Idaho Panhandle National Forests and Lolo National Forest; Shoshone County, ID and Mineral County, MT; Lookout Pass Ski Area Expansion Third-Party Environmental Impact Statement, 18878-18880 [2014-07524]
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18878
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 65 / Friday, April 4, 2014 / Notices
Done at Washington, DC, this 31st day of
March 2014.
Catherine E. Woteki,
Under Secretary for Research, Education and
Economics.
Mojdeh Bahar,
Assistant Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014–07574 Filed 4–3–14; 8:45 am]
[FR Doc. 2014–07553 Filed 4–3–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–22–P
BILLING CODE 3410–03–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Research Service
Forest Service
Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive
License
Idaho Panhandle National Forests and
Lolo National Forest; Shoshone
County, ID and Mineral County, MT;
Lookout Pass Ski Area Expansion
Third-Party Environmental Impact
Statement
Agricultural Research Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given that
the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Agricultural Research Service, intends
to grant to Eureka Genomics
Corporation of Hercules, California, an
exclusive license to the Federal
Government’s rights in U.S. Patent
Application Serial No. 13/824,348,
‘‘SCALABLE CHARACTERIZATION OF
NUCLEIC ACIDS BY PARALLEL
SEQUENCING’’, filed on March 15,
2013.
SUMMARY:
Comments must be received on
or before May 5, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to: USDA,
ARS, Office of Technology Transfer,
5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Rm. 4–1174,
Beltsville, Maryland 20705–5131.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: June
Blalock of the Office of Technology
Transfer at the Beltsville address given
above; telephone: 301–504–5989.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The patent
rights in this invention are co-owned by
the United States of America, as
represented by the Secretary of
Agriculture, and Eureka Genomics
Corporation of Hercules, California. The
prospective exclusive license will grant
to the co-owner, Eureka Genomics
Corporation, an exclusive license to the
Federal Government’s patent rights. It is
in the public interest to so license this
invention as Eureka Genomics
Corporation of Hercules, California has
submitted a complete and sufficient
application for a license. The
prospective exclusive license will be
royalty-bearing and will comply with
the terms and conditions of 35 U.S.C.
209 and 37 CFR 404.7. The prospective
exclusive license may be granted unless,
within thirty (30) days from the date of
this published Notice, the Agricultural
Research Service receives written
evidence and argument which
establishes that the grant of the license
would not be consistent with the
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DATES:
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requirements of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37
CFR 404.7.
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Idaho Panhandle
National Forests (IPNFs) and Lolo
National Forest (LNF) are preparing an
environmental impact statement (EIS) to
consider and disclose the anticipated
environmental effects of a proposal from
Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area
(Lookout Pass) to expand its special use
permit to upgrade and develop new
lifts, ski terrain, parking, access roads,
and guest service facilities. The
proposed project is located
approximately 12 miles east of Wallace,
Idaho, on National Forest System (NFS)
lands within Shoshone County, Idaho,
and Mineral County, Montana.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope
of the analysis must be received by May
5, 2014. The Draft EIS is expected to be
available for public review in winter
2015 and the Final EIS is expected in
summer 2016.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
SWCA Environmental Consultants, 1220
SW Morrison St., Suite 700, Portland,
OR 97205. Comments may also be sent
via email to comments-northernidpanhandle-coeur-dalene@fs.fed.us,
via facsimile to (503) 224–1851, online
through the project Web site at https://
www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usdapop.php?project=43757, or in-person at
the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District,
Fernan or Smelterville offices, or the
Superior Ranger District. Include
‘‘Lookout Pass Ski Area Expansion
Third-Party EIS’’ in the subject line.
Comments submitted electronically
must be searchable or readable with
optical character recognition software.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Additional information related to the
proposed project can be obtained from
the project Web site, https://
www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usdaSUMMARY:
PO 00000
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pop.php?project=43757, by contacting
the Lookout Pass Ski Area Expansion
Third-Party EIS NEPA Contractor, Sue
Wilmot, at (503) 224–0333 ext. 6324, or
by emailing: swilmot@swca.com.
Further information will also be made
available at three public open houses:
• April 22, 2014, 5–7 p.m. at the
Black Diamond Ranch (120 Borgia
Haugan Frontage Rd., De Borgia, MT).
