[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 19, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69363-69365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27495]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California, Heavenly Mountain 
Resort Epic Discovery Project

AGENCY: Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a joint Environmental Impact 
Statement and Initial Study.

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SUMMARY: The Epic Discovery Project is intended to enhance summer 
activities in response to the USDA Forest Service Ski Area Recreational 
Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011. Heavenly Mountain Resort 
(Heavenly) proposes to improve year-round, recreation opportunities 
within the developed portions of the ski area on National Forest System 
lands using existing facilities and infrastructure to meet the 
expanding needs and expectations of visitors to Lake Tahoe, better 
support the year-round local economy of the South Lake Tahoe area, and 
connect a diverse group of visitors to our national forest with 
recreation and educational opportunities to further inspire passion and 
excitement for the outdoors. The summer activities are designed to suit 
a wide range of visitors from the casual sightseer to the avid mountain 
adventurer. A key component of the project proposal is a unique and 
comprehensive environmental education and interpretive component that 
is woven into the entire experience. This project is a joint project 
between the USDA Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit 
(Forest Service), Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), and California 
Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Region (Lahontan). The 
joint environmental document will use information taken where 
appropriate from the Heavenly Mountain Resort Master Plan Amendment 
Final EIR/EIS/EIS certified in 2007. The project is located at Heavenly 
within El Dorado and Alpine Counties, CA and Douglas County, NV, 
adjacent to South Lake Tahoe. The TRPA Governing Board will use the 
EIS/EIS/IS when they consider the amendment of the existing Ski Area 
Master Plan to add the Epic Discovery projects.

DATES: Submit comments on or before December 20, 2013.
    The meeting dates are: Wednesday, December 4, 2013, 9:30 a.m., 
Stateline, NV; and Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 
p.m., South Lake Tahoe, CA.

ADDRESSES: Please send your written comments to: Heavenly Epic 
Discovery Project, TRPA, P.O. Box 5310, Stateline, NV 89449, Attention: 
David Landry, or email: [email protected].
    The meeting locations are:
    1. TRPA Advisory Planning Commission Hearing, TRPA Board Rooms, 128 
Market Street, Stateline, NV 89449.
    2. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, 35 College 
Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Dickinson, NEPA Contract 
Coordinator, USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, at 
(530) 543-2769 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Purpose And Need for Action--As provided for in the Ski Area 
Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011, Heavenly proposes to 
improve year-round recreation opportunities within the developed 
portions of the ski area on National Forest System lands using existing 
facilities and infrastructure to meet the expanding needs and 
expectations of visitors to Lake Tahoe, better support the year-round 
local economy in South Lake Tahoe area, connect a diverse group of 
visitors to our national forest with recreation and educational 
opportunities to further inspire passion and excitement for the 
outdoors.
    Proposed Action--Located at the top of the Heavenly Gondola, 
Adventure Peak opened in the 2000/01 ski season and is the focus of 
Heavenly's non-skiing and family-oriented activities. In 2007, the 
Master Development Plan was amended to add more non-skiing activities 
across a wide area of the upper mountain, including the Adventure Peak 
area. The Epic Discovery proposal is consistent with and further 
refines the intent of the 2007 MDP and responds to visitor preferences 
and changes in sport technology. Since the creation of Adventure Peak, 
Heavenly has discovered that visitors to Lake Tahoe are increasingly 
seeking fun,

