[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 60 (Thursday, March 30, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15685-15686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06310]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 60 / Thursday, March 30, 2017 / 
Notices  

[[Page 15685]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


White River National Forest; Eagle County; Colorado; Golden Peak 
Improvements Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: Vail Ski Resort (Vail) has submitted a proposal to the White 
River National Forest (WRNF) for improvements to ski/snowboard racing 
facilities within its Forest Service-administered Special User Permit 
(SUP) area. The WRNF has accepted this proposal, and is initiating a 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis to document and 
disclose potential impacts. The Proposed Action includes: Developing 42 
acres of new terrain with associated snowmaking; installing one lift, 
two lift operation shelters, one restroom facility, snowmaking 
infrastructure, multiple small race event buildings, one equipment 
storage facility, one fuel storage facility, and one maintenance 
building; and constructing one access road and multiple drainage 
management structures.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by May 1, 2017. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
October 2017 and the final environmental impact statement is expected 
April 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Scott Fitzwilliams, Forest 
Supervisor, c/o Max Forgensi, Mountain Sports/Special Uses 
Administrator, White River National Forest, P.O. Box 190, Minturn, CO 
81645. Comments may also be sent via FAX (970) 827-9343. Electronic 
comments including attachments can be submitted to: https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public//CommentInput?Project=47937.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information related to the 
proposed project can be found on the project Web site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=47937, or obtained from: Max Forgensi, 
Mountain Sports/Special Uses Administrator, Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger 
District. Mr. Forgensi can be reached by phone at (970) 827-5157 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

    Golden Peak is the primary ski/snowboard racing and training venue 
for Vail and the Ski and Snowboard Club Vail (SSCV), and provides a 
world-class venue for local athletes and international events. As 
local, regional, national, and international groups continue to seek 
areas devoted specifically to ski/snowboard racing and training, 
providing a contained venue with adequate facilities to serve high-
caliber events is needed.
    Currently, the limited training and racing space on Golden Peak is 
unable to accommodate all users, and many activities must be held at 
other locations on the mountain, resulting in a disruption to the 
public's skiing experience. There is a need for:
     Developed racing and training terrain at Vail that meets 
international racing standards for women's Downhill and men's Super G 
courses, a moguls course, and skier cross course to adequately meet 
demand.
     Adequate separation between ski/snowboard racing and 
training terrain and terrain used by the general public at Vail to 
improve the quality of both the training venue and the guest 
experience.

Proposed Action

    The Proposed Action includes the following elements:

 Lift and Terrain--construction of one lift (either surface or 
aerial) and approximately 42 acres of new ski trails for women's 
Downhill and men's Super G courses, moguls course and skier cross 
course
 Facilities--construction of lift operating buildings, race 
start buildings, an equipment storage building, a fuel storage 
facility, and a maintenance building
 Snowmaking and Infrastructure--construction of infrastructure 
to support snowmaking on new ski trails
 Construction Maintenance and Access--access road for 
construction of new lift and ski trails
 Clearing, Grading and Surface Smoothing--vegetation removal 
and surface smoothing/grading for new ski trails and drainage 
management

Responsible Official

    The Responsible Official is the WRNF Forest Supervisor.

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.

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. One public open 
house regarding this proposal will be held on April 6, 2017 from 5:30 
p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Forest Service Holy Cross Office, 24747 US 
Highway 24, Minturn, Colorado 81645. Representatives from the WRNF and 
Vail Resort 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 parts 218 A and B.
    It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times 
and in

[[Page 15686]]

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: March 24, 2017.
Glenn P. Casamassa,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2017-06310 Filed 3-29-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P