[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 82 (Tuesday, April 28, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23501-23502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08969]


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 Notices
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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. 85, No. 82 / Tuesday, April 28, 2020 / 
Notices  

[[Page 23501]]



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; 
extension of scoping period.

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SUMMARY: The Superior National Forest (SNF) published a notice of 
intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on 
April 15, 2020 for the Lutsen Mountains Ski Area Expansion Project. 
Lutsen Mountain Corporation (LMC) has submitted a proposal to the 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 original scoping period was 
identified to conclude May 15, 2020. The scoping period will be 
extended to conclude May 28, 2020. The original NOI also indicated that 
one public open house meeting would be held; however, in response to 
the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the United States, and the 
Center for Disease Control's recommendation for social distancing and 
avoiding large public gatherings, a public meeting will not be 
scheduled during the scoping period.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by May 28, 2020. The draft EIS is expected in November 2020, and the 
final EIS is expected June 2021.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent by the following methods:
     Mail: Constance Cummins, Forest Supervisor, c/o Michael 
Jimenez, Project Leader, Superior National Forest, 8901 Grand Avenue 
Place, Duluth, MN 55808.
     Email: [email protected] (please include 
``Lutsen Mountains Ski Area Expansion Project'' in the subject line).
     Online: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52440.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Jimenez, Project Leader, 
Superior National Forest, by phone at (218) 626-4383, or by email at 
[email protected]. Additional information can also be found on 
the project website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52440.
    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

    Lutsen Mountains Corporation (LMC) has applied to the SNF for a 
special use permit (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 
National Forest System (NFS) land. Federal regulations at 16 U.S.C. 
497b and 36 CFR 251b specifically identify ski areas and associated 
facilities as permissible uses of NFS land.
    The purpose of, and need for, the Forest Service's action is to 
respond to the proposal from LMC to implement select projects at the 
Lutsen Mountain Resort on the SNF. 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.

[[Page 23502]]

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 or licenses that may be identified through 
scoping and the EIS analysis process.

Scoping Process

    This NOI 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.
    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, specifically 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://arcg.is/18mzzu.
    It is important that reviewers provide their comments in a timely 
manner to ensure they are considered in 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. 2020-08969 Filed 4-27-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P