The bike trail and skills park at Timberline navigated a bump in the road and
is headed on a collision course with construction.

Forest Supervisor Christopher Worth, of the Mt. Hood National Forest, penned
a decision notice Nov. 19, 2012, authorizing the development of the
Timberline Ski Area Mountain Bike Trails and Skills Park Project.

In the interim, several groups appealed that decision, but on Feb. 25,
Regional Forester Kent Connaughton affirmed Worth’s decision and
environmental assessment.

“We are thrilled to have our vision for developing a world-class downhill
mountain bike park at Timberline approved by the United States Forest
Service,” Timberline’s Director of Public Affairs Jon Tullis told The Mountain
Times. “We look forward now to bringing it to fruition.”

Appeals were filed by Friends of Mount Hood, BARK, Mazamaz, Federation of
Western Outdoor Clubs, Northwest Environmental Defense Center and the
Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club.

The appeal triggered a full review of the project record and issues raised by
the appellants by an appeal reviewing officer and a team of experts in the
forest service’s regional office. After the review of the record the decision by
the forest supervisor was affirmed.

The decision authorizes the development of a managed, lift assisted, downhill-
only mountain bike trail system and skills park within the southern portion of
the Timberline ski area permit boundary. The trail system includes 17 miles of
trail and will be located within the terrain serviced by the Jeff Flood express
lift.

The decision also authorizes restoration activities to improve watershed
conditions within and adjacent to the project area.

“Timberline Lodge and ski area were envisioned by its founders as a place
where Oregonians would enjoy the benefits of four season active recreation in
the world-class alpine setting represented by Mount Hood,” Worth wrote in the
original decision letter. “FDR amazingly foresaw this potential opportunity
when he dedicated the lodge 75 years ago.”

Worth’s decision includes design elements to prevent erosion and damage to
vegetation as well as watershed restoration projects to correct pre-existing
sedimentation issues.

“The environmental assessment document is a thorough, high-quality analysis
of the potential impacts of the project,” said Zigzag District Ranger Bill
Westbrook.

State Rep. Mark Johnson (R-Hood River) was fully supportive of the project
and saw it as a positive move for the district.

“This project has the potential to be a tremendous boost to our local economy
on the Mountain,” Johnson said. “I will do all I can to ensure that our state
agencies are helpful to the implementation of this plan.”

Dissenters point to the dangers of destroying elk and spotted owl habitat on
Mount Hood and the need to protect the fragile alpine environment. Others
pointed to the spotty record of Timberline management and unresolved past
problems in the special use permit area – such as unacceptable levels of
dissolved solids from ski run salting and sediment issues from existing uses
and roads.

The appeal decision is the final administrative determination of the
Department of Agriculture. The appeal decision and other information related
to this appeal is posted on the Forest Service’s web page at
www.fs.fed.us/appeals.