Save Mt Spokane, stop the proposed ski area expansion
Stop the Proposed expansion of the Mt Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park.
Let's balance our desire for an improved and thriving ski area with our need to protect this unique and ecologically important landscape in our community.
Save Mt Spokane Coalition, a local citizen and environmental group invites you to have your voice heard in opposition to the destruction of the intact eco-system and watershed on the north and west slopes of Mt Spokane by the proposed ski area expansion by Mt. Spokane 2000. Let's work together to preserve these pristine natural areas, protect unique wildlife habitat and species, and enhance opportunities for non-motorized recreation.
The Save Mt Spokane Coalition wants to see Mt Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park be successful and financially viable. We do not think this fiscal viability should be at the expense of fragmenting the last remaining large intact natural forests near Spokane.
Stop the Proposed expansion of the Mt Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park.
Let's balance our desire for an improved and thriving ski area with our need to protect this unique and ecologically important landscape in our community.
Save Mt Spokane Coalition, a local citizen and environmental group invites you to have your voice heard in opposition to the destruction of the intact eco-system and watershed on the north and west slopes of Mt Spokane by the proposed ski area expansion by Mt. Spokane 2000. Let's work together to preserve these pristine natural areas, protect unique wildlife habitat and species, and enhance opportunities for non-motorized recreation.
The Save Mt Spokane Coalition wants to see Mt Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park be successful and financially viable. We do not think this fiscal viability should be at the expense of fragmenting the last remaining large intact natural forests near Spokane.
We the undersigned believe that the preservation of the pristine and intact ecosystems that exist on Mt Spokane are more important to local culture and economy than the proposed expansion of Mt Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park
Mt Spokane State Park is more than a ski area, it provides year around recreational opportunities, scenic vistas, and a large intact forest habitat. The natural forests in the park are unique and provide important habitat for a diversity of wildlife species. The existing ski area already covers roughly two thirds of the top of the mountain with lifts and runs.
The proposed expansion would develop the remaining top of the mountain, permanently impacting a rare sub-alpine ecosystem. The forests on the north and west slopes of Mt Spokane provide a significant linkage corridor for a number of migrating mammal and bird species. Ski area expansion will displace rare forest carnivores, the lynx and the wolverine, and other species needing intact forests and unfragmented, un-roaded habitat, and disturb Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Priority Species. Development will have a negative effect on the breeding habits of some species that value exclusion, cannot tolerate large openings or noise and will fragment a core area, which is considered road-less, high quality habitat, and regionally important. Maintaining wild forests, continuous forest canopy and wildlife corridors is becoming ever more important in the Selkirk mountain range.
The proposed ski area expansion will fragment one of the last intact forests near the City of Spokane. The cultural significance and view is very important to some residents of Spokane. The natural beauty of the west and northwest side of the mountain is a backdrop for our community, one that would be forever altered by the expansion.
The north and west slopes of Mt Spokane are natural forests, and natural forest processes are at work. The forests have recovered from past impact and are on their way to becoming a mature and eventually old growth forest. Lands around the State Park have become very fragmented since the State Park was created. It is critical that these forests remain intact.
The natural forests on the north and west slopes of Mt Spokane are a very important conservation resource that provide wildlife habitat, recreational hiking, snowshoeing, back country skiing, birding and other activities 365 days a year. The impacts are too great to trade off fragmenting this unique forest habitat for winter recreation lasting only 90-120 days.
The Save Mt Spokane Coalition supports the following recommendations for improvement of the facilities at Mt Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park
- A new lodge #2 and remodeling lodge #1.
- New, faster front side lifts
- More efficient lighting on front side lifts
- Summer trails improvement
- Upgrading the parking storm water, and wastewater facilities and at Lodge #1 and #2.
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Please protect the Spokane area watershed. If we keep cutting trees and changing the watershed, it can in the future affect our drinking water. We need to protect the natural areas, but even more importantly, we must protect our drinking water.
Please---No more fragmentation of our forests & stream habitats. People have enough places to play. Leave the rest for wildlife.
