Noisy Grand Canyon

t/ See pages 4J 5 .I

September 1, 1986 Vol. 18 No. 16 A Paper for People who Care about the West One Dollar "'r------....~...... --....:::"_::=----- ...... :: ~ ~

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At steel1 Wolf-Creek Pass Ski area proposal goes smash

. it did in pioneer days. The Continental yields it twice the snow of other the summer by car campers and Divide remains rugged and forested, resorts in the state. These south San backpackers, and by travellers on their and the valley meadows that stretch Juan Mountains are a trap for way to Mesa Verde and other Four out thousands of feet below the pass moisture moving up.from the moist, Corners spots. But for the most part, it are still irrigated in the summer to warm Southwest. is a declining or stagnating area, with raise hay. .While the area is in Colorado's traditional economies on the way out. The road was made famous in the snow belt, it is not in its ski belt. The Nothing is moving in. 1970sby C.W. McCall's ballad about a state's major ski areas -- the Vails, Nothing, that is, until developer hair-raising truck ride down U.S. 160. Aspens, Copper Mountains --sit hours Harvey Doerring came on the scene. ___ -'by Tamara Wiggans McCall used some artistic license, but to the north in the central portion of Inspired perhaps by the booming not much. The highway climbs and the state, along. the Interstate 70 Telluride ski area in the northwest San olf Creek Pass in south- descends the Dividebetween, the San corridor that has turned the mountain 'Juans, the California real estate western Colorado is a place Luis Valley on the northeast and' the valleys for 100 miles west of Denver developer and tax-shelter promoter W. of extremes. Its precarious town of Pagosa Springs on the into a linear, cedar-shaked develop- proposed a huge resort' for the valley curves, fierce winter white-outs and southwest via a series of hairpin ment of condos, chalets and shopping formed by the West Fork of the San breathtalting views have inspired and switchbacks, mudslides, slumps and centers. Juan River. The centerpiece of Wolf frightened travelers since it was a dirt concrete snowsheds that send fre- Because the southwestern pari of Creek Valleywas to be a new ski area track in pioneer times. quent avalanches over the road and the state is far from a major airport, on a ridge known as Windy Pass. Today, the road is paved, even into the valleys below. city or interstate, it has remained Windy Pass was identified as a widened in its worstspots, and a small Winter is the -most dangerous relatively free of resorts. The potential ski area in the Land and ski area sits atop the pass. time. The Wolf Creek Pass Ski Area's ranching, logging and mining econ- Nevertheless, the area looks much as location atop the Continental Divide omies in the area are supplemented in (Contznued on page 10) R Te LRl

2-High Country News -- September 1, 1986

edged by evergreens that weave for .._--- miles south of Coeur D'Alene. An Idaho subscriber told us agriculture, Our request last issue for help in not timber or mining, is the state's sending HCN to schools in our region largest income producer. brought an immediate order from the We suspect the people who read town council of Crested Butte, High Country News lead full lives Colorado. The town is concerned year-round, but their pace quickens in about a proposal by the Front Range the summer tourist season. Every- city of Aurora to divert water from the where we travelled, people were busy Gunnison River watershed under the entertaining out-of-town guests. But, Continental Divide. So it bought despite the demands of summer subscriptions for the three Aurora tourism, no one seemed ready to schools on our list. Town attorney Wes desert the Rockies for Secaucus, New Ught said he thought HCN could help Jersey. Aurora's young people understand the And, along our route, subscribers fallout from their community's rapid generously made room for us. They expansion. threw get-togethers to introduce us to Writer Ray Ring, whose account of other subscribers, offered us spare a Grand' Canyon helicopter -trip and rooms and backyard tent space, fed us whose recipes for car cookery grace and shared their views with us. this issue, tells us: "I'm taking care of In between visits with subscribers, little Molly (aged three months, we were tourists. We'saw Old Faithful weight 11 pounds, length. 22-plus in Wyoming, climbed Mount Ascen- inches) four days a week, and trying to sion and took in the Stampede and Billhoard outside Helena, Montana freelance when and where I can. We Rodeo in Helena, Montana, and aren't shy about taking the babe paddled a boat in a Salt Lake City HCN and is reassured that he's "not everywhere to Santa Fe art pond. out there all alone."' He would have galleries, a Taos country-western bar, In the Rocky Mountain states, the even a better sense of not being alone the ruins at Chaco Canyon... She"II short snow-free months also contain had he travelled those 3,500 miles probably turn out to be an several other seasons. To NJthan's with us. Among those we visited were: accountant. " (Angry letters from delight, July was raspberry season, In Rock Springs, Wyoming: accountant-readers should be sent to He proclaimed the best raspberries Katharine and John Collins and Paul Ring care of this newspaper.) Ring's were those found in Heron, . HIGH COUNTRY NEWS (ISSNI019115657) a Krza; in Pinedale, Elizabeth Blake and is published biweekly, except for one issue piece on car cookery, by the way, is Montana, subscriber's backyard. Howie Wolke (I saw him in the during July and one issue during January. by very funny. We hope to convince him Judging by the number of logging Pinedale jail); In HeNs Lander the High Country News Foundation, 124 Grand to do a followup on foreign-car Avenue, Paonia, Colorado 81428. Second-class trucks we encountered in Idaho, birthplace, Geoff and Berthenia postage paid at 'Paonia, Colorado. cookery. summer is also logging season. ~ O'Gara, Sarah Doll and Dave and May POSTMASTER: Send "address changes to The summer of 1986 is also a Raynolds; in Dubois, Budd and Emili HIGH COUNTRY NEWS, Box 1090, Paonia, CO 81428. Circulation director C-B. Elliott political season. Yard signs for Betts; in Kelly, Lorraine.Bonney, Greg TomBdl . tells us that, perhaps due to the lack of candidates from local sheriffs to U.S_ Ziegler and Scotty Dejanikus; in Editor E",en'/IIS a declared HCN crisis over the past senator dotted roadsides, We joined a Moose, Mardy Murie; in Jackson, few years, we are .receiving large McCall, Idaho, subscriber' at a Scott and Lisa Pierson, Laurie Thal, Ed Marston fund-raising dinner for Cecil Andrus. Ptlblisher numbers of two and rhree-year Holly Dill and Louise Murie MacLeod; renewals. Oh ye of too much faith. It was also a time to make. hay. in Wilson, Med Bennett and Betty Betsy Marston Jim Robbins called from Helena, Swathers and balers of all descriptions Woolsey; and in Teton Village, Erwin Editor Montana, to request six copies of the created multi-patterned fields. ' and Peggy Bauer.· _. .,~-'._-. Judy Moffatt last issue, which featured his detailed· For all the summer distractions, In Corwin Springs, Montana, Deve/opme1J1 account of Indian artifact-looting in HCN readers were occupied 'with Leonard and Sandy Sargent; in . conservation issues: the Union Pass Marjane Ambler the Southwest. Casually he mentioned Livingston, John and Hap Reuben; in Bruce Farling that he and his wife, Chere, became road in Wyoming's Bridger-Teton Bozeman, Con Gillam; in Helena, Glenn Oakley parents Aug. 18 of a little girl. Her National Forest, the Champion paper Adam and Nancy Mclane, Gail Soltz, Geoffrey O'Gara plant's water quality permit on, the C.L. Rawlins name is Annika and she weighed 3lbs. Sue Bryan, Dorothy Carrico and Ralph Pat Ford She's a healthy handful, Jim says, Clark's Fork River in Montana, Beer; in Stevensville, Kirk Thomp- Contributing Editors "but I caught a trout a few days before widening a highway through Provo son; in Heron, Judy Hutchins.

Jen Brunner that was bigger." Canyon in Utah. In Rathdrum, Idaho, James Edilorial; Graphics A visitor last week from afar was I remember the comment of a McNamera; in Coeur D'Alene, Scott Albuquerque, New Mexico, chiroprac- woman reader on changes she' s ~,een Reed; in McCall, Nelle Tobias; in Mary Moran Research Associate tor Gordon Eatman. After reading in her home state. She said the state Ketchum, Sally Liman; and in Hailey, High Country News, he says he leaves was "like a personality" to her and Jon Marvel. Steve Hinchman the paper in his waiting room and she hated to see it "being cut away." In Salt Lake City, Utah, Gene Intern doesn't mind if someone walks off I'm encouraged by the optimism of Hatch, Calvin Giddings, George C.B. Elliott with it. We gave him some back issues a Utah Sierra Club chapter president Nickas; in Bountiful, Don Mabey; in Circulation / Production to spread around on his travels. who believes his group, in cooperation Sandy, Trudy and George Healy; and with others, is winning some battles. ) udy Heideman in Provo, Lillian Hayes. Typesetting Judy Moffatt, whose official title is The same young man said he feels a HCNs Development Director, took "sense of community" from reading 1 --the staff Tom Bell, Lander WY Michael Clark, Boulder CO her second annual Swing Around the Sally Gordon, Kaycee WY West in July with son Nathan, and Adam Mclane, Helena MT submitted the following account: -Kate Missett, Buflalo WY Wolke sounds recidivist J ecoid Panas, San Francisco CA It's embarrassing to confess we Garrett Ray, Fort Collins CO travelled 3,500 miles in 16 days Outfitter and Earth First! co- "My only regret is at the time I was Patrick Sweeney, Montrose CO through Colorado, .Wyoming, Mon- founder Howie Wolke used his sIX apprehended I'd only gotten a mile Herman Warsh, Emigrant MY Robert Wigingron, Boulder CO tana, Idaho and Utah. Embarrassing months of enforced inactivity in the and a half of survey stakes out of the Board ofDirectors because the land deserves a slower Pinedale, Wyoming, jail as a time "to ground." pace. But it was a pleasure to fit reflect on the big picture on the public By Wolke's calculations, at least Articles appearing in High Coentry Newj are indexed in Enviro"me"tal Periodical: names on subscriber lists and on maps - lands." Wolke was convicted of a two million acres of wilderness are Bibl,ogrlJphy, Environmental Studies Institute, of the region together with real people classic monkeywrenching crime being lost each year on public lands. 207~ Alameda Padre Serra, Santa Barbara, and places. uprooting survey stakes laying out a "That's an area almost the size of California 93103. All rights to publication of articles in this This was the second year we've road to a Chevron drill site. Yellowstone Park succumbing to the issue are reserved. Write for· permission to made a swing through the region, and On July 22, Wolke had "18.days, bulldozer every year." The environ- print any articles or illustrations. Contributions mental movement is "irresponsible" (manuscripts, photos, ar rwo rk] will be again it gave us a first-hand sense of 21 hours and 15 minutes" remaining welcomed with t.he understanding that the the territory High Country News before his Aug. 10 departure. His jail in publicizing gains in wilderness editors cannot be held responsible for loss or covers, the people the paper serves stay had not been solitary. The protection, he added, "Rather than damage. Enclose a self-addressed stamped and the issues that concern.them. The claiming victory while the rape goes envelope with all unsolicited submissions [Q logbook showed a steady parade of ensure return. Articles and leners will be trip also was an opportunity to place visitors, among them writers for on, we should be screaming rape published and edited at the discretion of the HCN in bookstores and on newsstands national media. "I've seen my name louder than ever." editors. To make real gains in wilderness Advertising mformation is available upon for distribution, to visit environmental in print enough to last a lifetime," request. To have a sample copy sent to a friend, groups and to talk with reporrers at Wolke said. protection, mainstream conservation- send us his or her address. Write to Box 1090, newspaper offices. ~ Wolke spent his first four months ists must change their tactics. Wolke Paonia, Colorado 81428. Call High. Counfry News in Colorado at 303/)27-4898. This was my first visit to Idaho. I in jail writing a book. He said Edward said, "The environmental movement Subscriptions are $20 per year for was prepared for abundant signs of Abbey has agreed to write the as a whole needs to become more individuals, $28 per year for instirutions . Single the timber industry's presence. But I foreword. Describing himself as forceful and less compromising."' copies S1.00 plus $1.2) postage and handling. was unprepared for the wheatfields completely remorseless, Wolke said, --Judy Moffatt

