Environmental groups and some local residents have raised concerns about a popular Colorado ski resort's plans to expand skiing into a densely forested area near Middle Boulder Creek that is used by wildlife.
The Forest Service last week accepted Eldora Mountain Resort's latest master plan, which calls for a number of upgrades including two new ski lifts at lower elevations that would allow skiers much closer access to Middle Boulder Creek. Portions of the plan that affect resort operations on Forest Service land must still undergo environmental review and public comment.
But members of the Middle Boulder Creek Coalition are already weighing in.
"It's a pretty dense forest, and pretty wet and moist, as north-facing hillsides are," said Dave Hallock, who has lived in Eldora for 30 years. "This is an isolated piece of land that doesn't have anything happening on it, and we feel that it's used as a wildlife corridor."
Coalition members say the area is home to a wide range of critters, including moose, elk, beavers, pine martens and boreal owls. Some have also expressed concern about noise associated with the resort's snowmaking equipment
Ski resort officials say they have already studied the possible impacts of expanding the resort north to Middle Boulder Creek, and they believe the proposal is reasonable.
"I can tell you that we've done our homework -- we've looked at all the concerns," said Eldora spokesman Rob Linde. "We've done considerable environmental impact studies to look at the impact of the lifts at Middle Boulder Creek, and based on our studies, there isn't any concern" (Laura Snider, Boulder [Colo.] Daily Camera, March 7). -- DC
Advertisement
