Henry David Thoreau once walked the trails of Mt. Wachusett in Central Massachusetts. Today he would have to contend with the ravages of the ski area on the northwest slope and perhaps engage in some more of his non-violent civil disobedience in the struggle to keep that ski area from expanding even further.

For years the operators of the lame ski area on Mt. Wachusett in Central Massachusetts have treated that historic and rare jewel of a mountain, where Thoreau once walked, as if it were their own personal domain. It's not. Mt. Wachusett, home to the largest remaing stand of old-growth forest east of the Connecticut River, is part of the public lands of the Commonwealth. YOU OWN IT!
In the mid-90s, Waschusett Mountain Associates (WMA), the front group for the wealthy Crowley family who also own Polar and Adirondak beverages, decided they wanted to further expand their already ugly and unneeded ski operation into a critical buffer zone that protects the old-growth from prevailing winter winds. A local grassroots group, WEST, and the Sierra Club challenged WMA's plan in the courts. At the same time, a regional group of activists affiliated with Earth First! and other groups, began preparations for non-violent direct action in defense of the mountain should the court challenge fail. For a while it looked as if WMA would not have their way with the public's woodlands, but recently the state's highest court ruled in WMA's favor. The Sierra Club will continue its court battle, but in the event they lose the legal struggle Mass Earth First! has sent out a Call to Action. For further updates stay tuned to the WMass IMC Newswire or contact Mass Earth First! at: takeaction2001-AT-hotmail.com

The EF! action base camp is now open. Please contact us for more info.

See also:
www.sierraclubmass.org/issues/mt_wachusett/main.html
wmass.indymedia.org/media/environment/display/395/index.php