Beaver Creek Resort Mccoy Park Terrain Development Decision Notice Environmental Assessment

BEAVER CREEK RESORT MCCOY PARK TERRAIN DEVELOPMENT DECISION NOTICE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

November 2018

USDA Forest Service White River National Forest Rocky Mountain Region 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, 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. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, 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] (link sends e-mail). USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

DECISION NOTICE Contents

Introduction/Background ...... 1 Purpose and Need for Action ...... 1 Decision and Reasons for the Decision ...... 1 Selected Alternative Description ...... 2 Terrain ...... 2 Chairlifts ...... 3 Snowmaking ...... 3 Skier Services ...... 4 Ski Patrol Facilities ...... 4 Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing Trails ...... 4 Construction, Maintenance, and Utility Access ...... 4 Rationale for My Decision ...... 5 Other Alternatives Considered ...... 6 Public Involvement ...... 6 Finding of No Significant Impact ...... 6 Findings Requirement by Other Laws and Regulations ...... 7 Opportunity to Object the Proposed Project ...... 7 Implementation Date ...... 7 Contact ...... 7 Appendix A. Project Design Criteria

Environmental Assessment i

DECISION NOTICE

conditions, 45 percent of Beaver Creek Resort’s INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND terrain capacity should serve beginner through low-intermediate ability level guests; however, This Decision Notice documents my decision only 40 percent of Beaver Creek Resort’s terrain and rationale for approving the proposed capacity currently serves these ability levels. projects on the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District, White River National Forest (WRNF). The current teaching areas at Beaver Creek The Project Area is located within the Beaver include the Highlands and Red Buffalo Park. Creek Resort (Beaver Creek) Special Use Permit The Highlands area is served by the Buckaroo (SUP) boundary, Eagle County, Colorado. My Gondola, Highlands chairlift, and several surface decision is based on and supported by the lifts (carpets). This teaching area is at the August 2018 Beaver Creek Resort McCoy Park intersection of several intermediate and Terrain Development Environmental Assessment advanced ability level trails in one of Beaver (EA). Creek Resort’s busiest areas. Specifically, as advanced skiers make their way down to the Beaver Creek operates under a SUP base of the Centennial Express chairlift on the administered by the WRNF’s Eagle-Holy Cross Latigo, Gold Dust, and Assay trails, user Ranger District. The 2002 WRNF Land and conflicts occur between advanced skiers and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) beginner/low-intermediate skiers. While the provides general standards and guidelines for the Highlands area is practical for first-time skiers, operation of Beaver Creek regarding its it does not offer longer beginner and low- activities and operations on National Forest intermediate trails that are essential for skier System (NFS) lands. The SUP and associated progression. Red Buffalo Park is served by the summer and winter operating plans, as well as Red Buffalo Express chairlift, with guest access other resource management documents, provide primarily achieved via the Centennial Express more specific guidance for annual winter and chairlift and Cinch Express chairlift. Red summer ski area operations and projects. Buffalo Park offers longer beginner trails; PURPOSE AND NEED however, the area is utilized by advanced skiers accessing Rose Bowl and Stone Creek Chutes. FOR ACTION Additionally, this area requires guests to The purpose of the Proposed Action is to download the Centennial Express or down the provide guests with a dedicated beginner and Cinch catwalk, which intersects with multiple low-intermediate ability level area with intermediate and advanced ability level trails. appropriate slope angles in an engaging setting that is also separated from advanced ability level DECISION AND REASONS terrain, and which offers high-quality snow FOR THE DECISION conditions throughout the season. There is a After thoroughly considering the Purpose and need for Beaver Creek to offer a dedicated Need for Action, issues, range of alternatives, beginner and low-intermediate area that is and analyses presented in the EA, as well as removed from intermediate and advanced trails; public comments that were received, I am provides longer, consistently comfortable approving the Proposed Action with the beginner and low-intermediate trails; and inclusion of all Project Design Criteria (PDC) experiences high-quality, natural snow coverage identified in Table 2 of the EA and included in through the season. Appendix A of this document. The Selected There is an overall deficiency of lower ability Alternative will include various lift, terrain, level terrain (beginner, novice, and intermediate) snowmaking, skier service, and operational at Beaver Creek Resort. Based on market improvements associated with providing lift-

