[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 223 (Wednesday, November 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61726-61727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30326]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Expansion of the Bill Williams Ski Area
AGENCY: Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
for the Expansion of the Bill Williams Mountain Ski Area.
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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service
(USDA, FS), Region 3, Kaibab National Forest, announces its intent to
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to Sec.
102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Quality requestions for
implementing NEPA. This Environmental Impact Statement will evaluate
potential impacts from expanding the Bill Williams Mountain Ski area,
Coconino County, Arizona. The USDA, FS invites the general public,
local governments, Indian tribes, other Federal agencies, and states to
submit written comments or suggestions concerning the scope of the
issues to be addressed, alternatives to be analyzed, and the
environmental impacts and cultural impacts to be addressed in the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The public is invited to
participate in scoping activities including an open house in which
comments and suggestions will be received. Oral and written comments
will be considered equally in preparation of the DEIS.
DATES: All comments must be received or postmarked by December 22,
1997, to be considered in the preparation of the DEIS. To the extent
practicable, the USDA, FS will consider comments received or postmarked
after the deadline. An open house will be conducted at the Williams
Holiday Inn (950 N. Grand Canyon Blvd., Williams, AZ) on December 4,
1997, between 4:30 and 8:00 P.M. The date, time, and specific location
of the scoping meeting will be announced at least 15 days before the
meeting in the local media.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please direct written comments/
suggestions on the scope of the DEIS or questions concerning the
project to: Teri Cleeland at USDA, FS Williams/Chalendar Ranger
District, 501 W. Route 66, Williams, AZ 86046, 520/635-2676 or Dave
Brewer at Kaibab National Forest, 800 S. 6th St., Williams, AZ 86046,
520/635-8331.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need: The proposed ski expansion area is located in the
Kaibab National Forest approximately four miles south of Williams,
Arizona on Bill Williams Mountain. A comparison of the existing and
desired conditions for this management area outlined in the Kaibab
National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan indicates a need to
improve not only the existing ski facilities but also expand on the 16
acres of the skiable terrain to promote a quality alpine skiing
experience. The current vertical drop, ski run length, and ski run
configuration do not provide for a good cross-section for the various
experience levels of skiers. Provision of higher elevation runs and
snowmaking will increase the season of use through enhanced snow cover
on runs.
The proposed expansion of the Bill Williams Ski Area will satisfy
the following needs:
--improve the quality of recreation experience in the Williams area,
--diversify the local economic base for the City of Williams
--increase skier capacity to accommodate unmet skier demand in the
region,
--provide better and more consistent skiing conditions by increasing
reliability of skiable snow cover, particularly at the beginning of the
season when skiing is frequently delayed,
--encourage efficient use of facilities by expanding use into the
summer months,
--satisfy Forest Service management objective (see below).
The expansion of the Bill Williams Ski Area will meet the following
Forest Service management objectives:
--It is Forest Service policy to provide, under special-use
authorization, suitable facilities and services that supplement or
complement those provided by the private sector on private lands on
National Forest System land to meet public needs. In addition, it is
Forest Service policy to facilitate the use, enjoyment, and
appreciation of the National Forests in a natural resource setting (FSM
2340.2).
--Update and modify the previous approved Environmental Impact
Statement which authorized a new ski area on the north slopes of Bill
Williams Mountain (USDA-Kaibab National Forest 1986).
--To provide a diversity of recreation activities that emphasize the
forest setting and rustic, natural resource based recreation
opportunities (FSM 2343.02).
Decision to be Made: Based on public response to the DEIS, a
decision will be made regarding expansion of the Bill Williams Ski
Area. Possible decisions include the following: 1.) implement the
proposed action as defined; 2.) take no action at all; or 3.) take
action to some other degree, based on issues generated through public
scoping.
Proposed Action: The USDA--Kaibab National Forest, proposes to
authorize Alpine Recreation Company LLC., to incorporate the existing
Bill Williams ski area and construct, operate, and maintain an
expansion of current facilities. Under the proposed action, the skiable
terrain would increase from 16.4 acres to 62.6 acres. The total number
of skiers that could be
[[Page 61727]]
accommodated at one time would increase from 250 to 1,130.
Specific expansions proposed by Alpine Recreation include the
following: additional ski runs (43 acres); a triple chair lift
(approximately 5,600 feet in length); three new handle tows (ranging
from 400 to 600 feet in length); a maintenance building (2,400 square
feet); construction of a new Top Vista Lodge with composting restrooms
(800 square feet); new parking facilities (75,000 square feet);
construction of a new bases lodge (4,600 square feet) with additional
outside deck seating (2,500 square feet); three new water impoundments
(capacity of 24 acre-feet); infrastructure for snowmaking (2,000
subsurface distribution system for snowmaking on 7 acres); a new septic
system; a summer trail which would generally follow runs 18, 18A, 12
and 7; a picnic area along the edge of run 12; implementation of a sky
ride program during the summer recreation period; and expansion of the
permit area from the current 37 acres to approximately 200 acres.
Preliminary Identification of Environmental and Cultural Issues:
The USDA, FS has identified the following preliminary issues for
analysis for alternative actions in the DEIS. Additional issues may be
identified as a result of the scoping process. Issues include impacts
of the action alternatives on:
--Water quality and quantity,
--Water rights,
--Soil erosion and disturbance,
--Threatened, endangered, and sensitive species and their habitat,
--Visual quality,
--Fire occurrence,
--Cultural resources,
--Traditional uses of the area by American Indians,
--Rights of American Indians for which the area has religious and
cultural significance,
--Socioeconomic resources of local communities,
--Demand for additional skiing facilities in Northern Arizona.
Cooperating Agencies and Groups Involved in the Preparation of the
DEIS: United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Region 3,
Kaibab National Forest; Alpine Research Company, LLC., and SWCA, Inc.,
Environmental Consultants.
Dated: November 12, 1997.
Bruce J. Higgins,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 97-30326 Filed 11-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M