Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2010

Bill: 111-hr-2476
Sponsor: Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]
Introduced: 2009-05-19 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Forests, forestry, trees
Land use and conservation
Licensing and registrations
Outdoor recreation
Sports and recreation facilities

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-19
text: 
Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 to require the term and acreage of permits for the operation of ski areas and associated facilities (under current law, for the operation of nordic and alpine ski areas and facilities) on National Forest System lands to be governed by provisions under the Act relating to such permits and other applicable law. 
 
Provides for the issuance of permits for the use and occupancy of suitable lands within the National Forest System for skiing and other snow-sports and such other seasonal or year-round recreational activities associated with mountain resorts as the Secretary of Agriculture may authorize pursuant to this Act. 
 
Allows the Secretary to authorize the holder of a permit issued pursuant to the Act to also provide on National Forest System land subject to such permit such other seasonal or year-round natural-resource based, outdoor-developed recreational activities and associated facilities, in addition to skiing and other snow-sports, as determined appropriate.
 
Prohibits the Secretary from authorizing any activity or facility under this Act if its authorization would result in the primary recreational purpose of a National Forest System land with a ski area permit being a purpose other than skiing or any other snow-sport. 

action_date: 2010-07-13
text: 
Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2010 - Amends the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 to require the term and acreage of permits for the operation of ski areas and associated facilities (under current law, for the operation of nordic and alpine ski areas and facilities) on National Forest System lands to be governed by provisions under the Act relating to such permits and other applicable law. 
 
Provides for the issuance of permits for the use and occupancy of suitable lands within the National Forest System for skiing and other snow-sports and such other seasonal or year-round recreational activities associated with mountain resorts as the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) may authorize pursuant to this Act. 
 
Requires any authorized activity or infrastructure other than skiing and other snow-sports to: (1) encourage outdoor recreation and enjoyment of nature; (2) harmonize with the natural environment of the National Forest System land on which it is located; (3) be located within the parts of the ski permit area that are developed to support skiing and other snow sports; and (4) be consistent with the applicable forest management plan and all other applicable laws. 
 
Prohibits the Secretary from authorizing an activity or infrastructure under this Act if its authorization would result in the primary recreational purpose of National Forest System land with a ski area permit being a purpose other than skiing or any other snow-sport. Allows the Secretary to authorize such an activity or infrastructure only to the extent that the skiing and snow-sport season component of the rental charge under the ski area permit remains greater than the portion of such charge that would be generated outside the skiing and snow-sport season. 
 
Bars the Secretary from considering the need for activities other than skiing and snow-sports in determining the boundary of a ski area permit. 
 
Requires the Secretary to promulgate new rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act and to convert, to the extent practicable and with the consent of existing permit holders, all ski area permits or leases on National Forest System lands into ski area permits which conform to the provisions of this Act. 

action_date: 2010-07-30
text: 
Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2010 - Amends the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 to require the term and acreage of permits for the operation of ski areas and associated facilities (under current law, for the operation of nordic and alpine ski areas and facilities) on National Forest System lands to be governed by provisions under the Act relating to such permits and other applicable law. 
 
Provides for the issuance of permits for the use and occupancy of suitable lands within the National Forest System for skiing and other snow-sports and such other seasonal or year-round recreational activities associated with mountain resorts as the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) may authorize pursuant to this Act. 
 
Requires any authorized activity, facility, or improvement other than skiing and other snow-sports to: (1) encourage outdoor recreation and enjoyment of nature; (2) harmonize with the natural environment of the National Forest System land on which it is located; (3) be located within the parts of the ski permit area that are developed to support skiing and other snow sports; and (4) be consistent with the applicable forest management plan and all other applicable laws.
 
Prohibits the Secretary from authorizing an activity, facility, or improvement under this Act if its authorization would result in the primary recreational purpose of the National Forest System land with a ski area permit being a purpose other than skiing or any other snow-sport. Allows the Secretary to authorize such an activity, facility, or improvement only to the extent that the majority of the ski area's revenue is generated by the sale of lift tickets and related fees for skiing and other snow-sport activities. 
 
Bars the Secretary from considering the need for activities other than skiing and snow-sports when determining the boundary of a ski area permit. 
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) promulgate new rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act; and (2) convert all ski area permits or leases on National Forest System lands into ski area permits which conform to the provisions of this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-09-30
text: Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 636.
action_date: 2010-08-02
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2010-07-30
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2010-07-30
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6445)
action_date: 2010-07-30
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6445)
action_date: 2010-07-30
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2476.
action_date: 2010-07-30
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6445-6446)
action_date: 2010-07-30
text: Mr. Scott (GA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2010-07-13
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 111-533, Part I.
action_date: 2010-07-13
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 111-533, Part I.
action_date: 2010-06-30
text: Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry Discharged.
action_date: 2010-06-30
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2010-06-30
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2010-06-30
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2010-06-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.
action_date: 2009-12-16
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2009-12-16
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2009-12-16
text: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Discharged.
action_date: 2009-11-05
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2009-06-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
action_date: 2009-05-19
text: Referred to House Natural Resources
action_date: 2009-05-19
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2009-05-19
text: Referred to House Agriculture
action_date: 2009-05-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-05-19
text: Introduced in House