I'm in total agreement with this petition's purpose. As a lifetime avid skier and outdoor enthusiast preserving Mt Spokane's in it's present state prevents further depletion of the natural environment. And, also, allows for it's continued use as a winter recreational playground. At a time when mega ski areas are becoming the norm, let's keep Mt. Spokane as a special jewel that bucks the trend.
Please rethink this assault to the mountain. It will not draw serious skiers, only the few people that enjoy the mountain experience that's there (and they will be the ones to continue to use it). Meanwhile, yet another mountain and huge animal habitat will be devastated.
Surely there has to be a viable solution for all interests. Please do not put finacial need as a priority for the skiiers.
I'm a skier and I like Mt. Spokane - but I also like wildlife habitat. Please don't take out more of the forest.
As a snowshoer, hiker and cross country skier I spend a lot of time on Mt. Spokane. To have such a beautiful natural area so close to the city is one of the reasons I moved to Spokane. The development of ski slopes on the north and west slopes of Mt. Spokane would negatively impact my use of the park. Keeping the pristine natural area allows for year round recreational usage as well as maintaining the habitat.
Naturally, the area supports wonderful wildlife plus human activities year round. Developed, it becomes just one more expansion of our encroachment for profit and part-year entertainment. Not to mention, Mt. Spokane isn't exactly the best-run, cleanest operation in the area. More space isn't necessarily going to improve the management issues they have always had. How about they clean up their own act and run a top class operation with what they have before they start needing to be bigger. Bigger does not mean better when they cannot keep their current "room" clean. My vote says let it be!
It is my opinion that Mt Spokane offers sufficient skiing opportunies as it is now. The remaining forested areas should be left intact as a wildlife corridor. Wildlife is already being squeezed into that area (see the google maps),so let's not compound the problem.
Wildlife habitat near Spokane has been shrinking with all the new developments. When deer, moose, and coyotes are forced into suburban areas, humans should wake up to the fact that there is a need for better balance. The Mt. Spokane area must be preserved in its natural state to protect the habitat that remains.
I know development is tempting, but please reconsider your plans, and think about the impact this would have for the future of the land that we all love and want to protect. Leave a legacy you and all of us can be truly proud of.
This is my closest favorite hiking place where I also do photography...please leave what's left of the forests and don't expand it anymore! THANK YOU!
The Spokane area already offers residents a variety of ski venues, for every taste and skill level, all within a short driving distance. Other areas should be so fortunate. Spend the money on improving the present facilities on Mt. Spokane, and save the pristine forest and ecosystem for use by everyone all year around.
I think most people enjoy it just the way it is. Lets not over devolop it.
As a Spokane Tribal member, Mount Spokane has been viewed as a significant site, historically, spiritually and used for generations as a gathering place for indigenous foods and plants. The lands remaining should be reserved for future generations and continue to be preserved for wildlife.
The trees and intact eco-system on the north and west slopes of Mt. Spokane are vital to the continued health of the Spokane area. Improve the current ski area and facilities, but do not allow this destruction.
Moving to Spokane from the Mid-West in 1989 perhaps makes me appreciate how amazing it is to have access to such a wonderful place as Mt. Spokane within 50 minutes of my house. In the 20 years since I have lived here, I have seen use of the mountain increase tremendously. Although I am an avid hiker, skier and cyclist, I realize it is more important to preserve this area as a home for wildlife and nature first. At some point, as a community, we have to decide that finanical interests are not the ultimate goal. Let us enjoy the mountain as nature intended and not as man wants to create for his own economic gain. Please stop developement on Mt. Spokane. It is worth much more than money.
Please look at the whole picture when considering this expansion to the Mt. Spokane ski area. Many different species of flora and fauna may be impacted, perhaps in a negative way if their space is reduced.
Don't allow the Mt. Spokane ski area to be expanded. The money could be used to improve the current facilities. Let's share Mt. Spokane with it's wildlife inhabitants, and protect our watersheds which are of great importance to our human population. We all ready have a great abundance of downhill skiing opportunities in this region.
I am a skier at Mt. Spokane, but feel that we need to have a balance in a State Park to provide for other things besides profits. There is valuable wildlife habitat that needs to be preserved and a snow pack that needs to be protected.
