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It seemed like a good idea at the time. No, it was a pretty freakin’ stupid idea. It’s one thing to clear a little brush, it’s another to clear a forest. Well, karma catches up: Two misguided backcountry skiers from Vermont have been sentenced to 18-36 months (suspended) for cutting an illegal trail near Jay Peak in the northern part of the state.
This was no “thinning”—the two used chain saws to take out almost 1,000 trees and create an empty swath on Big Jay Mountain 2,000 feet long. Paul Poulin, 48, and Alan Ritter, 47, pleaded no contest last week to felony charges of unlawful mischief and are serving 60 days in a furlough restitution program.
“It is good to see a felony conviction in this case,” Vermont Natural Resources Secretary Jonathan Wood said. “This was one of the most serious cases of damage to public lands we have seen. … We hope that this sends a message to anyone else that cutting ski chutes will not be tolerated.”
Big Jay, Vermont’s 12th highest summit, abuts Jay Peak ski area,
which is known for its access to delicious, though tight, out of bounds
tree skiing. The local backcountry community was outraged at the two,
not just for the moronic destruction but also because it closed access
to Big Jay from the ski area during the 2007-08 season.
Find out almost everything you could want to know about the incident,
including details on how the duo eluded game wardens in a high-speed
chase, from the Green Mountain Club.
A little different than cutting some alders and scrub brush. In reality those plats only hinder larger trees growth by using their nutriens. grass would suffice to hold the top soil in place
