SAM Magazine-Mt. Crested Butte, Colo., Dec. 18, 2009-Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) has filed an appeal with the U.S. Forest Service, disputing the agency's decision last month to reject the resort's proposed expansion onto Snodgrass Mountain without conducting a public review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The proposed Snodgrass expansion is critical for the long-term viability of CBMR and the economic health of the East River Valley in Gunnison County, CBMR said. The proposed expansion would increase the amount of intermediate and advanced terrain at CBMR with 276 acres of skiing served by three lifts, a beginner carpet and a connector gondola from Crested Butte Mountain. Snodgrass, situated adjacent to Crested Butte Mountain, has been designated for ski area expansion in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison Forest Plan (GMUG) since 1979, and has been included in CBMR's special use permit since 1982.

"The decision the Forest Service made is fundamentally flawed," stated Tim Mueller, president of CBMR. "We are confident this decision will be set aside. Our appeal demonstrates that the Forest Service did not follow its own regulations, violated federal law and made a decision in a private process that is deeply offensive to the right of the public to participate in public lands decisions.

"We think the Forest Service owes it to the public to decide the future of the ski area and the community in a public NEPA process rather than behind closed doors," he concluded.

The appeal regulations give Forest Supervisor Charlie Richmond 30 days to respond to the appeal, unless the time is extended.