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adventurous outdoor activities in a readily accessible environment. 
This extends to the winter, summer and shoulder seasons. Today, 
Adventure Peak represents an important component of the recreational 
activities at Heavenly, and provides visitors with a unique opportunity 
to access and explore the National Forest System lands of the Lake 
Tahoe Basin.
    Adventure Peak will continue to serve as the primary access portal 
and hub for most of the proposed Epic Discovery activities. However, 
the Project will extend activities beyond Adventure Peak to provide 
natural resource-based recreation in the East Peak Lake Basin to the 
east and the Sky Meadows Basin to the west. All three activity centers 
will be linked by a combination of ski lifts, hiking trails, zip line 
or similar conveyances, and summer roads for the visitors' enjoyment 
and convenience.
    The Forest Service will review and consider for decision certain 
activities contained in the proposal that lie outside of the Lake Tahoe 
Region (Carson River watershed), and are, therefore, not subject to the 
review and action by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. Similarly, the 
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency will review and consider for decision 
one proposed activity (the Forest Flyer Alpine Coaster), not currently 
accepted for review and decision by the Forest Service.
    The following specific projects are proposed to help Heavenly 
fulfill its objective of making the resort a more diverse and 
encompassing year-round facility capable of meeting the seasonal needs 
of its guests.
     Mid Station Zipline Canopy Tour--Top of Gondola/Adventure 
Peak Area, An interpretive zipline canopy tour will be implemented in 
the area between the gondola mid-station and the top station to the 
east of the gondola alignment.
     Sky Cycle Canopy Tour--Top of Gondola/Adventure Peak Area, 
An aerial activity known as the Sky Cycle Canopy Tour will be 
implemented in an area between the gondola top station and the gondola 
mid-station to the west of the gondola alignment. It will allow 
visitors the opportunity to traverse the area by pedaling individual 
bicycle-like devices that are suspended from a cable in the air.
     Forest Flyer Alpine Coaster--Top of Gondola/Adventure Peak 
Area, The Forest Flyer Alpine Coaster is an activity that allows users 
on individual sleds to descend on a raised track through the forest and 
natural rock formations. The Forest Flyer is proposed to be located a 
short distance to the north and west of the existing tubing lift.
     Infill Activities--Top of Gondola/Adventure Peak Area, A 
number of smaller individual activities will be sited in and around the 
existing and proposed activities to infill between the larger 
activities and create a critical mass of activities. The infill 
activities include interpretive trails, interactions with interpretive 
specialists, disc golf, a smaller-scaled zipline or ropes course, gold/
gem panning, a mountain bike skills park and bouldering-type activities 
for children.
     Mountain Bike Park--East Peak Lake Basin, A new mountain 
bike park will be located in the East Peak Basin area. It will be lift-
served and utilize the Comet Express and the Big Easy lifts. The park 
will include a combination of existing summer roads and new single-
track type trails. It will be approximately 9-10 miles in total length. 
New trails will be four feet wide with a one-foot wide shoulder on 
either side for a total cross-section width of six feet.
     East Peak Zipline Canopy Tour--East Peak Lake Basin, A 
multi-stage guided zipline canopy tour will begin near the top of the 
Big Easy lift and end with a zip over East Peak Lake near the base of 
the Dipper Express lift. It will generally traverse the hillside 
between Von Schmidt's Trail and the East Peak Lodge and Lake.
     East Peak Lake Water Activities--East Peak Lake Basin, 
Water-oriented activities on and around the existing East Peak 
reservoir will include kayaking, canoeing, other small boats without 
engines and fishing.
     Interpretive Activities at East Peak Lodge--East Peak Lake 
Basin, The existing East Peak Lodge and Deck will be seasonally 
converted into an interpretive education center. It will continue to 
provide restrooms, First Aid and food and beverage services. No other 
physical modifications to the lodge or deck are planned.
     East Peak Lodge Hiking Trail--East Peak Lake Basin, A new 
segment of hiking trail will be implemented that connects the Top of 
the Gondola area with East Peak Lodge. It will allow visitors the 
opportunity to hike back and forth between the two activity centers. It 
will be built to Forest Service trail standards.
     Sky Meadows Zipline Canopy Tour--Sky Meadows Basin, A 
multi-stage guided zipline canopy tour will begin near the top of the 
Tamarack Express lift and end near the base of Sky Express lift. It 
will generally traverse the hillside known as the Ski Ways. It will be 
similar in nature to the Mid-Station Zipline Canopy Tour, however, it 
will take advantage of a different landscape type and slope condition 
to provide a uniquely different experience for users. It will consist 
of a series of canopy-level ziplines between platforms constructed in 
and around existing trees or using a pre-fabricated steel pole if a 
suitable tree does not exist in the vicinity.
     Sky Meadows Ropes Course--Sky Meadows Basin, A self-guided 
ropes course consisting of a series a series of platforms and rope 
walkways/bridges will be located between Sky Deck and the base of the 
Sky Express lift. It will incorporate existing mature trees into the 
layout. Where a suitable tree is not available along the route to 
support a landing platform, individual steel or wooden columns may be 
installed to support the platform.
     Ridge Run Lookout Tower and Observation Deck--Sky Meadows 
Basin, Develop a new observation tower near the existing Ridge Run 
Overlook. It will resemble a historic Forest Service Fire Lookout Tower 
and used for scenic views and interpretive education regarding the 
Forest Service's historic and modern role in managing the forests, 
including fire. The tower will be approximately 400-500 square feet in 
area and a maximum of 25-30 feet in height and will offer views of High 
Meadows and Free! Peak as well as Lake Tahoe.
     Interpretive Activities at Sky Deck--Sky Meadows Basin, 
The existing Sky Deck facility will provide a small interpretive 
education center, restrooms, First Aid and food and beverage facility. 
The existing facility will be seasonally modified to provide 
information and exhibits. No other physical modifications to the lodge 
or deck are necessary.
     Mountain Excursion Tour--Top of Gondola/Adventure Peak 
Area, East Peak Lake Basin, and Sky Meadows Basin, A Mountain Excursion 
Tour will connect the three activity centers and will offer guided 
tours to various locations around the upper mountain. It will consist 
of Heavenly operated vehicles that will make continuous loops to pick 
up and drop off visitors at each center. They are intended to provide 
an enjoyable connection between the centers in a vehicle that is 
appropriate for mountain travel.
     Connecting Hiking Trails Between Activities--Connecting 
hiking trails between the activities will be developed to facilitate 
safe and efficient movement by visitors between the activities. The 
trails will be laid out in the field and constructed consistent with 
Forest Service trail standards for this type of use. Interpretive 
opportunities along the

