Most of the money was included in an appropriations bill signed by President Clinton this week. There are certainly some significant conservation achievements here, said Dave Startzell, executive director of the Appalachian Trail Conference, which coordinates trail management. The agreement, which was signed Tuesday night, depends on additional action by Congress, said John Berry, an assistant secretary of the Interior Department in Washington. At issue was how to keep ski lifts and other equipment from interfering with the views enjoyed by hikers along the nation s most famous footpath. The trail passes through thick forest and then gnarled spruce trees as it ascends 2,500 feet above the tree line to the rocky summit.
Hikers can follow a ridge for nearly two miles with continuous views in all directions.
Under the agreement, the Massachusetts owner of the Saddleback ski area will sell the undeveloped back side of the mountain, ending a concern that skiers would have to cross the trail itself to reach the new terrain.