Environmental Assessment: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Recreation Enhancements Project US Department of Agriculture – Forest Service Bridger-Teton National Forest Jackson Ranger District Jackson, WY Prepared with the assistance of: Cirrus Ecological Solutions, LC Logan, UT July 2015 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotapes, etc.) should contact the USDA Office of Communications at (202) 720-2791. To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250 or call 1-800-245-6340 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity employer. Environmental Assessment: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Recreation Enhancements Project TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................... i List of Tables ........................................................................................................................................... iii List of Figures .......................................................................................................................................... iii Chapter 1: Purpose and Need ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Organization of Document .................................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Proposed Action .................................................................................................................................. 2 1.4 Purpose and Need ............................................................................................................................... 4 1.5 Decisions to be Made .......................................................................................................................... 4 1.6 Planning Guidance .............................................................................................................................. 5 1.6.1 Forest Plan ................................................................................................................................... 5 1.6.2 Teton Village Master Plan ........................................................................................................... 5 1.7 Scoping and Identification of Issues ................................................................................................... 6 1.7.1 Issues Analyzed in Depth ............................................................................................................. 6 1.7.2 Issues Considered but Not Analyzed in Depth ............................................................................ 8 1.8 Required Permits and Authorizations ............................................................................................... 10 Chapter 2: Proposed Action ........................................................................................................................ 13 2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 13 2.2 Alternative Formulation .................................................................................................................... 13 2.3 Alternative 1 – No Action ................................................................................................................. 13 2.3.1 New or Widened Ski Runs from 1996 EIS ................................................................................ 13 2.3.2 Upper Apres Vous Traverse from 2000 EA ............................................................................... 14 2.3.3 Completion of Halfpipe from 2000 EA ..................................................................................... 15 2.3.4 Complete Remainder of Authorized Hiking and Biking Trail Systems from 2000 EA ............. 15 2.4 Alternative 2 – Proposed Action ....................................................................................................... 16 2.4.1 Sweetwater Gondola Installation ............................................................................................... 16 2.4.2 Eagle’s Rest Lift Relocation ...................................................................................................... 18 2.4.3 Solitude Conveyor Installation ................................................................................................... 18 2.4.4 Casper Restaurant Remodel/Expansion ..................................................................................... 19 2.4.5 Storage Facility .......................................................................................................................... 19 2.4.6 Bridger Gondola Ski Patrol Station ........................................................................................... 19 2.4.7 Ashley Ridge Run Upgrade ....................................................................................................... 19 2.4.8 Wide Open Run Extension ......................................................................................................... 20 2.4.9 Solitude Run Development ........................................................................................................ 20 2.4.10 Washakie Run Development .................................................................................................... 20 2.4.11 Grizzly Glade Development ..................................................................................................... 21 2.4.12 Snowmaking System Expansion .............................................................................................. 21 2.4.13 GazEx® Avalanche System Completion ................................................................................. 21 2.4.14 Hiking and Biking Trail Network Expansion .......................................................................... 22 2.4.15 Via Ferrata Installation ............................................................................................................. 22 2.4.16 Zip-line Installation with Modified Alignment ........................................................................ 22 2.5 Design Criteria .................................................................................................................................. 23 i Environmental Assessment: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Recreation Enhancements Project 2.6 Alternatives Considered but Not Carried into In-depth Analysis ..................................................... 26 2.7 Summary and Comparison of Environmental Effects ...................................................................... 27 Chapter 3: Environmental Consequences ................................................................................................... 31 3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 31 3.2 Disturbance Types and Areas ........................................................................................................... 31 3.3 Cumulative Actions .......................................................................................................................... 33 3.4 Soil, Water, and Watershed Resources ............................................................................................. 34 3.4.1 Scope of Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 34 3.4.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................................................ 35 3.4.3 Direct and Indirect Effects ......................................................................................................... 39 3.4.4 Cumulative Effects ..................................................................................................................... 51 3.5 Vegetation ......................................................................................................................................... 52 3.5.1 Scope of Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 52 3.5.2 Affected Environment ................................................................................................................ 52 3.5.3 Direct and Indirect Effects ......................................................................................................... 58 3.5.4 Cumulative Effects ..................................................................................................................... 63 3.6 Wildlife ............................................................................................................................................. 63 3.6.1 Scope of Analysis