Environmental Assessment 1 DECISION NOTICE

served terrain in McCoy Park, as described affected by the mountain pine beetle. These trees below and depicted on the attached figure. will be removed first, and trail layout will connect existing open spaces. Minimal The Selected Alternative, along with my additional clearing may be necessary to facilitate decision to require PDC, meets all applicable grooming operations; thus, the completed trails laws, regulations, and policies. With the would appear to be natural glades instead of application of PDC, the project will not result in clear-cut trails. Most dead lodgepole pine trees any unacceptable effects to NFS lands. Failure will be removed within McCoy Park. Access to to comply with the required PDC will constitute beginner and intermediate terrain in McCoy a breach of the project approval and could Park will be made possible via three proposed suspend construction and/or operations on the skiways from the top of Larkspur Express facilities approved by this decision. The Selected chairlift, Strawberry Park Express chairlift/ Alternative includes a collection of projects Upper Beaver Creek Mountain Express chairlift within the McCoy Park area. It is understood and the proposed McCoy Park Express chairlift: that not all projects may be implemented immediately to open and operate the terrain in 1. From the top of the Larkspur Express McCoy Park (e.g., the McCoy Park Egress chairlift, an approximately 1,500-foot-long chairlift may not be initially constructed); proposed skiway (Skiway A) will travel project components can be phased in over time northwest, entering McCoy Park with this authorization. approximately 980 linear feet northeast of and below the proposed McCoy Park SELECTED ALTERNATIVE Express chairlift top terminal (described in the section Chairlifts below). Skiway A will DESCRIPTION only require vegetation clearing All the approved projects are within Beaver (approximately 0.9 acre) to achieve a 20- Creek’s existing SUP area. Natural resource foot width; no grading is approved for considerations (e.g., wetland avoidance and Skiway A. seasonal wildlife closures) have been accounted for in the planning of this project, and the result 2. From the top of the Strawberry Park Express and Upper Beaver Creek Mountain Express is a low-impact design considering the acreage of lift-served terrain that would be provided. chairlifts, an approximately 4,600-foot-long proposed skiway (Skiway B) will traverse With the exception of necessary maintenance, no organized summer use of McCoy Park will on an approximate 8 percent slope to the bottom terminals of the proposed McCoy occur. Park Express and McCoy Park Egress Terrain chairlifts. Skiway B will cross McCoy Creek via a 30-foot-wide by 60-foot-long bridge to The McCoy Park project will add approximately avoid wetland impacts. As indicated in the 250 acres to Beaver Creek Resort’s skiable section Snowmaking below, snowmaking terrain. The project will develop gladed terrain coverage is approved along Skiway B. and access/egress skiways, much of which Skiway B will require vegetation removal would be groomed. Approximately 75 percent (approximately 1.7 acres) and grading (190 acres) of this terrain will be rated beginner, (approximately 4.9 acres) to achieve a 30- with the remaining 25 percent (60 acres) rated foot width and 8 percent slope. intermediate. Vegetation clearing for gladed terrain and skiways will total approximately 26.5 3. From the top of the proposed McCoy Park acres. Currently, a large percentage of the Express chairlift, an approximately vegetation in the area consists of dead or dying 4,300-foot-long skiway (Skiway C) will lodgepole pine trees, many of which were provide access to beginner terrain on the

