[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
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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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]
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