DURANGO — A Telluride heliskiing company is seeking a 10-year permit to replace the yearlong permits it uses to operate on Bureau of Land Management land in southwest Colorado.

Telluride Helitrax takes skiers to the backcountry by helicopter. Over the last decade, it has averaged 35 to 50 service days a year, the BLM said. Its season is typically January through April. A service day is equivalent to one person per day.

Telluride Helitrax is seeking permission to carry skiers to 16 jump-off points within roughly 37,000 acres for up to 600 service days. The BLM has issued a draft environmental assessment in which it recommends granting a five-year permit allowing eight jump-off sites on 14,183 acres for up to 300 service days.

The BLM is accepting public comments on the assessment until Dec. 3.

The assessment says Telluride Helitrax boosts the winter economies of Silverton and Telluride, assists in avalanche control along major roads and is available for backcountry search-and-rescue work.

However, it said issues to consider include the potential impact of heliskiing on wildlife, air quality and cultural resources.

Some skiers have criticized heliskiers for tracking up untouched powder snow, or have complained about the noise of helicopters in the backcountry.

John Humphries, program director for Telluride Helitrax, said there have been no documented complaints about the company with the Forest Service.

“We’re skiers and part of the community so we value the relationship,” Humphries said. “As for noise of helicopters, the sound is transient in nature. It’s hard to hear when they fly by.”

<b>On the Net:</b>
http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/sanjuan/projects/projects.shtml