DATE: December 1, 2003           CONTACT: Tom Meyers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      978-464-2300 (ext. 3700)           

Wachusett Mountain Ski Area:

Balancing recreation and environmental protection

PRINCETON, MA – As Wachusett Mountain Ski Area prepares to start a new winter season this week, it also continues to focus on protecting the mountain’s natural resources while providing a valuable recreational opportunity to Massachusetts residents.

From simple environmental protection measures to more comprehensive conservation initiatives, the ski area has a long history of developing programs to protect the natural resources of the region.  And, having just completed one of the longest, most protracted environmental review processes in state history for its new Vickery Bowl, Wachusett’s commitment to the protecting the natural resources on the mountain is stronger than ever!   Located within the Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, Wachusett Mountain Ski Area operates in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation, Division of Forest and Parks providing skiing and snowboarding on 100 acres of terrain within a 450-acre leased area.  The Wachusett/DCR relationship has been viewed as a model public/private partnership for ski area operations.  Some of the measures Wachusett has in place to protect the mountain include:

Water Conservation and Protection

• Installing a 7.2-mile sewer line from the mountain to the Fitchburg wastewater treatment plant in 1982.  The line was donated to the town of Westminster, providing the town with its first link to public sewer service. 
• In 1983, Wachusett Mountain Associates also installed a $750,000 storm water diversion system to protect Wachusett Lake, Fitchburg’s primary source of drinking water, as well as diminish flooding impacts from spring run-off.
• In further steps to protect the lake, WMA conducts extensive testing and monitoring with water tests daily at 9 locations around the mountain. This system has proven that water flowing from the ski area to Wachusett Lake meets drinking water standards and shows snowmelt run-off does not contribute to contaminants in the Lake.
• WMA has responded to concerns about the use of ponds for snowmaking by installing a 1 mile pipeline to Wachusett Lake to purchase water from the City of Fitchburg.  This innovative plan eliminated the need for additional ponds.
• An automated turbidity meter has been installed in the snowmaking pond and Wachusett Mountain has participated with the City of Fitchburg since 2000 in an extensive water quality study of Wachusett Lake and its tributaries.

Land Conservation and Protection

• Contributing a percentage of its gross receipts to a State Land Acquisition Trust Fund dedicated to the purchase and preservation of open space.  The purpose of the trust is to provide the Department of Environmental Management with funds to acquire land desirable for conservation purposes.
• Creating an Old Growth Management Policy in conjunction with DCR in 1998 to help educate, protect and study the areas of old growth forest located on the mountain.  This includes monitoring all snowmaking to prevent excessive ice on trees within the Old Growth Forest; annual inspection with DCR of hazard trees that may need removal; with DCR; constant monitoring and patrolling of Old Growth Forest areas to prevent unauthorized access.
• Putting more than 100 acres of private adjacent forest land owned by WMA into a forest protection program monitored by DCR.
• Wachusett has pledged to help fund a full-time ecologist for DCR for an ongoing program of ecological monitoring, research and management of the biological resources of the state reservation.
• Studies have shown Massachusetts has shortage of open meadow land and other state parks have cleared trees to create more open space.  Ski trails create a perfect open meadow lands area to foster biological diversity.
• Wachusett has developed a program for rotation of mowing to foster a variety of meadow species including some rare naturally occurring plants.  Wachusett also adjusted the design layout of a trail in its new Vickery Bowl to afford more protection for the mountain laurel.

Energy Conservation

• Installing a state-of-the-art snowmaking compressor system which utilizes recirculated heat from air compressors to supply the base lodge with 100% of its heat, significantly reducing electrical consumption.  WMA constructed a new snowmaking compressor building in 1997 utilizing this technology with even more energy efficient compressors.
• WMA also used specially-designed HKD tower snow guns for snowmaking which are eight times more efficient than conventional water guns and significantly reduce noise levels.

Special Programs and Awards

• 2003 Silver Eagle Award for Wildlife and Habitat Protection presented by the Time Mirror Company (Publisher of Ski, Skiing and Freeze Magazines).  Wachusett was cited for improving water quality in surrounding lakes, ponds and streams by its significant investment in storm water management measures.  The Silver Eagle Award is presented annually as part of Mountain Sports Media’s Golden Eagle Award program established in 1993 to recognize the environmental achievements of ski areas across the country.
• 2001 Silver Eagle Award for Energy Conservation presented by Mountain Sports Media (Publisher of Ski, Skiing and Freeze Magazines).  Wachusett Mountain Ski Area was recognized as one of six Silver Eagle award winners nationwide among more than 50 entries from 26 ski areas.  Wachusett was cited for having invested more than $2.5 million in energy savings measures since 1992 resulting in a savings more than three million kilowatt hours.    In the Energy Conservation category, Wachusett was selected over Breckenridge, CO.  
• 2001 National Ski Areas Association Sustainable Slopes Marketing Outreach Award recognizing Wachusett’s outstanding environmental education efforts.  In receiving the award, Wachusett Mountain was cited for “an extraordinary job of raising the visibility of Sustainable Slopes and communicating a strong message of environmental commitment to the public.  The NSAA Sustainable Slopes program is the environmental charter for ski areas nationwide recognizing the efforts made outreach and education, signage and printed materials, implementation of the charter’s Environmental Principles and raising awareness of the Environmental Code of the Slopes.
• In 1999, Wachusett Mountain’s commitment to the environment was also recognized on a national level as the ski area earned recognition as one of three finalists for the prestigious Golden Eagle Award from The Skiing Company (publishers of Ski and Skiing Magazines).  Wachusett Mountain was runner up in the category for “Overall Environmental Excellence” to honor programs developed by ski resorts that reflect pro-active environmental sensitivity.
• In 1992, the Massachusetts Audubon Society and Worcester Business Journal honored Wachusett Mountain Ski Area with a special recognition award for its innovative means of reducing power consumption through efficient snowmaking.
• The Science on the Slopes Program – a season long series of special education sessions to instruct guests about the environment and science around the mountain.
• Visitor education with the installation of 12 interpretive kiosks on the mountain relating to environmental information and history of the area.

Waste Management

• Annually hosting hundreds of volunteers to help clean up the area on Earth Day each spring.  These individuals police the ski area grounds, as well as nearby roads to collect trash and pick up debris.
• Ski area-wide recycling with a recycling center right on the premises.

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