a collaboration of agencies from the U.S. Dept. of Energy to the Conservation Law Foundation, the input of all these agencies almost guarantees that all aspects will be considered during development. Many people are also letting developers know they are unwelcome. One developer that proposed a new area "had the resources and they had the permits but they knew that in the community there no longer was a desire to have a new ski area." (http://www.wildwilderness.org/wi/skiarea.htm) So it is possible to curb development if the community can join together to be heard. What used to be long lengthy court battles between environmentalists and ski industry developers has since been able to settle down to where the two sides can at least hear each other out and try their best to work towards a compromise. As our economy continues to stay strong and/or grow people will always be looking for a way to spend leisure time. As far as recreation goes I can think of no better way then to spend money on skiing. My bias is not against tourists and large corporations that now seem to dominate the industry, my problem lies in the fact that the NH industry is not one of big mountains, and fancy hotels. I think the NH industries attraction lies in its shear wilderness beauty and the small homely towns in which it resides. Developmental sprawl is an eyesore in many of these towns and stands to benefit nobody besides the big guns up in the large corporations. The industries Preamble in the Sustainable Slopes program is a strong indicator that we are on the right track, "A strong environment ethic underlies our operations, makes us stewards of the natural surroundings, and is the basis for our commitment to constant improvement in environmental conditions." (http://www.clf.org/hot/20000614.htm) In the future the communities in NH that can offer the most unique experience will benefit the most. By unique I do not mean fancy condos, and five star restaurants on th...
