SAM Magazine-Crested Butte, Colo., Jan. 22, 2009-The U.S. Geological Survey has made public the agency's Snodgrass report after a lengthy review process by the US Forest Service and provides the basis for Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) to revise its Master Plan.

Both CBMR and the US Forest Service conducted in-depth geological hazards investigations to determine the suitability of Snodgrass Mountain for lift-serviced alpine skiing. CBMR views the expansion as essential for the future success of the ski area, as it will vastly increase the area's intermediate terrain. The two studies are complemented by other research going as far back as 1976, making Snodgrass one of the most studied ski mountains in the country.

On Jan. 8, Rex Baum of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) released a report that reviewed the two studies. He expressed two primary locations of concern that have consistently been identified as areas of concern in previous reports.

Next step: The Forest Service will submit a letter to CBMR on the areas of exclusion for ski resort use on Snodgrass Mountain. CBMR will then refine its Master Plan to address the concerns expressed in the report and then submit its new plan to the Forest Service. As long the plan addresses the geology concerns and stays within specified guidelines, the FS has told CBMR, it will accept the Snodgrass proposal.

"We anticipate having the adjustments to the Master Plan including Snodgrass complete by the end of February," said Michael Kraatz, vice president of planning and development for CBMR. "We anticipate the Forest Service will take several weeks to review the proposal and Master Plan and we hope to be in NEPA by late spring." \