"Given our history in protecting Mount Sunapee, and given that we have not been in favor of the expansion, it's hard not to be disappointed in today's vote. Whenever there's talk about "balance" it usually means that something in mountains and the forests has been irretrievably lost.

"Looking ahead, the Forest Society would welcome the opportunity to explore permanently conserving the land immediately adjacent the State Park owned by stakeholders in the ski area lease (but not part of the expansion proposal). We have written to the Governor to ask for her support in exploring this idea.

"Such an outcome, we believe, would go a long way to addressing concerns about the long-term future of Mount Sunapee as one of the state’s great natural icons.