Fifteen permit related counts could result in significant fines.
Thursday, February 26, 2015, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
In the midst of a dramatic multi-year, multi-million dollar investment program, Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell filed charges on February 18 against the owners of the private Haystack ski area
in State of Vermont v. Hermitage Inn Real Estate Holding Company, LLC; Rushing Creek, LLC.
The owners could be fined up to $85,000 per violation, as well as $42,500 per day continued per violation on 15 counts.
Counts 1, 2, and 4: Construction of snowmobile trails and bridge in in 2011 and 2012 without Act 250 permit.
Count 3, 12, 13: Construction of ski patrol hut in 2012 without Act 250 permit, wastewater permit, potable water permit, and public water permit.
Count 5: Construction of a small BroadStar wind turbine in 2012 atop the ski area.
Counts 6 and 14: Constructing docks, fench, boat rack, and sandy beach at Mirror Lake in 2014 without Act 250 permit and ANR authorization.
Count 7: Construction of parking lot, utility lines, and pump house without Act 250 permit.
Counts 8 and 15: Cutting trees within 50 foot wetland buffer in 2012.
Counts 9, 10, and 11: Construction without stormwater and discharge permits in 2011.
In 2005, the American Skiing Company sold the long-troubled Haystack with a stipulation that prohibited the ski area from ever opening to the non-local general public. A private club model was unable to get off the ground in subsequent years until 2011, when Jim Barnes of the Hermitage Inn acquired Haystack.
Since the acquisition, two new chairlifts have been installed, as well as a massive base lodge.
