Arapahoe Basin One Step Closer To Expanding Terrain
SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - The U.S. Forest Service has tentatively agreed to Arapahoe Basin's 2012 development plan to expand their territory into backcountry terrain.
A-Basin operates on a 2002 special permit from the Forest Service. The White River National Forest, where A-Basin is located, released on Friday a draft Environmental Impact Statement concerning the ski area's proposed projects.
Expansion would incorporate an area called the Beavers -- already popular backcountry terrain -- into A-Basin's boundary, and develop that terrain with ski trails and a chairlift.
Additional projects include replacing the Molly Hogan and Pallavicini chairlifts, grading around the top of a chairlift, construction of the Zuma Access lift, removal of the Norway chairlift, and adding a canopy tour and challenge course.
The proposed action would expand A-Basin's terrain by 492 acres, 338 acres of which would be in the Beavers.
Human concerns for the project include changes in skier circulation on the mountain, increased traffic from increased visitors, and an impact on the scenery.
Environmentally speaking, points of concern are plant communities affected by ground construction, disturbance of animals such as lynx and migratory birds, erosion of soil and potentially lower productivity, and effects on water flow, streams, and wetlands.
The public comment period is now open and will continue for 45 days. An open house will be held on March 2 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Keystone Center.
