According to Jean Bjerke and her husband who are residents in Island Park, the proposal for heli-skiing in the Centennial Mountains would demean their winter experience. This would majorly be a result of the sound pollution caused by the helicopter flights and this, in turn, will also affect peaceful recreationists around.
The greater concern, however, is the effect heli-skiing will have on wildlife in the Centennial Mountains. Animals such as grizzlies, wolverines, and mountain goats especially known to avoid helicopters need a suitable habitat, meaning it should be an undisrupted winter range and denning locations.
As featured in a recent piece by the Post Register, the Forest Service is in the initial stages of taking into account the application for a temporary permit by the Rocky Mountain Heli to operate in the 2021 season.
In regards to the article, Jean Bjerke was quoted saying,” I see no evidence in the published scoping document for the helicopter skiing license that the expected wildlife effects of heli-skiing in the Centennials have been sufficiently documented or studied. ” She later added that documentation regarding the qualification of the company is unknown and she has no confidence in its ability to safely conduct heli-skiing activities.
According to the article by the Post Register, the district ranger is quoted as conceding to the fact that heli-skiing is contentious. It has been recorded to have been outlawed in various countries such as France, Germany, and Austria where it has received high restriction orders. In Mowbray’s piece,” A Brief and Controversial History of Heliskiing in Switzerland,” heli-skiing has been referred to as “reckless, noisy, and a carbon-heavy polluter.”
Jean once again points out that heli-skiing is a leisure activity meant for the rich as it is costly. The activity is also already being offered in areas like Jackson and Big Sky. Moreover, Rock Mountain Heli has not shown the necessity of introducing the activity in the Centennials as it would harm the quiet recreationists situated in the area.
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