Laserfiche WebLink
accompany development of recreational facilities , as contem- <br /> plated by Mid-Continent . <br /> D. Recreation Use <br /> 1. Winter Use <br /> The Coal Basin area offers good opportunities <br /> for winter use as an Alpine and Nordic (popularly known as <br /> downhill and cross-country) ski area. Summer recreational <br /> opportunities for hiking , backpacking and horseback riding <br /> are also good . Recreation is the most desirable and feasible <br /> economic use to succeed mining . <br /> The applicant believes that a significant post- <br /> mining economic use is of particular importance because <br /> closure of the mining operations , after 64 years , will <br /> deprive local government , and the area economy , of an <br /> accustomed and sizable source of income. <br /> In 1979 the Coal Basin operations alone employed <br /> 656 people , providing a payroll of over $13 . 5 million . <br /> Mid-Continent ' s property tax payments to Garfield and Pitkin <br /> Counties exceeded $400, 000 . <br /> Replacement of mining with an alternate economic <br /> use -- namely, development of Coal Basin ' s recreational <br /> potential -- would have a stabilizing effect on the surround- <br /> ing communities because it would help to replace the loss of <br /> revenues and jobs . Moreover , the precedent is well established . <br /> The historic experience of Pit-kin County , in which <br />