[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
[at-l] more news, trail still changing
Speaking of the constantly changing trail, In my latest issue of
"The Long Trail News" (quarterly publication of the Green Mountain Club) ,
there is a quite comprehensive story on an ongoing controversy between the
NPS and a Vermont ski corporation (now American Ski, Inc.) to protect the
Coolidge Range (Mts. Little Killington, Killington, and Pico) corridor in
Vermont. This is the section of the AT/LT just South of Maine Junction
(where the AT branches off of the Long Trail).
The original agreement in 1983 did not adequately protect the Trail
and permitted excessive ski development in the area (according to the LTN).
Negotiations were re-opened in 1989, still w/poor results for the Trail.
It was later revealed that NPS and the Dept. of the Interior had signed the
1989 easement under political pressure from former Reagan-administration
appointees representing Killington and Pico (two resorts in the area).
Later in '89, Vt. Senator Patrick Leahy introduced legislation requiring an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Coolidge Range. This
legislation also invalidated the earlier agreements between Killington and
NPS.
In 1993, after much public comment, the NPS released the final EIS
endorsing a western relocation of the AT away from expanding ski
development around Killington from just north of the mountain to Maine
Junction. However it took until December 1 of last year (1997) for the
final [?] deal to be struck.
To achieve this deal, land was purchased by the NPS, other tracts
were exchanged between Killington and the State of Vermont, and a modest
easement was granted by Killington and Pico resorts, allowing some ski
development across the Trail, but protecting Pico Spring and the Sinkhole.
The upshot of this lengthy effort will result in about six miles
of AT relocations over the next couple of years, beginning this summer
(after ice storm clean up). This new route is permanently protected and
will maintain the "primitive hiking experience for hikers" says the LTN.
Here are the planned relos (quoting the LTN, again):
"One mile of trail between Little Killington and Cooper Lodge will be
moved. The Shrewsbury Peak Trail will be rerouted lightly to meet the new
route of the AT."
The Trail will move west between Cooper lodge and Snowdon Peak."
"The longest relocation will be installed on the west side of Pico Peak and
cross US4, approximately one mile west of the Shelbourne Pass. The new
LT/AT will [rejoin] the existing trail at Willard Gap (which will become
the new Maine Junction)."
I have not been following the progress of this story, so I don't
really know the issues or the history. Being against the expansion of ski
areas in general, it seems like they won here?. But if the trail is in
fact permanently protected from further disruption, we are all probably
better off (IMHO). Anyone from the area been following this story?
All the News that Fits,
Cosmo
Cosmo Catalano, Jr.
Production Manager
Williams College Dept. of Theatre
* From the Appalachian Trail Mailing List | For info http://www.hack.net/lists *
==============================================================================