[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 19, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2873-2874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1071]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Mt. Ashland Ski Area, Rogue River National Forest, Jackson County, 
Oregon

ACTION: Notice of intent to supplement a final environmental impact 
statement.

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SUMMARY: The USDA, Forest Service will prepare a supplement to the 
final environmental impact statement (SEIS) for the Mt. Ashland Ski 
Area (MASA) on the Rogue River National Forest. The final EIS and 
Record of Decision (ROD) for the MASA were released in July 1991. This 
decision established a programmatic Master Plan for future ski area 
expansion. In March, 1998, the Mt. Ashland Association (MAA) submitted 
a proposal to the Forest Service (based, on the Master Plan) to 
implement a variety of ski area facility improvements within the MASA. 
The Association leases the operation from the City of Ashland, holder 
of a Forest Service Special Use Permit for the MASA. As identified in

[[Page 2874]]

the 1991 final EIS and ROD, the primary purpose for implementing the 
proposed improvements is to enhance the economic viability of the MASA. 
The primary need is for additional intermediate and low intermediate 
skiing terrain, with an overall goal to provide a high quality 
recreation experience.
    The Forest Service gives notice of the full supplemental analysis 
and decision-making process so that interested and affected peoples are 
made aware as to how they may participate and contribute to this 
supplemental analysis and decision.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of this supplemental analysis 
should be received by February 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comment sot Linda Duffy, District Ranger, 
Ashland Ranger District, Rogue River National Forest, 645 Washington 
Street, Ashland, Oregon, 97520.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Duffy or Steve Johnson, Ashland 
Ranger District, Rogue River National Forest, 645 Washington Street, 
Ashland, Oregon, 97520, Telephone (541) 482-3333; FAX (541) 858-2402; 
email address is sjohnson/[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Scoping for these proposed improvements was 
initiated on March 18, 1998. The intent at that time was to process a 
site-specific project proposal, tiering to the programmatic Master 
Plan, with an environmental assessment (EA) and Decision Notice. 
Preparation of an EA would have fulfilled the direction within this ROD 
to complete site-specific environmental analysis prior to project 
implementation approved conceptually in the final EIS and ROD. Since 
last March, numerous letters from groups and individuals were received. 
Four public field trips to the project area and two public meetings 
were held in regards to the ski area proposal. There were also numerous 
discussions with Forest Service interdisciplinary resource specialists. 
This dialogue, both internal and external, has led the Responsible 
Official to decide to prepare a Supplement to the final EIS. The 
decision to now proceed with an SEIS will include analysis and 
disclosure of several proposed actions: consideration of new 
information or changed circumstances associated with the programmatic 
decision on the ``Master Plan'' made in 1991; a Forest Plan Amendment 
to adjust the management allocation boundary from the 1990 Rogue River 
National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan to that associated 
with the 1991 Record of Decision for the MASA; as well as a site 
specific project analysis based on a current proposal to develop a 
portion of the Master Plan. The Supplement to the 1991 FEIS will focus 
on those aspects that are now changed or different or are in need of an 
update or correction, in relation to the selected alternative as 
documented in the 1991 ROD.
    The MAA site-specific proposal includes: construction for a new 
chairlift and associated ski runs within the western portion of the 
Special Use Permit area; an additional skier service building; a 
surface lift providing novice skier access to the proposed runs; 
additional parking areas; maintenance access via primitive roads; and 
necessary supporting infrastructure items such as sewer, water and 
power lines. All proposed projects are within the existing Special Use 
Permit area boundary. The legal location description for all actions is 
T.40 S., R. 1 E., in sections 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, and 22, W.M., Jackson 
County, Oregon.
    The Supplement will not re-open the decision for expansion based on 
the Master Plan that has already been made. The significant issues and 
alternatives associated with this analysis process are expected to 
primarily be associated with the current site-specific project proposal 
to expand and develop a portion of this Master Plan. Preliminary issues 
include: water quality within a domestic supply watershed; maintenance 
of habitat for an anadromous fishery; protection of wetland habitats 
and rare plant and animal species; aesthetics and social 
considerations; and the economic feasibility associated with the 
operation and expansion of a commercial ski area. Preliminary 
alternatives include options to avoid or reduce impacts to wetland 
areas and alternative locations for parking and other proposed ski area 
facilities.
    The supplement will be prepared and circulated in the same manner 
as the draft and final EIS (40 CFR 1502.9). Comments received on the 
draft supplemental EIS will be considered in the preparation of the 
final supplement. The draft SEIS is expected to be filed with the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to be available for public 
review by may 1999. The comment period on the draft SEIS will be 45 
days from the date the EPA publishes the notice of availability in the 
Federal Register.
    The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important 
to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public 
participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of 
the draft 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 SEIS stage but that are not raised 
until after completion of the final SEIS may be waived or dismissed by 
the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 
1986) and 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 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 SEIS.
    To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues 
and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft SEIS 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 SEIS 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.
    At the end of the comment period on the draft SEIS, comments will 
be analyzed and considered by the Forest Service in preparing the final 
SEIS. The final supplement is scheduled to be completed by August 1999.
    The Responsible Official will consider the comments, responses, 
environmental consequences discussed in the final SEIS, and applicable 
laws, regulations, and policies. The Responsible Official will document 
the decision in a Record of Decision. The Forest Service decision will 
be subject to Forest Service appeal regulations at 36 CFR part 215.

    Dated: January 8, 1999.
James T. Gladen,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 99-1071 Filed 1-15-99; 8:45 am]
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