SKI AREA PROJECTS FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FEBRUARY 2019 USDA Forest Service Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest Gunnison 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, 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. ABSTRACT FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR THE CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN RESORT SKI AREA PROJECTS GRAND MESA, UNCOMPAHGRE, AND GUNNISON NATIONAL FOREST GUNNISON COUNTY, COLORADO FEBRUARY 2019 Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Responsible Official: Chad Stewart, Acting Forest Supervisor Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forest For Information Contact: Aaron Drendel, Program Lead Gunnison Ranger District 216 N. Colorado Street Gunnison, CO 81230 (970) 641-0471 Abstract: This Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) has been prepared to analyze and disclose the estimated environmental effects of projects proposed at Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR). CBMR is located on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forest (GMUG) in Gunnison County, Colorado, and operates in accordance with the terms and conditions of a special use permit (SUP) that is administered by the United States Forest Service. The Proposed Action includes the following elements: expansion of the SUP boundary by approximately 500 acres to encompass the Teo Drainage area; installation of two new chairlifts (Teo Park chairlift and Teo Drainage chairlift), and replacement and realignment of one existing chairlift (North Face chairlift); development of additional ski terrain, including developed ski trails and glades, in the Teo Park and Teo Drainage areas; expansion of ski patrol operations and construction of a ski patrol/warming building; terrain access improvements in areas of existing terrain; installation of 32 acres of new snowmaking coverage; and construction of approximately 15 miles of additional mountain biking trails. Components of the Proposed Action are detailed in Chapter 2. This Final EIS 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 project design criteria. Two alternatives are analyzed in detail in this Final EIS: Alternative 1 (No Action Alternative) and Alternative 2 (Proposed Action). Important Notice: A draft Record of Decision accompanies this Final EIS. Only those who submitted timely and specific written comments 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 have either signed the comment or verify identify upon request. Individuals and organizations wishing to be eligible to object must meet the information requirements in the 36 CFR § 218.25(a)(3). Any objections received will be made publicly available on the Forest’s project website. Under the 2012 Planning Rule at 36 CFR § 219.51, the included plan amendment is not subject to objection because no substantive formal comments on it were received. Summary 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 (U.S.) 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 (Final EIS) in compliance with NEPA and other relevant federal and state laws and regulations. This Final EIS 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 No Action Alternative or 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 AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION The overall purpose of the proposed projects at Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) is to address the existing constraints and conditions and further improve the skiing and mountain biking experience. The projects would meet the following needs: • Meet increased public demand for developed intermediate and expert ski terrain by developing the Main Mountain at CBMR; • Increase the total amount of developed and undeveloped terrain and ski pods, with an emphasis on intermediate, advanced, and expert ability levels in order to improve the skiing opportunities for guests, and thereby extend their length of stay; • Provide an expanded offering of additional recreational activities for year-round utilization of existing facilities, consistent with summer use impact zones in the 2013 Master Development Plan (MDP); • Continue to increase the quality of the facilities to meet the ever-increasing expectations of the local, regional, and destination skier markets; and • Improve skier circulation and opportunities by realigning the North Face chairlift, improving access to the North Face and Spellbound Bowl, and adding snowmaking infrastructure. The full description of the project’s Purpose and Need is stated in Chapter 1. Crested Butte Mountain Resort Ski Area Projects Final Environmental Impact Statement S-1 Summary B. SUMMARY OF THE ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED IN THIS FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT In addition to the Proposed Action, the required No Action Alternative is analyzed within this Final EIS. 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. The No Action Alternative is depicted in Figure 1. ALTERNATIVE 2 – PROPOSED ACTION The Proposed Action includes the following elements, each of which are further defined in Chapter 2. All components of the Proposed Action are depicted in Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 4. Special Use Permit Boundary Adjustment and Forest Plan Amendment CBMR’s SUP boundary would be increased by approximately 500 acres to encompass the Teo Drainage area. While the overall goals and objectives of the Proposed Action were determined to be consistent with the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests 1991 Amended Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan), the proposed boundary adjustment would require converting areas identified as Management Area 2A – Semi-primitive Motorized Recreation and 6B – Livestock Grazing, Maintain Forage Composition, to 1B – Downhill Skiing and Winter Sports. This Management Area conversion would require a significant, Forest-wide Forest Plan amendment, which is described in greater detail in Appendix B. Chairlifts The Teo Park chairlift would be installed within the existing SUP boundary. The top-drive chairlift would be constructed as a fixed-grip triple chairlift with a slope length of approximately 3,050 feet and a capacity of 1,200 people per hour (pph). The Teo Drainage chairlift would be installed within the proposed adjusted SUP area. The top- drive chairlift would be constructed as either a fixed-grip or high-speed detachable triple or quad chairlift with a slope length of approximately