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We do NOT perceive a need for a Destination Resort, and believes that the ecosystem will not be able to
sustain an assault from so many fronts. We have received overwhelming support for protecting the North side
of Mt. Hood in its current state (wild and relatively untrammeled). Diverse groups have us in
these efforts, including the Oregon Nordic Club and the Friends of Tilly Jane. These groups represent a substantial
segment of the population that currently enjoys and needs the Cooper Spur area for low-impact recreation alternatives.
To find out more, go to Cooper Spur Wild and Free Coalition Page.
Our position on the Polallie-Cooper timber sale:
- We have joined in a lawsuit against the Forest Service for violations of federal environmental laws.
- The Forest Service refused to consider the Cumulative Impacts of the logging activities in conjunction with
foreseeable activities in the area.
- The Forest Service has claimed that the expansion plans and the destination resort are not foreseeable, yet they
expect to receive Meadows’ expansion proposal within the next month!
- We are also very concerned about the potential for increased fire risk resulting from the removal of the
largest trees and up to 60% of the canopy cover. There is significant scientific controversy on commercial timber
harvests and the potential for increased fire risk resulting from such operations.
Our position on the Land Exchange:
- No appraisal of the property's value was ever done.
- The public was not provided with reports on the value of the property. The land exchange was not done for equal value.
Our position on the Ski Resort Expansion:
- The Cooper Spur Area provides prime accessible back country terrain on the wild, untrammeled northern side of Mt. Hood.
- This recreational terrain currently fulfills an important public need, and the Sierra Club would like to see the area
protected as a natural historic recreation area!
- The Polallie-Cooper Timber Sales should NOT be used to cut ski runs.
- Once the area is built over with roads and cut-over, the existing destruction would then make it much easier for the Forest
- Service to approve Meadows’ request to further impact the natural resources in the area!
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