Taking Action on the 2025 Sun Valley Enhancement Project
2025 Sun Valley Enhancement Project Talking Points
For more information and project details: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/projects/68477 Take Action by Aug. 1st - email your comments to: comments-intermtn-sawtooth-ketchum@usda.gov
This proposal from Sun Valley Company proposal includes: Ski lift replacements and improvements; summer and winter trail construction and improvements; and utility line replacement and upgrades.
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Impacts to Whitebark Pine
The upper reaches of Bald Mountain are home to numerous stands of whitebark pines, which are a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. These unique tree species only grow in high-elevation areas and are very sensitive to a number of threats, including ground disturbance, climate change, and disease. Sun Valley Resort was recently certified as a Whitebark Friendly Ski Area by the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation to recognize their efforts to integrate whitebark pine conservation into their operations. The replacement of the Lookout Express Lift with a 6-person lift will necessitate a wider lift corridor and thus appears likely to impact multiple whitebark pine stands.
- The final Forest Service environmental analysis should include a detailed examination of the potential impacts from this project to whitebark pines.
- There are roughly 30 whitebark pines in the tree stands closest to the Lookout lift line - the corridor that would be widened under this proposal to accommodate a 6-person chairlift.
- If whitebark pines will be impacted by this project, and if there is no viable alternative that would avoid these stands completely, the Forest Service and Sun Valley Company should develop compensatory mitigation to support whitebarks as a condition of this project approval with specific metrics attached - e.g. defined reseeding zones, number of seeds dispersed, timing of reseeding, and monitoring.
- It would be prudent to complement whitebark pine restoration efforts on Baldy with further restoration/replanting efforts at another high-elevation site on the Sawtooth National Forest that is suitable for whitebarks but less prone to disturbance than Baldy.
Revegetation
- Disturbed areas should be restored with locally-adapted native seeds and established plants.
- Reseeded and revegetated areas should be monitored to assess success of these efforts.
Noxious Weeds
- Noxious weeds are a growing problem on Bald Mountain, and construction projects tend to introduce more weeds. Thus, the Forest Service should incorporate pre- and post-project noxious weed treatments as conditions of project approval.
- Sun Valley Company should hire a dedicated weed specialist to identify and eliminate noxious weeds within the resort’s permit area.
Elk Habitat
- The proposed connector trail from the existing Bald Mountain Trail to Warm Springs Preserve would pass through an area of the mountain that is regularly utilized by elk.
- The Forest Service should coordinate with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to evaluate the elk habitat that would be impacted by this trail and possibly implement timing restrictions on when this connector trail can be open to the public.