[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 4 (Thursday, January 6, 1994)]
[Notices]
[Pages 727-730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-407]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: January 6, 1994]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Environmental Impact Statement for the Mad River Water Withdrawal
and Sugarbush South Snowmaking and Trail Improvement Project; Green
Mountain National Forest; Towns of Warren and Fayston; Washington
County, VT
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
The Forest Service is the lead agency for preparing the
Environmental Impact Statement. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Department of Interior--Fish
and Wildlife Service are cooperating agencies.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service will
prepare a Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statement to determine
whether to authorize additional snowmaking capability and trail
improvements at the Sugarbush South Ski Area as proposed by Snowridge,
Inc. Authorization of the trail improvements and snowmaking would
implement a portion of the Master Development Plan for the Sugarbush
Valley Winter Sports Area, approved on July 14, 1983. The proposed use
and activities are consistent with the Land and Resource Management
Plan for the Green Mountain National Forest and the current Special Use
Permit for operation of the Sugarbush Ski Resort. Authorization would
require an amendment to the Master Development Plan for the Sugarbush
Valley Winter Sports Area so that the Master Development Plan
identifies the water source for snowmaking and the schedule for water
withdrawal. The Master Development Plan would also be amended to
accurately show the approved trail configuration and anticipated
development schedule.
Sugarbush is a winter sports complex operated by Snowridge, Inc.
and located on both private lands and National Forest System lands.
There are about 2,100 acres at Sugarbush South, the area where this
project is proposed. Of that 2,100 acres, about 1825 acres are National
Forest System lands.
The purpose of the actions proposed by Snowridge, Inc. is to
improve the quality of winter sports recreation opportunities at
Sugarbush South by installing snowmaking equipment and facilities that
would provide coverage over at least 70% of the ski trails, and by
constructing widening, and grading the trail system so that there is
improved skier traffic flow and safety. Improved trail design would
also offer a better mix of opportunities for novice, intermediate,
advanced, and expert skiers.
Additional snowmaking is needed because Sugarbush South currently
has snowmaking coverage on only 38% of the ski trails. Natural snowfall
is inconsistent and often inadequate during a typical Vermont winter.
Predictable snow coverage is needed if Sugarbush is to consistently
provide quality winter sports recreation opportunities, be attractive
to skiers, and remain competitive with other major ski areas in New
England. Increased snowmaking will also relieve skier traffic
congestion problems and improve skier safety by providing more
opportunities for skiers to disperse over many trails.
Trail widening is needed so that snow grooming equipment can be
used and to relieve ``bottle-necks'' where skiers merge. Trail
construction is needed to improve inter-connections among trails,
improve skier traffic flow, and increase the number of intermediate and
advanced trails so that the variety of skier experiences available is
better geared to families and groups made up of skiers with different
ability levels.
The proposed action is to: (1) Construct and operate a water
withdrawal facility on the Mad River including a removable weir, a
permanent Parshall flume and two intake structures; (2) Withdraw for
snowmaking use an estimated 300-420 million gallons of water per year
(the estimated average is 380 Million gallons per year) from the Mad
River under a schedule which will prohibit withdrawals that would
reduce flows to less than the February median flow rate (0.79 csm); (3)
Construct and operate a 13-acre water storage pond located adjacent to
the Mad River and having a capacity of approximately 55 to 60 million
gallons; (4) Construct and operate pumping facilities adjacent to the
water storage pond; (5) Construct a 15 foot wide, 1,800 foot long
gravel access road from Highway 100 to the pond site; (6) Construct and
operate about 3.3 miles of buried 16-inch pipeline to transport water
from the storage pond to the snowmaking facilities at Sugarbush South;
(7) Construct and operate a new snowmaking facility located in the
vicinity of the existing vehicle maintenance shop. This is a building
housing the pumps, compressors, and control system used for snowmaking;
(8) Install approximately 90,000 feet of buried pipelines and hydrants
along 24 trails at Sugarbush South and operate for snowmaking; (9) Use
water from the Mad River source and the existing source on Clay Brook
for snowmaking on an additional 157 acres of ski trails; and (10) Widen
24 trails, widen 2 lift lines, construct 6 new trails, and grade
several existing trails. Total widening and trail construction will add
100 acres of skiable terrain.
Both the Forest Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have
decisions to make with respect to the proposal. The Forest Service must
decide whether to authorize the project under the Special Use Permit
and whether to approve amendments to the Master Development Plan for
the Sugarbush Valley Winter Sports Area. The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers must make a decision as to whether to issue a permit under
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act to authorize the Mad River water
withdrawal structures, holding pond, access road and fill.
The purpose of the Environmental Impact Statement is to determine
the environmental effects of the proposed action and of any reasonable
alternatives actions that would also achieve the purpose and need while
addressing significant issues raised through public comment and agency
review.