2 Beaver Creek Resort McCoy Park Terrain Development DECISION NOTICE

west side of McCoy Park. Limited Upper Beaver Creek Mountain Express chairlift, vegetation clearing and no grading will be facilitate quicker egress, and enable skiers to required to create Skiway C. avoid the skiway from the top of the McCoy Park Express chairlift. The McCoy Park Egress To exit McCoy Park, skiers will descend a chairlift will be constructed as a fixed-grip triple proposed skiway (Skiway D) that starts at the with a total length of approximately 3,100 feet. top of the proposed McCoy Park Express The chairlift will have a bottom terminal located chairlift and connects to the existing Primrose at an elevation of approximately 9,500 feet with trail. The approved skier egress route will a vertical rise of approximately 480 feet. From continue below Primrose to the northeast to the top of the chairlift, lower ability-level skiers facilitate access to Beaver Creek Mountain could follow Primrose to Bachelor Gulch, the Expressway, the Talons Restaurant, and Beaver Beaver Creek Mountain Expressway to the Creek Village. Currently, beginner skier access Beaver Creek Village or download on the from the top of the Larkspur Express chairlift to Strawberry Park Express chairlift to return to the Talons Restaurant requires guests to traverse Beaver Creek Village. Construction of the a long, flat catwalk on Primrose. Skiway D will McCoy Park Egress chairlift will require follow a more consistent grade that eliminates approximately 1.5 acres of vegetation removal the need for skating, poling, or walking, which (primarily aspen) and 0.5 acre of grading. are especially difficult for lower ability-level guests. Skiway D will require vegetation Snowmaking removal (4.5 acres) and grading (approximately Snowmaking infrastructure is approved to 6.5 acres). provide coverage along the southeast-facing Chairlifts Skiway B from the top of the Strawberry Park Express and Upper Beaver Creek Mountain Two chairlifts—the McCoy Park Express Express chairlifts to the bottom of the proposed chairlift and the McCoy Park Egress chairlift— McCoy Park Express chairlift. Approximately will be constructed. The McCoy Park Express 5,800 feet of snowmaking water lines will be chairlift will provide primary lift service for the buried within Skiway B and the proposed terrain in McCoy Park. Because the construction/maintenance access road. At the area will predominantly serve beginner and low proposed bridge crossing, the snowmaking intermediate-level skiers, the lift will be a high- pipeline and power line will be insulated and speed detachable quad, which will facilitate easy hung beneath the bridge to avoid wetland and and efficient loading and unloading for beginner stream channel impacts. and low intermediate skiers. The chairlift will be constructed with a design capacity between Snowmaking coverage along Skiway B, totaling 2,000 and 2,400 people per hour (pph) and a approximately 3.2 acres, will ensure reliable length of approximately 5,900 feet. The chairlift access. The ridge separating McCoy Park from will have a bottom terminal elevation of the East Lake Creek drainage to the west approximately 9,500 feet with a vertical rise of deposits above-average snow in the north-facing approximately 840 feet. Construction of the bowl naturally throughout the winter. The McCoy Park Express chairlift will require eastern side of McCoy Park receives less of this approximately 2 acres of vegetation removal natural snow deposit and would also see a high (primarily dead lodgepole pine) and amount of skier traffic as it would be the main approximately 1 acre of grading. access route under the Proposed Action. Thus, snowmaking will be necessary only along The McCoy Park Egress chairlift will provide a Skiway B. second egress option out of McCoy Park to the top of the Strawberry Park Express chairlift and

