Two sessions in Bend, one in Sunriver and Portland planned
Bend, OR – Community members are invited to participate in the public dialogue component of Mt. Bachelor’s Master Planning process by reviewing the plan online and attending one of four scheduled public comment sessions. Prior to submitting the updated Master Plan to the US Forest Service, Mt. Bachelor is seeking comments and input from the public. Four meetings with the public will conclude November 10 followed by a review of comments and final adjustments to the proposal before it is submitted in late December or early January. The first public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 29 at the Boys and Girls Club on Wall Street in Bend. The second session is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Sunriver. The third session is slated to take place at the Portland Ski Show on Friday, Nov. 6 adjoining the ski show hall at the Portland Expo Center. The fourth and final session returns to Bend on Tuesday, November 10 at the Riverhouse Conference Center. All sessions will begin at 7 p.m. and conclude at approximately 8:30 p.m.
At the beginning of each meeting a brief presentation of the updated plan will be delivered by Dave Rathbun, President and General Manager of Mt. Bachelor, followed by an open question and comment period. Members of the US Forest Service are also expected to attend each meeting. Information presented will include a review of existing facilities and uses, the concepts, facilities and uses approved under Mt. Bachelor’s current master plan, proposed improvements included in the 2009 Master Development Plan update, and the process that will guide analysis leading to acceptance of an updated Mt. Bachelor Master Development Plan.
“Many, many iterations of master plan concepts have been developed over the years for Mt. Bachelor,” said Dave Rathbun, President and General Manager. “Now is the right time to evaluate how the last 20+ years since our last master plan update have influenced and affected the current state of Mt. Bachelor facilities and uses, recreationist preferences, and the economic realities of the snow sports industry. An updated Master Development Plan is the comprehensive and systematic tool for defining proposed future improvements balancing the needs of the special use permit holder with the needs of the public, while preserving the natural environment within the Mt. Bachelor permit area.”
Master Development Plan:
A master development plan (MDP) provides a comprehensive and systematic approach for proposed future development. The MDP is a conceptual blueprint for the future and is created to communicate the intended uses, phases, priorities, feasibility and rationale for development of existing and proposed facilities and activities for which the ski area’s special use was authorized. An MDP does not provide USFS approval for any specific projects or actions. Environmental research, field surveys and engineering for proposed MDP actions will be conducted under the authority of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Only MDP projects approved by a subsequent NEPA Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) may be built.
Goals:
• Bring alpine, Nordic and summer facilities and uses together under one MDP
• Meet requirements of the Special Use Permit (SUP) granted by the USFS by updating the MDP
• Balance capacities of skier/rider staging facilities with lift and trail capacities
• Establish Mt. Bachelor as the preeminent regional destination in the Northwest and the leading wilderness
mountain resort destination in North America
• Relocate tubing and race training staging and operations to more fitting locations in West Village
• Provide more diverse summer activities including lift-serviced mountain biking
• Improve lodge and facility aesthetics by aligning more closely with The Built Environment and Image Guide, in the Cascadia architectural style
• Continue in the role as significant employer and driver of economic vitality in Central Oregon
• Remain a responsible steward of public land while providing a quality recreational experience