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... .!. 1!,.. . I. " I • J .I I".·· •••- . • ." .. ~..- --~.~ "' "."."",. .... Lean cattle create fat and happy ranchers HOTLINE Lean beef has been around for a Catcb and fine few years, mostly as a marketing Thanks to noiseless kayaks, the oddity. But Mel Coleman, a rancher in Idaho Fish and G~rrie Department has Saguache, sourhern Colorado, has hooked hundreds of illegal anglers on turned his organically grown cattle remote stretches of Idaho rivers. In into big business and a· rare the six years since the program was agricultural success story. launched, kayak teams, working in Like many other ranchers, Cole- tandem 'through all water conditions, man was caught six years ago between have surprised violators with citations. rising production costs and a declining On his first patrol, conservation officer beef market. Facing foreclosure,- he Mel Hedburg says he turned up eight took a daring step to save the ranch fishing violations on an isolated that had been in his family since 1873. stretch of the Salmon River, including Selling off his market stock, he one boat with three people and five completely rebuilt his herd without lines. Tbe fishermen said they would hormones, steroids or antibiotics, have reeled in the two illegal

Recreation Air tour over Grand Canyon commission meets Conservationist Sally Ranney, a member of President Reagan's Canyon flights attract a comment blitz Commission on Americans Outdoors, Grand Canyon National Park collected 5,800 signatures in support constantly changing altitudes with no took pan in its recent hearing at Superintendent Richard Marks spent of unrestricted canyon flights. Oper- radar and no restrictions, the recent Jackson, Wyoming. But Ranney much of this summer sifting advice ators also paid for travel agents to mid-air collision was tragic but hardly skipped the rafting trip on the Snake from the public on how to reduce noise send 1,209 pre-printed, stamped surprising. " River planned for the group as she is from airplanes and helicopters flying postcards supporting flights. About still wearing a traction device for a in the 1,900·square mile park. 100 cards arrived at the Park Service Farabee said he thought some broken back. The injury occurred The June 18 mid-air collision that with just a travel-agency stamp, says criticism· of the Park Service was during a snowmobile outing in killed 25 people in the canyon added Butch Farabee, a park management unwarranted because "we don't Wyoming's Snowy Range with impetus to the search for some assistant. But some 30 cards had the control air space. The FAA (Federal commission members. At the Jackson control of the now-unrestricted flights message crossed out or the words Aviation Administration) does." He meeting, Interior Secretary Don Hodel of aircraft. An agency environmental changed to urge limited or no flights at said recommendations urging that air told the group that federal land- assessment proposed six alternatives, all, Farabee said. Comments also tour operators be put under contract management agencies "are not as with the most restrictive barring included 775 letters and 143 as concessionaires were unreasonable. well-organized as they could be." He aircraft from 11 percent of the canyon. statements made at public hearings. "How can we put United Airlines on a said he agreed that an interagency For the booming air-tour industry, A letter to "colleagues in travel" concession contract?" he asked. Some committee should be appointed to which books 100,000 flights a year, from Scenic Airlines, Inc. president tour operators also routinely land on address recreational issues. The any cutback in hours of flying or days John Seibold enclosed postcards and Indian reservations in the park, "and commission hopes to make recom- or places was seen as a threat. This warned that' 'There is a movement by we have no jurisdiction there," mendations to the president by the summer three- air-tour operators the Sierra .Club and· Wildern~s; 'Farabee adCle,L ------end of 1986. placed petitions in their terminals that Society to eliminate any and all flights The "helpful" comments, he said, over Grand Canyon." In an interview, were ones that sought not t~ bar all Siebold said flights were necessary for _ but emergency flights, which is part of Colorado mills reprieved the "30 percent of the U.S. population a conservationists' Quiet Canyon who really can't hike the canyon proposal, but instead suggested ways to limit flights by time, season or The Colorado health department's in general, those' resrifying at the because of .heart disease, overweight, Air Pollution Control Division believes hearing approved of the agreement. emphysema, etc." airspace. But there were nuances. Anne Vickery Seibold, who runs both tourist and Louisiana-Pacific Corp. has had a Comments in favor of continuing of the Colorado Mountain Club wanted commuter flights from Las Vegas, change of heart, and is now working to flights rhar now carry 300,000 L-P to post a performance bond, and to Nevada, added, "if noise is the clean up its Kremmling and Olathe passengers a year over the canyon cut production to reduce pollution. issue," then the two airlines that carry waferwood plants. So the Division reo began with the statement that "Air Officials from the Kremmling area more than 30 percent of the commended, and the Air Qualiry tours are necessary for handicapped, quarrelled with the' need for any sightseeing passengers over Grand Control Commission agreed, that L-P elderly or inform people, or busy controls; some seeI11led nostalgic for Canyon have a solution." The be given until Dec. 4 to bring its plants businessmen. ' , Another comments the old days, when' a large teepee companies, Scenic and Grand Canyon into compliance. . reads: "Tour operators wouldn't be burner operated by a forerunner to L·P Airlines, operate 19·passenger planes The steps L·P will take to cleanup there if people didn't want to take put out so much smoke it was used as soon to be outfitted with quiet emissions from the two plants, which flights. Since passengers rarely a navigational beacdn by Kremmling turbofan propellers certified at 72.3 convert aspen and other species into a complain, what's all the fuss about?" pilots.' . decibels. Seibold said 66 decibels· is plywood substitute, were contained in Many remarks noted that noise is The Grand Counry people were normal conversation. an agreement the firm and agency ephemeral, that people .. especially backed up by state legislator Ed Car- Seibold added that limiting noise reached prior to an ali-day hearing foreigners .. don't have time to see the penter, who reminded the Commis- was preferable to setting limits for held in Grand Junction on Aug. 21. canyon except by air, and that hikers, sion that the legislature almost passed aircraft since they would tend to They include the raising of the smoke- who litter, should not throw their a law crippling the Division of Wild· cluster. It would also not give stack at Olathe by 50 feet, alterations weight around because air tours cost life's power to suggest wildlife rniti- incentives to air companies to spend to the electrostatic filter bed and taxpayers nothing while "hikers are garion. 'Carpenter then warned the air money on quieter planes or helicopt- periodic incineration of its gravel to heavily subsidized by all taxpayers." qualiry people not to threaten or ers. burn off clogging gunk, and continued Superintendent Marks is expected harass L-P. According to the Park Service maintenance of dual baghouse filters to make his recommendations for Officials from Delta and Montrose summary of comments in favor of so that one is always in operation (the decreasing aircraft noise in Grand counties said they wanted the Olathe banning or restricting flights, people baghouses have been plagued by fire). Canyon to Interior Secretary Donald plant to stay open, but they also said noted: "No one has a right to see the But the big news at the low-key, Hodel by Aug. 28. According to Butch L·P should clean up the emissions. park in a way that destroys its stillness anti-climactic hearing was the Divi- Farabee, it will then be up to Hodel to Their position maybe a result of two for others." sion's belief that L-P's footdragging persuade the Transporation Secretary, years' work by the Montrose-based "Grand Canyon is the noisiest park days are over. The agency's John who oversees the FAA, to control Western Colorado Congress, which in the West," said another, and "Just Clouse attributed the firm's change of aircraft over the canyon. An FAA has backed local residents' objections because planes have been flying over heart to a revocation of its air quality recommendation that planes fly 2,000 to the odors put out by the plant. The the canyon since 1926does not make it permits last Mar. -5. The revocation above landforms in the canyon is now group has also challenged Forest Ser- right.' , came after a rime-lapse movie camera generally ignored. Farabee says a "ice sales of aspen to L·P, forcing the "Air traffic is highly regulated in secreted by the Division showed that Congressional move in July to bar all firm to depend on aspen clear-cur from cities. Why should a national park L·P was frequently bypassing its non-emergency flights below canyon . private land. .., have lesser regularions i" And, pollution control system, and was not rims "doesn't affect our timetable." reporting the resulting violations to "Given the astonishing number of flights within a limited airspace at the state. --Ed Marston ..Betsy Marston _~T.", LRT·8U·V2

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High Country News -- September 1, 1986-5 The Union Pass fight is over, for the moment JACKSON, Wyo. -- A stalemate Thompson of the Wyoming Outdoor over right-of-way in Wyoming's upper •• 1 Council said his group had worked Green River Valley has ended, at least behind the scenes to encourage the temporarily. But although Louisiana- Forest Service and the Retels to teach Pacific's lumber trucks finally tolled a solution that wouldn't involve across Union Pass Aug. 18, the condemnation of the Retel property or company is not pleased with the a quiet-title action. In a quiet-title agreement the Forest Service made action, the U.S. can make a that same day with the couple whose "declaration of taking" and begin property is at the center of the using contested land while litigation is dispute. 10 process. At a press conference in ] ackson, During the press conference, Stout Bridger-Teton National Forest Super- also announced that the long-delayed visor Brian Stout appeared with the Bridger-Teton forest plan will be "on couple, Joe and Stella Retel, both 71. the street' by the end of October. There, Stout announced that the Though Stout declined to comment on Retels would allow CP trucks to drive the future of the Union Pass road, I. - joe and Stella Retel, flanked by Stout, supervisor 0/ the Bridger- on the 300-foot section of the Union Zebre said it was his understanding attorney john Zebre, left, ~nd Brian Teton National Forest Pass Road that crosses their land. that the preferred alternative in the The memorandum of under- Peterson's decision, but rather after broader than just the Little Sheep plan called only for maintenance standing signed by the Forest Service the Little Sheep Mountain sale, would Mountain sale. He said the agreement necessary to prevent damage to the and the Retels sounds like a June 10 seek additional timber harvest in the signed by the Retels and the Forest, watershed and soil. Earlier reports on decision by Fotest Service Chief Max Upper Green and additional utiliza- Service may not protect the commun- the plan have indicated there would be / Peterson, who said L-P could haul tion of the road, and continue to make ity and the company. He said he a reduction of timber-harvest levels in timber from a sale near Pinedale over 'foot-in- the-door' arguments." continues to believe that the Forest the upper Green River Valley. Union Pass to the Dubois Mill. But ] oe Rerel said, "Let them take the Service has an easement and If that is the case, L-P would have this latest agreement adds that the Little Sheep out. It's already sold." right-of-way across the Rerel property, benefited from a delay in the release chief's decision precludes requests But he said L-P has "wrecked that but Baker said he did not know if L-P of the plan so that it could operate "to haul additional timber sales across place over there (Dubois),': and he would fight the agreement. under the current timber-management the Retel property until resolution of didn't want to see the same thing Baker said that by running six or plan. But now that the Retels and the permanent right-of-way and happen in the upper Green Rivet seven loads of timber a day from Aug. Forest Service have come to implementation of the forest plan." Valley. "If they want to bid on anothet 18 through Oct. 1, his company can agreement, Stout said, all user The Rerel's attorney, John Zebre, sale, they can go another way," he haul a little over half of the' Little groups, including the timber industty, in an earlier Ierter to Stout, said his said. Sheep Mountain sale this year. "That have an interest in the speedy release clients needed a tightly worded will help us keep in business until the of the forest management plan. agreement because' 'Louisiana-Pacific L-P's chief forester in Dubois, Bob end of the year." has no intention of abiding by Mr. Baker, said his concern is much After the press conference, Stuart --Kathanne Collins

