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Bucks County Resort War In The Poconos?

By J.D. O'Connor
July 24, 2006

There's a new player in the Poconos and a lot of people - conservationists, politicians, and Blue Mountain Ski Area - can't wait to see what they have up their sleeve.

Local officials confirmed the acquisition of 1,100 acres of prime Poconos real estate by the Elliott Building Group of Langhorne, and although Elliott has made no formal announcement of its plans for the land, officials said the developer indicated it would build a ski resort, homes, and a golf course on the site between Eldred and Ross townships.

Conservation groups immediately decried the move, saying that hundreds of new homes on Blue Mountain could adversely impact the Appalachian Trail and increase the amount of traffic on local roads.

Marion O'Donnell, treasurer of the Blue Mountain Preservation Association, told a local newspaper: ''These developers just want to put in what they want to put in and make some money, without any thought to the people who have lived there for years or the environment. To support all these projects, they're going to have to build a huge highway.''

Elliott called a meeting for Aug. 14 to flesh out its intentions for the area, believed to include plans for skiers to use a lift in a previously protected buffer area adjacent to the federally protected trail area and direct competition for nearby Blue Mountain Ski Area.

Blue Mountain founder Ray Tuthill told a local reporter that he would look forward to having a competitor on his mountain.

''I've often said that [a new ski resort] could no longer be done,'' said Tuthill. ''The costs and prohibitions are too great.''

Tuthill said building a new area would cost at least $40 million.

''It'll be a long time before they have skiers there, if ever,'' Tuthill said. ''But I wish them the best of luck.''

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	I read your article: July 24, 2006 Bucks County Resort War In The Poconos? I would like to ask Ray Tuthill a question concerning Blue Mountain. Can you provide me with an email address or business address to which I can send him a letter directly? Thank You. Martin Rauchwerk
	Posted by: Martin Rauchwerk Agere Systems | January 17, 2007 08:00 AM