This is a well-written and engaging book, and for someone interested in the topic, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. That being said, my own lack of familiarity with California and with ski resorts made it difficult for me to stay engaged reading it. For someone who knows the area, I imagine it would be rather fascinating.

Sierra Club v. Morton was an important case on the issue of standing. The issue in this case was whether the Sierra Club had a sufficient stake or sufficient injury to bring about an environmental law suit. The doctrine of standing ensures that courts will only decide cases brought by individuals with a sufficient stake/harm in a dispute to vigorously litigate it. Traditionally, the harm that would support a plaintiff's standing to sue was economic injury. In 1970, the Supreme Court expanded standing to include noneconomic standing such as aesthetic, conservational and recreational injury. However, the damage still had to be done to individuals personally. The Sierra Club tried to argue that standing should be expanded to include anyone who had a bona fide special interest in the case. The Supreme Court held that broadening the categories of injury that may be alleged in support of standing is a different matter from abandoning the requirement that the party seeking review must himself have suffered an injury." in the outcome of an issue.