VERNON, NJ— After years of wrangling, an agreement to preserve 1,800 acres of pristine mountain forestland has basically given the green light to Canadian resort developer Intrawest Corp. to continue its growth plans for Mountain Creek, New Jerseys largest ski resort. Under terms of the agreement between the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Intrawest, Mountain Creek will donate 1,398 acres atop Hamburg Mountain here in Sussex County. In addition, the resort operator has agreed to sell the state an additional 451 acres nearby. The state’s “Green Acres” program is purchasing the latter acreage in a $7.1 million deal, and will remain under New Jersey’s Division of Parks and Forests. The sale and donation clears the way for the 10-year, multimillion-dollar resort transformation project to resume on lands owned by the resort at the base of the mountain. The state bought back land it sold some 17 years ago to Great American Recreation, Inc., which operated a ski/summer resort under the name Action Park. Great American later declared bankruptcy and Intrawest bought the parcel in 1998. Both Intrawest and the Vernon Township Planning Board, which approved site development on the mountaintop, had come under legal fire from local community associations and environmental groups, including The Sierra Club, to halt such activity. Subsequently, the state’s governor, James McGreevey, announced the state intended to purchase the land to safeguard Hamburg Mountain. Lorne Bassel, evp/resort development for Intrawest, said, “This cooperative agreement will protect more than 1,800 scenic acres. This is an example of the state government, local community groups and business coming together to reach a consensus that benefits everyone. This agreement supports our vision of an outstanding resort in a setting of natural beauty— a setting further enhanced by the preservation of the highlands for all to enjoy.” Mountain Creek Resort currently operates skiing activities on part of the land donated and sold to the state. Under the agreement, Mountain Creek reserves rights to maintain and enhance existing ski trails and to expand ski operations.
