10-17-2004, 12:45 AM

I don't live up there, but good luck! Keep the boundaries open so the PNW maggots can ski free.

**Buster Highmen** · 10-18-2004, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Summit

I don't live up there, but good luck! Keep the boundaries open so the PNW maggots can ski free.

It may not be limited to the PNW.

Anyway, bump for Monday. Wish us luck, the meeting is at 3:30 PDT in Renton.

I hear I'll get arrested if I don't wear a baseball cap and either starter jacket or wife beater (it's __Renton__).

**PeachesN'Cream** · 10-18-2004, 11:35 AM

crap

just saw this and can't make it today.

big luck buster. way to fight for the greater good. i'll be there in spirit.

KQ · 10-18-2004, 12:07 PM

Where do we stand on this? Is Rusty going with you on Monday? I'm in trial tomorrow through Thursday so after today I'm not going to be much help.

**Buster Highmen** · 10-18-2004, 12:15 PM

Note that this may be a precedent setting issue. This is not a regional issue. If you enjoy BC access from lifts, you might want to get involved.

Anyone who may be interested in this issue as it develops must try to get interested party status.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO NOW! To be formally recognized as an “interested
party,” you must send an e-mail stating your interest to the Appeal
Reviewing Officer at appeals-pacificnorthwest-regional-office@fs.fed.us
.
You should also provide any written comments you have regarding the
issues
to the Appeal Reviewing Officer by close of business Tuesday, October
19,
2004 – day 15 following the close of the appeal filing period (see
enclosed
appeal rule). You may also fax your request and any comments to (503)
808-2255.

As far as where we stand: I'm a dweeby programmer who is good at details, but I do not have the court experience and savvy that's needed to manage this thing sucessfully. I think one of the appellants is a lawyer, but we will likley need to get more organized and retain (not retrain) legal counsel as this develops.

I have not had any explicit legal counsel yet. I'm not sure exactly who is showing up at the meeting, but, as I wrote, I think one of them is a lawyer.

I suspect that not much will be resolved at tonights meeting.

But if we can convince the USFS that there's a number of us that are concerned about BC access from lifts (at Crystal as well as nationwide), please take the time to get involved.