More Information
Back to Cherry Peak Resort Information Page
Because of the low elevation of the proposed resort it has been compared to Wolf Creek in Ogden Valley. However, because of the precipitation difference snow making will be neccesary.
Back to Cherry Peak Resort Information Page
Skier days have been flat for over a decade.
Back to Cherry Peak Resort Information Page
By the years 2040-2060, scientific evidence suggests a winter temperature increase of 4.5 degrees with a later fall accumulation of snow and a 2-4 week earlier spring melt.
For more information read the Potential Impacts of Climate Change for U.S. Wasatch Range Ski Areas.
Back to Cherry Peak Resort Information Page
Impacts on wildlife from roads and infrastructure
The main response by mammals and birds in the vicinity of infrastructure was either avoidance or a reduced population density.
The effect of infrastructure on bird populations extended over distances up to about 1 km, and for mammal populations up to about 5 km.
Benítez-López , A., R. Alkemade, and P.A. Verweij. 2010. “The impacts of roads and other infrastructure on mammal and bird populations: a meta-analysis.” Biological Conservation 143, 1307-1316.
The authors conclude that limiting access by vehicles reduced human disturbance of elk. Their reduced movements as a result would suggest that the elk would use less energy, potentially increasing fat reserves, survival rates, and productivity. Poaching mortality was also reduced in the areas with limited vehicle access.
Cole, E. K., M. D. Pope and R. G. Anthony. 1997. “Effects of road management on movement and survival of Roosevelt elk.” Journal of Wildlife Management 61: 1115-1126.
The authors conclude that displacement by increased traffic reduced the amount of habitat available to the deer.
Livezey, K. B. 1991. Home range, habitat use, disturbance, and mortality of Columbian black-tailed deer in Mendocino National Forest. California Fish and Game 77: 201-209.
When animals are disturbed by vehicles, they waste valuable energy in flight.
Jack Lyon found that Elk avoid areas within 1/4 - 1/2 mile of roads, depending on traffic, road quality, and the density of cover near the road. According to work by Jack Thomas in Oregon, a road density of one mile per square mile of land results in a 25% reduction in habitat use by Elk.
Reed Noss, The Ecological Effects of Roads
Impacts on wildlife from Artificial Light
Effects of Artificial Light at Night on Wildlife
The effects of ecological light pollution are widespread. They include disorientation from and attraction to artificial light, structural-related mortality due to disorientation, and effects on the light-sensitive cycles of many species.
Ecological light pollution may interrupt natural behaviors, expose individuals to higher predation levels, or disrupt navigational abilities.
Many species of wildlife operate specific internal cycles or rhythms that help them determine when to initiate foraging, migratory or reproductive behavior. The addition of artificial light to the nighttime environment disrupts the precision of these cycles, thus modifying behavior.
