DURANGO - An environmental study commissioned by the Forest Service that authorizes construction of access roads and potentially clears the way for a proposed resort near the Wolf Creek Ski Area was seriously flawed, a former agency official involved in the study said.

Ed Ryberg, who recently retired as head of the Forest Service's winter sports programs for the Rocky Mountain region, told The Denver Post the study was inadequate because agency officials who studied the potential environmental effects of the roads were under pressure from their supervisors to help the developer.

The Post reported earlier this year that it obtained documents showing that Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey's deputy, David Tenny, exerted such pressure on behalf of Texas billionaire Billy Joe "Red" McCombs, who wants to build up to 222,100 square feet of commercial space and enough housing for up to 10,500 people. The documents indicated Rey met repeatedly with project supporters and that Tenny kept track of the project.

"It's not often you get a deputy undersecretary involved in an easement issue," Ryberg said.

An environmental assessment released Monday authorized construction of two short roads from U.S. 160 to the proposed Village at Wolf Creek.

Ryberg said he and other Forest Service employees participated in a conference call with Tenny early in the study in which Tenny instructed them to help the developers.

"The ski area was being obstinate, and they needed to be able to demonstrate they already had access so the project could move along," Ryberg said.

The owners of the ski area oppose the proposed development, saying it is too large.

Agriculture Department spokesman Dan Jiron said there was no improper influence exerted during the study.

McCombs' partner Bob Honts denied claims of political favoritism.

"We've asked for help from everybody, from the top to the bottom of the Forest Service, and we haven't gotten it," he said. "All they did was cause a process to happen, and not very efficiently."

In October 2005, a Mineral County judge voided the county's development permit for the village, saying developers needed to secure adequate access.

Opponents of the development said this week they plan to appeal the road authorization.