It was beautiful, but it wasn't the Grand Canyon _____ by Ray Ring easy-listening music flooded my ears day. I had worked for every foot of it. on my chain. I had earned my solitude and drowned out the noise of the In places the trail was so steep I had to and now it was being stolen away. A few days before the recent helicopter. The inspiring strains of go on all fours. In 55minutes my flight was done. I mid-air collision that killed 25 people Chariots 0/ Fire accompanied the It took three days of hiking to reach flew over 100 miles of marvelous intensified controversy over aircraft in lift-Off, which happened so smoothly it the river, three more days to hike out, landscape, dropping inroprecipirious the Grand Canyon, I flew the canyon was almost a disappointment. One and each day had been better than the side canyons, cutting between the on a commercial helicopter tour. second we were on the ground and the one before. Hour by hour, step by towering rock temples, criss-crossing next we were in the air, accelerating I had expected a thrill. I got one, step, I became more intimate with the the river that wound below. The but the flight, billed as "The Ultimate across the flat expanse of pine forests, canyon. perspectives were overwhelming, the the Kaibab Plateau. Experience" by the tour companies, At first all I could focus on 'was a beauty undeniable. But it was all We sat inside the plastic bubble, was strangely unsettling. few square inches of trail right in front abstract. It was on the other side of the buffeted by turbulence even on that The long storefront for Grand of my face. When I looked up there plastic window. clear and calm day, looking out at Canyon Helicopters was nestled in the was only the vastness and steepness of After 10 minutes I grew restless, scenery on our left, our right, even pines just outside the boundary of the the slopes. Then I began to see the belted into the seat, and even a little down between our feet. Over the national park, among the motels, $60a subtle hue of tocks. I took time to bored. Others no doubt would have intercom the pilot reeled off a few night on up, and souvenir shops. The watch fiery sunsets that died to red reacted differently. But I wanted mote sentences about the history ·and ticket counter was mobbed by young coals and black stillness, saw trout than a ride. I wanted to touch, to feel, biology of the forest rushing by couples, the middle-aged, kids, and dancing in a turq uoise pool. found a to smell and hear what was out there. I several hundred feet below. Pinon few cups of old rainwater pooled in a the elderly, who all had that wanted the canyon on its.own terms. nuts like those on the trees below can out-of-place look that immediately shallow depression on a stony plain. I .What I got instead was the sunrise be purchased in small sacks in the identified them as tourists. I stood in felt each shift of breeze, each change theme to 2001 and telentless Chariots souvenir shops, he said. All the while line, looking over the company in humidity and temperature as the of Fire violins. Finally I had to pull off he was watching the thicket of gauges brochures that were printed in canyon walls were heated by the sun the company's headphones. The and toggle switches in front of him, ] apanese, French and German, as and cooled by the shadows and the racket of the helicopter was a relief. and coaxing his pedals and sticks. Get well as English, until one of the clerks night. I was ready to get back to earth ready, he said. punched up my reservation on the But halfway through the first day, when the pilot touched down. "That's The rim, the edge of the abyss, computer terminal. while airing out socks and inspecting it," he said, and I got out. Walk:ing hurtled toward us at 100 miles an Six company helicopters were blisters, Iheard a faint roar. Even that felt good. hour. Beyond, there was yawning cycling through the landing area out high up, commercial jets bothered me. The terminal was jammed with the emptiness. A primitive fear rose and back, loading and lifting off. A sign on For the rest of the day something next loads of customers who were suddenly gripped me; I held my the wall gave the specifications of the nagged at the limits of my hearing. A ready to pay $2 a minute for their visit breath and we went over the edge. sleek machines: Bell 206Lll Long- vague droning that I couldn't identify , into the canyon. At a register for There, a mile straight down, was the rangers; $650,000 each. like a lawn being mowed. By the comments on the flight, my fellow air Colorado River. Grand Canyon opened - The loud whine of their engines second day, that much closer to the tourists, signing in from Alabama, around us, horizon to horizon, carved, and the whip of the rotors only inner gorge and the river, the noise Scotland, South Mrica and Argentina, layered, impossibly rugged, rock and heightened the anticipation. was louder and I could see what was had written: "Just great ... You don't water and shadows and sky. We causing it: airplanes flying through want to miss this ... Super!!" Then it was time. They checked my zoomed down into it as the music the canyon. And helicopters, coming Vaguely dissatisfied, I drove into name off a clipboard, made a notation eased into waltzing violins. in low and hovering over' the the park and walked to the first canyon of my weight so the load of passengers I found myself remembering my waterfalls, the river, all the best overlook. It was crowded, but I didn't could be balanced, and escorred me last visit to the canyon, a very places. get that feeling. People were speaking out to a helicopter idling on the different "ultimate experience." That From then on, the noise and the softly and pointing-out. A gentle wind .concrete pad. I climbed in next to the trip I had been strapped to a 50-pound sight of aircraft never left me free of blew from the west. The canyon was pilot; in back were two tourists from .backpack, picking my way down a the realities above the rim, outside the right there. A swallow swooped and Europe. The pilot beckoned to a pair of wilderness trail off the North Rim, canyon. Each time a plane or a dived just below the rim, hunting headphones, When I slipped them on, - averaging maybe three or four miles a helicopter carne by it was like a yank silently. LJ ... ·R

6-High Country News -- September 1, 1986 HOTLINE There is a dramatic turn in the Its formation was announced at the Will Nevada three-year controversy over develop- SquawBay ceremony. Developerssaid get a park? ment of Notth Idaho's Priest Lake. the crucial details of unit numbers and Two Spokane developers and Diamond facilities on the 1,500 acres will be Although there is still disagree- Lands Corporation have formed a joint determined after a survey of lake ment about size, Nevada's 62-yeat venture to develop 1,500 acres of residents and users, including the struggle to create its first national Diamond's lakeshore lands at Huckle- Priest Lake Coaliton. park is closer to a successful ending. berry Bay. The joint venture had the The heart of the park would be 13,000 "We're going to be working very apparent cooperation of the Priest foot Mr. Wheeler in the Snake Range closelywith people on the lake to find Lake Coalition, which vigorously of eastern Nevada, which includes out what they.want," Barbieri said. fought Diamond's previous develop- deserts, lush alpine valleys and Diamond's original proposal was for ment schemes at the bay. streams, abundant wildlife, ancient 3,500 to 5,000 units; Barbieri's first The venture was announced Aug. glacier remnants and 5,OOO·year-old proposal several months ago was for 18 at Priest Lake. The specifics of the Bristleconepines -- possibly the oldest 1,000 to 1,500 units. The coalition plan .. densities, number of units, trees in the world. Two bills-to bring had opposed both levels. features .- will be developed in the park into law are currently on Franklin also' said that Diamond Capitol Hill, one four times the size of consultation with local residents and would preserve the remaining 4,500 the. coalition. Some coalition members the other. The Senate bill, introduced acres of land behind the lake front as are not happy with the plan, but a by Republican Nevada Sens. Paul timberlands. majoriry of its board has decided to Laxalt and Chic Hect, provides for a Talks between Diamond and the work with the developers. 44,000-acre park with select portions state on a second swap to return the . Priest Lake is the most primitive of of all the area's natural features 4,500 acres to state ownership will north Idaho's large lakes and boasts included. Interior Department Secre- continue. Diamond has also agreed to the most diverse wildlife in all of tary Donald Hodel says he favors this establish a non-profit corporation to Idaho. In late 1982, the timber giant bill because if creates a less conduct water qualiry and related Diamond International, which owned expensive, more manageable park. In land-use studies, with results incor- the House, Nevada Rep. Hary Reid, over 10:000 acres on the lake, was Looking east across Priest Lake to porated in the final development plan. bought by British millionaire Sir D; has proposed a Great BasinPark of the Selkirk Mountains ames Goldsmith. Within months, The Priest Lake Coalition is not 128,000. acres with an additional J Goldsmith announced plans for a Sun alternatives to a major resort and unanimous in its support of the 45,000-acrepreserve to allowhunting. Valley-scale resort at Huckleberry discussed them with Franklin. development. A few board members Reid is backed by Park Service Bay, and proposed a land exchange Spokane developer Don Barbieri reportedly think the plan and any' Director William Penn Mott and by with the state of Idaho to make it' made Franklin an offer for-the 6,000 guarantees of coalition involvement localentrepreneurs from Ely,Nevada. possible. Local' opposition to the acres. Rod Hoover; a board member of are too vague to endorse. Many of the exchange was very strong. but the the Priest Lake Coalition.whois also a coalition's grassroots supporters, who BLM urged Idaho Land Board approved it on a 3-2 developer, began separate talks with are mostly lake users from nearby to start over vote in May 1985. Franklin, urging a much smaller-scale communities, are upset. The Utah Wilderness Coalition The approval gave Diamond a approach. But a majority of the board is wants the BLM to start over. In a contiguous 6,000-acre parcel at the In other talks with Franklin, the willing to cooperate. "It's responsible 700-page critique of the Bureau of bay. The Priest Lake Coalition, Idaho Department of \ Parks and people trying .to put something Land Management's draft environ- representing. local residents and Recreation reached an agreement this together, •, said ,coalition secretary. ment impact statement on Utah conservation groups, immediately July to purchase a 293-acre piece of Jules Gindraux·. "In principlethis is' i ,.~,," wilderness, the coalition called the filed two lawsuits seeking ~o overturn shoreline at, Squaw Bay from splendid development." BLM's study wildly inaccurate and the decision (HCN, 4/29/85). Diamond. Squaw Bay lies just north of Coalition attorney Scott Reed said confusing. The group called for the While the -suits moved forward, a Huckleberry Bay and the purchased he had not yet been told whether to BLM to rewrite the 2,700-page series of small changes lay the piece adjoins an existing state park. continue or withdraw the coaliron's document. The coaliti~n, which groundwork for the surprising an- The price was $900,000, including a two lawsuits against the exchange. _ comprises 17 conservation groups nouncemenr. Goldsmith's agent in $400,000 loan to the state -from the The coalition received a setback on totaling over 20,000 members, said an charge of Priest Lake died, and his Nature Conservancy. one of them Aug. 11 when a district, anti-wilderness bias pervades the replacement, an Englishman named On Aug. 15, Franklin flew to Idaho judge in Boise ruled the land board's agency's study. Moreover, the Vivien Franklin, let it be known he for an Aug. 18ceremonyat Priest Lake action approving the exchange was coalitioncharges that the BLMdid not opposed the major resort concept and to present the SquawBaydeed to Gov. legal. At that time, Reed said the evaluate all reasonable alternatives to regretted the villain role Diamond had Evans. Franklin spent the intervening coalition would appeal to the Idaho its study, including the Utah assumed. Idaho Gov.John Evans, who days with Rod Hoover at the lake, and Supreme Court. Coalition's own proposal for 5.1 opposed the exchange, also appointed the joint venture emerged from that million acres. a citizens' task force to investigate visit. --Pat Ford Yet another domino falls in Colorado's oil shale country There is an infiniry of shoes in 1980's boom. How, then, did over half had people from San Francico, New Exxon went bust, was forced out of Colorado's oil shale country, and of his loan portfolio end up in York, Texas and Oklaliomawho were Riflea year ago by federal regulators. they've been dropping at varying development real estate? coming in here to serve a need. Need Bill Scoggins, who had been intervals since Exxon closed its Colony Koeneke said it was mass hysteria. or greed -- you take your pick." president of the Regional Bank of oil shale project on May 2,'1982. He recalled, in the September 1982 In the wake of the bust, the Rifle,which opened in 1981to partake The latest hit the ground in Rifle, a interview, his reaction to Exxon's 1980 developers and other investors ran, of the oil shale economy, moved over few miles from the Colony site, on Colony announcement, made at a leaving the lenders to pick up the to FNB to take Koeneke's place. He Thursday, August 21, when a mass meeting in Grand Junction: pieces. Koeneke, his bank inundated now gets to be present at the 38-person raiding parry from the "This gentleman gets up in a with foreclosed real estate, had a dissolution of FNB, while his old bank Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. three-piece suit and with a perfectly strategy in September 1982: "We'll picks up the bulk of the 4,000FNB ac- elosed First National Bank. What was straight face says: 'There's going to work through the next 18 months by counts and their $17 million in one of the most profitable banks in be three lO-footby lo-foor aqueducts dumping real estate. I'm waiting for deposits. Coloradohad been transformed by the from [he Missouri River to the the sharks to come in. I'm churning ~While those who invested or oil shale bust into a basket case. Colorado River.' That was the biggest the water like mad trying to attract loaned money during the oil shale It was able to surVive for four years fallacy 1 ever heard." them." days continue to go under, Rifle as a by living off reserves accumulated in Nevertheless, he continued, His prediction was: "In 24 months whole is surviving. Its population is

earlier, more-prosperous. times J and . "You're on the edge of tlie whirlpool, we'll have absorbed what has to be dose to the boom-time total of by selling foreclosed real estate for and bit by bit you get sucked in. I'd go absorbed. We'll bind up our wounds. between 5,000 and 6,000 thanks to the fury cents or less on the dollar. But in to Denver and people would say to me . We're a viable community. I'see Rifle 'sharks' Koeneke had put his hopes :he end, it succumbed to forces it had 'AI, this time it's different. This is the growing 5 to 10 percent." He also in. Some newcomers are retirees. 'elucrandy help set in motion in 1980 biggest coinpany in the world. This said, "Everyone is going to be hurt." Others work in Glenwood Springs and md 1981. time oil shale will goall the way." . He was wrong about· the 24 Carbondale, 30 miles east of Rifle, Those forces were a commercial Adding to the carrot was the stick. months. It's been 52 months since where prices are buoyed by proximiry md residential building boom meant Rifle's cattle economy.was disappear- Exxon shut down Colony,and loans in to Aspen and their own recreation o serve the thousands of workers the ing as ranchers sold out to developers, FNB's portfolio continue to go bad. economy. By comparison, $13'0,000 ,il shale boom was arrracting to the and oil' shale was the-only game in But he was right about everyone executive homes in Rifle can be had ·

