About the Book
Mountains are the home of significant ecological resources - wildlife habitat, higher elevation plant systems, steep slopes, delicate soils and water systems. These resources are subject to very visible and growing pressures, most of which are caused by the unique features of mountains. Using as case studies four mountain resorts in the US and Canada, this book analyzes the extent to which the law protects the ecological systems of mountains from the adverse impacts associated with the development, operation and expansion of resorts. In order to examine these issues, Mountain Resorts takes an interdisciplinary approach, with contributions from ecologists and lawyers who focus on ski-related activities, increasing four-season use of the mountains and expanding residential, commercial and recreational development at the mountains' base. Its analysis of an array of US and Canadian federal, state and local laws provides a multifaceted exploration of the intersection of ecology and the law at mountain resorts.
Table of Contents:
Preface; Chapter 1 The Landscape of This Book, Janet E. Milne; Part I The Mountain Ecosystem; Chapter 2 An Ecosystem Approach to Mountain Resorts, Ross A. Virginia; Chapter 3 Plant Communities and Vegetation Processes in the Mountain Landscape, G. Richard Strimbeck; Chapter 4 Water Quantity and Quality in the Mountain Environment, James B. Shanley, Beverley Wemple; Chapter 5 Effects of Mountain Resorts on Wildlife, Allan M. Strong, Christopher C. Rimmer, Kent P. McFarland, Kimberly Hagen; Part II Loon Mountain, New Hampshire, Roger Fleming; Chapter 6 An Introduction to Loon Mountain and the Loon Resort, Roger Fleming; Chapter 7 The Legal Foundation for the South Mountain Expansion Proposal, Roger Fleming; Chapter 8 The South Mountain Expansion, Roger Fleming; Chapter 9 Can Other Federal Laws Contribute to an Ecosystem-Based Approach to Resort Development?, Roger Fleming; Chapter 10 Conclusions from the Loon Resort Experience, Roger Fleming; Part III Whiteface Mountain Ski Center, New York, John S. Banta; Chapter 11 An Introduction to the Whiteface Mountain Ski Center and the Legal Framework, John S. Banta; Chapter 12 The Legal Regime Affecting Whiteface Mountain, John S. Banta; Chapter 13 The Legal Regime Affecting Private Lands Around Whiteface, John S. Banta; Chapter 14 Conclusion, John S. Banta; Part IV Killington Resort, Vermont, Julia LeMense, Jonathan Isham; Chapter 15 An Introduction to Killington Resort, its Expansion Plans, and the Issues, Julia LeMense, Jonathan Isham; Chapter 16 Vermont’s Act 250 and the Early Battles at Parker’s Gore East, Julia LeMense, Jonathan Isham; Chapter 17 Expansion in the Wake of Parker’s Gore East, Julia LeMense, Jonathan Isham; Chapter 18 Conclusion, Julia LeMense, Jonathan Isham; Part V Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Jane Matthews Glenn; Chapter 19 An Introduction to Mont Tremblant and the Issues, Jane Matthews Glenn; Chapter 20 Intrawest’s Development of the Skiable Domain, Jane Matthews Glenn; Chapter 21 Base Camps, Golf Courses and Land Protection at the Mountain’s Base, Jane Matthews Glenn; Chapter 22 Legal Diversity and Legal Ecosystems, Jane Matthews Glenn; Part VI A Vision for the Mountains; Chapter 23 The Challenges of Joining Ecology with the Law, Janet E. Milne, Ross A. Virginia;
About the Author :
Janet E. Milne, Julia Lemense, Ross A. Virginia
Review :
'Reading this book has made me want to read others in the Ecology and the Law in Modern Society series...' Mountain Research and Development 'A lucid analysis of the effects of mountain ski resorts on the environment. Applying the ecosystem concept - analyzing the movements of organisms, materials and water between landscape positions - to case studies in New England and Canada, Milne et al. provide an important critique of how ecology can work with the law to protect mountain ecosystems.' William H. Schlesinger, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, USA 'Ski resorts are often focal points of conflict, with lawyers and ecologists in opposing camps. This fascinating book shows that their perspectives are complementary, and that such an interdisciplinary approach is required to understand and move forward with the management of mountain areas in a complex and increasingly uncertain world.' Martin Price, University of the Highlands and Islands, UK 'As a boy my friends and I skied at Killington in Vermont every chance we got. We didn't ski a collection of trails; we skied "the mountain" . The authors of Mountain Resorts challenge environmental law to do the same thing - to manage mountain resort areas not as a forest here, a stream there, a meadow there, but as ecosystems. Using four mountain resort case studies, including my boyhood slopes at Killington, the book meticulously evaluates existing approaches and finds them lacking. The authors chart a clear path for the evolution of legal regimes and scientific research. The result is a book that offers lessons in ecosystem management law going far beyond mountain resorts.' J.B. Ruhl, Florida State University, USA
