Unauthorized cutting of ancient trees pinned on heli-skiing outfit
MAZAMA, Wash. (AP) - Officials say numerous high elevation trees - some of them apparently hundreds of years old - were cut down or topped in the North Cascades last winter by a Mazama-based helicopter skiing company.
The Wenatchee World reports that the Methow Valley Ranger District says North Cascade Heli-Skiing cut the trees to create safer helicopter landing sites. But the company was not authorized to remove vegetation in its permit to bring skiers into high elevations on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
Backcountry skiers reported two more areas where trees were cut after the Forest Service met with the company and issued a notice of noncompliance for one of the sites in March.
Paul Butler, one of the owners of the helicopter company, has apologized for the mistake and expects the permit will be placed on probation.
The Wenatchee World reports that the Methow Valley Ranger District says North Cascade Heli-Skiing cut the trees to create safer helicopter landing sites. But the company was not authorized to remove vegetation in its permit to bring skiers into high elevations on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
Backcountry skiers reported two more areas where trees were cut after the Forest Service met with the company and issued a notice of noncompliance for one of the sites in March.
Paul Butler, one of the owners of the helicopter company, has apologized for the mistake and expects the permit will be placed on probation.
i've emailed the company my opinion on the matter - its easy. do a web search and you can email them also, or call them personally. their phone number is also provided on their web site.
If it's in the name of helicopter safety, then I could care less about a few trees that nobody will ever see anyway. Get over it tree huggers and let the rest of us enjoy our virgin powder.
Safety is the word-smithing and deflection that North Cascade Heli-Skiing is using. Their operation plan and permit do not allow for tree cutting for landing sites. Futhermore, the count is now up to 6 new sites, which are not authorized in their permit; all involving the destruction of 300 year old slow growing larches/alpine pine trees. The truth of the cuttings was to create a starting point for more direct fall-lines for their clients, not safety.
 @thetruthhurts ::::::::::: TD :::::::::::: Man, :::::::::: TD ::::::::!!!
 @thetruthhurts What part of "they did not have permits" escaped your brain?
Or are you one of those who feel that there should be no regs on businesses? Like not wanting controls on where a business dumps it's waste oil?
 @thetruthhurts Ditto - trees are WAY more important than skiers, and they are certainly more important than the jerk who had them cut down.
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But of course none of you so-called "sports lovers" will give it a thought until you are sucking down your last gasp of polluted air.
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And P.S., the fact "nobody will ever see" the trees anyway would be laughable if it weren't so ignorant. While very pleasant to look at, the purpose of trees is not aesthetics, their purpose is to clean our air and our water while providing habitat for wildlife.Â
@thetruthhurts -'to bring skiers into high elevations' - There are ways to address safety concerns, if that's what this really was, and what they did isn't it. You're lame dude.
 @thetruthhurts You could enjoy more of the virgin powder for even longer if you eschewed the helicopter and got to the top under your own power. You could also hug a few trees along the way.
 @stratoonist  @thetruthhurts Have pity on the poor trees...hugs from a wart? No Way!
 @thetruthhurts sorry but trees are more important then some selfish skiers.
That's one company that just lost my business!!!
Sounds to me like they should revoke their license. The obviously violated the terms of it. I am sure there are other firms that would pick up the business and follow the rules.Â
Probation? I'd think this would lead to criminal charges and fines.
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Destruction of property is illegal....at least, it is for me.  Especially when it is destruction of public property to support private profit.
 @NBA_Is_Useless I agree, probation is an insult!
 @Commenter87643  @NBA_Is_Useless Perhaps put them on a chain gang replanting trees in a clear cut...on a very steep kill!
 @OrcasThunder  @NBA_Is_Useless I Like it!!!
Sad.... Just another lame excuse provided..... well I didn't know! BS! Revoke their license and shutter their business... This owner knew full well what they did was illegal... The owner caved into richies complaints about needing better slopes to ski privately!
I'll stick with some government oversight, thank you very much.
These outfits just destroy it and worry about the minor penalties later. Greed is ugly.
I'm often appalled at how people destroy nature in order to enjoy it; ski areas, vacation mansions, etc.
Here is something wonderful, ancient and unique. Let's kill it so we can 'have some fun'.
yeah right, a "mistake"? these people knew what they were doing and thought they'd get away with it.
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disgusting. all so some wild and crazy thrill seeking skiers can be dropped out of a helicopter.
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large, large fines should be in order for this scumbag company.
Whatever assets this company has should be confiscated. Unless they can wave a magic wand and replace the trees.
I'm with NWS below. Revoke the permit and suspend their ability to operate for a year. Make it truly hurt so they won't do it again.
 @thetoucan:Â
I would agree with revocation, but I think they should be permanently barred from ever operating in the area again. It's not like they can simply plant a few "replacement" trees - the trees they cut took hundreds of years to grow to their magnificence - they are basically priceless & irreplaceable.
 @theToucan I think seizure of their property and business should do the trick.....
Probation? Revoke it!