[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 88 (Monday, May 6, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37165-37167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09720]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


White River National Forest; Colorado; Sweetwater Lake Recreation 
Management and Development Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).

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

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, is 
preparing an environmental impact statement to evaluate the potential 
environmental impacts associated with the Sweetwater Lake Recreation 
Management and Development Project. This project encompasses 832 acres, 
including 488 acres acquired by the Forest Service in 2021, located on 
the White River National Forest on lands surrounding Sweetwater Lake in 
northeastern Garfield County, Colorado. The Forest Service proposes to 
improve recreation access and facilities and authorize a long-term 
special use permit to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife to manage the 
area. This project may require an amendment to the White River National 
Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (forest plan).

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by August 5, 2024. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
February 2025, and the final environmental impact statement is expected 
February 2026.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Scott Fitzwilliams, White River 
National Forest Supervisor, c/o Leanne Veldhuis, District Ranger Eagle-
Holy Cross Ranger District, White River National Forest, P.O. Box 190, 
Minturn, CO 81645. Comments may also be submitted electronically at 
https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=64047 or 
submitted via facsimile to 970-827-9343.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information related to the 
project can be obtained from the project web page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/whiteriver/?project=64047 or by contacting 
Leanne Veldhuis, District Ranger, Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District, 
24747 U.S. Hwy. 24, P.O. Box 190, Minturn, CO 81645. Ms. Veldhuis can 
be reached by phone at 970-827-5715 or by email at 
[email protected]. Individuals who use telecommunications 
devices for the hearing impaired may call 711 to reach the 
Telecommunications Relay Service, 24 hours a day, every day of the 
year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A successful grassroots effort within the 
local community, which included donations from Eagle County and the 
Town of Gypsum, was able to protect the area around Sweetwater Lake 
from private development with a purchase by The Conservation Fund. The 
Forest Service purchased the 488 acres surrounding Sweetwater Lake from 
The Conservation Fund to facilitate public access and maintain the 
natural resource-based recreational opportunities at the site.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose of the proposed action is to provide the public a 
natural resource-based recreational and educational experience at 
Sweetwater Lake that is reflective of the culture and history of the 
area while managing visitation at the appropriate scale for the long-
term viability of the 832 acres surrounding the lake and its resources.
    The actions proposed in the Sweetwater Lake Recreation Management 
and Development Project are needed to:
     Enhance and provide sustainable management of the public 
lands around Sweetwater Lake.
     Provide updated and sustainable nature-based recreational 
services to the public that are appropriate to the environment and are 
responsive to the recreational needs of the public.
     Improve the site's existing recreation infrastructure 
while providing updated facilities in alignment with applicable laws, 
policies, and known best practices.
     Develop and implement management strategies to reduce or 
mitigate potential impacts on the site's natural and cultural resources 
from public visitation.
     Provide for year-round on-site management, including 
oversight and management for all the site's resources and facilities.
     Provide public recreational, interpretative, and 
educational opportunities.

Proposed Action

    The White River National Forest is proposing multiple actions to 
meet the purpose and need of the project, as described below.
    Authorize a 20-year special use permit to Colorado Parks and 
Wildlife, under the Granger-Thye Act, to implement and maintain 
improvements described below and manage the area consistent with the 
purpose and need.
    Redesign the current site to promote recreational opportunities at 
a scale that is compatible with the capacity of the project area, its 
resources, and the surrounding area. The proposed site design would 
minimize impacts to wildlife and natural resources by utilizing those 
areas and lands that have been previously disturbed and would include 
the following actions.
     Evaluate existing structures for retention with an 
emphasis on those buildings that provide the best opportunity to 
interpret the rich history at Sweetwater. If feasible, some structures 
may be restored to the historic character of their 1920-to-1940 
construction and used as part of the cultural interpretative program 
for the site. Existing structures that are in a state of severe 
deferred maintenance and out of compliance with various laws, 
regulations, and policies may be removed.
     Develop a new campground area to provide 15 to 20 
campsites in a historically disturbed area that currently contains 
little native vegetation (``lower pasture'').
     Construct 8 to 12 new cabins to provide an overnight 
recreation opportunity similar to that which historically existed in 
the vicinity. These cabins would be constructed with materials and 
architecture designed to provide a ``rustic'' western character similar 
to the styles of other cabins and lodges in the Flat Tops area of 
Colorado.
     Construct equestrian facilities in the ``middle pasture.'' 
Proposed facilities would include barn and stable operation, 4 to 7 
overnight equestrian camping sites, and extra day-use parking for 
equestrian users. This area could also provide overnight parking and 
access to the surrounding Flat Tops Wilderness Area. This location is 
previously disturbed and is proposed

[[Page 37166]]

