[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 9, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15759-15760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8777]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service


Alta Ski Lifts, UT; Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact 
statement on Alta Ski Lifts proposed master plan update.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received 
in writing by May 7, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Michael Sieg, District Ranger, 6944 
South 3000 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rob Cruz, District Environmental Coordinator, (801) 943-2667.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Alta Ski Lifts, a ``Special Use Permit'' 
permittee is proposing to update its master plan. Much of the resort's 
permitted boundary lies on National Forest System Land. This proposal 
includes the following elements; modify the Blitz run to provide a path 
for intermediate skiers to enter Main Street from the current top 
terminal of the Collins Chair Lift; replace the Sunnyside and Albion 
lifts and add a new rope tow east of the Wildcat Ticket Office; modify 
parts of the Devil's Elbow, Roller Coaster, and Crooked Mile runs; and 
add additional snowmaking capacity which would include a four million 
gallon reservoir system.
    The proposal also includes; remodeling the Albion Day Lodge, Albion 
Ticket Office and the General Office building; replacing Watson 
Shelter; constructing two new generator buildings, one on the end of 
the existing maintenance building and the other near the bottom 
terminal of the Supreme Chairlift; relocating the Germania ski patrol 
building; remodeling both the Albion and Supreme Patrol buildings, and 
widening the upper Grizzly parking lot to recapture 28 parking slots 
lost to mass transit over the last decade. A complete description of 
the proposal and its elements is available from the Salt Lake Ranger 
District.
    In addition to obtaining a new Ski Area Term Special Use Permit 
from the Forest Service, Alta will also be required to obtain a 
Department of Army 404 permit from the Army Corps of Engineers and 
consult with the Environmental Protection Agency. They will also be 
required to obtain an amendment of water supply permit agreement from 
Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities and a Water Change 
Application from the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of 
Water Rights, State Engineer.
    A scoping document was sent to over 600 individuals, organizations 
and government agencies on September 24, 1993, detailing Alta's 
proposal for the next planning period. An additional scoping document 
has been sent to over 625 individuals, organizations and local and 
state government agencies explaining the decision to conduct an 
environmental impact statement, and soliciting additional comments. 
Preliminary issues identified by the interdisciplinary team include 
effects on visual quality, effects on run quality, effects on wetland 
and riparian areas, effects on water quality and quantity, effects on 
vegetation, effects on fish and wildlife, effects on traffic and 
parking in Little Cottonwood Canyon and effects on threatened, 
endangered and sensitive species. Four preliminary alternatives have 
been identified. The proposed action which would permit the 
aforementioned projects and require Alta to convert to a new Ski Area 
Term Special Use Permit. An alternative which would protect the unique 
quantities of Albion basin. No Action which would continue the use as 
currently permitted with no new improvements and an alternative that 
would maximize improvements without creating significant environmental 
effects.
    The public is invited to submit comments or suggestions to the 
address above. Comments received from individuals, groups and 
government agencies received from the September 1993 scoping will be 
incorporated into this analysis. The responsible official is Bernie 
Weingardt, Forest Supervisor. A draft EIS is expected to be filed in 
August 1996 and the final EIS filed in January 1997.
    The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement will 
be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency's notice 
of availability appears in the Federal Register. It is very important 
that those interested in this proposed action participate at that time. 
To be the most helpful, comments on the draft environmental impact 
statement should be as specific as possible and may address the 
adequacy of the statement or the merits of the alternatives discussed 
(see The Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing 
the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 
40 CFR 1503.3).
    In addition, Federal court decisions have established that 
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 reviewers' position and 
contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 
533 (1978). Environmental objections that could have been raised at the 
draft stage may be waived if not raised until after completion of the 
final environmental impact statement. City of Angoon v. Hodel, (9th 
Circuit, 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 
1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). The reason for this is to ensure that 
substantive comments and objections are made available to the Forest 
Service

[[Page 15760]]
at a time when it can meaningfully consider them and respond to them in 
the final.

    Dated: March 29,1996.
Robert A. Cruz,
District Environmental Coordinator.
[FR Doc. 96-8777 Filed 4-8-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M