Back in September the US Forest Service "ACCEPTED" Arapaphoe Basin's latest Master Development Plan (MDP). Dating back to the 1970s, the plan is updated about every 10 years and includes projects and ideas that the Basin would like to work on over the next decade or so. The acceptance of the MDP does not approve any of the projects. Having an accepted plan is part of the requirements of our Special Use Permit. Acceptance simply means the plan appears to follow appropriate guidelines, rules and laws consistent with operating a mountain resort on National Forest Lands as well being consistent with the Arapahoe Basin Special Use Permit and the White River National Forest Management Plan. There is a link to the plan at the bottom of our home page and can be found at Arapaphoe Basin MDP. Approving projects within the plan occurs following plan acceptance as we work through processes required by the National Environmental Policy Act. Those processes include detailed environmental reviews and public comment opportunities.
The Plan includes a great deal of information. Of interest to most people, the Upgrade Plan begins on page 59. While there are many projects proposed, our initial focus will be to seek approval for the snowmaking and parking upgrades, including a pedestrian bridge, as well as the installation of Remote Avalanche Control Systems (RACS) on the East Wall and in Montezuma Bowl. We initiated the NEPA process in September. Unfortunately, the government shutdown has stalled the work for now. As soon as this shutdown is over, we will work with the Forest Service to kick-start NEPA again.
