Ravalli, Missoula leaders mull future of planned ski resort

Ravalli and Missoula county commissioners met Thursday with representatives from the Bitterroot and Lolo national forests to discuss the forest plan revision, but the parley centered on the proposed Bitterroot Resort.

The rare meeting between the two commissions was held at Farmer’s State Bank in Florence.

Lee Kramer, team leader for the forest’s plan revision team, began the meeting by updating the six commissioners and several members of their planning staffs about where the forests are in their plan revision process.

But Ravalli County Commissioner Alan Thompson focused the discussion soon after Kramer’s presentation.

"Technically what we’re trying to talk about is a ski resort that is going to heavily impact two cities," he said.

The resort offers some obvious positives and negatives for Missoula County, Thompson said. But the situation’s different for Ravalli County.

"I really have to search to find a positive for Ravalli County," he said.

The Bitterroot Resort http://www.skibitterrootresort.com/

By GREG LEMON Staff Reporter

Full Story: http://www.ravallinews.com/articles/2005/06/03/news/news05.txt