Should the NWAC be publicly funded?

Ski areas feed information to NWAC, but I've been present in the NWAC office when calls were coming in from ski areas demanding forecasts.  As far as I know, the ski areas contract with NWAC because they consider the information worth paying for.....unlike some who post here.

Why would pro patrollers/guides with Ski Operations Avalanche Forecasting certification who are out in the snow in their ski areas everyday doing stability testing and evaluation need NWAC's broad regional hazard forecasts from someone sitting at a desk 100 miles away who has most likely not been in the field in that area?

Some good points and all the more reason for it's continued existence and funding especially for the telemetry sites alone.

Do the ski areas pay for the forecasts and if so how much do they contribute?
Maybe they should cover the entire cost if the data is that valuable to them?? Why don't they?

Why should taxpayers money be used to subsidize a recreational pastime enjoyed by only a minority of the taxpayers.
I'm sure a lot of people would complain about taxpayer dollars being spent to fund a site that was used to give updates on road conditons, political unrest and checkpoints to avoid specifically tailored for motorcyclists that like to travel in exotic and primitive locales.

First off, Scotsman, thank you for starting a new thread, it is greatly appreciated.
I will write a thorough response to your points when I get a chance, might be a couple days. May interesting points worth discussing at length.

I'm willing to pay for it .... are you??

Secondly, Scotsman, I look forward to seeing you at the Snowball Auction, it is April 15, all proceeds benefit the efforts of NWAC and FOAC.
How is that for putting your money where you mouth is?  
Would you be willing to scare up enough people to fill a table? It is only 8 people at $65 a person. I can promise a good time, great auction items including snowmobile, cat, chairlift, skin track and helicopter assisted items. I'll be there with checkbook in hand. Will I see you there?

Aaron, I'm only reporting my personal experience (standing around in the NWAC office while Mark Moore took repeated calls from the Mt. Baker ski area demanding immediate information), his response to my question about what was going on, and my interpretation of that experience.

If you want more, I hope you find it. One way to look might be to invite NWAC participation in this thread or the other current one....although I can easily understand why they might not want to bother.

Mark

Who pays for the installation and upkeep of the snow plots a various ski areas? Is it NWAC or are they NWS? Or are they maintained by ski areas and other agencies? Does NWAC just host the information? Curious minds want to know.

Why should taxpayers money be used to subsidize a recreational pastime enjoyed by only a minority of the taxpayers.
I'm sure a lot of people would complain about taxpayer dollars being spent to fund a site that was used to give updates on road conditons, political unrest and checkpoints to avoid specifically taylored for motorcyclists that like to travel in exotic and primitive locales.

Taxpayer money is commonly spent in support of recreational pastimes which are enjoyed by only a minority of taxpayers, including pretty much any pastime you could name. If you object to this, you've got your work cut out for you....but as I said, this relates to a philosophy of what government and taxation are properly for. I've no interest in discussing that here, but maybe others would like to engage.

Mark