{"id":30579,"date":"2019-09-10T16:46:03","date_gmt":"2019-09-10T22:46:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.summitdaily.com\/?p=371292"},"modified":"2019-09-10T16:46:03","modified_gmt":"2019-09-10T22:46:03","slug":"forest-service-working-minimize-environmental-impact-of-proposed-breckenridge-ski-resort-peak-7-chairlift","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kift\/local-news\/forest-service-working-minimize-environmental-impact-of-proposed-breckenridge-ski-resort-peak-7-chairlift\/","title":{"rendered":"Forest Service working minimize environmental impact of proposed Breckenridge Ski Resort Peak 7 chairlift"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
A map showing watershed areas surrounding the proposed Peak 7 chairlift at Breckenridge Ski Resort.<\/strong>
Courtesy U.S. Forest Service<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

FRISCO \u2014 Public comment has closed, and now the Breckenridge Ski Resort proposal to add a chairlift to its existing Peak 7 terrain is being analyzed by the U.S. Forest Service.<\/p>\n

Some community members have expressed concern about the Cucumber Gulch Preserve and other nearby wetland and wildlife impacts. In a letter to the editor<\/a>, Benjamin Hubley voiced his fear of the fate of these ecosystems pending Forest Service approval.<\/p>\n

\u201cCucumber Gulch Preserve is a wildlife habitat and a delicate ecosystem that our community is heavily invested in and works hard to protect. The proposed bottom terminal would be smack in the middle of wetlands. Any construction and regular traffic could possibly damage the wetlands. Additionally, this proposal cuts through a major wildlife corridor into the preserve,\u201d Hubley wrote. <\/p>\n

Hubley recognized the need to ease skier traffic on Peak 7 but urged the Forest Service to re-evaluate the plan.<\/p>\n

The U.S. Forest Service said the lift plan actually avoids the wetlands. <\/p>\n

\u201cAnalysis is yet to be (complete), but as planned, we know we can avoid the wetlands and avoid impacting the wetlands,\u201d said Scott Fitzwilliams, U.S. Forest Service supervisor for the White River National Forest.<\/p>\n

Fitzwilliams explained that the terminal will be placed adjacent to the wetlands not in the wetlands. He also said that while these particular wetlands are near Cucumber Gulch, they do not feed into the reserve and are part of a different drainage system.<\/p>\n

The proposed terminal site is adjacent to the Upper Cucumber Creek Watershed not the Cucumber Gulch Watershed, according to Bill Jackson, Dillon Ranger District ranger for the White River National Forest.<\/p>\n

\u201cHydrologically, they\u2019re separate,\u201d he said. \u201cThat was an early concern when this project was originally proposed. But with the help of SE Group, we\u2019ve put out a better map about where this lift lies on the ground,\u201d Jackson said.<\/p>\n

Jackson explained that the Forest Service uses specialists to evaluate environmental impact. A Forest Service hydrologist and wetlands specialist, who was contracted through SE Group\u2019s Frisco branch, defined the boundaries for the project based on the wetlands.<\/p>\n

As for the potential impacts to wildlife corridors, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials determined in written comments that the proposed project would have minimal negative effects on wildlife as the area is already highly trafficked by humans.<\/p>\n

However, the Parks and Wildlife\u2019s Sam Massman made several recommendations to reduce impact:<\/p>\n