The alternatives may include any combination of feasible water
withdrawal sources; water storage sites; and water withdrawal schedules
on source rivers or brooks as long as those alternatives would achieve
the purpose and need for this proposal while addressing significant
issues that are identified during the analysis. Alternatives may
include different trail configurations if significant concerns are
raised about the trail improvements being proposed. The analysis will
include a discussion of cumulative effects of all water withdrawals in
the area affected by this proposal, including the current withdrawal at
Clay Brook, the proposed withdrawal on Mad River, and any alternative
water withdrawals that are identified.
This Environmental Impact Statement and analysis will not
reconsider the overall development plans for the Sugarbush Valley
Winter Sports Areas as described in the Master Development Plan
approved on July 14, 1983. Forest Supervisor Terry Hoffman completed a
review of that Master Development Plan on September 30, 1993. The
Forest Supervisor determined that there is no need to change the
overall development plan or supplement the 1983 Environmental Impact
Statement that was prepared in support of that Plan, except for
specific amendments to the Master Development Plan associated with the
proposal from Snowridge Inc. to use the Mad River as a water source for
snowmaking, increase the volume of water used for snowmaking, and
revise the trail map (or the alternative to this proposal as selected
by the Forest Service). Those specific amendments are the focus and
scope of the Environmental Impact Statement that will be prepared.
The purpose of this Notice is to inform you that the Forest
Service, with assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers is
soliciting your comments and concerns about this proposed action.
The environmental analysis and decision-making process will include
opportunities for public participation and comment so that people
interested in this proposal may contribute to the final decision.
The Forest Service will host an open house to be held at the
Waitsfield Elementary School, Waitsfield, Vermont, from 6:00 PM to 8:00
PM on Monday January 24, 1994. The purpose of this open house is to
discuss and answer questions about the project proposal, the analysis
process that will be conducted by the Forest Service and cooperating
agencies, and the ways that people can best participate in the analysis
and decision-making process.
Public participation will be welcome throughout the analysis, but
is especially important at two points. The first point is during the
scoping process (40 CFR 1501.7). The agency is now seeking written
comments and suggestions on the scope of the analysis. Comments
relevant to scoping include: (1) identifying potential issues, (2)
identifying those issues to be analyzed in depth, (3) eliminating
insignificant issues or those which have been covered by a previous
environmental analysis, (4) identifying additional alternatives to the
proposed action that should be considered, (5) identifying potential
environmental effects of the proposed action and alternatives, and (6)
determining task assignments among the lead and cooperating agencies.
General notice to the public concerning the scope of the analysis will
be provided by mailings, news releases and/or public meetings. The
second point when public participation is most important is during the
public comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
DATES: Comments related to the scope of the analysis should be received
by February 18, 1994 to ensure timely consideration.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments and suggestions related to the scope
of analysis to Terry Hoffman, Forest Supervisor, Green Mountain
National Forest, 231 N. Main Street, Rutland, VT 05701.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Direct questions about the proposed action and EIS to Sam Emmons, Green
Mountain National Forest, 231 N. Main Street, Rutland, VT 05701, (phone
802-747-6757).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sugarbush is a winter sports area which has
operated by Special Use Permit since 1958 on National Forest System
lands administered by the Green Mountain National Forest. Most of the
base lodge facilities are on provide lands, but some of the base
facilities and many of the lifts and trails are located on National
Forest System lands. Sugarbush encompasses about 6,000 acres, of which
a little over 1,825 acres are on National Forest System lands at
Sugarbush South (about 30%).
Sugarbush operates in accordance with the Master Development Plan
for the Sugarbush Valley Winter Sports Area, which was approved by the
Forest Service on July 14, 1983. Specific operations on National Forest
System lands are authorized under a Special Use Permit issued by the
Forest Service on December 9, 1988.
The proposed action is consistent with the long-range goals for
this area as defined in the Land and Resource Management Plan for the
Green Mountain National Forest. That Forest Plan was approved on
January 15, 1987. Under that Forest Plan, the area encompassed by the
Suguarbush Ski Area is assigned to management under prescription 7.1A.
This management prescription emphasizes highly developed areas,
including downhill ski areas. The purpose of prescription 7.1A is to
provide opportunities for recreation requiring highly developed
structures and facilities, maintain a visually appealing landscape, and
manage for other resources and uses in a compatible way. The Forest
Service does not anticipate the need for any amendments to the Land and
Resource Management Plan as a result of this snowmaking proposal.
On September 30, 1993, the Forest Service completed a review of an
Environmental Impact Statement completed in 1983 and the Master
Development Plan which was approved based on that Environmental Impact
Statement. Based on that review, the Forest Supervisor determined that
there was no need to supplement the 1983 Environmental Impact Statement
or revise the Master Development Plan except for amendments to the
Master Development Plan that may result from the analysis of the Mad
River water withdrawal proposal.