• April 23, 2014, 5–7 p.m. at the
Wallace Inn (100 Front Street, Wallace,
Idaho).
• April 24, 2014, 5–7 p.m. at the
Coeur d’Alene Forest Supervisors Office
(3815 Schreiber Way, Coeur d’Alene,
Idaho).
Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action: The
purpose of the proposed Lookout Ski
Area Expansion is to provide a highquality downhill skiing recreational
opportunity on the IPNFs and LNF.
Lookout Pass ski terrain is insufficient
to meet market demands, resulting in
diminished recreational experiences
and reduced economic viability for the
ski area. In the Lookout Pass Ski and
Recreation Area Master Development
Plan, Lookout Pass specifically
identified three social, economic, or
physical factors that necessitate the
development of additional terrain in
order to ensure continued, publicly
acceptable ski operations. These factors
are (1) diminished skier experiences
associated with overcrowding, increased
skier congestion, decreased safe
operating conditions, and inefficient
skier transport during high-visitation
days as well as inefficient skier
transport and trail use on low-visitation
days; (2) current ski terrain distribution
that does not match market demand;
and (3) concerns over the economic
viability of Lookout Pass and its ongoing
contribution to the local economy.
Expansion of Lookout Pass would
address these needs by providing more
skiable terrain and more efficient lift
systems to enable the ski area to remain
economically viable while ensuring a
high-quality recreation experience for a
wider range and number of skiers. This
action would move the ski area toward
a desired condition outlined in the
Idaho Panhandle National Forests Land
Management Plan and the Lolo National
Forest Plan and respond to the Forest
Plans’ goals and objectives.
Proposed Action: The IPNFs and LNF
propose to expand the existing Lookout
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 65 / Friday, April 4, 2014 / Notices
Pass boundary through a new special
use permit to encompass an additional
650 acres of Forest Service lands.
Administration of these lands is split
between the IPNFs in Shoshone County,
Idaho, and the LNF in Mineral County,
Montana. Approximately 55% of the
additional acreage would fall within the
IPNFs and 45% would fall within the
LNF.
Ski Trails and Terrain: The Proposed
Action would construct 15 new ski
trails, providing a total of 85 new acres
of traditional ski terrain. New connector
ski trails would add about 24 acres of
novice terrain and provide access to
proposed and existing lifts and terrain.
The remaining 61 acres would provide
new low intermediate to advanced
intermediate terrain and reduce
crowding and skier conflicts on highvisitation days.
Construction of traditional terrain ski
trails would require the removal of all
trees within the ski trail corridor. Some
partial removal would also occur along
ski trail edges and in leave islands.
Timber harvest during ski trail
construction would be conducted using
ground-based yarding systems and
slash, including limbs and large woody
debris, would be either removed or
burned.
In addition to traditional ski terrain,
creation of about 9 acres of gladed
terrain is proposed. Beetle-killed and
infested trees would be removed, and
wood waste would be chipped and used
for erosion control, cut for firewood, or
piled and burned on site.
Lifts: Lift 1 would be upgraded from
a two-passenger lift to a four-passenger
lift to increase skier capacity. A new
drive terminal, a return terminal, and 14
line towers would be installed to
support this upgrade. Existing access
roads would be used for construction
and maintenance of upgraded Lift 1; no
new road construction would be
required.
Two new lifts—Lifts 5 and 6—would
be constructed in the proposed
expansion area to provide skier access
to new traditional and gladed terrain.
Lift construction would occur within
tree-cleared corridors. Lift 5 would be
approximately 5,200 feet long with a
vertical rise of approximately 1,300 feet.
It would serve six trails and provide
access to the Lift 6 ski trails. Lift 5
would be installed as a fixed-grip lift for
two, three, or four passengers. Lift 6
would serve six trails and would
provide access back to the Lift 5 trails.
The lift would be approximately 2,800
feet long with a vertical rise of
approximately 800 feet, and would be
installed as a fixed-grip, two-passenger
lift.
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Lift terminals and towers would be
transported to each site using logging
equipment (forwarders, tractors, or
skidders).
