SAM Magazine-Snowbird, Ut., May 17, 2007-Snowbird resort claimed the 2007 Golden Eagle Award for Overall Environmental Excellence at the NSAA National Convention and Tradeshow in Palm Springs, California, earlier this month. The award recognizes the resort's participation in the American Fork Pacific Mine reclamation project.

In 2006, Snowbird, along with partners Trout Unlimited, the U.S. Forest Service and Tiffany & Co., became the first private landowner in Utah to help fund a mining-era cleanup effort. The consortium worked to eliminate tailings seepage from the Pacific Mine, which was affecting the American Fork watershed. Located on Snowbird-owned property, the Pacific Mine site is roughly three miles south of Snowbird's Hidden Peak.

"We're really proud to be a part of a project that has such a positive impact on aquatic wildlife and water quality," said Snowbird owner Dick Bass. "Our partners, Trout Unlimited, the U.S. Forest Service and Tiffany & Co., played an integral part in the project and we would like to thank them immensely."

In addition to the Golden Eagle award, Snowbird's participation in the Pacific Mine reclamation project was recognized with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Environmental Achievement Award and the State of Utah's 2007 Earth Day Award. Snowbird was also nominated for the 2007 Silver Eagle award for excellence in visual impact.

The Golden Eagle Awards for Environmental Excellence were established by Times Mirror Magazines in 1993 to recognize the environmental achievements of ski areas. Now administered by the National Ski Areas Association, the 2007 award is the second Golden Eagle for Snowbird. Other finalists for this year's Golden Eagle award were four-time Golden Eagle award winner and nine-time Silver Eagle award winner Aspen Skiing Company, and Wyoming's Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.