High Country News -- September 1, 1986-7 HOTLINE Montana impasse An oil shale lands settlement is attacked A Montana wilderness bill intro- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- For 25 Congressional critics say they retired state director of the Colorado duced to Congress Aug. 16 by years the federal government has aren't surprised at the reluctance to Bureau of Land Management, which Montana Sen. John Melcher, D, was waged a court battle over contested make public the material. Legal briefs oversees most of the land in question, pronounced dead on arrival by Montana Rep. Pat Williams, D. Mon- mining claims to hundreds of square and correspondence between Interior fought the land transfer and called it a miles of public oil-shale lands in Department lawyers and administrat- "land grab." tana's four congressional delegates Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. ors in Denver and Washington, which Despite the support for continuing have long been unable to agree on a This month, the Interior Depart- had been the groundwork for settling the court fight, top officials of the wilderness bill for Montana, promp- ment abruptly reversed that course, the claims out of court, in many cases agency opted for the out-of-court ting Melcher to attempt his own allowing oil companies and more than lent support to opponents of the agreement. "What we have gained version in Aug. In that bill, the status 100 individuals nowholding the claims settlement. through the settlement process has of the Hyalire Peaks area of the to take ownership of some 82,000 In some cases, the documents, been worth far more than the throw of Gallatin Range was the major bone of acres of the disputed lands north of obtained by the Denver Post, directly the dice of an appeal," said Steven contention. Montana Rep. Ron Rifle, Colorado. contradicted the' assertion that the Griles, assistant Secretary of Interior Marlenee, R, said motorized access Conservation groups and congress- case would have been lost on appeal. for land and minerals. There are was necessary there; Sen. Max ional critics quickly branded the "We believe this ruling is plainly existing oil and gas leases on the land, Baucus, D, argued for wilderness out-of-court settlement a "giveaway," wrong and most certainly would be he noted, and the agreement values. Though the disputed area was while influential chairmen of three reversed on appeal," Interior De- additionally attempts to ensure that left to remain in its present study-area status, Marlenee refused to sign the House committees vowed to have it partment lawyers said in an analysis of ranchers will continue to use the land overturned. At a well-publicized the decision. A number of the key for grazing, and that hunters will also bill. Marlenee told The Montana hearing, new legislation was announc- points Finesilver made were disputed have access. Standard that the Melcher bill ed that would make it more difficult by the Interior lawyers. For instance, "This settlement is not - a represented a victory for a .. narrow for additional lands to be transferred the government attorneys closest to ~ giveaway, " Griles said. "You cannot group of selfish environmentalists in the same way. the case found "compelling evidence give away something you do not over a broad group of recreationists." Details of the proposal gave that (required improvement of the own." Four times in the past the Melcher said he thought his bill would i Democrats ample ammunition for a land) was not performed on the great Supreme Court has ruled in favor of not see action because of the Montana fresh attack on a Republican bulk of oil shale claims for most of the shale claim holders, and 350,000acres delegation disagreement, but that it administration they argue has for- years from the 1920sto the 1970s." of shale lands have been patented, or, did let people know what acreages saken public interest to appease The Denver-based regional sclic- granted private title, as a result, were under consideration. Melcher's industry. Under the agreement, itor for the Interior Department and a Interior officials stressed. bill calledfor wilderness protection for companies such as Tosco, Exxon and '-mid-level Washington counterpart less than 1.5 million acres of the 6 Union Oil gained title to the land for a both urged the case be taken on to a .. Gary Schmitz million under study. The Montana filing fee of just $2.50 an acre. If court higher court. The Justice Department Wilderness Association, which seeks contests over shale claims in the two should "vigorously pursue" the Gary Schmitz is the Washington, wilderness protection for a minimum neighboring states are similarly appeal, the Washington lawyer D.C. correspondent for the Denver of 2 million acres, says it views resolved, energy interests could take recommended. Kannon Richards, Post. Melcher's bill as a rough rather than control of a total of 360,000 acres of dead draft. public lands. Opponents further suggest that the Wyoming'citizens keep an eye on' the MX settlement could set a precedent under which millions of acres of Citizens opposed to deployment of mining claims for other minerals could the 10-warhead MX missiles in be given up across rhe West.· southeast Wyoming stepped up The nation's antiquated 1872 protest activities this August while the mining law provides that claims can be Air Force moved closer to readying the converted into clear ownership if $100 first 10 MXs by December 31. of improvements are made to the land An anti-MX rally at the Capitol annually. The shale claims at issue Building in Cheyenne and a "funeral were filed before 1920, when shale procession" to one of the nearby was treated as a hard-rock mineral, Minuteman 1lIsilos being' refurbished and could be staked out through the for the MX was scheduled for Aug. 31. claims process. It is -now leased Earlier in the month, volunteers from through competitive bidding. Texas, Colorado and Wyoming visited Economic and technical problems Cheyenne to watch a Warren Air have thwarted all of the many Force Base gate for nuclear weapons attempts to commercially exploit the and missile shipments. West's vast shale reserves. Even so, Bill Sulzman, a Denver taxi driver shale lands are actively sought by who is coordinating the Cheyenne vigil major oil companies, and the western for a Madison, Wisconsin-based group, Colorac\o land is considered valuable called Nuke Watch, reported several for other purposes. Although Interior apparent movements of nuclear officials have steadfastly declined to weapons. Convoys were accompanied set a price tag on the transfer, current by' armored vehicles and law and past estimates by the department enforcement cars -- sirens on high -. as MX missile deployment came closer in Wyoming this summer suggest the land may be worth $50 helicopters hovered overhead. million to more than $150 million. Nuke Watch volunteers also Kalron said the top stage of the MX, return to the lot two days later after Interior officials deny that any watched the Department of Energy's containing the warheads and the state Attorney General Arch McClin- precedent has been set, and they sprawling Pantex nuclear weapons re-entry vehicles that deliver them to rock's officeruled the lot was open to defend their settlement as the best plant near Amarillo, Texas, to monitor their targets, will not be installed until the public. The Casper Star-Tribune possible resolution of the historic convoys of unmarked tractor-trailers December. quoted Herschler' s executive assistant dispute, in part because it allows the and security vehicles.They travel with The Nuke Watch effort is intended Dick Skinner as saying, "Unless they government to keep the land's oil, coal the normal flow of traffic on the to keep the ongoing nuclear arms race are really screwing things up out and other resources. Those potentially nation's highways and deliver nuclear in the public mind, SulzmaIisaid. there: they can watch all the trucks valuable rights had in fact been weapons to Defense Department "When people know that these and sagebrush they want. " lost in a sweeping decision in May of installations. A DOE spokesman said end-of-the-world weapons are travel-, last year by DenverU.S. District Court all of the nation's nuclear weapons are ling on the highways and through our --Philip White Judge Sherman Finesilver. The assembled at Pantex, Nuke Watch neighborhoods then they can't put this Interior Department insisted the members said they expect that the 100 horrible problem out of their minds as settlement was appropriate consider- warheads needed for the first 10 MX easily," he said. "It indicates that we ~:::'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~ ing that the government most likely missiles are now being shipped 'to the still haven't solved this horrible Picnic on the rocks. would have lost an appeal of the base. They said final assembly of the problem of the nuclear arms race." "A gravel pile can be very Finesilver ruling. Western Colorado missile stages and warheads is being On August 18, state government attractive," said a Central Utah Rep. Mike Strang, R, cast the one vote performed in new Warren Air Force security officials told Nuke Watchers Project official recently to the Salt necessary in Congress to block a study Base buildings, which have been to leave the Wyoming Highway Lake County Planning Commission. of the land transfer. In announcing erected in the past two years at a cost Department parking lot adjacent to the The official, Gerald Maloney, told the of $100 million. ," their settlemen_t, however I Interior base gate being used for missile and Deseret News that a 40-acre reservoir officials refused to release many of the An Air Force spokesman at weapons shipments. site would be better as a gravel pile documents that might have bolstered Cheyenne said the MXs are installed Nuke Watch appealed to Gov. Ed than a park with jogging trails and their decision. by stages in the silos. Capt. Bill Herschler's office and were allowed to picnic areas, r- '.J

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WESTERNf

Dale Schicketanz is a long-time photo r· contributor to High Country News. His work has recently appeared in Arizona Highways magazine LRT V2

~CHURCHES Photos by Dale Schicketanz

photo, and in the annual report of The Wzlderness -ork has -

~------c------~~,.,...J. lO-High Country News -- September 1, 1986

~ tl" Theproposed resort had been caught .:r •"~ ~ in a web of larger problems. Doerring's collapse snares 80 partnerships,

800 investors, $65 million in partnership

capital and $170 million in real estate.

