[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 26, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23273-23275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9869]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Bend/Ft. Rock Ranger District; Deschutes National Forest; 
Deschutes County, Oregon; Mt. Bachelor Ski Area Improvements Project 
EIS

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The USDA, Forest Service, will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) on a proposed action comprising a number of 
infrastructural improvements at Mt. Bachelor ski resort, 22 miles 
southwest of Bend, Oregon. The resort lies entirely on National Forest 
System land and has operated under a ski area special use permit (SUP) 
issued by the Deschutes National Forest (DNF) since 1958. The permit 
area is 8,122 acres.
    The projects include on-mountain improvements such as development 
of a new chairlift and associated trails, shortening and/or replacement 
of three existing lifts, expanding snowmaking coverage, construction of 
a lift-served, downhill mountain bike park, and adding to the Nordic 
trail system. Improvements to base area facilities are also proposed, 
including expansion of two existing lodges, construction of a new 
lodge, construction of a race training center, removal and/or 
relocation of inappropriately sited and outdated facilities, expansion 
of parking lots, and installation of associated infrastructure.
    The EIS will address the Proposed Action and the required No-Action 
Alternative, as well as any other alternatives identified through 
public scoping or internal, interdisciplinary review. The EIS process 
will include a number of opportunities for involvement and input from 
the public as well as interested organizations and agencies.
    Public Scoping. This notice initiates the EIS process and provides 
notice of the first opportunity for public involvement, the scoping 
period. Comments regarding the scope of the EIS (i.e., the actions, 
alternatives, and impacts it addresses) are invited. Comments should be 
as specific as possible. More information on the Proposed Action and 
instructions for submitting scoping comments are provided below.
    Comments received in response to this notice, including names and 
addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public 
record for this project and will be available for public inspection.
    This is also an opportunity to participate in the National Historic 
Preservation Act, Section 106 process.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by 30 days following the date that this notice appears in the Federal 
Register.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Shane Jeffries, District Ranger, 
Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District, Red Oaks Square, 1230 NE Third Street 
Suite A-262, Bend, Oregon 97701. Comments may also be faxed to (541) 
383-4700, sent electronically to [email protected], or hand delivered to 1230 NE Third Street, Suite 
A-262, Bend, OR, between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Tinderholt, Recreation Team 
Leader, Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District, Red Oaks Square, 1230 NE Third 
Street Suite A-262, Bend, Oregon 97701, phone (541) 383-4708.

RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL: The responsible official is John Allen, Forest 
Supervisor, Deschutes National Forest, 1001 SW Emkay Dr., Bend, OR 
97701. He will decide whether and under what conditions to approve the 
Proposed Action or an alternative addressed in the EIS.

