Forest Service announces final decision on expansion of Lutsen Mountains
The U.S. Forest Service announced on Dec. 15 its final decision not to approve the expansion of the Lutsen Mountains ski hill.
In late August, the Forest Service announced in a draft decision that it would deny the expansion application for Lutsen Mountains. The announcement by the Forest Service on Dec. 15 officially finalizes that decision.
Lutsen Mountains was seeking a special use permit to “construct recreational ski trails and support infrastructure” on approximately 500 acres of federal land within the 1854 Ceded Territory on Superior National Forest. Forest Service officials maintained throughout the process that consultation and input from the Grand Portage, Fond du Lac, and Bois Forte Chippewa Bands remained paramount in terms of a decision regarding the proposed expansion. As the proposal was being considered, tribal officials spoke publicly and sent letters to local, state, and federal officials expressing their concerns about the project.
In the Dec. 15 press release, the Forest Service stated, “Based on the findings through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and tribal consultation, the Superior National Forest has selected the No Action Alternative and will not be approving the permit application.”
Tom Hall, Forest Supervisor for the Superior National Forest, said, “Through input from the public and partners, consultation with our local tribes, along with the environmental analysis, the Forest made this decision of ‘No Action’ for the Lutsen Ski Hill Proposed Expansion Area.”
He added, “The NEPA process is designed to include public engagement to ensure federal actions consider all relevant information and potential impacts of a proposed project prior to approving a project. This information and the analysis informed our decision.”
WTIP spoke with Tom Hall, Forest Supervisor for the Superior National Forest earlier this year, in August about the draft decision. Listen to the full interview below.
Kalli Hawkins December 16, 2023
