Senate Passes Bill To Explore Leasing Cannon Mountain

The Associated Press is reporting:

The New Hampshire Senate has approved exploring leasing ski operations to a private vendor at the

state-owned Cannon Mountain.

  The Senate voted by voice Wednesday to pass a bill requiring the Department of Resources and Economic Development to develop a master plan for Cannon Mountain and Franconia State Park.

     If passed, it must include plans for natural preservation, increasing park access and increasing revenue. The process would have to include a discussion about leasing Cannon's ski operations, and the department would have to make a plan for Cannon Mountain to become self-sufficient.

     The Senate has looked at leasing operation rights at the popular ski mountain to ensure consistent profitability.

     The bill also allows a veterans' memorial in Franconia State Park.

     The bill now goes to the House.