Four amendments to the Master Development Plan would likely be
required if the project proposal is approved: (1) Identify the Mad
River as a source of water for snowmaking; (2) Identify the anticipated
schedules and volumes for water withdrawal and any restrictions or
requirements related to snowmaking water withdrawal; (3) Revise the
Master Development Plan trails map so that it accurately displays the
approved trail configuration for Sugarbush South; and (4) Update the
Development Schedule (Appendix C in the Master Development Plan) so
that it shows current estimates of completion dates for each phase of
the previously approved development at Sugarbush.
The proposed snowmaking facilities, trail widening, construction,
and improvement, and the actual snowmaking itself, would be located on
National Forest System land operated under special use permit. Approval
of these actions which would occur on National Forest System lands
requires Forest Service authorization under the Special Use Permit.
The Department of the Army permit program is authorized by section
10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, section 404 of the Clean
Water Act, and section 103 of the Marine Protection Research and
Sanctuaries Act. These laws require permits authorizing activities in
or affecting navigable waters of the United States, the discharge of
dredged or fill materials into waters of the United States, and the
transportation of dredged material for the purpose of dumping it into
ocean waters. The Corps must make a decision as to whether to issue a
section 404 permit for activities associated with the Mad River water
withdrawal. These activities include water withdrawal structures,
holding pond, access road, and fill. The proposed water withdrawal
site, storage pond, access road and most of the pipeline to the
snowmaking facility would be located on private lands.
Several permits, certificates, or authorizations through the review
processes established for the State of Vermont are also required to
implement the proposed action. The District Environmental Commission
must issue permits under the State of Vermont's Act 250 for various
phases of the project. A 401 Certificate must be issued by the State
Division of Water Quality. A Dam Permit must be issued by the State
Agency of Natural Resources. At this time, all permits or
authorizations required by the State of Vermont have been granted,
except for one Act 250 permit to approve the trial improvements.
Until a Record of Decision based on this EIS is issued, the
Sugarbush Ski Area will continue to be managed according to the terms
and conditions of the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Green
Mountain National Forest, the Master Development Plan for the Sugarbush
Valley Winter Sports Area, and the Special Use Permit.
A range of reasonable alternatives to the proposed action will be
considered in the analysis. Reasonable alternatives are those which
fulfill the purpose and need for the proposals and address significant
issues that are identified during the scoping process. The analysis may
include an evaluation of feasible alternative water sources or storage
sites which could be used either separately or in combination to meet
snowmaking objectives while reducing or avoiding impacts to the aquatic
environment. Only one specific alternative to the proposed action has
been identified at this time. That is the ``no action'' alternative. If
the ``no action'' alternative were selected, the proposed project would
not take place at this time. Other alternatives will be developed based
on the results of scoping.
The analysis will address major issues and concerns about the
proposed action and alternatives and will disclose the direct and
indirect impacts related to those issues. The following tentative
issues have been identified: (1) Impacts to wetlands and floodplains;
(2) Impacts to waterways; (3) Impacts to cultural resource; (4) Impacts
to streams from increased snowpack and runoff; (5) Impacts to
fisheries; (6) Effect on the suitability of the Mad River for inclusion
in the national system of Wild and Scenic Rivers; (7) Effect on
recreation opportunities, specifically skiing and winter sports at
Sugarbush South; (8) Effects on visual quality, and (9) Impacts to the
local economy.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected to be filed
with the Environmental Protection Agency and to be available for public
review in the summer of 1994. At that time, the Environmental
Protection Agency will publish a Notice of Availability in the Federal
Register.
The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement will
be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes
the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register.
The Forest Service believes it is important to give reviewers
notice at this early stage of several court rulings related to public
participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of
draft environmental impact statements must structure their
participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is
meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewer's position and
contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519,
553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the
draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised
until after completion of the final environmental impact statement may
be waived or dismissed by the courts. Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v.
Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these
court rulings, it is very important that those interested in this
proposed action participate by the close of the 45-day comment period
so that substantive comments and objections are made available to the
Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully consider them and
respond to them in the final environmental impact statement.
To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues
and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft
environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible. It is
also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the
draft statement. Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft
environmental impact statement or the merits of the alternatives
formulated and discussed in the statement. Reviewers may wish to refer
to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing
the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at
40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.
After the comment period ends on the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement, the comments will be analyzed and considered by the agency
in preparing the Final Environmental Impact Statement.
The Final Environmental Impact Statement is scheduled to be
completed and available to the public approximately 5 months following
the close of the review period for the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement. The responsible Forest Service official will document the
decision and the reasons supporting it in a Record of Decision. That
decision will be subject to appeal pursuant to 36 CFR part 215.
A separate decision will be made by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers concerning the issuance of permits under section 404 of the
Clean Water Act.
The Forest Service official responsible for approving the proposed
action is Terry Hoffman, Forest Supervisor, Green Mountain National
Forest, 231 North Main Street, Rutland, VT 05701.
Dated: December 21, 1993.
Terry W. Hoffman,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 94-407 Filed 1-5-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M