for equestrian facilities to minimize the impact to the natural 
resources, while separating use between equestrians and other visitors.
     Develop additional lake access points. Any new access will 
include minimal disturbance to the lakeshore and lakeside willows by 
utilizing perpendicular-only paths through the willows to fishing docks 
or watercraft launching docks to minimize any disturbance on the lake 
edge.
     Convert the existing Forest Service campground and parking 
to day-use individual or group picnic sites and maintain the existing 
day-use trailhead and lake-access parking in this area.
     Construct a new lodge with administrative, educational, 
and interpretive spaces to enhance the visitor experience through site 
amenities and services. This new lodge building may offer small-scale 
food service capabilities such as a small coffee and pie shop or 
limited prepackaged food offerings that would align with Forest Service 
policies for providing food service on National Forest System lands 
while not necessitating an increase in wastewater accommodation. The 
construction of a group picnic site with a possible food truck or 
mobile kitchen parking will also be explored in this area for small 
events or day-to-day operations.
     Evaluate establishing day-use hiking and equestrian trails 
on the northeast side of the lake. These trails would provide loop 
trails and connections between the existing Ute Trail, to the new 
equestrian area, and the Keep Ditch Trail. These trails could provide 
an additional access to the Flat Tops Wilderness Area other than the 
existing Hilltop trailhead north of the project area. Evaluate 
establishing trails to a new overlook on the southwest side of the lake 
to provide an additional scenic overlook of the lake. Evaluate 
additional trails within the project area to highlight the historical 
significance of the site and its buildings as part of an interpretive 
trail system or provide other recreational opportunities.
     Construct appropriate maintenance facilities, equipment 
storage, and personnel housing necessary for management and 
maintenance.
     For the cave within the project area, develop a cave 
management plan in consultation with the tribes to ensure the vital 
cultural history is preserved and incorporate the plan into the 
proposed special use permit.
    A map of the proposed project boundary and draft proposed action 
conceptional diagram are available on the project web page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/whiteriver/?project=64047.
    The Forest Service would close the wetlands and the historic 
pasture north of the lake to human entry to preserve delicate ecologic 
resources. In addition, the proposed action will evaluate the need for 
ecosystem restoration in this area and authorize restoration actions, 
if needed.
    The proposed action may require amending the forest plan. The 
project areas currently bounding the newly purchased property includes 
Management Area 5.41--Deer and Elk Winter Range to the north and 
Management Area 5.4--Forested Flora and Fauna Habitats to the south. 
Land acquisitions to the National Forest System generally adopt the 
adjacent management area prescription. The proposed action will be 
evaluated for forest plan consistency to determine the need for a plan 
amendment which could require modifications to some plan components or 
other plan content.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    The lead agency for this project proposal is the Forest Service. 
Cooperating agencies include Garfield County, Eagle County, the Town of 
Gypsum, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official is Mr. Scott Fitzwilliams, White River 
National Forest Supervisor, White River National Forest, 900 Grand 
Ave., P.O. Box 948, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.

Scoping Comments and the Objection Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. In this process 
the Forest Service is requesting comments on potential alternatives and 
impacts, and identification of any relevant information, including 
comments on aspects of the White River National Forest Land and 
Resource Management Plan (2002) that may guide or constrain activities 
described in the proposed action, or other studies or analyses 
concerning impacts affecting the quality of the human environment.
    Multiple public engagement opportunities were held to inform the 
public and help shape this proposal. Online comment forms were 
available on the Eagle Valley Land Trust website from October 2021 to 
May 2023 and an online public survey was conducted in March 2023. 
Multiple public meetings in different locations were held in January 
and February 2022. A virtual ``NEPA 101'' training was provided in 
November 2022 and a virtual public meeting was held in November 2022. 
Forest Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife leaders also met with 
twelve community members in a bi-weekly working group format (13 
meetings) from October 2022 to May 2023 to bring community interest and 
ideas to the project as well as report back to the broader community. 
Forest Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife leaders also conducted 
interviews with multiple stakeholders in the area and met regularly 
with the outfitter and guide who operated on the site under multiple 
private owners for almost 40 years. From July 2023 to January 2024, the 
Forest Service and the cooperating agencies have met approximately once 
a month for a total of seven (7) meetings to work through the project 
issues and address known public concerns in preparation for the scoping 
process. The scoping process will include three (3) public meetings in 
addition to the electronic or written comments to the Forest Service. 
Dates, times, and locations of the public meetings will be announced on 
the project web page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/whiteriver/?project=64047.
    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 final 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. Commenting during 
scoping and any other designated opportunity to comment provided by the 
responsible official as prescribed by the applicable regulations will 
also govern eligibility to object once the final environmental impact 
statement and draft record of decision have been published. 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 eligibility 
for the objection process.
    Objections will be accepted only from those who have previously 
submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project 
during scoping or other designated opportunity for public comment in 
accordance with 36 CFR 218.5(a), 219.16, and 219.52, as applicable. 
Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted 
timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless

[[Page 37167]]

based on new information arising after designated opportunities.

Permits, Licenses, or Other Authorizations Required

    This proposed action will consider the authorization of a long-term 
special use permit to Colorado Parks and Wildlife to operate and manage 
the site.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Given the purpose and need, the responsible official will determine 
whether the proposed action complies with all applicable laws governing 
Forest Service actions and with the applicable standards and guidelines 
found in the forest plan; whether the environmental impact statement 
has sufficient site-specific environmental analysis to make an informed 
decision; and whether the proposed action meets the purpose and need 
for action. With this information, the responsible official must decide 
whether to select the proposed action or one of any other potential 
alternatives that may be developed, and what, if any, additional 
actions should be required.

Substantive Provisions

    The following substantive provisions of the 2012 Planning Rule (36 
CFR 219.8-11) may be directly related to the proposed forest plan 
amendment (219.13(b)(5)): 36 CFR 219.8(a) Ecological sustainability; 36 
CFR 219.8 (b) Social and economic sustainability; 36 CFR 219.9(a) 
Ecosystem plan components; 36 CFR 219.9(b) Additional, species specific 
plan components; 36 CFR 219.9(c) Species of conservation of concern; 36 
CFR 219.10(a) Integrated resource management for multiple use; and 36 
CFR 219.10(a) Lands not suited for timber production.

Gregory C. Smith,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2024-09720 Filed 5-3-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P