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Ski resorts set to add warm-weather activities to Forest Service land |
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Friday, November 18, 2011 08:59 |
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Photo by Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
By JASON BLEVINS, THE DENVER POST
What is appropriate summer recreation on public lands used by ski resorts?
Under the 1986 National Forest Ski Area Permit Act, regional Forest Service chieftains had little direction when it came to approving and permitting summertime activities at ski resorts, and most summer-oriented development was limited to private land at base areas.
That is about to change thanks to the new Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act, which was signed into law Nov. 7. The act amends the 1986 law by expanding potential recreational uses of federal land used by ski resorts.
"One thing we are really concerned about is staying relevant and in touch with the youth of America and changing demographics, and we think outdoor recreation is one of the key ways the Forest Service can interact with people these days," said Jim Bedwell, the former forest supervisor of the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests who now serves as the agency's national director of recreation and heritage resources.
Jim Bedwell, the former forest supervisor of the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests who now serves as the agency's national director of recreation and heritage resources, has two years to sculpt a new policy that will serve as a blueprint for resort development but said his team will be ready to entertain resort proposals this winter. He expects to see things such as zip lines, canopy walks, mountain-bike terrain parks and trails emerging in the already- developed areas of ski resorts. More pristine areas such as Vail's back bowls will remain in their natural setting.
"We are going to concentrate heavy development within existing development," said Bedwell, who expects to have a new policy intact within a year.
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