Environmental Assessment 3 DECISION NOTICE

Skier Services for these trails and overstory vegetation clearing would be minimized to not remove more than 5 To provide a quality experience for guests, skier acres of overstory vegetation, which is primarily services are approved in and around McCoy aspen. These trails will avoid wetlands within Park. A new skier services building will be the area. Guest access to these areas will be approximately 1,500 square feet in size with a achieved by riding Strawberry Park Express 1,000-square foot deck. This building will be chairlift. Cross-country skiers will access the constructed at the top of the proposed McCoy cross-country areas on the east side of McCoy Park Express chairlift, which will include Park via a proposed cross-country trail from the composting toilets. To provide drinking water at top terminal of the Strawberry Park Express this location, a below ground 10,000-gallon chairlift to the bottom terminal of the approved water storage tank will be installed and filled McCoy Park Express chairlift. To access annually by a water truck. Composting toilets approved trails east and west of the top terminal will be constructed at the bottom terminal of the and west of McCoy Park, cross-country guests McCoy Park Express chairlift, and two will then ride the proposed McCoy Park Express additional composting toilets will be constructed chairlift. Additionally, guests accessing the at the existing Candy Cabin near the top of the approved cross-country trails west of McCoy Strawberry Park Express chairlift. The locations Park could ski to the proposed skier bridge along of these facilities will specifically avoid Skiway B and traverse directly west across wetlands. The proposed composting toilets will proposed beginner terrain. There is an existing be “dry toilets” that require annual maintenance seasonal yurt in this area for cross-country to remove effluent. skiing. This structure will be replaced with a Beaver Creek will include interpretative/ permanent structure and will be designed to be educational displays within the skier services consistent with the architectural theme of the building to include topics such as the area. surrounding environment, including wildlife The proposed Family Snowshoe Area would be habitat. developed on the eastern side of McCoy Park. Ski Patrol Facilities Vegetation removal and grading would not occur as the trails will meander through forested A new ski patrol service building will be and open settings with appropriate constructed at the top of the Larkspur Express signage/markers. From the top terminal of this chairlift. Construction of this ski patrol facility chairlift, snowshoeing guests will access the will provide emergency services to both the snowshoeing area on the east side of McCoy Larkspur Bowl and McCoy Park areas of Beaver Park. Beaver Creek will provide Creek Resort. This new building will be interpretative/educational signage within the approximately 1,000 square feet in size. cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trail network related to the surrounding environment, Cross-Country Skiing and including wildlife. Snowshoeing Trails With implementation of the Proposed Action, Construction, Maintenance, cross country skiing and snowshoeing trails will and Utility Access be relocated to the periphery of McCoy Park. The majority of construction and maintenance Existing trails within these areas will be used to access will be provided by service roads that the greatest extent possible, with a goal of follow the same alignment as existing and providing approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles) approved access/egress skiways. Access to the of cross-country trails. No grading is approved bottom terminals of the proposed McCoy Park