Ski ... River. Its runs would be just over the group Colorado Ski Country USA, 'ski industry is especially relevant at (Continued from page 1) ridge from Westfork. skiing accounted for $1.3 billion in Wolf Creek Pass. A wealthy investor / The Colorado Division of Wildlife retail sales, provided $132 million in or long-sighted corporation, with an Resource Management Plan produced - was especially dissatisfied. Director state and local taxes, and employed eye 20 years to the future, might want, by the San Juan National Forest in Jim Ruch's comments included such 44,300 people last year. to buy into the ski industry during this 1983.The agency proposed studying a phrases as "total inadequacy of the Some of those employees are period. But developer Harvey Doer- modest-sized ski area. But Doerring document ... seriously devoid of infor- women whose husbands once earned ring and his unwitting investors don't convinced it that a much larger tract mation," and "reflects prejudice for - $35,000 a year mining molybdenum fit this category. In November 1985, was needed to serve the Snowmass Ski development.' , for Amax at Leadville or Idaho the Securities and Exchange Com- Area-sized development he planned The comments spurred the Forest Springs'- Laid-off coal miners and their mission filed a 36-count complaint for the ranch land his group had Service to write a second draft, which wives work at low-wage resort jobs in against Doerring, his several invest- purchased in the valley below Windy it released this June 26. It will be the north, at Steamboat Springs. With ment affiliates and their respective Ridge. So the study area grew from followed in late August by the dtaft mining and logging on Colorado's directors, 1,140 acres to 2,365 acres. When EIS for East Fork. national forests down, or out, the The proposed resort has been added to the proposed base area on Forest Service may see skiing as its caught in a web of larger problems. 2,564 acres of private land, Doerring's next mission, and that may account for Since Doerring's business was the site covered seven square miles on the iven this private pressure to the tenacity with which it has clung to forming of limited partnerships for the I west side of Wolf Creek Pass. build new ski areas on public growth projections of 7 to 10 percent a purpose of land development, his l InJanuary 1984, Westfork Invest- G lands and the Forest Service's year in the face of years of 2 percent collapse snares 80 partnerships, 800 I,rnents, a limited partnership set up by acquiescence to this pressure, an growth. investors, $65 million in partnership Doerring, applied to the Forest outsider might assume that Colorado's The Forest Service is almost alone capital and $170 million in real estate. I Service for a special-use permit. Four ski areas are bursting at the seams. in its optimism. William Barry, a Some properties are in 'good shape. months later, the Forest Service began The facts are otherwise. regular contributor to Sk.i Magazine, Others were caught by declining an environmental impact study funded The downskill ski industry has just predicted last spring that Colorado's markets, especially in Austin, Texas, by the developer. gone through another flat season. ski areas would not maintain their . possibly leading Doerring and his At that point, the state began Both Denver daily newspapers carried revenues, Martin Sorenson, who partners to attempt to keep them holding J oint Review Process, articles last spring about the lack of monitors ski area development for the going with other funds. The SEC meetings to identify concerns and growth. New skiers didn't show up in Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Sierra complaint said Doerring commingled issues. JRP's role is to coordinate appreciable numbers despite a huge Club, also disputes the agency's money from different corporate agencies involved in permitting a expansion of facilities, longer seasons projections: "They're looking at the accounts, using new money to keep -i major project and to give the public made possible by snowmaking, and past, not at the future ... Of those 28 old investments afloat. I access to the decision-making. The intense promotion, ranging from the permitted ski areas, 11 lost money last The beneficiary of the com- J oint Review Process began 10 years sale of discounted ski tickets in year," mingling was an account called the ago to deal with oil shale development supermarkets to financial guarantees The Denver Post reported this Doerring Investment Reserve Trust, , in western Colorado that threatened to to airlines to schedule ski flights. The spring that overall real estate prices whose acronym is DIRT. From July overwhelm the region's natural stories predicted that the ••national ski are down 15 percent in ski areas. 1984 to October 1985, even as the beauty. With oil shale dead, JRP's boom is over" and said "there aren't Condos are sold at auctions at some Forest Service was plugging away at present major source of work is the enough skiers." resorts; for-sale lists have grown into the Wesrfork' EIS, ' Doerring was , permitting of recreation developments Despite the lack of 1970s-type the hundreds. Ski area newspapers, pulling funds from partnerships into such as Wesrfork. growth in the 1980s, ski areas on have a new regular feature the DIRT account. The SEC charged I With the help of JRP, the Forest national forest land have grown by 50, foreclosure notices -- as second horne that these funds were not used for the 'I Service prepared and released a drafr percent in five years. In 1980, the buyers abandon condos bought at benefit of investors to whom they environmental impact statement in areas could handle 97,000 skiers per now-gone 1970s prices. belonged. October 1985. Among the concerns day, in 1985, 145,000. And the Forest Doerring and five partners were was a mile-long stretch of U.S. 160 Service has handed out. enough accused of misrepresentation and of that would have to be realigned and approvals to raise that daily capacity xpansion has been questioned misappropriating at least $3 million the loss of several acres of wetlands. another one-third, to 200,000. During by Colorado Gov. Richard for their own benefit. In December The dtaft also said that a migration the last ski season, 1,015 acres of ELamm: "There is a state 1985, a district court judge in San corridor used by 400 to 600 elk would national forest land were added to the interest in keeping an existing Diego ordered all Doerring-relared be disrupted, and that development of state's existing 16,231 acres of ski industry prosperous. But why all these real estate transactions frozen, He an area known as the "back bowls" runs. expansions when the market is going relieved Doerring and associates of could infringe upon a big game calving Despite the recent rapid expan- flat? " their duties and assigned Tom Lennon and fawning area. This impact was sion, and the permits to allow even Myles Rademan, planner for the of San Diego to liquidate Doerring's especially controversial since sports- more, the use statistics show a ski town of Crested Butte, says the assets. men spent $6 million in the area im plateau. According to John Korb, the Colorado ski industry has spent $250 In the large scheme of things, 1981on hunting. agency's ski specialist for the Rocky million in capital investment in the last Westfork Investments was not very Despite all the coordination and Mountain Region, Colorado's 28 five years for emotional rather than imporrant. But it was important to the public process, the dtaft was un- permitted ski areas had 8,862,000 fmancial reasons. 250 investors who had put an average acceptable to many agencies and visitors in 1984-1985. The visits rose a "They're in a facilities race; it's of $56,000 each into the partnership, individuals. They complained that scant 1.38 percent, to 8,985,000 last like the arms race." 'Radernan says for a total of $14 million. And it was there wasn't enough information on winter. Back in 1979-1980, there were that even with a $30 lifr ticket, important to Pagosa Springs, -which wildlife mitigation or pollution of the 7.9 million visitors. Growth- over that "There's a lot of value for the had been buoyed by Doerring' s San Juan River. But most comments period has been 2 percent. tourist." But he also .predicrs some numerous above-marker-price pur- cenrerd on the study's failure to Skiing may not be growing at the 7 hard times. "There are many reasons chases of land. With the announce- include the effects of another to 10 percent rate of the 1970s, but it to invest in a ski area, but not to make ment of Doerring's troubles, the proposed ski area, known as East Fork remains a big industry. Resorts are a living. If you make money, that's a town's dreams of a new economy went (see accompanying story), located on the major employer on Colorado's bonus." smash. the nearby East Fork of the San Juan. Western Slope. According to the trade- The question of an over-expanded .The investors, most of them from

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Higb Country Neurs »- September 1, 1986·11

A rancher is squeezed by two proposed resorts

lthough Harvey Doerring and 70th. A friend laughingly commented: his Wolf Creek Valley resort "They obviously didn't look at her A have snared most of tbe lungs." publiciry, they ate not tbe only ski A dedicated conservationist, game in town. Feazel is a founder and current Just over the ridge from Wolf treasurer of the Upper Sanjuan Land Creek Valley as the crow flies, East Ptotection group, a nonprofit organ- Fork Joint Ventures has filed a permit ization that works with landowners to application fat 7,070 acres of public protect rural land from development land. Headed by developer Dan by conservation easements. In its four McCarthy, the partnetship includes years, the group has prorecred 1,800 American Express' 30 percent inter- acres In Archuleta County with est, and is much mote secure than easements. Westfork. "We tried without success to If East Fork can get a Forest convince Frank Teal that he needed to Service permit .. a draft EIS is due out put his land or at least some of it into in late August .- it wants to build a conservation easements, and I think at resort fa 13,000 skiers, which would one point I almost had him convinced. make .it 30 percent larger than But then Harvey Doerring showed up Snowmass, Colorado. Its private base and Teal sold out," laments Feazel. land, the 2,780-acte East Fork Ranch, "I was physically sick over it. could by itself host a small ski area Harvey and I spent long hours with 1,600 feet of vertical drop. The discussing the whole development. Of public land would give it a 3,400-foot course, we didn't agree, but we did drop. talk. After all, we share the' same East Fork has a different set of irrigation ditches. I, in fact, spent .problems from Westfork. Environ- tbousands of dollars on attorney fees mentalists worry about the several making sure Doerring and his miles of contiguous boundary it shares development wouldn't be able to with the South San Juan Wilderness damage my ditches," she says. She Area and the Montezuma Study Area. also spent money on medical care. "I The South San Juans are most famous went to rhe doctor and he told me, for harboring the last grizzly bear 'Betty, you've ·gotDoetting-itis.' " killed)n Colorado, back in 1979. She says she is not alone in her It also has access problems. The disease. "Adam Poe may say that road leading to the ranch is Westfork Investments was left holding unimproved dirt, and the river will the bag after Doerring left the-scene, require.major channelization to.handle ,,~but it's Frank Teal who's really. .left the sediment construction will release. holding the bag. He hasn't had a A problem less subject to mitigation is payment on that land since 1984. Elizabeth T. (Betty) Feazel, owner of And with 'those metro districts, Teal the At Last Ranch, sandwiched will be in for a mess if he tties to between the two ski area sites. foreclose. Someone will have to payoff For the past two years, Feazel has those bonds." fought a rwo-front war, opposing Wolf She is skeptical of both Poe and the Creek Valley on one side while Forest Service. "I think Poe's going to denying East Fork a right-of-way for a work fot Doerring has really damaged widened road on the orher side. The Steve Norris' (current head of the Forest Service needs to enlarge the Joint Review Process) credibility and present road if it is to serve 13,000 the whole Joint Review program." skiers a day, but Feazel won't let the Poe counters that while he was toad encroach on her land. So far, the head of the JRP, he had no authoriry Forest Service has said it won't to make decisions on permits; he was condemn her land. in the business of getting people to Feazel has lived on the At Last talk to one another. "It's notlike Craig Betty Feazel, at tbe At Last Rancb Ranch since her father bought it when Rupp," Poe says. Rupp is the former she was 12. Daffodills planted by her Regional Forester in Denver who went boom contingent on enormous de- the project through the permittIng grandmother still pop up every spring to work for the ptoposed Quail velopments ". Now the real estate process and then will probably sell in the meadow near her home. A Mountain ski area near Leadvil1e soon business is in a real depression. The out." She sums up her feelings on J, .i chain-smoker, Feazel boasts that after he retired. whole Wolf Creek 'Valley thing was a both proposals by showing a cartoon. i' when she had' a hip operation last Feazel calls the Forest Service's A bedraggled Mother Nature is stand- bad faith operation, and they'll never .,,~ year the doctors told her she had the participation in Wolf Creek Valley a find a big enough sucker to satisfy the ing in front of a door with a sign body of a person 20 years her junior. "To whom-it-may-concern" ski area debts and move forward." reading: "Rape Counseling." .' So this summer she chose to celebrate permit. The whole project triggered a As for East Fork, Feazel says, 1 i her 50th birthday, rather than her speculative spurt of real estate sales, a •.American Express will nursemaid ..Tamara Wiggans 1

money went to buying land and paying Poe says, "Doerring really left us taxing, or metro, districts are formed Texas and California, and all of whom interest on land. " had inves ted thtough personal (Westfotk .Investments) holding the to float bonds ro finance roads, water, The land, however, isn't close to bag. We weren't part of the daily fire protection, sewage and the like. Contacts with Doerring, wondered being paid for. Millions are still owed where their $14 million had gone. financial decision-making process." If When the ultimate buyer comes along, on tbe Teal Ranch at the base of the investors had understood the situa- According to Adam Poe, it was spent he or she not only gets a mortgage ,on ptoposed ski mountain, and on 1,600 tion, he says, "We would have done a condo, but also an annual tax bill to on "pre-development costs." Before acres west of Pagosa Springs known as the debacle, Doerring hired Poe to things differently." pay for the improvements. the Gomez Ranch ,which was acquired help guide the project through In particular, they would not have In.the case ofWestfotk, four metro fot donation to Archuleta County for permitting, and Poe took day-to-day . moved a massive amount of dirt on the districts were formed to pay for j! expansion of the local airpott. Modern Teal Ranch. 'J:he bulldozers were 'to infrastructure and $5 million in bonds Ii charge after Doetting left. Before ski areas need an airport capable of Westfork, Poe had run 'the state Joint help turn meadows into roads, ponds, . were sold. But Doerringnever ,had a Ii landing jets. The court action will keep Review Process where one of his last a- golf course -and" sewage' treatment chance to sell off land to the surgeon Ii the land in limbo until Lennon, the facilities. -The .boom fell after the from Houston, or the oil man from tasks had been coordinating the court 'appointed liquidaror, acts. t., -, Westfork study. land-clearingbut, before the building. Dallas. Westfork still owns the land, I, Lennon told the San Diego court The'. area. is liowctorn ..up '" scraped . and is therefore responsible for paying ! tbat We.tfork's salvation lies with a bare in so!!'e places and -covered witb off the bonds. . .;: new general partner Ot buyer for the ·moundSafditt ip..orher places. -- ;-.-.!?be says, "We were c;ounting on t oe 'says 'of the $14 million: .j' entire project. To clear tbe patb to a , The land is marred by .something. Poerring to perfotm,. to carry through ii ''There was a lot of mapping, . major new investor, the Westfork besides bare; eroding' grourid. Ski an the project." But Poerringdidn' t ", , Pplanning analysis and base- investors put up more money and areas are rarely built' with upfront c. line date to develop. But most of the hired attorneys to advise tbem. money from the developer. Instead, (Continue" on page 12) l

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( 12-High Country News -- September 1, 1986

