[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 226 (Friday, November 25, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72444-72445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-25688]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Inyo National Forest; California; Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Main 
Lodge Redevelopment

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).

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

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SUMMARY: Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (MMSA) has submitted a proposal to 
the Inyo National Forest (the Forest) to pursue approval of select 
projects from its 2022 Master Development Plan (MDP) on National Forest 
System (NFS) lands, in accordance with its existing Special Use Permit 
(SUP). The Proposed Action includes: new lifts, lift replacements and 
realignments, additional ski terrain development, new buildings and 
parking lots for guest and employee use, road reconstruction and 
construction of a new road, trail construction for pedestrians and bike 
connectivity, extensions of existing utilities and on-mountain 
infrastructure, and other infrastructure improvements to support base 
area development on private parcels. The Inyo National Forest plans to 
complete a combined environmental impact statement (EIS)/Environmental 
Impact Report (EIR) with the Town of Mammoth Lakes because a number of 
projects proposed are entirely on private lands.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by December 27, 2022. A separate notice (Notice of Preparation) with 
concurrent review has been published by the Town under CEQA. The draft 
EIS/EIR is expected in late 2023 and the final EIS is expected in 2024.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent by the following methods:
     Online: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62406. 
Click on ``Comment/Object on Project'' on the right side of the page.
     Mail: Lesley Yen, Forest Supervisor, c/o Fred Wong, 
Mammoth Lakes District Ranger, Inyo National Forest, 351 Pacu Lane, 
Suite 200, Bishop, CA 93514.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information related to the 
proposed projects on NFS lands can be obtained from: Tyler Lee, 
Mountain Resort Specialist, Inyo National Forest. Mr. Lee can be 
reached by phone at 760-924-5508 or by email at [email protected].
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24

[[Page 72445]]

hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose and Need for Action

    The Forest Service is responding to an application submitted under 
the National Forest Ski Area Permit Action of 1986 and Ski Area 
Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011 (SAROEA) by MMSA to 
implement certain projects from their accepted MDP. MMSA proposes key 
infrastructural changes to meet the needs of its day-use and overnight 
clientele and best utilize public and private lands within the Main 
Lodge Base area. These changes are necessary to address aging 
infrastructure, meet anticipated recreation demands, and attain the 
desired conditions for this management area. These changes are intended 
to improve guest circulation, operational efficiencies, fire safety, 
and ski area access.
    The Forest, through consideration and acceptance of the proposal, 
has identified a need to:
     Renew and improve guest services, guest circulation, 
accommodations, and portal staging capacity in the Main Lodge Base 
area;
     Replace aging infrastructure;
     Expand guest services offerings to meet increased demands; 
and
     Offer learning progression opportunities for lower ability 
level skiers through enhanced skier services, improved terrain, and 
additional lifts.

Proposed Action

    The Proposed Action on NFS land includes the following:
     Construction of one new lift, two new magic carpets, one 
new surface platter lift, and replacement of the existing Discovery 
Chair, Broadway Chair, and Panorama Gondola;
     Terrain enhancements including new trails, trail 
extensions, and grading that would result in approximately 10 acres of 
new ski trails within the existing SUP;
     Installation of new snowmaking infrastructure to provide 
approximately 9 additional acres of snowmaking coverage;
     Construction of a roadway connecting private parcels that 
includes a snowmobile crossing;
     Reroute of the existing Highway 203 (within the boundary 
of private parcel);
     An additional parking lot in ``Big Bend'' area adjacent 
Highway 203 that would accommodate approximately 360 vehicles;
     Upgrades to existing utility lines and construction of new 
utility lines to serve the proposed projects;
     Construction of a gravity fed water storage tank for 
domestic water storage needs;
     Construction of a new reclaimed water treatment plant and 
associated infrastructure on public and private lands;
     Construction of one new mountain operations facility (at 
the Big Bend parking lot) and replacement of the existing Main Lodge;
     Enhancements to existing summer activities; and
     Creation of wildfire defensible space around the Main 
Lodge Base area.
    A number of projects proposed entirely on private lands that are 
subject to authorization by the Town of Mammoth Lakes, evaluated under 
CEQA, and analyzed alongside the previous list of proposed projects in 
a forthcoming combined EIS/EIR. A full description can be found at: 
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62406.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    While there are no identified cooperating agencies for this 
project, the Town of Mammoth Lakes will be lead for the CEQA decision 
and will be responsible for the CEQA compliance in a joint EIR/EIS.

Responsible Official

    The Responsible Official is Lesley Yen, Forest Supervisor for the 
Inyo National Forest.

Scoping Comments and the Objection Process

    This notice of intent initiates the NEPA scoping process, which 
guides the development of the environmental analysis. The Agency 
requests comments on potential alternatives and impacts and 
identification of any relevant information, studies, or analyses 
concerning impacts affecting the quality of the environment. 
Concurrently, the Town of Mammoth Lakes has issued a notice of 
preparation of an EIR, initiating the scoping process under CEQA. A 
public open house regarding this proposal including projects on private 
lands will be held on November 30, 2022, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 
the Town of Mammoth Lakes, CA Council Chambers, Suite Z at 437 Old 
Mammoth Road. This meeting will be held jointly with the Town of 
Mammoth Lakes regarding their analysis of the project under CEQA. 
Representatives from the Forest, Town of Mammoth Lakes, and MMSA 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. Reviewers must 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. Submitting timely, specific written comments 
during this scoping period or any other official comment period 
establishes standing for filing objections under 36 CFR parts 218A and 
B. 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, they will not be used to establish 
standing for the objection process.

Permits, Licenses or Other Authorizations Required

    Activities proposed on private lands will be subject to lead agency 
authorization by the Town of Mammoth Lakes with analysis under the 
CEQA. The reroute of Highway 203 will require authorization from the 
California Department of Transportation (CalTrans). Other permits or 
licenses may be identified through scoping and the EIS analysis 
process.

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 to decide the following:
     Whether to approve, approve with modifications, or deny 
the proposed activities within MMSA's existing SUP.
     Whether to prescribe conditions needed for the protection 
of the environment on NFS lands.

    Dated: November 18, 2022.
Sandra Watts,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2022-25688 Filed 11-23-22; 8:45 am]
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