4 Beaver Creek Resort McCoy Park Terrain Development DECISION NOTICE

Express and McCoy Park Egress chairlifts will of grading. Utilities will be buried within this follow an approximately 4,600-foot-long new route to provide power to the top terminal of the service road (0.9 mile, the majority of Skiway McCoy Park Express chairlift. B) from the top of the Strawberry Park Express and Upper Beaver Creek Mountain Express Overstory vegetation will be cleared and chairlifts. In order to avoid wetlands, the access disposed of through a variety of methods. The road will diverge from Skiway B near the majority of tree removal is anticipated to be bottom terminal of the McCoy Park Express cleared over the snow with mechanized chairlift and will only be used for construction equipment, including snowcat for removal. In and maintenance access. Skiway B will continue more remote locations, and to minimize through the scrub-shrub wetland complex; temporary ground disturbance, vegetation may however, no grading will be required and also be moved into small piles and burned approximately 0.1 acre of willows will be and/or left as wildlife habitat. Additionally, in trimmed, not removed or filled. Snowmaking some areas, vegetation may be lopped and infrastructure and utilities will be buried within scattered and/or chipped. Five areas for the road/Skiway B (see above Snowmaking construction staging and log decking have been discussion). identified within the project area. These will be located in open spaces not requiring overstory Access to the upper terminal of the McCoy Park vegetation removal. Each area will be Express chairlift will follow the existing approximately 1 acre in size resulting in Larkspur Express chairlift access road to a temporary impacts to herbaceous vegetation. location where a new proposed access road will These areas will be revegetated with a native diverge from the existing road and extend to the seed mix, as necessary. southwest to the proposed McCoy Park Express top terminal location. This new access road will To the greatest extent possible, vegetation be approximately 2,500 linear feet (0.5 mile). clearing will occur during the winter months This approved road will also function as a over the snow to minimize temporary ground portion of Skiway D. A small section of wetland disturbing impacts. Vegetation may be cleared (0.02 acre) will be trimmed for Skiway D. and pulled behind snowcats to the log decking areas. Corridors exist within the forested areas Approximately 2,475 linear feet (0.5 mile) of an from when McCoy Park was historically logged existing access road/skiway extending uphill and these corridors will be utilized for this from near the top of the Strawberry Park project. The corridors that will be temporarily Express chairlift, including upper portions of affected will be revegetated and re-claimed. Primrose, will be reclaimed and revegetated, eliminating a historic source of soil erosion and RATIONALE FOR MY DECISION drainage concerns. In reaching my decision I relied heavily upon an A snowmobile access route (approximately Interdisciplinary (ID) Team comprised of Forest 2,000 linear feet) designated for mountain Service resource specialists who analyzed the operations will be constructed between the top effects of the Proposed Action documented in terminal of the Larkspur Express chairlift and the EA. I considered the following issues and the top terminal of the proposed McCoy Park concerns: anticipated effects to recreation, Express chairlift. This route will separate guests scenery, wildlife and fish, noxious weeds, from snowmobile traffic and provide expedited wetlands, and watershed and soils. I also ski patrol access. Construction of this route will understand that certain resources were not require approximately 0.65 acre of vegetation carried forward in detailed analysis for the EA; removal (primarily lodgepole pine) and 0.4 acre however, those resources were considered by the ID Team and determined to be eliminated from

Environmental Assessment 5 DECISION NOTICE

detailed analysis with rationale. I also reviewed alternatives were considered early in the NEPA the PDC included in the EA, as well as public process. These alternatives were thoroughly comments received during the 30-day considered by the Forest Service against Forest scoping/comment period and considered how the Plan direction and were not carried forward into Selected Alternative would respond to the stated detailed analysis (refer to Section 2.2.2 and Purpose and Need. Appendix A of the EA). In reviewing the qualitative and quantitative PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT effects on the human and biological environment presented in the EA, I find they have been In April 2018 a Notice of Proposed Action was adequately addressed and disclosed. I considered mailed or emailed to 46 community residents, impacts to the full range of resources affecting interested individuals, government officials, the human, biological, and physical public agencies, tribal governments, and other environments. I have reviewed the potential organizations, initiating a 30-day comment direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts. period. 98 comment letters were received during Through the application of appropriate PDC scoping and were then utilized by the ID Team identified to minimize impacts to the resources to identify substantive issues and to consider of concern, I feel confident that potential potential alternatives to the Proposed Action. I impacts have been thoroughly assessed and considered these comments and provided a disclosed. response to them (refer to Appendix A of the EA). After reviewing public comments, as well The planning and design of the approved project as internal concerns raised by Forest Service reduces environmental impacts, allowing for a specialists, a final list of issues was assembled, more straight-forward analysis that does not which helped guide subsequent analysis. Issues include significant impacts. I recognize that the are identified in Chapter 1 of the EA. project will relocate cross-country skiing guests to a new area within the SUP area; however, the In response to concerns raised during the benefit to the general public with increased and scoping comment period by the Eagle Valley improved downhill skiing opportunities Land Trust, Beaver Creek has voluntarily agreed outweighs the impact to the cross-country users to contribute $50,000 to fund the Eagle Valley that will use a new area within the SUP area. I Land Trust’s proposed acquisition of a also understand there will be impacts on private conservation easement on the Scudder-Webster lands due to increased ski area visits, but in the Lake Creek property, contingent upon potential context of the existing condition (traffic, approval of the Proposed Action. parking, housing, air quality, etc.) the impacts will be negligible. Overall, I believe my decision FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT will improve the experience of guests to the IMPACT Forest within the Beaver Creek SUP area in After considering the environmental effects conjunction with the stated environmental described in the EA, I determined that these impacts. actions will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment considering OTHER ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED the context and intensity of impacts (according The Proposed Action was the only alternative to 40 CFR § 1508.27. Thus, an environmental analyzed in detail in the EA. In accordance with impact statement will not be prepared. Refer to Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Chapter 40, Appendix B of the EA for the explanation of the Section 41.22, and 36 CFR § 220.7(b)(2)(ii), the Finding of No Significant Impact. EA did not include an analysis of the No Action Alternative; however, numerous other