1 Ski ... \...~ .~?NTIk 160 .... .: ······_···i·~1>)> (Continued from page 11) ". "'Y~ 1 • 'C 1 .- perform, and Westfork Investments I .- could have its property taxes raised by Wolf Creek Pass the metro districts (which are run by • Ski Area Westfork employees) to pay the bondholders. Where will the estimat- ...... ·_···)~t/~~·~()~ ed $611,000 come from to make the interest payments this year,' to say nothing of the additional money I ~ ~1ft-""" 1 East Fork Ji ~"", needed to pay the original owners of ey o'ldj1.r the Teal and Gomez ranches? "That's pan of the big question," says Poe. According to Bob Morrison, an Mineral County attorney for limited partners in Archuleta County Austin, Texas, each investor was asked to invest additional funds to salvage the project. The investors put up $250,000 in hopes of salvaging some of the $14 million they had South San Juan already sunk. Wilderness Area Morrison says the court has allowed rhe money to goto the Forest , Service and consultants to complete the EIS, rather than to -serve debt . ~;,d):rf+ .'Everything now is contingent on the . Forest Service issuing their Record of ~~I 1 ". Decision. Our thought is that the value )" I. of the project is greatly enhanced if it I. L" receives a favorable recommendation /;, :1 ~ \ , :1 from the Forest Service. And we are hopeful of that." He also says, "It -i\{'... .':....! appears that the type of entities or .: I" persons qualified to do that (buyout : 1 Pagosa Springs 1 the investors). come few and far 1 between .. , The mess created by Doerring is ment soaring there. In addition, while the money has come from in the past land developer and speculator instead especially sticky for Frank Teal, who Mineral County would get the ski few years when things were booming of unbiased catalyst in the process. chose to sell his ranch to Doerring at a area's property taxes, the demand for around here." They might as well be out beating the price reportedly well above marker, schools, - hospitals, police and other Through it all, the Forest Service bushes with Westfork, 'Iookinlt for·-.! and to finance part of the sale. If.the services would land on Archuleta has kept the project on track. The sugar daddy." It is clear, he current court stay is lifted, Teal could County, making it something of a agency's second EIS began after the continues, ., that there is no foreclose on the property. He would no-lose situation for Mineral County. SEC complaint was filed and meaningful proponent on the horizon. get back the scraped ground and the Archuleta County Commissioner Wesrfork's assets frozen. San Juan Yet the Forest Service persis ts in piles of dirt, as well as the fourmerro W. H. Diestelkamp says a proposed National Forest spokesman Dennis writing a document based on the districts "and their $5 million in tax -sharing agreement with Mineral Neil said in March that since Wesrfotk assumption that there is." obligations. County won't pay for even one patrol was paying its bills, "We have no It is hard to predict what decision When asked about the intricacies car. In the short run, then, it is choice but to treat them as a viable the Forest Service will make, or of the situation, attorney Morrison let probably in Arc hule ra County's entity until they show us otherwise." whether its actions will be appealed. out a long chuckle, and then hesitated, interest to~see the resort die. But He also said, "If a new general But it is likely in the short term that no saying the situation really wasn't Diestelkamp doesn't expect that. parrner isn't found soon, we may have permit will be issued -- just a final EIS funny. "There are several options. "They've spent too much money-now. to look at things differently. " and Record of Decision on whether the Teal could buy all the bonds back and And when they get the okay from the area is suitable for development. then try and have the districts Forest Service. they'll have something. To obtain the special use permit, dissolved. He'd be out of pocket at to sell." orest planner Jim Furnish the developer must show liquid assets least $2-3 million if he did that. Or, he Unlike Poe, who said he was says, "This isn't an unusual equal to 25 percent of the first phase of could continue the development unaware of how. the real estate market Fsituation. Several approved -the development. In its current state, himself. " is doing in Pagosa Springs this areas in Colorado are languishing in Westfork is not close to that goal. Interested onlookers are Archuleta summer, Diestelkamp said things eddies... Those developers are just and Mineral counties. The land is in were slow. "Oh, there's some waiting around for better· times to o Mineral County, which approved the wheeling and dealing going on, but capitalize on their investment." Tamara Wiggans is a freelance development without batting an eye. with the bottom falling 'out of the oil The Sierra Club's Martin Sorenson "writer in Durango, Colorado. This Closure of a mine that employed most industry, Te-;:as and Oklahoma have differs. "As far as I'm concerned, the article was paid for by the High of the residents has sent unemploy- been hard hit. That's where most of Forest Service is playing the role of Country News Research Fund.

The town once had several small and environmentalists and could help No one knows if this approach is LETTERS local timber operators, It nowhas two both to set aside their' 'positions" and feasible. It certainly has problems to primary operators, one locally owned examine what they really want. be solved: capitalizing new local A SUGGESTION FOR DUBOIS and one owned by Louisiana-Pacific. The goals may be complementary, businesses, overseeing small oper- L-P's operation has become vulner- given the following: Dubois could ators and meeting national timber Dear HCN, able, apparently due to a decline in the continue as a timber-based economy goals, to name a few.· But a study Environmental effects of timber demand for L-P sruds and .ptoposed . . by using smaller, local operators, sponsored by the USFS, Dubois and cuts and one family's attempt to changes in U.S. Fores t Service timber rather than L-P. Local operators spend perhaps the Greater Yellowstone prevent damage to their land near leasing, supported by environment- .rnore of their profits locally, which Coalition would be instructive. Dubois, Wyoming, were subject of an alists. returns more timber dollars to the There is an unfortunate impression August 4 HCN story. I recently had Dubois is deeply divided over the local communiry and creates more amongst soine environmentalists that occasion to briefly examine the emotion-charged leasing issue. Resi- jobs. Even ifthese operators cut fewer those whose jobs depend on extraction situation in Dubois. An interesting dents blame the USFS and environ- board-feet, because they were cut by of natural resources do not care for the idea came up. mentalists for their economic prob- resident operators, they may create as natural environment. In fact, most Dubois is an attractive and isolated lems. They want to keep L-P in town. many jobs as more board-feet cut by care deeply for it. But they also care place that many of us know as the last In their efforts to reduce the impacts an absentee corporation. deeply about having a job. Those of us town we drive through before entering of logging, many regional environ- Second, some silviculturisrs say interested in preserving ecological Yellowstone. Timber, livestock and mentalists have shown little concern that small timber operators can log balance will find more allies if we also tourism are its primary economic for the problems of Dubois. Their with less ecological damage. There- help find ways to create jobs and base. Ranching is as tenuous there as position' is to reduce board-feet of fore, new local operators may be able sustain community economies. anywhere. Tourism is important, but logging. to create more jobs by cutting fewer short-lived each summer. Timber is There may be a path through this board-feetthan that being cut by L-P, Michael Kinsley critical. controversy that pleases both Dubois while damaging less woodland. Old Snowmass, Colorado tT..... UU 4-V2

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Ski area developers replay Milagro Beanfield War

____ ...thy ToniWolf process. Most people think it works You are looking at an area that will well. - slump when the aspen are cut to make obert Redfordis making a film Among those working for the ski runs. I am also sceptical about based on John Nichols' book, Department of Natural Resources was exposure, elevation, and sun prob- RThe Milagro Beanfield War. Adam Poe, who claimed that Forest lems. Snowmaking is only a partial Real life governors and mayors in New Service aspen harvest plans ignored, answer," Mexico are auditioning for parts. This the ameniry value of the species for San Juan Fotest Supervisor John seems odd, since Nichols' tale of a the tourism industry. Poe spoke Kirkpatrick will make the final traditional community's response to eloquently and effectively about decision on both developments. He recreational development proposals adverse inopacts on fish and wildlife said, "We feel these are two .separare portrays most government officials and on their dependent hunting and areas, and so we do not study their and poliricans unfavorably. fishing industries. The department inopacts together. If we tie them won its case. hands down, togethet, we put both proponents at a Had Re'dford and Nichols attended Now Poe is executive vice disadvantage. Their consultants say the annual meeting this spring of the president' for Westfork Investment they can capture the Sun Belt market. Colorado-Wyoming Society of Ameri- Associates, the developer of Wolf It isn't our business to say if this is a can Foresters, held in Pagosa Springs Creek Valley. Many of the foresters real market or one created by real in southwest Colorado, they would were plainly angry at his smooth estate and tourism. promoters," have heard inopassionedarguments in passage through the revolving door It was time for Adam Poe to speak a picturesque setting about the that leads from government to again. "We project a 60 percent relationship between the ski industry industry. One asked, "Adam, when growth in the Sun Belt population by and the SanJuan National Forest, you were with DNR, you appealed our the year 2000 or so. All those people Like so many multiple uses on timber harvest plans as environment- sweating down there want to come public lands, ski area development ally damaging. Is your ski _area here to recreate in all four seasons. occurs under a special- use permit. development proposal less damaging We are the closest resort area. The TlfOjr!j>.ugC;;,.t\e,y.-areas.ate ",prop.osed;" than our timber.sales?" numbers tell the tale." , Wolf Creek Valley, on the West Fork While this question rang in the air, Dan Love is the Ptesident of the of the San Juan River, is designed to Poe hesitated. The group was ColotadoBoard of Tourism. He comes accommodate 11,750skiers at one gathered at '10 overlookon WolfCreek from the highly competitive airline- time. East Fork, just five miles away Pass' Highway 160. Down the valley travel promotion industry. He said over one ridge, weighs in at 13,500 along an elk migration corridor,Poe's tourists spent $4.4 billion in Colorado skiers ar a time. Both are planned as golf course and homesites were in 1985, generating $216 million in world class, four season destination emerging from the muck of a Colorado state and local taxes. When people from getting hit by cars or smashing resorts. spring day. Across the valley, one saw think "vacation," according to Love, themselves into powerlines?" Foresters in the Rockies are still the aspen-adorned slopes of the Colotado ranks third behind Florida smarting from their recent tussle with proposed ski area, just at the base of and Hawaii. "Scenery is our number dam Poe said, "We plan to the state of Coloradoover the place of one of Colorado's few known one draw,'. Love said, ..and you , work with the Forest Service recreation in the more-or-less com- peregrine falcon nesting sites. The foresters control the scenery. Colo- , and the DOW to deal with, pleted forest plans. Much to the A peregrine is a federally listed rado's economicfuture lies squarely in these problems. Thete is no doubt, Forest Service's disgust, the state endangered species. the Forest Service's hands." however, that the quality of hunting waited until rhe draft EIS appeared Jim Ruch, head of the state's and fishing in this area will decline before announcing opposition to plans Division of Wildlife, sounded a over time," to access top' quality spruce at higher linking behind cranberry. cautionary note. "The Forest Ser- The foresters' bus descended Wolf elevations by building a vast new colored glasses, clad in a vice's proposals to cut a lot of aspen Creek Pass, headed for Pagosa system of backcountry roads. cranberry-colored down vest B sounds like the plan to save the village Springs. It passed the At Last Ranch, Already under pressure from subtly matching the stripes in a stylish of My Lai. Both foresters and the Elk Meadows RV Camp, the Old environmentalists on the below-cost shirt, Poe was at least as cool as developers have to remember that Miners Steakhouse, and a group of sales issue, the Forest Service Robert Redford would have been. He new proposals affect existing inter- Saturday morning drunk-driving. con- proposed to pay for the roads by replied, "Yes, there is a difference. ests. Hunting and fishing put $1 victs cleaning up trash along the harvesting lots ofaspen, a species that The vegetation management we will billionintoColorado in 1985,about the Highway 160 corridor. had never had much commodiry value do here is not tied to the price of same as the ski industry. " Right after this meeting, Forest before. Conveniently, mature stands timber. We will control roads and The last speaker at the ovetlook Service Chief Max Peterson came out of aspen dominate many of the public access in Ii ways that are site was Glen Eyre of the Division of against the bill to extend permits and lower-level ecosystems in western different from tinober harvest. And the Wildlife. He said, "Wildlife always ease restrictions for ski area Colorado. Letting Louisiana-Pacific percentage of land we are impacting is ends up at the bottom of the list of developers. The billhas the support of cut aspen to feed its new waferwood onlya tiny fraction of what the Forest concerns. Some impacts just can't be the entire political-power structure of mills provided what looked like a Service was proposing to cut." mitigated... Six hundred elk presently the state of Colotado. modern forester's dream: economic- Also present was Kingsberry migrate through this proposed skiarea When Redford is finished with ally efficient timber harvest on a Pitcher, the owner of nearby Wolf and intothe calving habitat in the back New Mexico, he can shoot his next pay-as-you-go basis. Creek Pass ski area and a longtime bowls that link it with the East Fork. film, peregrines and all, in the Wolf Arrayed against such plans was an , developer who lists Chet Huntley's There are plans for a nordic, hut Creek area. Maybe Redford will play unusual coalition of environmental Big Sky area near Bozeman in his system linking the two areas. What Adam Poe. Maybe Adam Poe will play groups and the state itself, clainoing credits. Pitcher said: "I have been in about the elk? What about the Adam Poe. that the Forest Service had failed to this business since 1941. I have had wolvetines? Many of us feel that there follow the Colorado Joint Review chances to develop the site we're may be a remnant' population of o Process, which coordinates the input lookingat. I always said no, because I grizzly somewhere in the San Juans. of all the local, state, and federal can tell that those slopes are unstable. What about them? What about the Tom Wolf is a writer 10 Fort regulatory agencies into the EIS Lots of aspen means unstable soils. peregrines? How do we keep them Collins, Colorado. 7 l

