A one-two punch to the economy of June Lake. That’s what Supervisor-Elect Tim Alpers called the closure of June Mountain and now a Senate Bill that would cut fish hatchery funds.
Faced with the toughest changes in its history, June Lake was well represented at Tuesday’s Special Meeting of the Mono Supervisors in June Lake. Members of the public talked about their feelings in the some four-hour meeting which started out with a call to send a letter to the Legislature opposing Senate Bill 1148. That proposed law would take away funding from hatcheries and give it to wild trout programs.
Talk quickly moved to June Mountain. Bottom line – people want it open. The “Keep June Mountain Open Coalition” reportedly has names of prospective buyers, but nothing is certain and Mammoth Mountain CEO Rusty Gregory has said he doesn’t want to sell. Tim Alpers has talked with Gregory about ways to keep June Mountain and protect the survival of the community. Alpers says what is needed is a “skier hatchery” – making June Mountain a place for young people to get into the sport of skiing.
Ideas from the Mono Supervisors include a Transient Occupancy Tax overlay to allow second homeowners to rent their spaces. The Supervisors are moving forward with that and considering money from the County Contingency Fund for better marketing of winter activities in June Lake. Alpers said he would like to see a better image for June Lake other than an overflow mountain for Mammoth.
Alpers said the situation needs help now. Two options surfaced at the Special Meeting – the community finding a new buyer for the Mountain to go in a new direction or work out a deal with Rusty Gregory. Will Gregory go that route? Alpers said if the right team and image appear, he thinks Gregory will do it. Alpers posed that if someone bought June, maybe Gregory would operate it.
Supervisor-Elect Alpers said he told the community that June Lake will be his number one priority during his term on the Board. He said the Forest Service officials are trying to work with the community on the issue. Alpers said he believes the Forest Service would talk to any prospective buyer, but Mammoth Mountain does have 180 days in which to come up with an operations plan for June.
Estoguy- I am sorry. I meant to tell Country Mouse off. Wow, Country Mouse, I hope you wake up to Rusty and a big rat someday. Hope Benett prints both these comments.
Jim…Don’t understand a lot of what you said there,but sounds like you prefer Mammoth to June Lake because of the extra “new stuff” Mammoth has to offer in your opinion,and June Lake hasn’t kept up with the “times”….But maybe that’s how some people wanted it to be….keeping June Lake a… Read more »
I hadn’t been to June in 20 years and hadn’t been skiing in 10, before putting in 30 days last winter. Mammoth had hardly any snow, but June had less. We planned to ski June a fair amount anyhow to take advantage of their lower-key kids ski school. There just… Read more »
esfotoguy –
Ever think of relocating to the city?
Sounds like you’d be happier there.
estoguy- hope you wake up next to Rusty someday!
I sure hope no one works with Mammoth Mountains Corp. to continue operating June. Take it away in 181 days.
Hi Benett, Thanks for the update. I have a couple of questions that I am wondering if you can find out the answers. I have read through various postings, meeting notes and did not see where these items were addressed: 1. How much will it cost MMSA not to operate… Read more »
Great-Now the tree huggers,leaf lickers,eco wackos or what have you, have found another revenue source…this MUST be blocked
It is sad that the original idea of a family space has been lost. Mammoth has always been the race/international/faster paced resort and June has always been a great family place that was safe and beginner to intermediate runs. It got you ready for the big slopes. We as a… Read more »
Well, if that isn’t the tail wagging the Dog… Tell me again Bennett, what is Rusty’s position with the Federal government that he can mandate Forest Service policy? If you or I had that permit and defaulted, guaranteed the USFS would be at our doorstep threatening us and just simply… Read more »
The written rules on a Forest permit do require allowing the permittee to have 180 days to come up with a new operations plan.
Rusty is not getting special treatment.
Benett
Rusty made his announcement June 21st. The Forest Service (who works for us) has yet to site him with a notice of non compliance to start the 180 days. Is that special treatment? I think so.
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain… I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. “Thanksgiving or Christmas, depending on the snow pack, June Mountain will OPEN.” Rusty has pulled all the ropes, pushed all the buttons and he is poised to get what he wanted all… Read more »