| Taxpayers for Cannon Cannon Mountain Ski Area, New Hampshire |
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Foot traffic is not allowed on Cannon Mountain Ski Area for "environmental concerns." What about machinery? Starting in the late 2000s, Cannon Mountain Ski Area has acquired and expanded into the defunct Mittersill ski area. Once United States Forest Service property, the State of New Hampshire exchanged land with the federal government in order to obtain the ski area acreage. Over the course of the first stages of the multi-million dollar taxpayer funded Mittersill expansion, significant environmental damage has been noted. Under pressure from state elected officials, Cannon Mountain Ski Area attempted to fix some of the issues. It remains to be seen if the damage already incurred can be corrected and at what cost to the state. Within weeks of online postings of environmental damage at Mittersill, Cannon's management responded by posting a new sign, claiming that foot access is prohibited due to "environmental and safety concerns." Damage to Upper Taft Trail on Mittersill The Taft Trail was hand cut and groomed by the CCC in the early 1930s and existed into the 2000s as a smooth, mossy backcountry ski trail. Despite being located above the Mittersill redevelopment project, heavy machinery was taken up the trail in 2010. This non-lift served section of trail was groomed by a snowcat starting on February 11, 2011. The upper Taft Trail now features deep machinery tracks, heavy mud, clogged waterbars, and moderate erosion.  Upper Taft Trail from the top of the Mittersill chairlift area, February 2008  Upper Taft Trail from the top of the Mittersill chairlift area, April 2009  Upper Taft Trail from the top of the Mittersill chairlift area, May 2011  Upper Taft Trail on Mittersill, April 2009  Upper Taft Trail on Mittersill, September 2010  Upper Taft Trail on Mittersill, June 2011  Upper Taft Trail on Mittersill, September 2010  Upper Taft Trail on Mittersill, May 2011  Upper Taft Trail on Mittersill, May 2011  Upper Taft Trail on Mittersill, June 2011  Upper Taft Trail on Mittersill, May 2011  Upper Taft Trail on Mittersill, May 2011 Access Road Brook Sediment Brooks and rivers are supposed to be protected from manmade sediment deposits. Private sector operations, such as logging, are required to take extreme precautions to prevent gravel and other materials from reaching watersheds. An access road to Mittersill has been allowed to wash out (tire breaches in water bars), apparently into the brook below. The brook shows no sign of sediment upstream from the crossing.  Eroded Mittersill base access road, June 2011  Sediment in brook crossed by Mittersill base access road, June 2011 Access Road Damage on Mittersill An access road was constructed to the top of the Mittersill chairlift to facilitate staging for the installation. While the lift manufacturer appears to have taken caution to avoid erosion during the installation (much of the chairlift line was hayed and is now growing grass), it appears the work road was inadequately constructed and carelessly used by non-lift-manufacturer employees, including driving through and breeching waterbars. Significant gravel erosion has taken place in 2011.  The eroded Mittersill access road, June 2011  The eroded Mittersill access road, June 2011  The eroded Mittersill access road, June 2011  The eroded Mittersill access road, June 2011  The eroded Mittersill access road, June 2011  The eroded Mittersill access road, June 2011  The eroded Mittersill access road, June 2011 Old Lift Disposal The four decade old Mittersill double chairlift was removed during the 2010 off season. While much of the lift was removed from the mountain, it appears a significant amount of debris was knocked over and partially covered with backfill.  The top of the old Mittersill double chairlift, January 2009  Trash at the top of the Mittersill double chairlift, June 2011  Concrete and rebar remains at the top of the Mittersill double chairlift, June 2011  Trash at the top of the Mittersill double chairlift, June 2011  Trash at the top of the Mittersill double chairlift, June 2011 Other Trail Damage Damage was noted on sections of trail not covered by the access road, such as the Sky Line.  Sky Line erosion at Mittersill, May 2011  Sky Line erosion at Mittersill, June 2011  Sky Line erosion at Mittersill, June 2011  Sky Line erosion at Mittersill, June 2011  Sky Line erosion at Mittersill, June 2011  Sky Line erosion at Mittersill, June 2011  Sky Line erosion at Mittersill, June 2011  Sky Line erosion at Mittersill, June 2011 Foot Access Prohibition Shortly after photos of environmental damage at Mittersill were posted online, Cannon's management installed a new sign at the bottom of the complex, prohibiting foot use.  Hiking is PROHIBITED sign, August 2011 September/October Update Under pressure from state elected officials, Cannon Mountain Ski Area attempted to fix some of the issues. Some debris were removed and some unanchored hay spread, however materials still remained and the hay was starting to wash away.  Sky Line erosion at Mittersill, September 2011  Sky Line erosion at Mittersill, September 2011  Sky Line erosion at Mittersill, September 2011  Trash at the top of the Mittersill double chairlift, October 2011  Trash at the top of the Mittersill double chairlift, October 2011  Sky Line erosion at Mittersill, October 2011  Sky Line erosion at Mittersill, October 2011  Sky Line erosion at Mittersill, October 2011  Sky Line erosion at Mittersill, October 2011  Sky Line erosion at Mittersill, October 2011 June 2012 Update Despite assurances from Cannon officials during legislative hearings that erosion damage would be mitigated, no new efforts have been undertaken as of end of June, 2012. Such damage requires more snow to cover trails for skiing. As recently announced in spring of 2012, Cannon is looking to accept a "gift" of funds for a snowmaking installation at Mittersill. Taxpayers would be on the hook to pay for electricity, fuel, and labor to operate and maintain such equipment (which may be needed in part to cover washouts with snow).  Access road erosion at Mittersill, June 2012  Access road erosion at Mittersill, June 2012  Sky Line erosion at Mittersill, June 2012  Sky Line erosion at Mittersill, June 2012 |
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