A portion of Utah’s Dixie National Forest could be turned into ski slopes under a proposal under consideration by the Forest Service.
The owner of Brian Head Resort, one of Utah’s largest ski areas, wants to absorb 1,651 acres of national forest land under a special use permit, nearly tripling the resort’s current use of Dixie National Forest from 887 acres to 2,538 acres. The Forest Service announced this week that agency officials will begin work on an environmental impact statement, which will examine the potential implications of the new development.
“The project is being reviewed for its potential to support sustainable recreation objectives on the Cedar City Ranger District,” Dixie National Forest Supervisor Kevin Wright said in a news release. “We encourage the public to share their input on this important process.”
The project could have harmful impacts on wildlife, water, cultural resources and forest scenery, according to the Forest Service’s notice in the Federal Register.
