Forest Service welcomes more California jobs under new ski legislation

By John Heil
California is expected to see a boost in its local mountain economies as a result of a new legislation that now permits year-long recreation opportunities on U.S. Forest Service ski areas. The Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011, which was signed by President Barack Obama on Nov. 7, is estimated to create and annually sustain up to 600 extra jobs nationwide.

“This is great news for promoting job growth and economic stimulus in California,” said Regional Forester Randy Moore. “Local restaurants, hotels and shop owners are likely to see an increase in business as visitors flock to scenic Forest Service locations for year-round activities.”

In California, there are 25 ski areas on 11 national forests:

Angeles National Forest:

o Mountain High (East, West & North)

o Mt. Waterman

o Ski Sunrise

o Mt. Baldy

Eldorado National Forest:

o Kirkwood Ski

o Sierra at Tahoe

Inyo National Forest:

o June Mountain

o Mammoth

Klamath National Forest

o Mt. Ashland

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit:

o Heavenly Mountain Resort

Lassen National Forest:

o Stover Mountain

Modoc National Forest:

o Cedar Pass

San Bernardino National Forest:

o Bear Mountain

o Big Air/Green Valley

o Snow Summit

o Snow Valley

Sequoia National Forest:

o Shirley Meadow

Sierra National Forest:

o Sierra Summit

Stanislaus National Forest:

o Bear Valley

o Dodge Ridge

Tahoe National Forest:

o Donner Ski Ranch

o Boreal Ridge

o Alpine Meadows

o Squaw Valley

o Sugarbowl

The new legislation amends the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986, which allowed only nordic and alpine skiing. Under the new legislation, other snow sports may be permitted on National Forest System lands, as well as year-round activities. Potential permitted activities may include zip lines, mountain bike terrain parks and trails, Frisbee golf courses, and ropes courses.

“National forests will now be able to provide even more economic benefits to some hard-hit mountain communities,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “Our national forests are America’s gems. Now more visitors will have so many more recreational opportunities on these beautiful lands in California.”

Nationwide, it is estimated that roughly 600,000 more summertime visits may create and sustain annually up to 600 more full-, part-time and seasonal jobs nationwide. This addition of summer recreation is expected to infuse almost $40 million of direct funding into mountain communities near ski areas. Currently, the Forest Service averages 27 million visits annually to ski areas, which has in turn contributed $4 billion every year, and 80,000 jobs in rural communities.

Protecting natural resources on the Forest Service’s 122 ski areas will remain a priority and year-long facilities will be subject to the same review and approval processes as those for ski facilities such as the construction of ski lifts and ski trails.

Not all recreation activities will be permitted. Those considered to be destructive to the natural environment will be excluded, including tennis courts, water slides and water parks, swimming pools, golf courses, and amusement parks.

The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Recreational activities on our lands contribute $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

— Writer John Heil works is a pubic information officer for the U.S. Forest Service. He can be reached (707) 562-9004.