Alternative 2 provides for …
Acres Protected:
• 893 acres
Protected Areas:
• The ridgeline of Saddleback Mountain
• The alpine and a significant portion of the subalpine area
• The visual foreground zone as viewed from the Trail
• A protective corridor surrounding Eddy Pond
Reserved Rights (ski area) within the Protective Corridor:
• Timber access road
Potential Capacity of Saddleback Ski Area:
• 14 ski lifts
• 73 ski trails
• Capacity of 11,400 skiers at one time
Anticipated Environmental Consequences:
• Would protect the immediate foreground viewshed and the natural character of the Appalachian Trail, allows degradation of viewshed.
• Would protect alpine natural communities on Saddleback Mountain.
• Approximately 20 acres of the subalpine spruce-fir forest community and breeding habitat for Bicknell’s thrush would be cleared and graded for ski lifts and trails; another 16 acres would be fragmented.
• Water levels and water quality of Eddy Pond would be maintained.
• Remote recreational opportunities along the Appalachian Trail would be maintained.
• Disturbance of high-elevation soils and vegetation would be minimized.
Anticipated Economic Consequences:
• Ski area could expand to 11,400 skiers at one time (nine times current capacity).
• Would result in estimated additional visitor expenditures of approximately $38.27 million during a ten-year phase-in period.
• Would increase employment at the ski area by 469 FTEs, and create another 279 FTEs in other employment sectors in Franklin County.