Ski Resorts Say Uncle Sam Illegally Grabbed Their Water

[The Straight Story]

Ski Resorts Say Uncle Sam Illegally Grabbed Their Water

DENVER (CN) - The National Ski Areas Association claims the U.S. Forest Service illegally seized privately owned water rights without compensation from 121 resorts on federal lands, via a "stunning and unprecedented directive."

U.S. ski resorts generated $2.6 billion in revenue in 2009, according to IbisWorld, a market research group.
In its federal complaint, National Ski Areas Association says the Forest Service and Department of Agriculture have no authority to demand water rights that resorts must acquire under state laws "at great expense and effort."

The Lakewood, Colo.-based trade association, established in 1962 "to foster, stimulate and promote growth in the industry," represents 321 resorts, which account for more than 90 percent of annual ski and snowboard visits nationwide. Of its members, 121 must periodically obtain special use permits to operate on National Forest System lands, according to the organization's website.

The Forest Service directive, issued in 2011, added a 7-page clause - Clause D-30 - to its handbook and "dramatically alters the settled legal regime governing water rights at ski areas on National Forest System lands," according to the complaint.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/01/12/42984.htm

[MinervaX]

1. How can they claim the rights

if they lease the land from the Forest Service?

[The Straight Story]

2. According to the complaint:

The water rights were privately owned. The permits currently in use are under 40 yr terms. Those terms have been modified:

link to full complaint:
http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/01/12/Skis.pdf

[enough]

3. Good question. (nt)