[[Page 23274]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background. Under the terms of the Ski Area Permit Act of 1986, 
development and operation of ski areas on National Forest System lands 
is guided by master development plans which describe existing 
conditions, identify physical, environmental, and socio-economic 
opportunities and constraints, establish the permittee's conceptual 
vision for the ski area, and outline near-to-long-term plans for 
achieving that vision. As a condition of SUP issuance, the Forest 
Service must review and accept a ski area's MDP. One component of an 
MDP is development of the ski area's physical infrastructure, some or 
all of which may lie on National Forest System land and thus require 
agency approval. When development plans move from the conceptual to the 
concrete realm, the permittee submits a proposal to the Forest Service 
describing specific projects, and the agency makes a determination 
whether to accept the proposal and initiate their decision-making 
process. If the proposal has the potential to significantly impact the 
human environment, the agency must analyze and disclose those 
environmental impacts, in accordance with the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).
    Mt. Bachelor's current MDP was accepted by the DNF in January 2011. 
The MDP documents analysis of current conditions at the resort and, 
based on that analysis, outlines anticipated development and management 
of the resort over the next 10 years. As the resort operates entirely 
on National Forest System land, all the proposed infrastructural 
improvement projects included in the plan require Forest Service 
approval prior to implementation. These projects have the potential to 
impact the human environment, so they constitute the Proposed Action 
subject to review in this EIS.
    Purpose and Need. The purpose and need for action reflects the 
difference between existing conditions at Mt. Bachelor and desired 
conditions. The overarching purpose for this Proposed Action is to 
implement direction in the Land and Resource Plan, Deschutes National 
Forest (Forest LRMP); specifically the Proposed Action would assist in 
``Providing a wide variety of recreational opportunities within a 
forest environment where the localized settings may be modified to 
accommodate large number of visitors'' (Forest LRMP p. IV-135). In 
order to achieve that purpose, the Proposed Action addresses the 
following needs.
    1. To improve the skiing experience during windy conditions. Wind 
causes routine closure of the high-elevation lift and frequent closure 
of the northwest-facing chairlifts at Mt. Bachelor. These closures 
significantly reduce the available terrain at Mt. Bachelor on windy 
days, resulting in increased skier densities on the remaining pods. 
Development of the proposed Eastside pod addresses this need.
    2. To balance the capacities and utilization of resort facilities. 
The existing Rainbow chairlift is underutilized by beginner and low-
intermediate skiers due primarily to its lengthy ride time. It is also 
one of the oldest lifts on the mountain. In contrast, the adjacent 
Sunrise Express chairlift is over-utilized on busy days, resulting in 
excessive lift lines and less even distribution of skiers. A better 
balance in the utilization of these two chairlifts is needed to 
efficiently access the terrain they serve. Shortening the Rainbow lift 
alignment, installing the current Sunrise Express detachable quad lift 
in that shortened alignment, and replacing Sunrise Express with a 
higher-capacity detachable six-pack chairlift address this need.
    The Sunrise Lodge is frequently overcrowded, even on off-peak days. 
A better balance between the lodge's capacity and demand for the 
services it provides is needed to improve the overall recreational 
experience available from the Sunrise base area. Proposed improvements 
to the Sunrise base area skier services address this need.
    The Sunrise parking lot fills before the other parking lots because 
it is the first entrance to the resort and it is located on the more 
wind-protected east side of the mountain. Additional parking is needed 
at the Sunrise base area to maintain a balance with the lodge, lift, 
and trail capacity and to accommodate parking demand. The proposed 
parking lot expansion and access improvements address this need.
    The West Village parking lot provides parking for skiers, tubers, 
Nordic skiers, skier-services customers, sight-seers, and employees, 
and it fills to capacity on busy days. Additional capacity is needed to 
balance with peak demand for parking space. The proposed employee and 
overflow parking lot at West Village address this need.
    Bob's Bungalow, a warming hut on the Nordic trail network, is 
currently undersized and in need of repair, resulting in crowded, less 
than comfortable conditions at times. Additional space and refurbishing 
are needed to meet current demand. Proposed improvements to the warming 
hut address this need.
    3. To segregate user groups and ability levels. Alpine races and 
race training take place on the busiest part of the mountain. Racers 
must mix with other skiers of varying ability levels, which detracts 
from both training effectiveness and the enjoyment of the recreational 
skiers. These activities need to be separated in the interest of both. 
This need is addressed by the proposed construction of an Alpine 
Training Center with dedicated training terrain accessed by a shortened 
Red Chair lift.
    The Nordic Center does not provide beginner terrain in the vicinity 
of the Nordic lodge, and lower ability level skiers have to navigate a 
more difficult trail to access low-gradient terrain. An easily 
accessible learning area and a suitable trail for lower level skiers to 
access the trail network would increase accessibility and use of this 
unique Nordic skiing opportunity. The proposed learning area and two 
new Nordic trails address this need.
    The tubing area is currently located on a low, inconsistent slope 
with a short run-out. A site away from the congested skier base area, 
with a more suitable slope gradient and run-out, would provide an 
improved recreational experience for skiers and tubers alike. The 
proposed relocation of the tubing hill and support infrastructure to 
the other side of the West Village parking lot addresses this need.
    4. To update outdated resort facilities and infrastructure. The 
existing ski patrol, clinic, and administration building is undersized 
and outdated. Updated facilities are needed to serve these critical 
functions. Removal of this building and expansion of remaining 
structures to better support these functions, as proposed, addresses 
this need.
    The existing generator/electrical/telephone/data building is 
unsightly and outdated, and it is inappropriately located within view 
of the West Village base and adjacent ski terrain. A more aesthetically 
appropriate building for these utilities in an area that is further 
separated from the ski terrain is needed to provide these services. 
Removal of this building and developing new utilities infrastructure at 
a less central location, as proposed, addresses this need.
    Mt. Bachelor currently generates emergency power with diesel 
generators. Heat is provided using propane. Together, these facilities 
require substantial investment in and storage of fuel. A more cost-
efficient, environmentally compatible power and heat generation 
facility would better meet these needs. The proposed biomass co-
generation facility addresses

