Headline News
Green Mountain Club Restoration Project: Nearly 1,000 Trees Illegally Cut on Big Jay
Editor's Note: As Jay Peak skiers, we've been watching the developments of this story with special interest. We hope readers will help with the restoration efforts, either through volunteer work or donations. In addition, we encourage everyone to respect the restoration efforts by avoiding the terrain that was damaged so it can regenerate and future generations can enjoy this valuable and popular backcountry destination.
On July 11, 2007, the Green Mountain Club (GMC) received a call from tram operators at Jay Peak Resort, Vt., that would lead to the discovery of the largest easement violation in the history of GMC’s stewardship program. A chainsaw and other tools had been used to cut an illegal trail almost 2,000 feet long from near the summit of Big Jay down to the existing system of logging roads leading to Route 242. Nearly 1,000 trees had been cut and the opening ranged in width from 20 to 60 feet.
Within two weeks, two individuals had been arrested and confessed to the crime as a result of the combined efforts of GMC staff and volunteers and Wardens Brad Mann and Mark Schichtle.
A sub-committee of GMC’s stewardship committee was formed to assist and advise in responding to the easement violation, including evaluating legal options, short-term restoration efforts, and long-term management of the damaged property. The committee has solicited advice from several experts regarding ecological restoration and management of backcountry skiing.
There has been an overwhelming response of support from the backcountry skiing community. Many skiers and riders have expressed their disgust at this act of vandalism and offered to help with restoration of the site. On October 14, 2007, GMC staff and volunteers, supervised by ecologist Jeff Parsons, installed waterbars made up of logs and brush (which had been left at the sides of the cut by the violators) in order to stabilize the thin shallow soils. Additionally, concerned backcountry skiers have taken advantage of several events this fall to start a dialogue about responsible stewardship of public lands and raise funds for restoration efforts on Big Jay.
The Green Mountain Club, as the holder of a conservation easement on the property, is obligated to protect the natural resources on Big Jay, which was a trail-less peak with prime Bicknell’s thrush habitat when acquired in 1993. In the words of former Jay Peak Ski Patroller and GMC stewardship volunteer, Russ Ford, “As backcountry skiing has gone from the province of a few to a mass-marketed activity, we’re loving these places to death. We need to develop a Leave No Trace ethic for backcountry skiing like we’ve done for hiking and backpacking. If you’re not a good enough skier to ski natural glades without cutting, stick to the ski resorts’ maintained trails.”
This is a very costly project. You can help by providing financial support or through volunteer projects. For more information on this restoration project and to make a tax-deductible donation to help fund it, visit the Green Mountain Club's news pages at www.greenmountainclub.com.