, . . .. ".' ~- , -- - . "•I •••• """.,.' •• - ",.,',.", ••••• , .... ~ ••• • •• 4 \~II~.I1~"...·...ll.~· .....'../.~.•'_'"' . , • t , ' , • I • I ••• I I I • ~ , , ~ ., .. Ill_A , , , , ••• l.. , , ...... ~ •• .- , jq-nzg,j LVU."",y .nt;.wJ -- vt:-j/l-CTrJvt:-r -1: '1':;I~~' .. It will cost $30 a day to slide downhill at some resorts kiers in four Western states will pay as much as 20 percent Colorado - Utah Skier Days S more this winter to ride a lift 1978-'79through 1985-'86 up a mountain. The large resorts that 10 attract week-long skiers have raised' prices, with Utah's Deer Valley, 9 Idaho's Sun, Valley and Colorado's' 9,118,751 9,041,461 Vail/Beaver Creek charging $30 a day; C/) z 8 8,617,318 Aspen, Colorado, $29; Steamboat 0 Springs, Colorado, and Park Ciry, 3 7 Utah, $27; and Jackson Hole, 7,616,699 Wyoming, $26. ~ 6 Prices at smaller resorts, which C/) mostly cater to day skiers, are staying >< -< 5 steady, with charges between $8 and Q $20 a day. A sample from around the 0:: 4 West includes Utah's Alta, Wyo- w ~ ming's Snow King and Colorado's C/)- Berthoud Pass, $15; Colorado's 3 Monarch, $18, and Wolf Creek, $19; 2 Grand Targhee, Wyoming, $19; and 2,436,544 2,579,950 2,033,544 2,317,255 2,369,901 Sundance, Utah, $20. 1 Colorado, with over nine million lift tickets sold in - the 1985-1986 season, is the giant in the ski industry, '78-'79 79-'80 '80-'81 '81·'82 '82-'83 '83-'84 '84-'85 '85-'86 towering above distant runner·up, Colorado Skier-Days Utah,· which sold 2.5 million lift * • Utah Skier-Days tickets. '------'------'------.11 Since 1981, the industry in This chart can prove almost Those wishing to show that skiing 7 to 10 percent tate tacked up in the Colorado has spent more than $335 anything about ski industry growth. in Colorado is an expanding industry 1970s. The low growth occurred Utah ski areas can show that their rate can calculate the growth rate from despite intense promotion and million in capital improvements, of growth spurted in the last year, and 1980-1981to 1985-1986.It turns out to installation of snowmakingequipment according to trade group figures. that they now lead Colorado and the be an astronomical 14 percent. But at all resorts. The last several years Stephanie Nora, of the Denver-based nation. Colorado can prove that Utah 1980-1981'was depressed by a severe have seen bumper snow crops, but

Colorado Ski Country USA, which has onIy a sma II sh are 0 ft he ski1 busiusi- drought. The growth rate from- the snowmaki' ng 18 sn'11' Important; It. represents 30 resorts, says improve- ness. And Eastern ski areas can show normal snow year of 1979-1980 to allows ski areas to open around rnents such as high-speed gondolas ' that Coloradoand Utah together have 1985-1986 works out to 2 percent a Thanksgiving each year, thereby increase time on the slopes and add value to a lift ticket. only 25 percent of the nation's 50 year. lengthening the average ski season. million annual ski visits. That is very low compared with the Typical of Colorado resort im- Source: Utah Ski Association provernenrs is Tel1urid.e's new, high-speed chairlift that seats four skiers at a time. Saidto be the longest Large ski areas such as Steamboat, $1-3 rises in ticket prices coming up going, Richardson says resorts are of.irs kind in the world, the lift will Keystone and the Aspen-Buttermilk this winter are solely due to insurance offering package discounts and other take skiers almost two miles to 11,000 complex were hit by rising costs for costs. inducements to attract more people to feet in 11 minutes. That increases insurance and equipment while, at the "We ate just passing along the sport. The real competition, he Telluride's uphill capacity to 10,826 same time, attracting fewer skiers, insurance increases," says Danny adds, is warm-weather vacation areas,

skiers per hour. Seven smaller resorts, priced out of Richardson at the Utah Ski Associa-, not other ski re~orts..'....~ i' ~" ....i.l..iv. The 'nearby Crested Butte ski area business, closed. Ski Country USA rion. But raising ticket prices to cover'-- Wyoming's Jackson Hole and in western Colorado, which is seeking says the smaller resorts were less able skyrocketing 'insurance premiums Idaho's Sun Valley, two of the West's capital to stay in the black despite to attract skiers because they lacked troubles the industry in Utah. "Until major "destination" ski resorts, share reporting' a 7 percent gain in skiers capital to make improvements. Their some sort of responsibiliry comes -- Colorado's and Utah's insurance this winter, also has expansion plans. demise is not healthy for the industry when we stop paying high awards to problems. Kari Gemme!, who works Ski company officials recently' 'an- since most resort managers say people who should have been for the Jackson Hole resort, says nounced a $600millionplan to develop smaller areas are the ones where responsible for their own actions .. fourfold increases in insurance a new mountain and build 1,900 new skiers start out, insurance rates will continue to rise ," premiums -over the last four years housing units at its base. Richardson says. forced a $4 increase in lift ticket prices Overall last year, Colorado resorts In contrast to Colorado, Utah Rather than expanding lifts ot this season. All resort managers say, pumped a record $130 million into. resorts have not moved toward large other slope facilities, the Utah resorts however, that when skiers pay their facilities. But while the ski and expensive expansion. Utah lift upgraded amenities in the base $1,000-$2,000a weekin the West for a industry enjoyed its best year, the rate tickets range from $8 to $30 a day and villages. Last year skier days vacation, a lift ticket is the leas t of ofgrowth was less than 1 percent from some areas boast skiing quality as increased by 3.5 percent, with 2.5 their expenses. the year before, and 17 resorts posted good or better than Colorado's. Utah million tickets sold to make it. the best losses. ski industry representatives say the season on record. To keep the trend --Steve Hinchman

• • AC ESS WE FAVOR THE NEAT STlIFF BOME STUDY COURSE WE PAY CASH for antiques, old guns, POINT OF VIEW leather goods, trunks, old signs, musical INECONOMICS OF instruments arid miscellaneous. Will make offers. Call Silver Belle Antiques, HENRY GEORGE,;. 728,3846, Telluride, Colorado (lxI6b). A ten-lesson course that will help DO YOm A UNIQUE SHIRT FOR UNIQUE PEOPLE GRAND JUNCTION LABORATORIES, ouunderstand unemployment, urban If so, why not join our growing WOROS TO LIVE BY ON A TEAL COLOREO T_SHIRT Environmental health testing: water, soil; rises, taxes, land use and misuse, membership, now approaching 100? T·SHIRT: S,M.L,XL 59,95 feed, mineral, asbestos and hazardous POST. & HDlG, 52,00 EACH ITEM, . CA. TAX (,% nd other social problems. Tuition 'No dues, no obligations except to do JIM KITSON waste. State certified; EPA approved. 435 North Ave., Grand Junction, CO 81501 ree; small charge for materials. what you can to promote the single-tax P.O. BOX 411106, DUT. JiC,o) SAN FRANCISCO, CA. 94141 (303/242-7618). (lxI6p) idea. Next annual conference, Cedar MONfY BACK GUARANTEF • SEND 51.00 fOR UNIQUE CATALOGUE City, Utah, September 6, 1986. SINGLE? ENVIRONMENT ALlST? HENRYGEORGEINSTITUTE PEACE-ORIENTED? Concerned Singles 5East 44thStreet Intermountain Single Tax Association Newsletter links unattached like-minded New York,N.Y. 10017 (ISTA) KALWALL men and women, all areas, all ages. Free Box7, Manitou Springs, sample. Box 7737-B, Berkeley, CA 94707. Colorado 80829 Sunlite® Glazing (6xl) CLASSIFIED ADS' cost 22 cents 'per word, : NAME (303)685-1498 for Solar Panels and pre-paid, $5 minimum. General rates for or Greenhouses display are $6/column i'nch camera- : ADDRESS Box207, Cedar City, Teton Tinkers & Traders ready; $8/column inch if we make-up. For Utah 8'4720 ad rate brochure, write HeN, Box 1090, ZIP Box 91, Victor, 10 83455 , . (801)586-6362 (208) 787-2495 Paonia, Colorado 81428 or call 303/527· ...... -. 4,898.

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High Country News .. September 1, 1986·15

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The next time your radiator boils over, make soup . . _-'- -'-hy RayRing large expanse of heat-reflecting asphalt, such as a arranged along the dash and, if watched closely, shopping-center lot. . steaks and hamburgers can be charbroiled on the Middle of summer, the sun is blazing down. Areminder: On really hot days, keep a window radio-speaker grill so the hot grease can drain Your car is like an oven, You need potholders to cracked so the meat doesn't dry out or burn before properly. _ work the door handles. The seatcovers sear into youhave a chance to check it. For. those who plan feasts, whole pigs and your thighs, the steering wheel blisters your Once you get the knack, just about anything goats can be laid out in the trunk compartment for fingers. Waves of heat are shimmering off the can be cooked in the average sedan. Sheets of ali-day roasting, perhaps nestled in a bed of dashboard. You fume inside your four-wheel !cookiesor pans of brownies can be slid under the carrots and ears of corn. inferno. seats for slow baking, and the perfect place for Creativiry is the secret to car cookery. Don't let Relax. Lookat the bright side of this product of foil-wrappedpotatoes is in the glove compartment. conventional thinking restrict your imagination. summer sun. If your car is as hot as an oven, use it Working carefully to avoid burning your Strips of bacon can be wrapped around the for one. Give a whirl to the newest summer craze -- fingertips, unscrew the knob on the transmission steering wheel and fastened in place with car .cookery. level. Then slide marshmallows over the steel rod toothpicks. The most succulent baked apples I Wrap a standing rib roast or turkey in foil and and listen to them sizzle. ever ate came off the doot locks of a 1968 Camaro. place it gently on the front seat. Latge hams Most turn-signal levers will accommodate a . Other people might be going around should be belted in an upright position. single hot dog, skewered from end to end. complaining about how it's hot enough to fry an Roll up the 'windows, lock the doors to keep Tbe convenient ledge belowthe back window is egg on the sidewalk. You know where the egg away marauding hobos and children, and come reserved for delicate cakes and souffles that belongs. back in a couple of hours. Voila. should not be disturbed while rising. Precise parking controls the temperature The dashboard beneath the windshield .. the o inside the car. For warming leftovers, park under a hottest spot in most cars _. doubles as an In Tucson, Arizona, Ray Ring fixes grilled shade tree. But for roasting and baking, park on a energy-free broiler. Slices of garlic toast can be cheese sandwiches in a Ford.

