COPPER MOUNTAIN RESORT Environmental Assessment Tenmile Creek Facilities Improvements and Restoration Project Dillon Ranger District White River National Forest June 2008 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). 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COPPER MOUNTAIN RESORT TENMILE CREEK FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS AND RESTORATION PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SUMMIT COUNTY, COLORADO Proposed Action: Responsible Official: Further Information: Copper Mountain Resort Mary Morgan Roger Poirier Acting Forest Supervisor Project Leader Location: White River National Forest White River National Forest White River National Forest Glenwood Springs, CO 900 Grand Avenue Summit County, Colorado Glenwood Springs, CO 81602-0948 [email protected] Lead Agency: Acting District Ranger: USDA Forest Service Joe Foreman Dillon Ranger District Dillon Ranger District White River National Forest White River National Forest Summit County, Colorado Silverthorne, Colorado Abstract: Copper Mountain Resort (CMR) is located on the White River National Forest in Summit County, Colorado and operates in accordance with the terms and conditions of a 40-year Ski Area Term Permit issued by the USDA Forest Service. This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to analyze a proposal designed to respond to current and anticipated consumer demands for access to public lands within CMR’s special use permit (SUP) area, while improving stream health of a reach in Tenmile Creek within and adjacent to CMR’s existing SUP boundary. The Proposed Action includes project components that: (1) increase parking capacity beyond the footprint of the existing Corn Lot on the east side of State Highway (SH) 91, including associated highway modifications, and (2) improve the health of an approximately 3,800-foot reach of Tenmile Creek that flows through and adjacent to CMR’s SUP boundary. This EA discusses the Purpose and Need for the proposal, the process used to develop alternatives, potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of implementing the No Action Alternative (Alternative 1) and the Proposed Action (Alternative 2), and suggested project design criteria (PDC). Following review of public and agency comments on this EA, the Forest Supervisor will make a final determination as to which alternative best serves the public interest on National Forest System lands. The Selected Alternative can be a modification of alternatives presented. Important Notice: Reviewers should provide the Forest Service with their comments during the review period for the EA. This will enable the Forest Service to analyze and respond to the comments at one time, and to use this acquired information in the preparation of the Final Environmental Assessment, thus avoiding undue delay in the decision-making process. Comments on the EA should be specific and should address the adequacy of the EA and the merits of the alternatives discussed (36 CFR 215.14). 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. Comment Period: The comment period for the EA will extend 30 calendar days from the date on which the Legal Notice is published in the paper of record - the Glenwood Post Independent. Public notice of availability has also been provided in newspapers of local distribution. Please send comments to Roger Poirier at the aforementioned address for the Supervisor’s Office of the White River National Forest. Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. PURPOSE AND NEED ................................................................................................................................. 1-1 DOCUMENT STRUCTURE ........................................................................................................................................ 1-1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................... 1-1 Project Background ......................................................................................................................................... 1-5 Implementation Responsibilities and Timeframes ............................................................................................ 1-6 PURPOSE AND NEED .............................................................................................................................................. 1-7 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 1-7 SCOPE OF THE ANALYSIS ....................................................................................................................................... 1-8 INTERAGENCY COORDINATION .............................................................................................................................. 1-8 SCOPING AND IDENTIFICATION OF KEY ISSUES ...................................................................................................... 1-8 CONSISTENCY WITH FOREST SERVICE POLICY..................................................................................................... 1-11 Forest Service Management Direction .......................................................................................................... 1-11 Land and Resource Management Plan Consistency ...................................................................................... 1-12 RELATIONSHIP TO PREVIOUS ANALYSES AND APPROVALS .................................................................................. 1-12 DECISION FRAMEWORK ....................................................................................................................................... 1-12 OTHER NECESSARY PERMITS, LICENSES, ENTITLEMENTS AND/OR CONSULTATION ........................................... 1-13 PROJECT RECORD AVAILABILITY ........................................................................................................................ 1-14 2. DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES ....................................................................................................... 2-1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................... 2-1 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED IN DETAIL ............................................................................................................... 2-1 Alternative 1 – No Action ................................................................................................................................. 2-2 Alternative 2 – The Proposed Action ............................................................................................................... 2-5 Alternatives and Design Components Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Analysis ........................... 2-11 Alternative Comparison Matrix ..................................................................................................................... 2-11 SUMMARY COMPARISON OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES BY ALTERNATIVE ............................................ 2-12 SITE SPECIFIC PROJECT DESIGN CRITERIA INCORPORATED INTO THE PROPOSED ACTION ................................... 2-14 3. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES .................................... 3-1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................... 3-1 A. WATER RESOURCES ..................................................................................................................................... 3-4 Scope of the Analysis ........................................................................................................................................ 3-4 Affected Environment ....................................................................................................................................... 3-4 Direct and Indirect Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 3-17 Cumulative Effects ......................................................................................................................................... 3-26 Cumulative Effects Summary ......................................................................................................................... 3-31 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources ...........................................................................