Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About What's happening. (Eugene, OR) 1982-1993 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 1985)
y EPTOPIAm A L.M I . BAl/Am 1 A Delicate Balance by Doug Norlen The following is a guest editorial. Doug Norlen is a member of the Waldo Wilderness Council, a coalition of conservation and outdoor groups and concerned individuals working to protect the wild lands of the Waldo Region. Norlen was also a member of the Forest Service Interdisciplinary Team that assessed the proposed ex pansion at Willamette Pass. Local conservation groups re cently filed a Freedom of Infor mation Act Request to the U.S. Forest Service in Eugene to obtain information regarding violations of a special-use permit by the Willamette Pass Ski Corporation (WPSC). The conservationists, working to protect the Waldo Lake Basin,. were stunned to learn of unauth orized timber cutting by WPSC. , WPSC operates its ski resort on public land under a special-use permit from the U.S. Forest Ser vice. While the latest timber out ting was done on existing runs, all logging requires a timber sale con tract. However, the recent logging was done without any timber con tract. The logging is the latest in what may be a series of special-use per mit violations by WPSC including a 1983 incident where WPSC twice broke state law by building its ski lodge and septic facility be fore obtaining a required sewage permit from the Oregon State De partment of Environmental Quali ty While USFS Supervisor Mike Kerrick has granted tentative ap proval to WPSC to allow expan sion of its present boundary, a stay of action is currently in effect as a result of an appeal filed by the Waldo Wilderness Council, the Oregon Natural Resources Coun cil, the Eugene Chapter of the Izaac Walton League of America, The Sierra Club, Earth First!, the Survival Center at the University of Oregon and the Emerald Chapter of the Native Plant Socie ty of Oregon. Conservationists, many of whom are downhill skiers, are not opposed to expansion of the Wil lamette Pass Ski Area. Conser vationists strongly endorse a 69 percent expansion in skier capa city, but cannot in good con science support the excessive 116 percent expansion plans proposed by WPSC and supported by the USFS. Since the proposed expansion would have permanent effects upon public land, economic via bility of the project is a public concern. The draft Environmental Impact Statement for proposed expansion included an economic analysis which showed Alterna tive II, the plan endorsed by con servationists, as having the best chance to break even financially. This analysis, however, was with drawn from the final EIS without any explanation from the USES. Also, last year, WPSC enjoyed the best snow conditions and most aggressive marketing campaign in its history, yet skier demand failed to reach even 50 percent of USFS estimates. Expansion at WPSC would af reet the Roosevelt Elk habitat and hreaten other habitats such as the Gold Lake Bog Research Natural Area which contains rare plants ound nowhere else in the world. Expansion also would affect cougars, bears, martens, bald eagles, and wolverines. De facto wildlands in the proposed Maiden Peak Wilderness also would be af fected. The argument that the strict terms for expansion under a special-use permit would mitigate environmental effects is question able when WPSC has failed to comply with such permits in the past, as was the case with the lodge expansion. In addition, any environ mentally sound plan for ex pansion is contingent upon the Forest Service enforcing the terms of the agreement; however, Forest Supervisor Mike Kerrick has fail ed to prosecute WPSC for any previous violations. Those of us that are conscien tious skiers should endorse an ex pansion plan that will balance economic and environmental con cerns with the desires of the ski area developer. FUTCHS & FRAMES Bed Frames and Couch Frames starting at $95 _Futons starting at $85_ May be seen at Saturday Market or Michael’s Custom Woodworking 89703 Demming Rd. In Elmira For more information call 935-2443 VISA MasterCard Deliveries available Health Food fie Pool For All Your Baking Needs Bulk Flours • Honey • Yeast Brown Sugar • Raisins fir Dates Seeds fir Nuts • Herbs fir Spices Mon-Fri 9-7 Sat 9-6 141 North 3rd Springfield. Oregon Phone 747-1532 7:20a.m. kzam and eggs. AKZAN220 Luncob Street Muitt 17th A Lincoln 344-1803 Bean of the Month Coconut Cream $4.99/lb. Videotapes & VCRs Open 9-11 daily BE YOUR OWN BOSS If your next raise doesn’t bring you an additional $15,000, then you should be your own boss. If the Idea of being your own boss ap peals to you, and you have $250 to Invest In yourself secured by train ing and Inventory, call for details. ToUFrtt 1-800-824-7888 Op. #4002 Full Selection' =5•“TFull Selection 2 " > tS/Oslocke roomprint vandals. Sizes and preferred colors for men, women, children. Complete repair service Birkenstock Footprints FifthPearl Building 207 E. 5th . Eugene, Oregon 342-6107 • was Bukonalodk Footprint Sondok, Inc.) . I Stress Related illness and Chronic Pain M. Ruth Nentwig, M.A., Ph.D., Anatomist/ counselor. Ten years teaching and research experience at the university of New England Medical School. • specializing in Psychophysiological Concerns • Education/Counseling for symptom Relief/Prevention • Nutritional counseling • Vitamin Therapy • individual counseling 683-3081 VOLVO Owners Preventive Maintenance Special Alpine Import / /Service The VOLVO _Snecialist FREE SAFETY INSPECTION $105° Located at 12th & Main in Springfield Call 726-1808 for appointment ALL WORK GUARANTEED OIL CHANGE 4 cyl., includes oil & filter Next week’s What’s Happening will be dis tributed on Wed., Nov. 27, due to Thanksgiving holiday. ON THE COVER Keith Nelson, of the U of O Outdoor Program, back country skiing In the Three Sisters. Photograph by Warren Morgan. _ 0 1 Eugene/Springfield’s Arts & Entertainment Magazine Publishers Eiiuhttb Lymen Lucia McKtlvty Souja Uagtmuch Editor/Business Manager Lucia McKtlvry Editor/Advertising Manager Elisabeth Lyman Editor/Production Manager Sonja Ungemech Office Manager Sheri Longobardo Designer Tim Jordan Calendar Editor Joan Zimmerman Advertising Representatives Susan Brokaw Jack Craig Jim Middaugh Martha Wagner Contributing Writer* Soon Amnoher Larry Dechman Kate Geseert David Koieen Jim kiiMmtk . Maia Pta/oU Jim Stiah Michael Sussman Lois Wadsworth Martha Wagner Proofreader Deborah McGee Photographer David Stein Distribution Daybreak News Co. Typesetting ProtoType Camera Work Production Department Printing SpriogfieU News Published every Thursday 335 W. 20th, Eugene, OR 97405 (503) 404-0519