stopwatch and found that each flight Trail. I was a two-week volunteer day, Gudy had hiked six miles uphill to LETTERS lasted two minutes, followed by one workingon the trail in the South Platte our work site. Out of her pack came BUZZING THE-BADLANDS minute on the ground to change District in 1975. During the Bicenren- two of the biggest. and absolutely passengers. That adds up to 20 nial year, I had the pleasure of most delicious watermelons any of us Dear HCN, helicopters per hour passing low working all summer as a crew leader, had ever tasted. It was all the thanks above this turnout. I have worked out supervising groups of volunteers we needed. I have not visited the Grand of helicopters in Alaska; the safety constructing the trail in various Canyon in over 10 years, so I have not violations involved in shuttling people stretches between Waterton and My appreciation goes opt to all the experienced the- disruptions caused in and out so rapidly must be Kenosha Pass. Along with the other people who have kept the Colorado there.by the relatively recent increase numerous. volunteer crew leaders, Mike Cassell, Trail alive during the last 10 years. in aerial incursions by helicopters and This kind of hit-and-run operation Sue Nolan, and Sue Rhodes, I also And thanks especially to. Gudy .. a small planes. However, a few days ruins the Badlands scenery for people enjoyed surveying additional sections woman of vision, inspiration, and ago, my family and I passed through on the ground, and gives onlythe thrill of the 480 miles in the Breckenridge obviously, unbounded energy. Badlands National Park in SOuth of going up in a helicopter, to the area, in the Collegiate Range west of Dakota. Just outside the main passengers -- which can be done Leadville,and in the SanJ uans west of Mike Bencic entrance on the northwest side of the anywhere and surely should not be Creede. r:we recommended that the Houghton, Michigan park was a small outfit offering allowed in a national park. trail not go through the Weminuche helicopter views of the Badlands .. for Wilderness Area.) only $5.00! MarichReheis We wondered what sort of ride one Golden, Colorado would get for so little money, and soon HAPPY TRAILS It was a rewarding summer, with What? So soon? found out. About one-half mile inside some of the most beautiful scenery The U.S.S.R. and Great Britain the park is the first major turnout for Dear HCN, I've ever seen. But the incident I have settled their dispute over the tourists to view the Badland scenery. remember most vividly happened on Soviet Union's refusal to payoff bonds The roar of the one helicopter in use Thanks for the lead article of Aug. our very last day of construction. In issued by the czarist regime prior to Was incessant. I timed the flights by 4 on Gudy Gaskill and the Colorado mid-afternoon on a hot September the Russian Revolution.

< , \' u ~t.,..nu t rvet LRT·8U ..V2

16-H,gh Country News -- September i, 1986 ~ ~~ ===-

Blind confidence can lead to disaster, but Gudy's is supplemented by a shrewd grasp of' On the trail of extravagant health individuals and group dynamics. Saturday night she crowded us all into the cook tent and had us Environmentalists are like oncologists they fought, and may turn out to be among the introduce outselves. We stood around, awful always in search of disease, always with a knife at small percentage that win that fight. mulled wine in hand, stooped over by the tent roof, hand in case cutting is necessary. As a movement, Trailbuildet Gaskill is easier to read. The story and presented those aspects of out personality we we have failed to take psychologist Abraham in the Aug. 4 HCN was based on winter wanted others to see. Maslow's advice to his profession: there is more to interviews. But the,week the issue was published, She began Sunday late, by design. (Except for be learned from extravagant health than from Betsy and I dtove our two children to Bolam Pass the Iowa farmer; Craig Schroeder, who got up at pathology. north of Durango so the teenagers could spend a dawn to sharpen tools the last crew had blunted.) HCN reflects the environmental movement. week helping extend the trail as part of a After a leisurely 'breakfast, we spent an hour Most of our stories are about sickness. But two 15·person crew. This particular crew was headed sorting out Pul~skis and McLeods .. the imple- recent issues •. July 7 and Aug. 4 -. happened to , by Gudy, and what we saw in action was a woman ments used to dig trails, chop roots, and smooth lead with stories about health. The ) uly 7 story who doesn't know how to worry and who doesn't surfaces. Then we went to work, carving a trail out .. described the Zahniser family's fight to preserve give obstacles and setbacks a second thought. She of what had been a steep hillside. its sheep ranch. The Aug. 4 issue described Gudy said that if her children were three or four days Only then did Gudy suggest it was time for a Gaskill's work on the 480·mile·long Colorado Trail. late returning from a climbing or hiking trip, 'T hike. One of the younger crew members Neither dealt explicitly with the question of wouldn't worry. I know they're very capable, and complained that because of the late start "we health. It wasn't until the Zahniser story was in I'd just assume they were delayed ... won't have time for a long hike." .But Gudy said print and Wilbur carne by to get 50 copies to The assumption that things will work out was later, "If they take a long hike today, they'll be distribute to his fellow farmers, that I thought to on display the Saturday afternoon we showed up at worthless tomorrow." ask why he had fought. His answer: "What else the Durango Forest Service parking lot to Another key to her' success may be an could I do? I didn't have any choice ... rendezvous for the trip to the 11,000·foot base ingrained generosity. Our car died because the That was no answer. All around him neighbors camp. We wondered about taking conventional electric fan motor broke. Gudy spontaneously were handing over their deeds with little or no cars to the campsite, but Gudy assured us that "a offered to loan her car for the zo-mile trip back 1 fight. Wilbur knew this, and was puzzled. So far as Chrysler made it. " We discovered when we finally down the jeep road to the state highway, and the he could see, his neighbors were the same kind of reached the camp that a Chrysler had made it, But 150-mile highway drive back to Paonia. She acted people as him. So when he heard that one of them our Ford Tempo and a Cheverte owned by another as if we were doing her a favor: "Otherwise it will was under pressure from a' banker, "I'd call up crew member did not. Each of us abandoned our just sit there all week. " and say, 'You can fight. You don't have to let them cars at a different point in the trip, leading Gudy to Perhaps that quality is the major reason the take your place.' '.. Their response was always the say, when she drove into camp two hours later Colorado Trail is pushing toward completion. She same, "What the heck, _they practically own it with groceries, "It looked like the Twilight Zone, sees people and the things of the world as there to now. You can't beat them." first one car and then another." be used. People of all ages should come up to Zahniser couldn't imagine giving up his place. But we didn't nave to walk to camp. A farmer 11,000 feet and swing a Pulaski. The land should The people he spoke to couldn't imagine fighting from Iowa, tired of waiting in vain in the Purgatory be shaped to accommodate those who wish to see for theirs. But from the outside, there was no Ski Area parking lot for a 4 p.m. rendezvous, set the high countty. Tools should be dulled by work difference berween those who fought and those off for the campsite. He was jubilant to find us and then sharpened. Cars should be driven, and who didn't. trudging along the road loaned down with tents then replaced when they're used up. If anything, by my values, the Zahnisers and sleeping bags. "Are you from the Colorado Some 'oC us have reacted to this era's should have been among the first to surrender. Trail?" he asked, even as we were climbing into extravagant polluting expenditure of natural They don't appear to be hooked into an outside the back of his pickup. resources with a minimalist approach to civic or political network that could have given Gudy wasn't surprised to find us all there consumption. We feel most virtuous when the them support. They don't follow the events of the despite the abandoned cars and the missed meters of consumption are barely turning. It may outside world very closely. In fact, their first meeting. Nor was she distressed that the farmer be that our goal should instead be to cause those reaction to t~eir troubles was that it must be.a had spent a couple of anxious hours waiting. Her meters to spin in ways that will build the kind of bankers' plot. So they lacked the context and the assumption is that if you are going to build a world we want. human network that I would have thought would 480·mile trail for peanuts, there is going to have to be prerequisite to the battle they fought. And yet be improvisation. -Ed Marston

_ WATER IS FOR SELLiNG A METEORIC TEST A three-day conference titled "Water Professor Thomas Gold's theory of the FIVE COLORADOS MarkeringrOpportunities and Challenges origin of natural gas is being tested with The Colorado Endowment for the of a New Era," will explore the new age the help of 3,000 optimistic Swedish Humanities is sponsoring a discussion of transferable rights, water reallocation, investors and the Swedish national program to define, understand and' market pressures, public interest con- electrial utility. Those putting their $21. 5 reconcile the 'differences among the five straints and other factors affecting the million where Dr. Gold's ideas are hope to sections of Colorado. The endowment' attempt to move Western water from a strike a large quantity of gas at the site of conrends those divisions are: Eastern government-controlled resource to a an ancient meteorite crash in the Swedish , Plains, Metro Denver, Front Range (north market commodity. The conference will province -of Dalacarlia. Gold, an and south of Metro' Denver), Western' explore the opportunities for marketing, astrophysicist, believes natural gas and Slope and Southern Colorado, and that the legal and technical challenges, oil are part of the earth's original they were created by differing geography, financing, the role of the public interest heritage, and that it is discovered by man I water and' climate. The result is that each doctrine, Indian water and environmental when he is lucky enough to drill in places region has its own history, economy, implications. Speakers include Gary where it has seeped out of the core and up politics and culture, and "the sections Weatherford of Berkeley, California; into reservoirs near the surface. Luck is f. rarely talk to each other; to a disturbing consultant Steven Shupe of Santa Fe; required because Gold believes that extent, they do not understand each Prof. F. Lee Brown of the University of current theories, based on the fossil other. Because of their competition with New Mexico; Colorado water attorney origin of hydrocarbons, are totally wrong. each other, they often dislike each Jack Ross; University of Oregon law The current drill-site was chosen because other." Fifteen meetings are set for professor Charles Wilkinson; and former the crash penetrated three miles, and around the state to involve local citizens New York City mayor John Lindsay. The fractured the earth's crust even deeper, and scholars in discussions under the conference will be held at the University creating seep paths. The Atlantic did a heading, "Five Colorados." Meetings of Denver Law Center Sept. 24-26. The co~er story on Gold in its February 1986 commg up soon are: Sept. 23, 7 p.m., fee is $375. For information, contact: Issue. McClelland Library, 100 E. Abriendo Water Marketing Conference, University UPPER GREEN RIVER VALLEY Ave., Pueblo; Sept. 24, 7 p.m. Otero of Denver College of Law, 1895 Quebec Only the River Runs Easy is a human Junior College, Student Center Recrea- St., Deover, CO 80220 (303/871-6323.) and natural history portrait of the upper tion Room, La Junta; Sept. 25, 4 p.m., 25 miles of the Green River, 10 Social Science Consortium, 855 Broad- Wyoming's Wind River Mountains. way, Boulder; Sept. 26, 3:30 p..m., North BOOM TOWN EXPERT DIES Author Holly Skinner is a native of Eastern j unior College, E.S. French ) ohn Gilmore_, a researcher who Pinedale, WyolIling, a small town at the Building, Rm. 219, Sterling. specialized in the effects of rapid development on Western communities, base of the Wind Rivers. Most of her HOLISTIC RANCH MANAGEMENT died Aug. lS, 1986. He was co-author of short essays concern people who have The Montana Branch of the Center for AUTUMNEYE WORKSHOPS Boom Town Growth Management in inhabited the valley of the Upper Green -- Holistic Management, a ranch advisory Now in its 9th year, Autumn Eye 1975, andwrote numerous articles on the the Sh e epe a ter Indians, trappers, organization, will hold its first annual photo seminars at a ranch close to subject. Gilmore was a senior research outlaws, pioneers and cattlemen meeting on Sepr , 5 and 6 at the Ramada Telluride, Colorado, are nearly booked for fellow at the University of Denver interspersed with the author's personal Inn in Billings. The meeting will include the two sessions from Sept. 18-21 and Research Irrsrirute as well as a consultant impressions. The last chapter is about speakers and display booths, culminating Sept. 25-28. Director Bill Ellzey and other to various government agencies and Snook and Evalyn Miller, residents of the in a tour of a pilot Holistic Resource professional photographers take students private firms. He was born May 9, 1922, valley who have run a guide service for Management ranch. Pre-registration is of all levels into the San) uan Mountains in Emporia, Kansas, but his career was in over 40 years and who still put up the hay $15 for the meeting and tour and $12 for as part of the instruction. The cost is $395 the West. In the 1950s, he co-founded they grow with horses. Pruett Publishing the Friday dinner banquet. Make checks for workshop and lodging or $250 for with his wife, Patricia Kent, the Nucla Co., 2928 Pearl St.c.Boulder, CO 80301. payable to Center HRM, Montana Branch tuition alone. For more information write Forum, a weekly newspaper in the Cloth: $14.95. 131 pages. Illustrated with at Montana Branch, P.O. Box 1593, Autumn Eye, Box 1171, Telluride, CO western Colorado uranium boom town of map and black and white phoros. Repro- Billings, MT 59103. 81335, Nucla. duction is somewhat dark.