[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 166 (Wednesday, August 26, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52542-52543]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18689]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Caribou Targhee National Forest; Teton County; Wyoming; Grand 
Targhee Resort Master Development Plan Projects EIS

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: Grand Targhee Resort (GTR) has submitted a proposal to the 
Caribou-Targhee National Forest (CTNF) to pursue approval of select 
projects from its 2018 Master Development Plan (MDP). The CTNF is 
considering 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: Two areas to be incorporated into the 
existing special use permit (SUP) boundary with new terrain and lifts; 
lift replacements and realignments within the existing SUP boundary; 
additional terrain and on-mountain infrastructure improvements; and 
enhancement of non-winter and alternative activities.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by September 25, 2020.
    The draft EIS is expected to be available for public review in 
March 2021, and the final EIS is expected October 2021.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Mel Bolling, Forest Supervisor, c/
o Jay Pence, Teton Basin District Ranger, Caribou-Targhee National 
Forest, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, ID 83401; or by email at 
[email protected] (please include ``Grand Targhee Master Development 
Plan Projects'' in the subject line).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information related to the 
proposed project can be obtained from: Jay Pence, Teton Basin District 
Ranger, Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Mr. Pence can be reached by 
phone at 208-354-6610 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 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard 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 GTR to 
implement projects from their accepted MDP. In the MDP, GTR identified 
a need to improve the recreational experience and address shortcomings 
in their terrain offerings and operations in order to remain viable in 
the competitive destination skier/rider market.
    To address the growth in the Idaho and Wyoming skier markets and to 
provide quality guest experiences for all skier levels, GTR will need 
to continue to develop and improve its terrain and guest services 
offerings in direct response to evolving consumer demands and the 
competitive regional and destination skier markets.
    The CTNF, through consideration and acceptance of GTR's MDP, has 
identified a need to:
     Provide additional undeveloped, minimally maintained lift-
served terrain and additional traditionally cleared alpine trails to 
enhance terrain variety and advanced skiing experiences at GTR;
     Provide an appropriate learning progression in an 
uncongested beginner area and increase the quantity of beginner, 
intermediate, and advanced-intermediate skiing terrain to enhance the 
skiing experience for beginner and intermediate skiers;
     Improve the efficiency of the lift and trail network and 
skier circulation across the mountain by providing more reliable and 
consistent snowmaking coverage in key areas;
     Update and improve facilities and guest services in the 
base area and on the mountain to meet the changing expectations of the 
local, regional, and destination skier markets; and
     Expand alternative snow-based and non-winter activities to 
provide a variety of year-round recreational options to guests and to 
more effectively utilize existing infrastructure during non-winter 
months.

Proposed Action

    The proposed action includes the following nine elements:
     SUP boundary adjustments to incorporate the South Bowl and 
Mono Trees areas into GTR's SUP Area. Combined, these areas total

[[Page 52543]]

approximately 1,200 acres, and would provide approximately 180 acres 
(South Bowl) and 97 acres (Mono Trees) of traditional terrain 
development and lift construction in these areas;
     Construction of two new aerial lifts, one surface lift, 
two new beginner carpet lifts, the replacement of the Shoshone Lift, 
and the realignment of the Papoose carpet;
     Terrain enhancements including trail widening, extensions, 
grading, and new traditional and gladed terrain development that would 
result in approximately 118 acres of traditional terrain and 550 acres 
of gladed terrain;
     Implementation of a Mountain Road Rehabilitation Program 
to improve existing roads, remove unnecessary roads, and construct new 
roads;
     Installation of new snowmaking infrastructure to provide 
an additional 57 acres of snowmaking coverage;
     Construction of two full-service on-mountain guest service 
facilities (one at the summit of Fred's Mountain and one at the top 
terminal of the Sacajawea Lift), a guest yurt at the top of the 
Shoshone Lift, two on-mountain warming cabins (one in Rick's Basin and 
the other at the top of Lightning Ridge), and a basic warming hut 
within the proposed South Bowl SUP area;
     Installation of a permanent snow tubing facility and 
expansion of the existing Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and winter (fat) 
biking offerings;
     Development of six (6) miles of downhill biking trails, 
two (2) miles of hiking trails, and 21 miles of multi-use trails. 
Development of a summer activity hub around the Shoshone Lift, 
including a canopy tour and zip line, aerial adventure course, and disc 
golf course; and
     Amendment of the 1997 Revised Forest Plan for the Targhee 
National Forest (forest plan) in the areas of the proposed SUP boundary 
adjustments from management prescription 2.1.2: Visual Quality 
Maintenance to management prescription 4.2 Special Use Permit 
Recreation Sites. If necessary, other forest plan amendments will be 
identified and disclosed in the forthcoming EIS.
    A full description of each element can be found at: https://grandtargheeresorteis.org/.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official is Mel Bolling, Forest Supervisor for the 
CTNF.

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 adjustment of GTR's SUP boundary, the 
associated projects within the proposed SUP boundary adjustments, and 
the projects within GTR's existing SUP boundary;
     Whether to prescribe conditions needed for the protection 
of the environment on National Forest System lands; and
     Whether or not to approve a Forest-wide forest plan 
amendment changing the management area boundaries for the SUP 
adjustment, as well as any other forest plan amendments necessary 
identified in the EIS.

Permits or Licenses Required

    Amendment to the Forest Service SUP.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the EIS. 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. During the public scoping comment period a 
virtual public open house will be held. Information on the virtual 
public open house will be distributed through the project website 
(https://grandtargheeresorteis.org/) and other channels of 
communication. During the virtual public conference, representatives 
from the CTNF and GTR will be available 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 218 Parts A and B. 
Additional information and maps of this proposal can be found at: 
https://grandtargheeresorteis.org/.
    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 EIS. 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 as well; however, those who participate in the 
comment process anonymously will not have standing to object.

Allen Rowley,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2020-18689 Filed 8-25-20; 8:45 am]
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