Vail Mountain Recreation Enhancements Project Final Environmental Impact Statement
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VAIL MOUNTAIN RECREATION ENHANCEMENTS PROJECT FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT DRAFT AUGUST 2014 USDA Forest Service White River National Forest Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ABSTRACT FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR THE VAIL MOUNTAIN RECREATION ENHANCEMENTS PROJECT WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST EAGLE COUNTY, COLORADO AUGUST 2014 Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Responsible Official: Scott Fitzwilliams, Forest Supervisor White River National Forest For Information Contact: Roger Poirier, Project Leader White River National Forest 120 Midland Ave. Suite 140 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 [email protected] Abstract: This Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) has been prepared to analyze and disclose the estimated environmental effects of implementation of the Vail Mountain Recreation Enhancements Project. Vail Ski Area is located on the White River National Forest in Eagle County, Colorado and operates in accordance with the terms and conditions of a Special Use Permit, which is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service (Forest Service). The Proposed Action includes the following elements: Educational and Interpretive Programs; two zip line canopy tours; two mountain coasters; expanded hiking and mountain biking trails across Vail Ski Area; Riparian Experience; Aerial Adventure Course; modified horse trail in Game Creek Bowl; Wildwood observation deck; wedding venue at The 10th. Components of the Proposed Action are detailed in Chapter 2, Section B (Alternative 2 – Proposed Action). This FEIS discusses the purpose and need for the Proposed Action; alternatives to the Proposed Action; potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of implementing each alternative; and management requirements. Three alternatives are analyzed in detail in the FEIS: Alternative 1 – No Action, Alternative 2 – Proposed Action, and Alternative 3. 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 DEIS comment period have eligibility to file an objection to the draft decision under 36 CFR §218.8. Individuals and organizations wishing to be eligible to object must meet the information requirements in 36 CFR §218.25(a)(3). 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 Department of Agriculture 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 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 implementation of the Proposed Action or an additional 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. A. SUMMARY OF THE PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION Public interest in summer outdoor recreation has expanded and evolved throughout recent years, including recreational use of the national forests. The Forest Service believes that ski areas are well- positioned to introduce user groups that might not otherwise visit national forests (e.g., urban-based population segments, including youth) to outdoor recreation. When it comes to outdoor recreation, these visitors can be broadly placed into two categories: those who are likely to engage in self-directed recreational activities on NFS lands, and those who seek organized or developed activities in more managed settings (i.e., activities supervised by a permittee or guide). The rise in the popularity of developed activities in more managed settings stems, in part, from (1) the difficulty some families have in finding activities they can participate in together, or (2) barriers (the need for specialized knowledge, equipment, skills or familiarity with the forest environment) that can be associated with many self- directed activities such as mountain biking, kayaking, and rock climbing. The purpose of this proposal at Vail Ski Area is to engage a larger segment of summer visitors seeking more managed recreation opportunities by providing: Adventure or thrill-based experiences that require little specialized knowledge, skills, equipment or familiarity with the mountain environment; Activity-based interaction with a forested, mountain environment in a controlled setting, offering an opportunity for users to interact with and learn about nature; Vail Mountain Recreation Enhancements Project Final Environmental Impact Statement ES-1 Executive Summary Human-powered, active recreational experiences that cater to all ability levels; and Interpretive programs that offer an educational experience for users seeking to learn more about the environment. There is a need for summer recreational and learning opportunities at Vail Ski Area that include passive, active and interactive forms of recreation to provide for this comprehensive range of user experiences. Additionally, there is a need for the improved utilization of and access to existing infrastructure such as chairlifts and restaurants. B. SUMMARY OF THE ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED IN THE FEIS In addition to the No Action Alternative (analyzed in this document as Alternative 1), two action alternatives are analyzed. Refer to Chapter 2 for a full description of alternatives and Chapter 6 for alternative figures. 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 projects proposed analyzed in this FEIS are designed to respond to the identified Purpose and Need. The proposed projects are confined within Vail Ski Area’s Special Use Permit (SUP) boundary (with the exception of some proposed project elements that extend onto adjacent, private lands [refer to Figure 2]), and are located primarily within developed portions of the front side of Vail Mountain. The Proposed Action includes the following elements, each of which is further defined in Chapter 2. All proposed activities are depicted in Figure 2. Educational and Interpretive Programs An interpretive program would be embedded throughout the range of existing and proposed year- round activities. Zip Line Canopy Tours Two zip line canopy tours: ○ The Game Creek Canopy Tour would consist of seven interconnected zip lines transporting riders around Game Creek Bowl. Riders would descend from Eagle’s Nest to the Game Creek Express, ride Game Creek Express to Wildwood, and descend back to Eagle’s Nest. Vail Mountain Recreation Enhancements Project Final Environmental Impact Statement ES-2 Executive Summary ○ The Front Side Canopy Tour would consist of ten interconnected zip lines transporting riders down the front side of Vail Mountain. Riders would descend from Mid-Vail to the base of Gondola One. Mountain Coasters Two mountain coasters: ○ Adventure Ridge Mountain Coaster would be located near Adventure Ridge, west of the top terminal of Pride Express. The track would be approximately 3,700 feet in length and would descend approximately 300 vertical feet. ○ Pride Express Mountain Coaster would begin near the top of the proposed Adventure Ridge Mountain Coaster, west of the Pride Express, and would extend to the bottom of the Pride Express. The track would be approximately 12,000 feet in length and would descend approximately 1,200 vertical feet. Expanded Hiking and Mountain Biking Trails Between 45 to 55 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails would be constructed across the front side of Vail Mountain. Approximately 20 percent of new trails would be designated for hiking, approximately 45 percent for cross-country mountain biking, and approximately 35 percent for downhill mountain biking. Riparian Experience The Riparian Experience would be located at Adventure Ridge,