Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
ARAPAHOE BASIN SKI AREA PROJECTS DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT JANUARY 2016 USDA Forest Service White River National Forest Dillon 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, office, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. 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 responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online 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]. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Cover photo credits: Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Dave Camara, Hal Hartman, Bonsai Design ABSTRACT DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR THE ARAPAHOE BASIN SKI AREA PROJECTS WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST DILLON RANGER DISTRICT SUMMIT COUNTY, COLORADO JANUARY 2016 Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Responsible Official: Scott Fitzwilliams, Forest Supervisor White River National Forest For Information Contact: Matt Ehrman, Project Leader White River National Forest 900 Grand Avenue Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 [email protected] Abstract: This Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been prepared to analyze and disclose the estimated environmental effects of ski area projects proposed by Arapahoe Basin Ski Area (A-Basin). A-Basin is located on the White River National Forest in Summit County, Colorado and operates in accordance with the terms and conditions of a special use permit, which is administered by the United States Forest Service. The Proposed Action includes the following elements: incorporating the Beavers into A-Basin’s operational boundary; development of the Beavers terrain, including ski trails and a chairlift; replacing the Molly Hogan and Pallavicini chairlifts; grading around the ridge above the top terminal of the Pallavicini chairlift; construction of the Zuma Access surface lift; removal of the Norway chairlift; and the addition of a canopy tour and a challenge course. Components of the Proposed Action are detailed in Chapter 2. This DEIS discusses the Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action; potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of implementing the alternatives; and project design criteria. Two alternatives are analyzed in detail in the DEIS: Alternative 1 (No Action) and Alternative 2 (the Proposed Action). Comments on this DEIS will be accepted for 45 days from publication of the Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register. The NOA provides the sole means of calculating the close of the DEIS comment period. Important Notice: Only those who submit timely and specific written comments will have eligibility to file an objection under 36 CFR §218.8. For objection eligibility, each individual or representative from each entity submitting timely and specific written comments must either sign the comment or verify identity upon request. Individuals and organizations wishing to be eligible to object must meet the information requirements in 36 CFR §218.25(a)(3). Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who comment, will become part of the public record for this project and will be subject to review pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. Executive Summary Executive Summary EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The proposed improvements 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 Act 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 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in compliance with NEPA and other relevant federal and state laws and regulations. This DEIS 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 implementation of the Proposed Action. 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. A. SUMMARY OF THE PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION The overall purpose of the proposed projects is to improve the guest experience and skier safety at the Arapahoe Basin Ski Area (A-Basin). It is not anticipated that the proposal would elicit increases in peak day visitation. The full text of the Purpose and Need is stated in Chapter 1. The following five statements summarize the Purpose and Need: • Provide the Beavers with snow safety operations and ski patrol services consistent with statements made in the 2002 WRNF Forest Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). • Accommodate existing and future demand for high alpine and open bowl skiing while protecting and enhancing the distinctive skiing experience that A-Basin provides. • Improve access along the 400-foot, slightly uphill catwalk from Lenawee Mountain chairlift to Montezuma Bowl. • Upgrade and remove chairlifts, as needed. • Provide adventure-based multi-season experiences that require little specialized knowledge, skills, equipment or familiarity with the mountain environment. Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Projects Draft Environmental Impact Statement ES-1 Executive Summary B. SUMMARY OF THE ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED IN THIS DEIS This DEIS analyzes the No Action Alternative (analyzed in this document as Alternative 1) and the Proposed Action. ALTERNATIVE 1 – NO ACTION By definition, the No Action Alternative represents a continuation of existing management practices without changes, additions, or upgrades to existing conditions. ALTERNATIVE 2 – PROPOSED ACTION The Proposed Action includes the addition of approximately 338f sk acres o iing terrain in the Beavers, construction of a new chairlift to access the Beavers terrain, a new surface lift to access Montezuma Bowl, replacement of the Molly Hogan and Pallavicini chairlifts, removal of the Norway chairlift, grading projects to improve operational efficiency and skier circulation, and construction of a canopy tour and challenge course. All proposed projects would be located within A-Basin’s existing SUP area. Components of the Proposed Action and details about modifications made in response to scoping comments are presented in Chapter 2, Section B – Alternative 2 – Proposed Action. Terrain The Proposed Action would expand A-Basin’s operational boundary by approximately 492 acres and would result in approximately 338 additional acres of skiable terrain in the Beavers area, including: • Approximately 26 acres of terrain (composed of 13 acres of intermediate and 13 acres of advanced intermediate terrain) across two traditional trails (B-2 and B-4) • Approximately 24 acres of expert skiing terrain on two tree skiing trails (B-1 and B-3) • Approximately 91 acres of open bowl skiing in Beaver Bowl • Approximately 45 acres of expert level skiable terrain in tree skiing areas A, B, and C • Approximately 153 acres of expert level tree skiing terrain in the Steep Gullies • Emergency egress route to accommodate evacuation of injured skiers by A-Basin ski patrol and two picnic table decks are also included in the proposed terrain. Chairlifts The Proposed Action includes one new chairlift, one new surface lift, two chairlift replacements and the removal of one chairlift, including: • Beavers chairlift to be installed as a fixed-grip (three- or four-person) chairlift serving intermediate, advanced intermediate, and expert terrain Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Projects Draft Environmental Impact Statement ES-2 Executive Summary • Zuma Access surface lift (approximately 360 feet long) to be installed on the traverse between the top terminal of the Lenawee Mountain chairlift and the top terminal of the Zuma chairlift • Pallavicini and Molly Hogan chairlifts (including operator’s shelters) replaced in their existing alignments with chairlifts with similar hourly capacities (1,200