SE Group was retained as a third‐party contractor to prepare a new EIS for the White Pass Ski Area. The NEPA process was in its third controversial round due to long‐standing issues, since the 1984 Washington State Wilderness Bill removed Hogback Basin from Wilderness to be evaluated for ski terrain. Concurrent with the bill, the Forest Service inventoried the area as Roadless. SE Group’s analysis included delineation of streams and wetlands in the study area, vegetation and wildlife community mapping, habitat permeability analysis, flow and sediment modeling, as well as extensive evaluation of the human environment, including visuals, recreation, and socio‐economic effects. Given the previous appeals filed and the long‐standing controversial nature of the proposed action, the SE Group team coordinated the analysis with two Ranger districts on two National Forests, the Provincial Advisory Committee (PAC) and Region 6 Environmental Review Committee (ERC). The Record of Decision was issued on June 14, 2007 and five individuals and groups filed appeals to the Forest Service. On October 19, 2007, the Appeal Deciding Officer concluded that adequate consideration was given to the relevant, site‐specific issues raised in the appeal, and denied all 34 appeal points. The Appeal Review Team, stated that “this one has been the gift that will not go away” in describing the quality of the document and the administrative record. The appellants filed suit, and SE Group assisted the Forest Service and the Department of Justice in preparing the defense. And on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 – over 20 years after White Pass’ first attempt at project approval – the judge released his ruling in favor of White Pass and the Forest Service. As the judge stated in the opinion, “Plaintiffs raise a number of NEPA claims. None have merit.”