[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 214 (Thursday, November 5, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68497-68498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27718]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests; Gunnison 
County; Colorado; Crested Butte Mountain Resort Ski Area Projects

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) has submitted a proposal 
to the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests 
(NF) to pursue approval of select projects from its 2013 Master 
Development Plan (MDP). The GMUG has accepted this proposal and is 
initiating the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
to analyze and disclose the potential environmental effects of 
implementing the projects. The Proposed Action includes: A Special Use 
Permit (SUP) boundary adjustment to include skiable terrain in the Teo 
Drainage area, the addition of lift-served terrain in the Teo Park and 
Teo Drainage area, installation of additional snowmaking 
infrastructure, realignment of the existing North Face lift, and 
supplemental mountain biking trails.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by December 7, 2015. Two public open houses regarding this proposal 
will be held: One on November 18, 2015 from 5-8 p.m.; and one on 
November 19, 2015 from 5-8 p.m. (See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section for further information on the open houses). The draft 
environmental impact statement is expected to be available for public 
review in November 2016, and the final environmental impact statement 
is expected June 2017.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Scott Armentrout, Forest 
Supervisor, c/o Aaron Drendel, Recreation Staff Officer, Gunnison 
Ranger District, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National 
Forests, 216 N. Colorado St., Gunnison, CO 81230; FAX (970) 642-4425 or 
by email to: [email protected] (please include ``CBMR EIS Projects'' in 
the subject line).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information related to the 
proposed project can be obtained from: Aaron Drendel, Recreation Staff 
Officer, Gunnison Ranger District. Mr. Drendel can be reached by phone 
at (970) 641-0471 or by email 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 Forest Service is responding to an application submitted under 
the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 and Ski Area 
Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011 (SAROEA) by CBMR to 
implement projects from their accepted MDP. In the MDP, CBMR identified 
a deficiency in developed intermediate/advanced terrain compared with 
CBMR's skier and rider market. It also noted a slight deficit of 
developed expert terrain. The MDP also identifies a need to enhance 
summer recreation activities (consistent with the SAREOEA) in order to 
meet increasing guest expectations.
    The GMUG, through acceptance of CBMR's Master Development Plan, has 
identified a need to:
     Meet increased public demand for developed intermediate, 
advanced, and expert terrain skiing terrain by developing the main 
mountain;
     Develop the total amount of developed and undeveloped 
terrain and ski pods, with an emphasis on intermediate and advanced 
skiers, in order to increase the skiing opportunities for the guests 
and thereby increase their length of stay;
     Provide an expanded offering of additional recreational 
activities for year-round utilization of existing facilities, 
consistent with summer use impact zones in the MDP;
     Continue to increase the quality of the facilities to meet 
the ever-increasing expectations of the local, regional, and 
destination skier markets; and
     Improve skier circulation and opportunities by realigning 
the North Face Lift and adding snowmaking infrastructure.

Proposed Action

    The Proposed Action includes the following six elements:
     SUP boundary adjustment and amendment to the 1991 GMUG 
National Forests' Amended Land and Resource Management Plan;
     Construction of new intermediate and advanced ski trails 
and glades in Teo Park and Teo Drainage;
     Construction of two new lifts (Teo Drainage, and Teo 
Park), and realignment of the existing North Face lift;
     New snowmaking infrastructure on the following existing 
trails: Championship, Black Eagle, Lower Gallowich, Rachel's, and 
Shep's Chute;
     Construction of approximately 2,300 feet of new road and 
450 feet of realigned road for construction and maintenance access; and
     Construction of approximately 15 miles of multi-use and 
mountain biking trails.
    A full description of each element can be found at: 
www.crestedbutte-eis.com.

Responsible Official

    The Responsible Official is Scott Armentrout, Forest Supervisor for 
the GMUG.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Given the purpose and need, the Responsible Official will review 
the proposed action, the other alternatives, and the environmental 
consequences in order to decide the following:
     Whether to approve, approve with modifications, or deny 
the application for additional ski area improvements and associated 
activities.
     Whether to prescribe conditions needed for the protection 
of the environment on NFS lands.
     Whether or not to approve a site-specific Forest Plan 
Amendment changing the management area boundaries for the expansion.

Permits or Licenses Required

    Forest Service Special Use Permit (SUP)

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. Two public open 
houses regarding this proposal will be held: one at the Fred R. Field 
Western Heritage Center located at 275 S. Spruce Street, Gunnison, CO 
81230 on November 18, 2015 from 5-8 p.m.; and one at the Ballrooms at 
the Lodge at Mountaineer Square, 620 Gothic Road,

[[Page 68498]]

Crested Butte, CO 81225 on November 19, 2015 from 5-8 p.m. 
Representatives from the GMUG and CBMR will be present to answer 
questions and provide additional information on this project.
    To be most helpful, comments should be specific to the project area 
and should identify resources or effects that should be considered by 
the Forest Service. Submitting timely, specific written comments during 
this scoping period or any other official comment period establishes 
standing for filing objections under 36 CFR part 218, subparts A and B. 
Additional information and maps of this proposal can be found at: 
www.crestedbutte-eis.com.
    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: October 26, 2015.
Scott Armentrout,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2015-27718 Filed 11-4-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P