6 Beaver Creek Resort McCoy Park Terrain Development DECISION NOTICE FINDINGS REQUIREMENT BY OTHER OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS PROPOSED PROJECT This decision is consistent with the Forest Plan This project has been subject to the objection as required by the National Forest Management processes pursuant to 36 CFR § 218.8 (Project- Act of 1976 and all other laws, regulations, and level components objection), subparts A and B. policies that govern Forest Service actions. Site- The objection period closed on October 29, specific PDC (Appendix A) and Forest Plan 2018. Two objections were received during the standards and guidelines will be applied, as objection period; both objections were resolved appropriate, to meet Forest Plan goals and and withdrawn. desired conditions. While the Forest Service assumes no responsibility or enforcing laws, IMPLEMENTATION DATE regulations, or ordinances under the jurisdiction Because the two objections were withdrawn, of other governmental agencies, Forest Service implementation of this project is effective regulations require permittees to abide by immediately. applicable laws and conditions imposed by other jurisdictions. The project was designed to CONTACT conform to the Forest Plan and all other laws, regulations, and policies, including: U.S. Fish For additional information concerning this and Wildlife’s Endangered Species Act Informal decision, contact: Section 7 Consultation; U.S. Army Corps of Max Forgensi Engineers’ Clean Water Act 404 Permit; State of Mountain Sports Permit Administrator, Colorado’s Stormwater Management Plan and White River National Forest Burn Permit; Executive Order 11990, Protection [email protected] / (970) 827-5157 of Wetlands; and Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management.

SCOTT FITZWILLIAMS Date Forest Supervisor White River National Forest

Environmental Assessment 7

Construction Staging Construction

Skiway

Selected Alternative Selected

Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Trail Areas Trail Snowshoe and Ski Country Cross SUP Boundary SUP Cross-Country Ski Trail Ski Cross-Country

Environmental Assessment Environmental

Glading Wetlands Ski Trail Centerline - Novice Novice - Centerline Trail Ski

º Development Terrain Park McCoy Vegetation Clearing Vegetation Streams Ski Trail Centerline - Intermediate Intermediate - Centerline Trail Ski

Beaver Creek Resort Creek Beaver

Grading 2018 Date: Chairlift Chairlift November

Contour: 20' Contour:

Approved: Existing:

Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District Ranger Cross Eagle-Holy

White River National Forest National River White Legend

' 1,000 500 250 0

Elkhorn

Private

USFS

Area 5K Area

Composting Toilet Composting Approved Cross-Country Approved

Trimmed for Skiway for Trimmed Express Mountain Creek Beaver Upper

Willows to be to Willows

Strawberry Park Express Park Strawberry

McCoy Park Egress Park McCoy

Wetland E Wetland

McCoy Park Express Park McCoy

at Candy Cabin Candy at

Composting Toilets Composting

Additional

Skiway C Skiway

(Spanning Wetlands) (Spanning

Skier Bridge Skier

Snowmaking Coverage) Snowmaking

Skiway B (Includes (Includes B Skiway

7K Snowshoe Zone Snowshoe

Approved Cross-Country Area Cross-Country Approved Approved Family Family Approved

