MT. CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. – Dec. 21, 2009 – The community-at-large and resort operators are engaged in continued efforts to encourage the U.S. Forest Service to overturn the decision regarding Snodgrass. The past two weeks were filled with efforts deployed both locally and nationally. Below is a recap of those efforts:

December 7 – Rally in Crested Butte:
The latest rally in Crested Butte was held before the December 7 Crested Butte Town Council meeting and over 300 supporters of NEPA and Snodgrass gathered for a march down Elk Avenue. Following the march, the group gathered in the town council chambers to make their presence and support known. In response, the council added supporters to the agenda for the next Crested Butte Town Council meeting on December 21, when the council will decide whether they will write a new letter to the Forest Service clarifying their position on the NEPA process for Snodgrass.

December 8 – Gunnison County Commissioners Meeting:
The county commissioners listened as the county attorney confirmed there is no public comment period provided by the pre-NEPA process. Commissioners decided to draft a letter addressing the denial of the NEPA process for Snodgrass. Their next meeting, scheduled for December 15, includes the review and approval of a draft letter to the Forest Service.

December 9 – Rally in Gunnison:
Over 130 concerned citizens rallied at the Ol’ Miner restaurant in the heart of Gunnison to show their support for Snodgrass entering into the NEPA process. Ken Stone, CBMR chief operating officer, and Ethan Mueller, speaking on behalf of the Mueller family, addressed the impact this decision has had on the community and the resort, asking people to keep their voices raised. Several attendees expressed their heartfelt concerns for what the future of the Gunnison Valley holds without the potential for growth in the area.

December 9 – Meetings in Washington DC:
Last week, Tim and Diane Mueller traveled to Washington DC to meet with Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell and congressional delegates from Colorado and Vermont. They presented supporting documentation refuting the claims in the original letter from the Forest Service denying the NEPA process for Snodgrass, and received feedback from Tidwell regarding an outpouring of support via letters sent to his office. The letters have been effective.

December 15 – Gunnison County Commissioners Meeting:
The County Commissioners accepted a draft letter to be sent to the Forest Service, which takes issue with the Forest Service’s view on public support for the project and the agency’s interpretation of the county’s roll in the permitting process. The letter will be sent to the Forest Service the week of Dec. 21.

December 16 – CBMR Receives Approval for Appeal from USFS:
Although the resort had already planned and prepared an appeal, which was submitted on Friday, Dec. 18, Forest Supervisor Charles Richmond sent a letter to CBMR President Tim Mueller indicating he had asked the Regional Forester to accept an appeal from the resort. In the letter to Mueller, Richmond cited the receipt of “numerous public comments – both in support of and opposed to the rejection” as reason for the review of his “public interest determination.” Richmond went on to say he would “welcome a review.”

December 18 – CBMR Files Appeal with the US Forest Service:
CBMR filed an appeal with the Regional Forester on Friday, Dec. 18. Forest Supervisor Charles Richmond has 30 days to respond to the appeal unless the time is extended.
Click here if you would like to download the appeal document»  

Upcoming Activities & Initiatives:
December 21 – Crested Butte Town Council Meeting:
The Crested Butte Town Council will allow presentation by supporters of the NEPA process for Snodgrass as they decide whether they will draft a new letter to the Forest Service clarifying their position on the NEPA process for Snodgrass.

January 18 – Decision Due on CBMR Forest Service Appeal
The US Forest Service response to the CBMR appeal is due.

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Media Contact:
Emily McCormack
emccormack@cbmr.com
970-331-6145