News & Updates Settlement with Loon Mountain Ski Area RESTORE: The North Woods worked for six years to halt the proposed expansion of the Loon Mountain Ski Area, because of threats to pristine Loon Pond, the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River, and the threat of overdevelopment on our public lands. In 1997, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the ski area had not obtained necessary permits for expansion and that the U.S. Forest Service had not properly included the public in its environmental review. Throughout the last year, RESTORE has been working to remedy the flaws in the proposed expansion project. In 1998, RESTORE reached a settlement with the new owners of Loon Mountain, Booth Creek Holdings, that addresses our most serious environmental concerns with the long-standing expansion proposal. As a result, Loon Pond will be protected from snowmaking water withdrawals and a forested buffer will be preserved along the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. RESTORE will continue work with the owners to monitor the environmental impacts of the ski area, and ensure adequate protection of the mountain. Back to Updates