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trails will be included in specific locations.
     Mountain Bike Trail Connectors--Two separate mountain bike 
connections are planned. They will be free of charge and open to the 
general public as key connections to the larger network of trails in 
and around Heavenly and the surrounding public lands. The first trail 
connection is intended to connect the East Peak Mountain Bike Park to 
the Tahoe Rim Trail. The second trail connection is intended to connect 
the mountain to Heavenly Village.
     Emergency Gondola Snow Cat Evacuation Route--Gondola 
Alignment, In order to safely evacuate the gondola during emergency 
situations, Heavenly proposes to selectively clear trees at a limited 
number of strategic access points located from the Gondola Mid-Station 
down along the gondola line for emergency snow cat access. The access 
route will only be used in times of operational emergencies and will 
not be used on a regular basis.
    Maps and a more specific project description can be found on the 
LTBMU Web site at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/ltbmu.
    Possible Alternatives--In order to address substantive issues 
identified during scoping, project alternatives may be considered and 
developed by lead agency staff, following completion of the public 
scoping period. If necessary, the alternatives shall fulfill the 
identified purpose & need for action while addressing one or more 
significant issues related to the proposed project.
    Preliminary Issues/Potential Environmental Effects--Potential 
environmental effects and impacts will be explored during project 
scoping and during preparation of the EIS/EIS/IS. In addition to the 
potential environmental effects outlined below, the EIS/EIS/IS will 
analyze the full range of resource topics required by the lead agencies 
(e.g., noise, land use), cumulative impacts, and attainment of the TRPA 
Environmental Threshold Carrying Capacities.
    Cumulative Watershed Effects/Water Quality. The EIS/EIS/IS will 
evaluate potential water quality impacts associated with the proposed 
projects that focus on Heavenly Valley Creek where a TMDL is in place 
for suspended sediment and Daggett Creek watersheds where a majority of 
the projects are sited.
    Biological Resources. The EIS/EIS/IS will evaluate potential 
impacts to sensitive plant and wildlife species (e.g., American marten, 
Tahoe draba, Whitebark pine) known to occupy habitat within the 
Heavenly special use permit boundary. The evaluation will also address 
potential effects to migratory birds, noxious weeds/invasive species, 
and Forest Service management indicator species.
    Scenic Resources. The EIS/EIS/IS will evaluate potential impacts to 
designated TRPA and Forest Service scenic resources and from viewpoints 
within adjacent recreational sites (e.g., Van Sickle State Park).
    Transportation and Parking. Using trip generation methodology 
developed for the Project, the EIS/EIS/IS will evaluate potential 
impacts to US Highway 50, local roadways and intersections during peak 
hour traffic conditions. The analysis will discuss the Project's 
parking needs and identify strategies to accommodate new demand.
    Air Quality and Climate Change. Using results from the 
transportation analysis, the EIS/EIS/IS will evaluate potential impacts 
to applicable air quality standards and greenhouse gas emissions.
    Recreation. The EIS/EIS/IS will evaluate potential impacts to 
existing recreation resources that may occur from the expansion of 
summer uses at Heavenly. Specifically, the analysis will identify 
whether the Project may affect recreational quality and opportunities 
(including changes to person at one time capacity) available on 
National Forest System lands.

Scoping Process

    This NOP/NOI initiates the scoping process, which guides the 
development of the EIS/EIS/IS. It is important that reviewers provide 
their comments at such times and in such a manner that they are useful 
in the lead agency's preparation of this EIS/EIS/IS. 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. However, comments submitted anonymously will 
also be accepted and considered. If applicable, responses should 
include the name of a contact person at your agency or organization.
    Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by 
December 20, 2013. The draft EIS/EIS/IS is expected in August 2014 and 
the final EIS/EIS/IS in January 2015. Two public scoping meetings are 
being held to provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the 
proposed action and to express oral comments about the content of the 
EIS/EIS/IS, in addition to providing opportunity to submit written 
comments. The scalping meetings will be held at the times and locations 
listed in the DATES and ADDRESSES section above.
    This project will follow the new objection procedures as directed 
by 36 CFR 218. The objection process provides an opportunity for 
members of the public who have participated in opportunities for public 
participation provided throughout the planning process to have any 
unresolved concerns receive an independent review by the Forest Service 
prior to a final decision being made by the responsible official. Only 
those who provided specific written comments during opportunities for 
public comment are eligible to file an objection.

    Dated: November 12, 2013.
Jeff Marsolais,
Deputy Forest Supervisor, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
[FR Doc. 2013-27495 Filed 11-18-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M