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Mt. Spokane
Washington's largest State Park, Mt. Spokane, is facing a crisis. Not only are funding cuts threatening the operation of the park, the ski area concessionaire is pushing to develop the largest remaining native forest in Spokane County, while ignoring long-standing and much needed improvements to Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park. We think it makes more sense to invest scarce dollars in upgrading the existing lifts and lodges to provide a better skier experience, and permanently protect the remaining wild areas on Mt. Spokane.
Earlier this year we were compelled to file a lawsuit challenging plans to put new runs and a chairlift into sensitive wetlands and rare old growth forest. Those expansion plans are also opposed by our state's wildlife and natural resource agencies and every conservation group in the region. Our lawsuit challenges the State Parks and Recreation Commission's action that approved the ski area expansion prior to preparing an Environmental Impact Statement that would consider better options for skiers, for the wildlife and water, and for taxpayers. We will have our first hearing on January 27 in Thurston County Superior Court.
The ski concessionaire had dropped a plan to add a variety of new runs to areas served by existing lifts, in favor of this controversial and financially risky venture into the pristine northwest side of the mountain. Why not replace the aging and slow chair 2 with a quad to whisk skiers to the top and give all skiers a better experience? Why not improve parking and rebuild the old, run-down lodge? The Lands Council supports improved recreation and economic opportunities for our region, including an improved Mt. Spokane
Ski and Snowboard Park. We believe this can be done without compromising pristine forest and critical wildlife habitat.
If you are interested please donate to this project! Thank you!
RECENT NEWS RELEASE: Mt. Spokane Challenge
Read the Mt. Spokane Complaint
Mt. Spokane Coalition website
Save Mt. Spokane petition
  
For more information contact our Forest Policy Director, Jeff Juel at (509) 209-2401, or at jjuel@landscouncil.org.
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