Here is the latest update on where we are at with the review and approval process for the proposed No Name terrain expansion.

After the Environmental Assessment and DRAFT Decision Notice were published on February 22nd, that milestone (which many of our guests have told me that they misunderstood as the final approval for the project) then officially started the clock on a 45-day objection period.  This objection period for the No Name expansion project ended on April 8th.  The USFS then worked through their process to respond to the two objections that were submitted with another 45-day window to address these objections by their deadline of May 23rd.  These two objections were resolved by the USFS with the objecting parties and we then moved to the next steps in the process.

Concurrently and since that time, the USFS heritage specialists have been working through the Section 106 consultation process with the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) and the ACHP (Advisory Council on Historic Preservation).  This undertaking also involves the development of an MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) which helps to guide the project and provide careful consideration for cultural and historical areas within the project boundary.  The MOA is one of the final steps to be completed before the Decision Notice to approve the project can ultimately be signed by the USFS.

They say that the last mile is always the longest one.  That is kind of where we are at this point in the review process.  We still have these last outstanding hurdles yet to be cleared, but it’s looking optimistic that the final Decision Notice from the USFS to approve the project will be provided here in the immediate future.  We are continuing to plan for this outcome and to begin this project on the other side of the Continental Divide this summer.  Stay positive and stay tuned.