STEAMBOAT SKI RESORT FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT MAY 2018 USDA Forest Service Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW. Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]. This institution is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Cover photo credit: Larry Pierce/Steamboat Ski Resort ABSTRACT STEAMBOAT SKI RESORT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT MEDICINE BOW-ROUTT NATIONAL FORESTS AND THUNDER BASIN NATIONAL GRASSLAND HAHNS PEAK/BEARS EARS RANGER DISTRICT ROUTT COUNTY, COLORADO MAY 2018 Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Responsible Official: Russell Bacon, Forest Supervisor Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland For Information Contact: Erica Dickerman, Mountain Sports Ranger Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District 925 Weiss Drive Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 [email protected] Abstract: This Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) has been prepared to analyze and disclose the estimated environmental effects of projects proposed on Steamboat Ski Resort (Steamboat). Steamboat is located on the Routt National Forest in Routt County, Colorado, and operates in accordance with the terms and conditions of a special use permit that is administered by the United States Forest Service. The Proposed Action Alternative includes the following elements: expansion of Steamboat’s operational boundary; construction of the Rough Rider Learning Center including Bashor Gondola, Bashor Children’s Facility and Restaurant, several moving carpets, and replacement of the Rough Rider platter lift; improvements within the Bashor Bowl area, such as realignment and replacement of the Bashor chairlift, relocation of Mavericks Superpipe, and expansion of Rabbit Ears Terrain Park; improvements within the Pony Express area, including substantial trail improvements, construction of a patrol hut and restroom, and the addition of chairs to Pony Express chairlift; and development of the new Pioneer Ridge area, including glading and hazard tree removal, ski trail construction, and construction of the Pioneer Ridge chairlift. A non-significant project-specific amendment to the 1998 Routt National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan is also proposed to amend Threatened, Endangered, Sensitive Species, and Wildlife Standard 6.∗ Components of the Proposed Action Alternative are detailed in Chapter 2. This FEIS discusses the Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action Alternative; alternatives to the Proposed Action Alternative; potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of each alternative; and best management practices and project design criteria. Two alternatives are analyzed in detail in this FEIS: Alternative 1 (No Action Alternative) and Alternative 2 (Proposed Action Alternative). Important Notice: A draft Record of Decision accompanies this FEIS. Only those who submitted timely and specific written comments during the scoping comment period or Draft Environmental Impact Statement comment period have eligibility to file an objection to the draft decision under 36 Code of Federal Regulations(CFR) § 218.8. Individuals and organizations wishing to be eligible to object must meet the information requirements in 36 CFR § 218.25(a)(3). ∗ USDA Forest Service, 1998 p. 13 Executive Summary EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The proposed projects analyzed in this document constitute a federal action, which has the potential to affect the quality of the human environment on public lands administered by the United States Forest Service (Forest Service). Therefore, these projects must be analyzed pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Action of 1969 (NEPA). Under NEPA, federal agencies must carefully consider environmental concerns in their decision-making processes and provide relevant information to the public for review and comment. The Forest Service has prepared this Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) in compliance with NEPA and other relevant federal and state laws and regulations. This FEIS contains analyses consistent with NEPA, Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations, and Forest Service policy. It discloses potential direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects on the human and biological environment anticipated to result with implantation of the Proposed Action Alternative or No Action Alternative. Additionally, it is intended to ensure that planning considers the environmental and social values of the Project Area and that potential resource conflicts are minimized or avoided. SUMMARY OF THE PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION ALTERNATIVE The overall purpose of the proposed projects at Steamboat Ski Resort (Steamboat) is to address existing constraints and conditions and further improve the skiing experience. The projects would meet the following needs: • Improve Steamboat’s teaching terrain for beginner ability level guests to provide an effective and comfortable learning/teaching progression • Address operation inefficiencies and circulation of existing terrain • Provide additional lift-served terrain to meet guest expectations for diverse terrain offerings The full text of the Purpose and Need is stated in Section 1.5. SUMMARY OF THE ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED IN THIS FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT In addition to the Proposed Action Alternative, the required No Action Alternative is analyzed in detail within the FEIS. Refer to Chapter 2 for a full description of alternatives. ALTERNATIVE 1 – NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE By definition, the No Action Alternative represents a continuation of existing management practices without changes, additions, or upgrades to existing conditions as a result of this NEPA analysis. Steamboat Ski Resort Final Environmental Impact Statement ES-1 Executive Summary ALTERNATIVE 2 – PROPOSED ACTION ALTERNATIVE These projects are designed to address existing constraints and conditions and further improve the skiing experience of Steamboat. The Proposed Action Alternative includes the following elements, each of which are further defined in Chapter 2. All components of the Proposed Action Alternative are depicted in Figure 2-2, Figure 2-2a, and Figure 2-2b. Terrain • Steamboat’s ski area operational boundary would be increased by 355 acres to encompass additional Pioneer Ridge terrain that is present within Steamboat’s Special Use Permit (SUP) area • Thirteen traditional, cleared ski trails, ski-ways, and gladed ski trails would be constructed, totaling 121 acres. A ski bridge over Burgess Creek would also be constructed. • Mavericks Superpipe would be relocated and Rabbit Ears Terrain Park expanded. • Terrain improvements such as trail corridor enhancements, glading, and hazard tree removal would occur within the Rough Rider, Bashor Bowl, Pony Express, and Pioneer Ridge areas. • Snowmaking coverage would be increased by 53 acres, resulting in approximately 36.8 acre-feet of additional water diverted from the Yampa River. Lifts • The Bashor Gondola would be installed on private lands between the base area and proposed Rough Rider Learning Center, and would be constructed to a design capacity of 2,400 people per hour (pph). • Up to three moving carpet surface lifts would be installed within the proposed Rough Rider Learning Center. Each surface lift would be constructed to a slope length of up to 250 feet and have a design capacity of up to approximately 600 pph per surface lift. • The existing Rough Rider platter lift would be replaced by a 1,200-foot Rough Rider chairlift, increasing the design capacity from 513 pph to 1,800 pph. • The Bashor chairlift would be replaced and realigned. The design capacity of this lift, located on private lands, would be increased from 1,200 pph to 2,400 pph. • Additional chairs would be added to the Pony Express chairlift to increase the design capacity from 1,200 pph to 1,800 pph. No ground disturbance would be required. • The Pioneer Ridge chairlift would be installed within the new