Formal proposal for Antelope Butte filed with Forest Service

By KARLA POMEROY

Powell psychologist Gib Condie, who, back in March, made a proposal to the Big Horn County public to re-open Antelope Butte, has an official proposal before the Bighorn National Forest.

Medicine Wheel/Paintrock District Manager Dave Sisk said Condie’s first draft proposal showed he was a “bit naïve” in the process.  Sisk said Forest officials asked Condie to “focus more on skiing.”

The official proposal that has been accepted by the Bighorn National Forest includes opening the ski area for the 2010-2011 season three days a week for skiing. The proposal would have the ski area opening in late December, Sisk said.

The next step is for Condie to submit a formal application that will include financial capabilities and technical capabilities that show that Condie, or any group he is associated with, has the means to operate the ski area.

The Bighorn National Forest, Small Business Administration and the regional forest office will review the application. “If everything is acceptable Mr. Condie will be issued a special use permit,” Sisk said.

The application and approval process must be completed by the end of September or another appraisal for the ski area will be needed. Sisk said the current appraisal at $225,000, is good through September.

Sisk said with the Forest Management Plan marking the Antelope Butte Ski Area as winter sports activities, any summer activities on the property would require a change of use or additional special use permit.

A master development plan would be required and public input would be sought, he said.

He said Condie’s current proposal does not specify summer activities. He said there is a proposal to develop snowboarding oppoprtunities at Antelope Butte.

In a meeting in Greybull in March, Condie, the point man for the Big Horn Basin Mental Health Group, said that the group would like to develop a base camp for the teenage substance abuse treatment center the group runs. The group would lead their adolescent clients on hikes into the Cloud Peak Wilderness. The summer work, Condie said at the March meeting, would provide revenue to run the ski area in the winter.

Sisk said Condie’s proposal is the only formal proposal before the Forest Service at this time. He said he has talked to the citizens group working to form a foundation to re-open the ski area.

“I hope the groups can work together,” Sisk said, adding that he hopes Condie’s proposal is successful, otherwise the Forest Service would likely have to go back to the option they were considering, salvaging the equipment and buildings.