Durango Herald News, Glacier Club land-swap appeals filed Page 1 of 6

Glacier Club land-swap appeals filed

by Shane Benjamin
Herald Staff Writer

Article Last Updated; Thursday, August 05, 2010 12:00AM

Three appeals have been filed in opposition to a land exchange between the
U.S. Forest Service and a private development in the San Juan National
Forest north of Durango. The appeals take issue with the value of the land
exchange, negative environmental impacts from the swap, and possible
damage to a historical wagon road.

The deal between the government and a private property owner was
approved May 28. The government will exchange 228 acres for 170 acres
plus a check from the developer for $444,000.

It would allow Tamarron Properties Associates to expand the luxury Glacier

Club development with an additional nine holes of golf and up to 125 homes.

The Forest Service would acquire 160 acres at the Hermosa Creek trailhead
west of Durango Mountain Resort and the 10-acre Iron Clad mine claim in the
Weminuche Wilderness north of Haviland Lake.

The public had until July 25 to file appeals. In order for appeals to be
successful, they must identify violations of Forest Service policies, regulations
or statutes, said Columbine District ranger and field office manager Matt
Janowiak. An appeal-review team will be formed to make a recommendation
to the regional forester or deputy regional forester based on its findings, he
said.

It will likely be September before the regional forester makes any decisions
about responses to the appeals.

Appeals were filed by the Western Lands Project, based in Seattle; Kent and
Beverly Herath of Durango; and Andrew Gulliford, president of the San Juan
Basin Archaeological Society.

http://www.durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/08/05/Glacier_Club_landswap_appeals... 8/5/2010
Durango Herald News, Glacier Club land-swap appeals filed Page 2 of 6

Durango resident Kitty Benzar, with the Save Havilland Recreation Area,
which formed to oppose the land exchange, said she supports the appeal filed
by the Western Lands Project.

The value of the land exchange is not equitable and is not fair to the public,
she said.

In valuing the land exchange, the appraiser used an "option to purchase" the
Mitchell Lakes property to value the Chris Park property and the Hermosa
Park property, she said. But the deal never closed, probably because the
value wasn't fair, Benzar said.

"I don't think it passes the sniff test to use a non-closed deal," Benzar said.

The Forest Service hasn't given sufficient thought to the value of a historic
wagon road that will be affected, she said. Two sections of the wagon road
will remain on public lands, but only one section will be readily accessible, she
said.

The appeal process gives opponents new hope that the deal can be stopped,
Benzar said.

"It's not a done deal," she said. "There is a process in place. The people have
a role to play in making sure our public lands are honored and protected."

Gulliford's appeal aims to preserve the historical Animas City to Silverton

Wagon Road, which has been determined eligible for the National Register of
Historic Places by the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office.

"This vital pioneer link connecting La Plata and San Juan counties provides a
unique preservation opportunity," his appeal says.

In a two-page appeal, the Heraths said they attempted to eliminate subjective

and emotional comments. But they weren't always successful.

"Undeniably, if enacted, this exchange will ensure that 228 acres of public
lands will become wealthy property owners' gated communities and more
private golf links all with a value of countless millions of dollars," they wrote.
"John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt must be turning over in their graves!"

shane@durangoherald.com

http://www.durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/08/05/Glacier_Club_landswap_appeals... 8/5/2010