USFS Avalanche Center Costs

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US Avalanche Center Funding Information & Comparison

Related: CSAC Avalanche Center Budget Information

Last Updated Spring of 2006

Overview - Graphs - Table - Summary

Overview

The following charts and Table show the budgets for the largest avalanche centers in the US for the past thirteen seasons. This information comes from the annual reports of the centers. Copies of these reports may be obtained from the centers directly, online for the most recent ones. In some cases they were reluctant to provide one but a winter recreation or public relations ranger would sometimes send a copy. In a few cases, primarily the NWAC in Seattle, it was necessary to obtain copies by writing to senators or congressmen. In the case of Colorado the full annual reports had to be purchased from the state Geological Survey.

Many areas are not included for one reason or another. There is a center for Sun Valley but no annual reports have ever been requested and no financial information is available. In several regions avalanche conditions are made available by "snow rangers" as one of their many duties (often under several titles). In Northern Idaho and in the Missoula area weekly advisories are issued prior to winter weekends. In New Hampshire bulletins are issued as needed, up to daily, by forest rangers although there does not appear to be any actual center requiring unique funding or staff.

In California there was a bulletin for the Eastern Sierra issued as needed, depending on conditions and changes, by the Bardini Foundation until the 2005-06 season. This was done on a volunteer basis at no cost to the public.It was begun by John Moynier and continued by Tim Villanueva. Distribution was through the CSAC via e-mail lists and web posting. As of the 2005-2006 season there is a more formal center which receives all overhead requirements from the Forest Service and is aggressively fundraising to pay a forecaster for their time in the field skiing and for the writing of the bulletin.

In Oregon there has been some spring climbing season information made available through the Oregon Mountaineering Association at no public expense, much like the former Bardini Foundation efforts in California. The Oregon reports are very sporadic since there is no financial support, no volunteers beyond a single person, and little use of the report. Nonetheless it very accurately forecast conditions which existed during a serious accident in May of 2005 on the North Sister, even discussing the particular climbing route as probably being hazardous.

For purposes of comparison the annual budget of the CSAC Avalanche Center is pretty constant from year to year at about $20,000. We receive no in-kind support, rely on donated time in the absence of any payroll, and are a non-profit reliant on private contributions and store sales.

The figures for Utah are for the central Wasatch operation in Salt Lake City. Their annual reports break down the costs by operation (including Moab and Logan), and anyone wanting that level of information can obtain their reports. The Colorado figures exclude a CDOT contract for specified services (which in the 97-98 season was about $240,000). While this helps the backcountry forecasting considerably with the extra information it brings in the funding is for specific services to CDOT. All figures exclude"in-kind" support which is listed separately in most reports and has been subtracted where it was included in the budget figures. The in-kind support can often be very significant - in most cases it includes the office space used, utilities, computing equipment, government motor-pool access and more.

Graphs

Table

Operating Budget of the major US avalanche centers in thousands of dollars, excluding in-kind support such as office space, etc. The CAIC figures exclude a large amount from a contract with the Dept of Transportation which is specifically for services to them. NWAC is Seattle; UAFC is Utah, state-wide; CAIC is Colorado, state-wide and a state agency, GNF is the Bozeman Montana region.

GCAC is the locally organized center in northwestern Montana, near Glacier Park. They issue a bulletin twice a week (but will issue special ones if changes warrant it), all the others included have daily bulletins. However, the GCAC has a very significant educational and outreach component.

Summary

This information is just a quick overview of how much various government-run centers spend on their avalanche safety work. One should not draw too many conclusions without further considerations. The number of fatalities varies among the areas, as does the number of people exposed to the hazard. The nature of the daily advisories varies widely from informal and educational to rather bureaucratic sounding. And the amount and type of educational outreach varies, which may be a more effective measure than advisories for a less-educated population less prepared to evaluate the risks and choices on their own.

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