[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 9, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 36024]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17445]


 ========================================================================
 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
 appearing in this section.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 132 / Tuesday, July 9, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 36024]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS)

SUMMARY: The Salt Lake Ranger District, of the Wasatch-Cache National 
Forest, will prepare an EIS on Brighton Ski Resort's (Brighton) 
proposal to update their Master Development Plan.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received 
in writing by August 9, 1996.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Scheid, Environmental Analyst, (801) 943-9483.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Brighton is proposing to update their Master 
Development Plan. This update includes the following elements: upgrade 
the Snake Creek lift to a high-speed detachable Quad, construct a new 
transportation lift between Solitude Ski Resort and Brighton, modify 
existing ski trails, which include rock and stump removal and terrain 
grading, expand night skiing opportunities, construct new mid-mountain 
lodge at the base of the Snake Creek Lift, expand current snowmaking 
facilities, and expand the existing hiking and biking trail systems. A 
complete description of the proposal and its elements is available from 
the Salt Lake Ranger District.
    Brighton will 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. They will also be 
required to obtain all necessary building and construction permits from 
Salt Lake County.
    A scoping document has been sent to more than 600 individuals, 
organizations and government agencies, detailing Brighton's proposal 
for the next planning period. Preliminary issues identified by the 
interdisciplinary team include effects of the proposed action on: 
visual quality, run quality, year-round recreation experiences, wetland 
and riparian areas, water quality and quantity, vegetation, fish and 
wildlife, traffic and parking in Big Cottonwood Canyon, and threatened, 
endangered and sensitive species.
    Two preliminary alternatives have been identified: (1) the proposed 
action which would permit the aforementioned projects and require 
Brighton to convert to a new Ski Area Term Special Use Permit, and (2) 
the No Action alternative which would continue the use as currently 
permitted with no new improvements.
    The public is invited to submit comments or suggestions to the 
address above. This public comment period does not replace the initial 
public comment period. All comments received to date will be included 
in the EIS. We are seeking new issues, comments and suggestions. The 
responsible official is Bernie Weingardt, Forest Supervisor. A draft 
EIS is expected to be filed in May, 1997 and the final EIS filed in 
September 1997.
    The comment period on the draft EIS 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 EIS 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 EIS's must structure their participation in the 
environmental review of the proposal so that it is meaningful and 
alerts an agency to the reviews' 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 EIS. 
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 at a time when it can meaningfully 
consider them and respond to them in the final.

    Dated: July 2, 1996.
Steven W. Scheid,
District Environmental Analyst.
[FR Doc. 96-17445 Filed 7-8-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M