Highlights of the final decision issued by DRED Commissioner Jeff Rose include:
Approves all projects within the Revised Master Development Plan (RMDP) except for the Mountain Coaster
Requires all 150 acres associated with ski area expansion and facilities in the West Bowl (WB) be transferred to the State
Requires an additional donation of 260 acres as conservation lands be transferred to the State (with deed restrictions) prior to any construction
Adds an additional 10-year renewal option to the lease
Eliminates ski trails within the Exemplary Natural Community (Polygon D)
Formally protects the East Bowl – which contains Old Growth Forest
Adds a minimum of 70 acres to the regional Exemplary Natural Community
Safeguards established if the town of Goshen were to change its zoning within its Sunapee Recreation District (NOTE: Private lands adjacent to Mount Sunapee State Park are within Goshen’s Recreation District, which does not allow for residential and commercial real estate development.)
Establishes a cooperative maintenance agreement to ensure protection of year-round hiking on the Summit Trail and minimizes trail impacts
Mount Sunapee Resort provides funds to Natural Heritage Bureau to develop Ecological Assessment tool
MOre details can be found here:
http://www.nhstateparks.org/uploads/pdf/Rose-Sunapee-final.pdf
To read the press release issued by DRED, click below.