"...installation of a handle tow at the Summit Tubing
Center resulted in...impacts to wetlands over the
course of several years... In an effort to avoid
delays [Booth Creek Ski Holdings Inc.] worked...to develop a
permitting
strategy that would allow for the continued operation
of the tubing facility."
http://www.segrp.com/environmental/permitting.php?id=41:
shows Booth Creek Ski Holdings Inc. hurt wetlands according
to Army Corps
of Engineers.
project 2
SUMMIT TUBING CENTER
Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
Terrain modification and the installation of a handle
tow at the Summit Tubing Center resulted in unintended
impacts to wetlands over the course of several years.
To the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the
past activity posed a threat to the progress being
made in the Mater Development Plan EIS. In an effort
to avoid delays in the EIS process, SE Group wetland
ecologists and environmental planners worked with the
Corps to develop a permitting strategy that would
allow for the continued operation of the tubing
facility and progress in the EIS process, while
restoring the displaced wetland functions.
A delineation of the impacted wetland boundary was
conducted using historic aerial photographs and
excavation of the fill material. Based on this
delineation, the extent and volume of fill material
was mapped and quantified. In the unaffected wetland
area, SE Group characterized the hydrology, soils and
vegetation to provide a basis for the restoration of
the impacted area.
Because a portion of the fill is critical to the
operation of the tubing facility, SE Group developed a
plan for the restoration of the majority of the
wetland area. Key elements of the plan include removal
and transport of the fill material to a suitable site,
establishment of proper elevations and drainage
patterns, re-vegetation with native plantings from the
wetland, stabilization and monitoring. Equally
important, the grading plan considers the winter use
of the area as a tubing facility, while allowing for
the restoration of the wetland. Based on the success
of the restoration, the Corps issued a permit for the
remaining impacts, allowing for the EIS process to
continue. a win for the environment and a win for the
ski area and tubing facility. [or whatever, they cleaned up their
own mess after they got called on it! ed. note ]
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