[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 14, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77826-77827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31235]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


White River National Forest; Eagle County, CO; Beaver Creek 
Mountain Improvements

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The White River National Forest is preparing an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) to consider and disclose the anticipated 
environmental effects of implementing projects from Beaver Creek 
Resort's 2010 Master Development Plan (MIDP). These projects are 
designed to enhance and sustain Beaver Creek's ability to provide a 
world class venue for Alpine ski events--a key goal of the MDP.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by January 28, 2011. The draft environmental impact statement is 
expected to be available for public review in August 2011 and the final 
environmental impact statement is expected in the winter of 2011.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Scott Fitzwilliams, Forest 
Supervisor, c/o Don Dressier, Winter Sports Administrator, White River 
National Forest, PO Box 190, Minturn, CO 81645; FAX (970) 945-9343 or 
by e-mail to: [email protected]. Include ``Beaver Creek 
Mountain Improvements'' in the subject line. The scoping notice and map 
can be reviewed/downloaded at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver under 
``Land & Resources Management'' and ``Projects.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information related to the 
proposed project can be obtained from: Don Dressier, Winter Sports 
Administrator, Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District, 24747 U.S. Highway 24, 
PO Box 190, Minturn, Colorado 81645. Mr. Dressier can be reached by 
phone at (970) 827-5157 or by e-mail at [email protected]. 
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may 
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Purpose and Need for Action: The project primarily focuses on the 
actions necessary for Beaver Creek to host Alpine ski racing events. 
However, some elements of the Proposed Action are also designed to 
enable the resort to respond to on-going infrastructural and guest 
service needs that are not specifically related to Alpine ski racing. 
These projects were identified in Beaver Creek's MDP, and are proposed 
to address the following resort goals and objectives:

--Update mountain facilities and infrastructure in order to provide the 
highest quality guest experience possible;
--Update mountain facilities and infrastructure related to ski racing 
to continue to provide world class venues for Alpine events; and
--Update guest services across the resort to respond to the needs and 
demands of Beaver Creek's market.

    Beaver Creek has earned the opportunity to host the upcoming 2015 
World Alpine Championships. In order for Beaver Creek to continue to 
host international Alpine race events (including, but not limited to 
the 2015 World Alpine Championships) and provide the highest quality 
experience for the large number of attendees and

[[Page 77827]]

spectators, a number of infrastructure projects and improvements are 
necessary. Beaver Creek and Vail Mountain hosted the 1989 and 1999 
World Alpine Ski Championships, and Beaver Creek has maintained 
continued involvement in the World Cup race circuit. Currently, the 
only men's World Cup race venue used annually in the United States is 
located at Beaver Creek. Hosting the 2015 International Skiing 
Federation (FIS) World Alpine Ski Championships is a unique opportunity 
to increase the awareness and participation in the sports of skiing and 
snowboarding; however, the FIS requires separate venues for men's and 
women's Alpine events, which Beaver Creek currently does not offer.
    The project's Purpose and Need falls into four general categories: 
Trails (Terrain and Snowmaking), Racecourse Finish Area, Red Tail Camp 
Restaurant, and Infrastructure.
    Proposed Action: All proposed projects are within Beaver Creek's 
existing special use permit (SUP) boundary, which is administered by 
the White National Forest. The proposed action includes:

--A new women's downhill course that would be served by the Birds of 
Prey Express chairlift. The women's downhill course would require 
vegetation removal and grading, as well as replacement/installation of 
snowmaking infrastructure.
--A new women's giant slalom course on Grouse Mountain. The women's 
giant slalom course would require trail widening and upgrading existing 
snowmaking infrastructure.
--Trail widening and re-grading along the existing men's Birds of Prey 
downhill course.
--A new access trail between the Centennial and Goshawk trails that 
would enable event spectators to reach the middle portion of the men's 
and women's downhill courses. An existing utility corridor is also 
proposed to be widened near the Dally catwalk to improve skier/rider 
circulation.
--Approximately 10.5 acres of re-grading in the Red Tail Camp area (the 
finish area for the existing men's downhill course as well as the 
proposed women's downhill and giant slalom courses). This includes 
realigning and culverting a segment of Westfall Creek, relocating 
existing utility lines, and expanding the existing TV compound to 
accommodate current and future media needs.
--Relocating and expanding the existing Red Tail Camp facility, and 
increasing indoor/outdoor seating. This is within the 10.5 acres of 
area proposed to be re-graded.
--Installing a 24x36' storage facility west of the top terminal of the 
Birds of Prey Express chairlift.
--Constructing a new 150,000-gallon water tank and pump station on the 
edge of the Paint Brush trail.
--Installing/upgrading water and sewer lines in the Red Tail Camp 
vicinity.

    Responsible Official: The responsible official is Scott 
Fitzwilliams, Forest Supervisor for the White River National Forest.
    Nature of Decision to be Made: Based on the analysis that will be 
documented in the forthcoming EIS, the responsible official will decide 
whether or not to implement, in whole or in part, the proposed action 
or another alternative that may be developed by the Forest Service as a 
result of scoping.
    Scoping Process: This notice of intent initiates the scoping 
process, which guides the development of the environmental impact 
statement. The Forest Service is soliciting comments from Federal, 
State and local agencies and other individuals or organizations that 
may be interested in or affected by implementation of the proposed 
projects. Public questions and comments regarding this proposal are an 
integral part of this environmental analysis process. Input provided by 
interested and/or affected individuals, organizations and governmental 
agencies will be used to identify resource issues that will be analyzed 
in the Draft EIS. The Forest Service will identify significant issues 
raised during the scoping process, and use them to formulate 
alternatives, prescribe mitigation measures and project design 
features, or analyze environmental effects.
    It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times 
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of 
the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be 
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly 
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record 
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be 
accepted and considered, however.

    Dated: December 6, 2010.
Scott G. Fitzwilliams,
Forest Supervisor, WRNF.
[FR Doc. 2010-31235 Filed 12-13-10; 8:45 am]
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