[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 144 (Thursday, July 25, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38709-38710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18876]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Solitude Ski Resort Master Development Plan Update, Wasatch-Cache 
National Forest, Salt Lake Ranger District, Salt Lake County, Utah

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
(EIS).

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

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received 
in writing by August 23, 1996.

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

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Solitude in proposing to update its Master 
Development Plan. Solitude's proposal, if approved, would require 
Forest Plan amendments to allow an increase in permit area boundary and 
parking capacity on National Forest System lands.
    Solitude proposes to improve their base facilities by replacing 
their outdated Main and Eagle Express lodges with two new buildings, 
which will house ski operations, skier services (restrooms, food 
service, day care, ski school and ski patrol) and a connected Salt Lake 
County Fire Station. They also propose to construct an addition to the 
existing Moonbeam Center day lodge to help alleviate overcrowded 
conditions.
    Solitude's proposed base area projects include the following: a 
landing pad for rescue helicopters, recreational vehicle hookups, 
expanding Moonbeam parking lot, upgrading base transportation and 
visitor circulation systems, a satellite and communications base 
station, and upgrading the snowmaking system (stream diversion points, 
a pump house and dredging Lake Solitude) to provide snowmaking capacity 
for 250 acres.
    Solitude is also proposing to upgrade its lift system by 
constructing two new double chairlifts and upgrading an existing lift 
to a high-speed detachable quad. They are also proposing numerous 
improvements to their trail system and a new trail near the Sunrise 
lift. Solitude is also proposing summertime recreation use improvements 
by upgrading its mountain bike trail system, constructing an alpine 
slide and building two regulation-size tennis courts.
    Additional information on the proposed actions is available through 
the Salt Lake Ranger District office. Before any decision is made on 
this proposal, Solitude must obtain the following: a water change 
application from the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of 
Water Rights, State Engineer; all applicable building permits from Salt 
Lake County; a 404 permit from the Army Corps of Engineers; and 
consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency.
    A scoping document, dated August 4, 1995, was sent to more than 540 
individuals, organizations, and local and state government agencies. 
Preliminary issues identified by a Forest Service interdisciplinary 
team include effects on riparian and wetland areas, visual quality, 
transportation, parking, wildlife and vegetation, soil erosion, and 
water quality and quantity in a culinary watershed. Two preliminary 
alternatives have been identified. The proposed action alternative 
would permit Solitude to implement all of its proposed upgrades and may 
require Solitude to convert to a new Ski Area Term Special Use Permit. 
The no action alternative would permit use as it presently exists with 
no new improvements.
    The public is invited to submit comments or suggestions to the 
address above. The responsible official is Bernie Weingardt, Forest 
Supervisor. A Draft EIS is expected to be filed in August of 1997 and 
the final EIS filed in November of 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 during that time. To be 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 the 
reviewers of the draft EIS must structure their participation in the 
environmental review of the proposal so that it is

[[Page 38710]]

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). 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 EIS.

    Dated: July 18, 1996.
Steven W. Scheid,
District Environmental Analyst.
[FR Doc. 96-18876 Filed 7-24-96; 8:45 am]
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