[[Page 23275]]

this need, as well as providing an attractive option for utilization of 
wood products from forest management projects and associated economic 
benefits.
    5. To maintain adequate snow coverage in specific high-traffic 
areas. Early-season snow coverage is often inadequate on several key 
trails on the central part of the ski mountain. Improved snow coverage 
is needed to alleviate these deficiencies. The proposed expansion of 
the existing snowmaking system addresses this need.
    6. To provide additional summer recreational opportunities. The 
resort currently has only one dedicated hiking trail and one mountain 
bike trail, located in the base and Nordic areas. Increased hiking and 
biking infrastructure is needed to meet demand, increase year-round 
utilization of resort resources and infrastructure, and to provide 
downhill mountain biking opportunities on the Forest. The proposed 
hiking trails, mountain bike park, interpretive areas, zipline course, 
and rock climbing structure address this need.
    Proposed Action. The Proposed Action can be summarized as follows:
    Eastside Pod:
     Developing the new Eastside Express chairlift and 
associated trails. The lift would be a detachable-grip, quadruple lift 
about 6,800 feet long with a capacity of 2,400 persons per hour (pph).
     Constructing a new catchline at a lower elevation and 
selective thinning above the new catchline.
    Sunrise Area:
     Replacing the Rainbow lift in a shortened alignment. The 
alignment would be shortened by about 40 percent to 3,150 feet. The 
current Sunshine Express lift, a detachable quad with a capacity of 
1,800 pph, would replace the existing fixed-grip lift.
     Replacing the Sunshine Express lift, a detachable quad 
rated at 1,800 pph, with a new detachable six-place lift with a 
capacity of 2,800 pph.
     Developing the Sunrise Learning Center, the venue for the 
resort's children's ski school program, that would include dedicated 
space in the remodeled Sunrise Lodge, carpet lifts on adjacent ``bunny 
hills,'' and a forested kids ``adventure zone.''
     Improving Sunrise base area skier services, including a 
new 18,000 to 25,000 square foot lodge and a 115 percent expansion of 
the parking lot with a new access road.
     Constructing a 125,000-gallon buried water reservoir to 
provide adequate storage for the new lodge and associated facilities.
     Doubling the capacity of the existing Sunrise base area 
wastewater treatment system, particularly the drain field.
     Installing a restroom facility near the base of Skyliner 
Express.
    West Village Area:
     Shortening the Red Chair by roughly 25 percent to 3,000 
feet, and constructing the Alpine Training Center to house the resort's 
alpine racing program.
     Adding 25.4 acres to the resort's snowmaking coverage by 
expanding the existing snowmaking system onto five adjacent ski trails.
     Removing outdated West Village buildings (the ski patrol/
administration building and the generator building) and expanding the 
West Village Lodge by about 7,000 square feet.
     Moving the tubing hill across the parking lot to the ``Old 
Maid'' area.
     Developing a new 2.5-acre employee/overflow parking lot.
     Constructing a biomass co-generation facility to provide 
electrical power and steam heat. It would be located near the existing 
maintenance building and fuel storage area.
    Nordic Center:
     Making minor improvements to the Nordic Center 
infrastructure, including a 2-acre learning area, two new trails to 
access the existing trail network, and refurbishing Bob's Bungalow, 
including a new deck and fire pit.
    Summer Activities:
     New hiking trails from Pine Marten Lodge to West Village, 
from the lodge to the top of Northwest Express lift, and around an 
interpretive loop above the lodge.
     A mountain bike park including a skills area near the base 
of Pine Marten Express lift and a series of beginner, intermediate, and 
advanced downhill trails accessed from the top of the lift.
     A canopy tour zipline course with three segments from Pine 
Marten Lodge down to West Village.
     A rock climbing structure at Pine Marten Lodge.
    Issues. Preliminary issues include the effect of the Proposed 
Action on potential wilderness (the Eastside pod would be adjacent to 
an inventoried roadless area), special status plant and wildlife 
species including the northern spotted owl and several fungi, and 
visual quality, particularly as viewed from the Cascade Lakes Scenic 
Byway.
    Additional Opportunities for Public Involvement. A Draft EIS will 
be filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is 
projected to be released for public review in March 2012. The EPA will 
publish a Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft EIS in the Federal 
Register, opening a 45-day period for comment on that document; the DNF 
will then publish a legal notice in the newspaper of record, The 
Bulletin in Bend, OR, announcing the date of the Federal Register 
notice.
    The Final EIS and Record of Decision (ROD) are scheduled to be 
released in February 2013. The ROD will include responses to all 
substantive comments received on the Draft EIS. The EPA will publish a 
Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Final EIS in the Federal Register, 
and the DNF will publish a legal notice in the newspaper of record, 
opening a 45-day period for administrative appeal of the decision 
documented in the ROD (36 CFR part 215).

    Dated: April 18, 2011.
Elizabeth J. Peer,
Acting District Ranger, Bend/Ft. Rock Ranger District, Deschutes 
National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2011-9869 Filed 4-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M