[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 73 (Wednesday, April 15, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20987-20989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07940]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Superior National Forest; Cook County; Minnesota; Lutsen 
Mountains Ski Area Expansion Project EIS

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Lutsen Mountains Corporation (LMC) has submitted a proposal to 
the Superior National Forest (SNF) to implement select projects at 
Lutsen Mountains Resort (Lutsen Mountains). All projects are identified 
within the Lutsen Mountains 2016 Master Development Plan (MDP). The SNF 
is initiating the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) to analyze and disclose the potential environmental effects of 
implementing the projects.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by May 15, 2020. One public open house meeting regarding this proposal 
will be

[[Page 20988]]

scheduled. Time, date, and location of the open house will be posted at 
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52440. The draft EIS is 
expected in November 2020, and the final EIS is expected June 2021.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Constance Cummins, Forest 
Supervisor, c/o Michael Jimenez, Project Leader, Superior National 
Forest, 8901 Grand Avenue Place, Duluth, MN 55808; or by email to: 
[email protected] (please include ``Lutsen Mountains 
Ski Area Expansion Project'' in the subject line). Comments can also be 
submitted online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52440.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information related to the 
proposed project can be obtained from: Michael Jimenez, Project Leader, 
Superior National Forest. Mr. Jimenez can be reached by phone at (218) 
626-4383 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

    LMC has applied to the SNF for a SUP under the National Forest Ski 
Area Permit Act of 1986 that would authorize LMC to construct, operate, 
and maintain an expansion to a winter sports resort onto approximately 
495 acres of NFS lands. Federal regulations at 16 U.S.C. 497b and 36 
CFR 251b specifically identify ski areas and associated facilities as 
permissible uses of NFS lands.
    The purpose of, and need for, the Forest Service's action is to 
respond to the proposal from Lutsen Mountains Corporation to implement 
select projects at the Lutsen Mountain Resort on the Superior National 
Forest. The 2004 Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) 
identifies Forest-wide Desired Conditions which guide management 
direction across the SNF. The Proposed Action could help achieve D-REC-
3, which states ``the [SNF] provides developed sites, facilities, 
trails, water access sites, and other recreation opportunities within 
health and safety, resource protection, cost, and maintenance 
requirements.'' (2004 Forest Plan, Chapter 2, Page 39) The Forest 
Supervisor will use the EIS to inform the decision regarding: (1) 
Whether to issue a SUP under the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 
1986; (2) the selection of a preferred alternative; (3) any need to 
amend the Forest Plan; and (4) what specific terms and conditions 
should apply if a SUP is issued.
    LMC's overall purpose of the proposed project and associated SUP 
application is to improve the guest experience at Lutsen Mountains, 
which cannot be accommodated on adjacent private land controlled by 
LMC. Specifically, LMC has identified a need to:
     Construct additional traditionally cleared alpine ski 
trails and undeveloped, minimally maintained lift-served terrain to 
address the current deficit in beginner and expert terrain and to 
enhance the existing terrain variety and skiing experiences at Lutsen 
Mountains.
     Improve skier circulation and reliable snow conditions, 
particularly on Eagle Mountain and Moose Mountain.
     Improve base area, parking, guest services, and 
operational facilities to meet the ever-increasing expectations of the 
local, regional, and destination skier markets.
    Additional detail on the existing conditions driving the project 
Purpose and Need as well as the Objectives can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52440.

Proposed Action

    The Proposed Action includes the following seven elements:
     Authorization of an approximately 495-acre SUP;
     Construction of seven new chairlifts and one surface lift;
     Development of 324 acres of additional ski terrain, 
including approximately 175 acres of developed ski trails and 149 acres 
of gladed terrain;
     Expansion of guest services including two new base 
facilities, maintenance facilities, and a mountain-top chalet;
     Expansion of ski patrol operations, including construction 
of an interim ski patrol duty station located in a similar location 
with the mountain-top chalet;
     Development of approximately 1,260 additional parking 
spaces, construction of approximately 5 miles of permanent access 
roads, and construction of approximately 0.9 miles of temporary access 
roads; and
     Installation of snowmaking coverage on all 175 acres of 
developed ski trails and construction of two snowmaking reservoirs with 
a combined capacity of 13 million gallons.
    A full description of each element can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52440.

Responsible Official

    The Responsible Official is Constance Cummins, Forest Supervisor 
for the SNF.

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 the creation of a SUP and associated expansions.
     Whether to prescribe conditions needed for the protection 
of the environment on NFS lands.

Permits or Licenses Required

     Forest Service SUP.
     Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Water 
Appropriations Permit.
     Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Wastewater Permit.
     Other permits as identified through scoping and the EIS 
analysis process.

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. Tribal 
consultation is ongoing and will continue. One public open house 
meeting regarding this proposal will be held during the comment period. 
Time, date, and location of the open house will be posted at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52440. Representatives from the SNF 
and Lutsen Mountains 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. 
Additional information and maps of this proposal can be found at: 
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52440. Details of the project 
proposal can also be viewed through an online interactive viewer here: 
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/be4d0cbd60f24bef8d5360f064edd4f0/present.
    It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times 
and in

[[Page 20989]]

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.

Lisa A. Northrop,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2020-07940 Filed 4-14-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P