Colorado Press Release

For Immediate Release: September 28, 2005

Contacts: 

Richard Speegle 970-375-3310
Ann Bond 970-385-1219

 

BLM Issues Record of Decision for Silverton Mountain Ski Area

Following three years of environmental study and public input, the Bureau of Land Management has issued a Record of Decision that will pave the way for long-term guided and unguided skiing at the Silverton Ski Area. In approving a land-use plan amendment to BLM’s San Juan/San Miguel Resource Management Plan, the decision offers a long-term lease for 1,300 acres of BLM lands to Aaron Brill, owner and operator of Silverton Mountain Ski Area.

Until now, the ski area had been operating under a short-term Special Recreation Permit, which allowed up to 80 guided skiers per day and had to be renewed annually. Under a new 40-year lease, up to 475 skiers per day will be possible, however, unguided skiing will only take place when avalanche conditions allow. Brill has stated that his intention is to provide only guided skiing at the start of this season.

The BLM invites the public to review the decision. Those who commented on the Environmental Impact Study will automatically be sent a copy of the Decision. Hard copies will soon be available for viewing at the:

  • Silverton Public Library, 1111 Reese Street, Silverton
  • Durango Public Library, 1188 E. Second Ave., Durango
  • San Juan Public Lands Center, 15 Burnett Court, Durango
  • Columbine Ranger District/Field Office, 367 Pearl St., Bayfield

The document is available on the Web at: /author/etc/medialib/blm/co/information/newsroom/2005.Par.75256.File.dat/SOLRC_ROD_9-21-05.pdf
The Appendex 3 map is available on the Web at: /author/etc/medialib/blm/co/information/newsroom/2005.Par.69686.File.dat/map_scan.pdf

The implementation decision is subject to appeal to the Interior Board of Land Appeals during a 30-day period following the publication of the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register.

For more information, contact Richard Speegle at (970) 375-3310.

The BLM, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages more land – 261 million surface acres – than any other federal agency. Most of this public land is located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. BLM manages such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, while conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.

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