The Carson National Forest appears poised to approve Taos Ski Valley's proposed base-to-base gondola and other major resort projects, although the final details and any possible stipulations won't be known until Forest Supervisor James Duran formally signs off on it.
The U.S. Forest Service completed the penultimate step in the yearslong review process Monday (March 6), when Deputy Regional Forester Kristin Bail sent a letter to individuals and organizations who had lodged objections to the Carson's draft decision released in October.
"My review finds that the project is in compliance with all applicable laws and the 2022 Carson Forest Plan," Bail wrote to objectors, along with a summary of objection responses. "My review constitutes the final administrative determination of the Department of Agriculture; no further review from any other Forest Service or Department of Agriculture official of my written response to your objection is available."
The draft decision approved, in draft form, the resort's full slate of improvement proposals, including a new restaurant at the top of Lift 7, replacement of Lift 2 and Lift 8, a 5 million gallon snowmaking water tank and booster station, Nordic and snowshoe trails, and other projects.
It also tentatively approved, with a caveat, the resort's proposed 7,800-foot gondola to connect the ski area's main base to the Kachina Base on the backside.
The news comes amid speculation by project opponents that a gondola would serve real estate development and resort buildout more than it would serve skiers and skier dispersement, and concern on the part of the Carson that it could significantly increase traffic in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness. In response to those concerns, Duran chose to limit gondola ridership to resort guests and ticket holders. Whether that restriction will remain in the final approval document is among several seemingly small but significant details that will not be revealed until the final decision is issued.
Taos Mountain Alliance and Friends of the Rio Hondo, two of many organizations and individuals who opposed the gondola and other components of the proposal over the past several years, expressed disappointment that no objectors were afforded one-on-one meetings with Regional Forester Michiko Martin, as they had been led to believe would occur.
"It is standard practice," TMA member Rob McCormack said Monday.
In her letter, Bail wrote, "The objection review and the remedies suggested did not reveal opportunities for resolution; therefore, I did not hold a resolution meeting." The Carson did not respond to a request for comment.
In an email, Friends of the Rio Hondo, which characterized the proposed TSV projects as "unsustainable and inappropriate development on the Rio Hondo," said, "In a nutshell, [the Forest Service] analysis is: 'There are no problems because we say there are no problems.'"
Duran's final decision is expected sometime this month, with project implementation projected to begin as soon as April.
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