Village land exchange approved

Graphic courtesy Rio Grande National Forest
The Village at Wolf Creek Access Project will include a land exchange conveying approximately 177 acres to the Rio Grande National Forest (the land nearest to the ski area) in exchange for approximately 205 acres of National Forest System land (the northern portion of land marked above).

The Village at Wolf Creek Access Project may have received a green light when Rio Grande National Forest (RGNF) Supervisor Dan Dallas approved the proposed land exchange between the United States and Leavell-McCombs Joint Venture (LMJV), but the project is still not out of the woods.

Instead, in addition to lawsuits previously filed regarding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and information regarding the proposal, opponents are also alleging manipulation of the analysis, “undue influence,” and inadequate analysis regarding lynx.

On Thursday, May 21, Dallas announced his decision regarding the land exchange as the final Record of Decision (ROD), which approved Alternative 2 — conveying approximately 177 acres of privately held land to the Rio Grande National Forest in exchange for approximately 205 acres of National Forest System land managed by the RGNF. The land exchange creates a private land parcel of approximately 325 acres extending to U.S. 160 and will accommodate year-round vehicular access.

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