Decommissioned

for Cross Country Skiing Country Cross for Road to be to Road

Existing Seasonal Yurt Seasonal Existing

Skiway D Skiway

/Ski Patrol Access Patrol /Ski

Approved Utility Installation Utility Approved

Skiway A Skiway

Larkspur Express Larkspur

! 3K Approved Cross-Country Area Cross-Country Approved

Approved Warming Hut/Composting Toilet Hut/Composting Warming Approved

Approved Ski Patrol Building Patrol Ski Approved

USFS USFS DECISION NOTICE APPENDIX A. PROJECT DESIGN CRITERIA

Project Phase Project Design Criteria

1) All proposed activities and facilities shall meet Forest Plan and all applicable agency management direction (e.g., Forest Service Handbook and Forest Service Manual) for all affected resource areas. 2) The following project elements will follow guidelines set forth in the White River National Forest Mountain Sports Program’s Facility Design Review Guide March 2017 v3: • Ski Patrol Building (Type B Design Review) • Warming Hut/Composting Toilet (Type B Design Review) • Composting Toilets (Type A Design Review) • McCoy Park Express and McCoy Park Egress chairlifts, associated top and bottom terminals and associated skier bridge (Type B Design Review) The facility design review for each element is anticipated to take 30 days from initial submission to Notice to Proceed. 3) Prior to starting construction activities on NFS lands, Beaver Creek Resort shall develop a Construction Implementation General Plan for Forest Service review and authorization. All proposed construction methodologies and practices will be reviewed for compliance with the decision and resource management direction. This plan shall include the following information: • Construction Management • Project timelines, project contracts, disturbance boundaries, grading and site plans, staging and parking areas, construction access, and any required survey information. • Timber management (defined logging deck areas and skid paths, and protocol for timber removal) • Erosion Control and Drainage Management (erosion control and drainage management activities) • Post-Construction Revegetation and Restoration (methodology, locations, vegetative mixes, and soil amendments) • Noxious Weed Management (weed control methodologies including equipment cleaning, pretreatment, and post- construction monitoring and treatment) • Best Management Practices (BMPs) (Resort BMP list to be employed and adhered to during project implementation) 4) Beaver Creek Resort shall obtain all required county, town, and state permits prior to the start of construction. 5) If tree, shrub, or willow cutting activities are proposed between May 1 and July 31, surveys for active migratory bird nests should be conducted by a qualified biologist prior to cutting. Vegetation with confirmed or suspected active nests should be retained when practicable or as otherwise approved by the Forest Service Responsible Official. 6) Prior to implementation of projects, a stream health survey shall be completed by the Forest hydrologist or an approved contractor within McCoy Creek proximate to the bottom terminal site. This will establish a baseline condition for future Pre-Construction monitoring of stream health. 7) Beaver Creek will restore 2 miles of decommissioned trail (#N227) to deter mountain bike use in the McCoy Park area during elk summer use of the area. 8) In coordination with Forest Service staff, Beaver Creek will develop wildlife interpretive signage that will be installed in the proposed Warming Hut.

9) Beaver Creek Resort will adhere to the mandatory Supervisor’s Closure within McCoy Park, which excludes all human activity from May 6 through June 30 (dates inclusive) to facilitate continued elk calving and calf-rearing. No construction During Construction or maintenance activities shall occur during this time. 10) Wetlands trimmed for designated skiways shall be accomplished by hand treatment. 11) Perform post-construction stream health surveys for three consecutive years from the established monitoring location or until a time determined by the Forest hydrologist that the stream health is maintained. Should surveys reveal stream health is not being maintained due to implementation of approved projects, a restoration plan would be developed by Post Construction the Forest Service and Beaver Creek Resort. If restoration is necessary as a result of the project, Beaver Creek Resort shall fund the restoration. 12) Beaver Creek Resort will terminate winter operations in McCoy Park no later than April 15th annually to minimize potential impacts to elk that may use the McCoy Park area earlier than historically normal.

Environmental Assessment A-1