Powerline: Proposed Lifts 5 and 6
would be powered via an underground
power cable extending from the bottom
of existing Lift 1 to the bottom drive
terminals of proposed Lifts 5 and 6. The
approximately 12,000 feet of buried
cable would be installed within new
and existing ski trails and along
proposed temporary roads.
The powerline would cross one
unnamed spring-fed creek near the base
of Lift 6. The cable would be either
directionally drilled under the creek or
installed using an open-cut method. The
creek would be restored to preconstruction or better condition, and
erosion and sediment control measures
would be installed to reduce streambank
and upland erosion and sediment
transport into the waterbody.
Parking: The Proposed Action would
add 6.6 acres of parking to
accommodate an additional 130
vehicles and buses. Approximately 50
parking spaces and a turn-around area
would be added north of the existing
overflow parking area. Ingress and
egress for users of the Northern Pacific
Railroad Trail would be maintained. An
additional 80 parking spaces would be
created in two locations south of the
existing paved parking area; one on the
west side of the access road and another
on the west side of the existing railroad
grade. Ingress and egress for other users
would be maintained.
No snowmobile off-loading or trailer
parking would be designated or
permitted within the special use area
boundary.
Maintenance Facilities: A new
maintenance shop and adjacent concrete
fuel tank pad would be constructed just
south of the existing fueling pad station
to support ski operations. A 0.03-mile
new, permanent gravel road would be
constructed to provide access between
the maintenance facilities and the lodge.
Guest Service Facilities (ski patrol
service building and restroom): A ski
patrol service building and warming hut
would be constructed at the top of
proposed Lifts 5 and 6. The log structure
would be similar to the existing ski
patrol service building and would be
powered by propane or fuel cell
technology to provide heat and light.
The Proposed Action would also
include construction of a two-stall
Romtec restroom structure in the
vicinity of the proposed Lift 5 bottom
terminal, just off existing NFS Road
18591 along a proposed new permanent
road.
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18879
Roads and Access: Approximately 4.3
miles of existing and new roads would
be constructed or reconstructed to
Forest Service standards by the
permittee to facilitate timber harvest
and Lookout Pass maintenance and
operations. These roads would be closed
to public travel during project
implementation and after completion.
Entry to the project area during the
timber harvest and construction phases
would occur via existing NFS Roads
9132, 4208, 18591, and 3026A, requiring
approximately 0.5 mile of
reconstruction on Road 18591.
Approximately 2.2 miles of new,
permanent roads would also be
constructed to provide long-term,
annual use by Lookout Pass for
maintenance and operations. Planned
new permanent roads would be
constructed to Forest Service standards.
Motorized vehicle access would be
permitted for Forest Service
administrative use and by Lookout Pass
for maintenance and operations, but all
other motorized access would be
prohibited.
Approximately 1.6 miles of temporary
roads would be constructed, primarily
on existing ski trails, jeep tracks, or
other primitive trails and unmanaged
Forest Service roads to minimize
vegetation and soil disturbance.
Temporary roads would be constructed
for logging of a single entry only and
would be decommissioned following
this activity.
Low-impact temporary roads would
also be needed to access the lift tower
locations. These would be made with a
small trackhoe traversing cross-country
and removed at the conclusion of
construction activities.
Upon construction of the proposed
new permanent road, Forest Service
Undetermined Roads 37315 and 37315–
1 would be decommissioned. These
roads provide duplicate access to areas
that would be accessed by the proposed
new permanent road and represent a
higher risk to area resources because
they are not managed by the Forest
Service or constructed to current Forest
Service-specified road standards.
Forest Plan Amendment: The
Proposed Action would include an
amendment to the Lolo National Forest
Plan. This amendment would change
approximately 173 acres from
Management Area (MA) 9 (concentrated
public use), 13 acres from MA 13
(riparian areas), and 107 acres from MA
24 (timber production with high visual
sensitivity) to MA 8 (ski areas).
For the IPNFs, the Proposed Action
would change approximately 85 acres
from MA 1 (timber production) and 89
acres from MA 9 (non-forest lands) to
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18880
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 65 / Friday, April 4, 2014 / Notices
MA 17 (developed recreation) under the
current Idaho Panhandle National
Forests Land Management Plan (referred
to as the Forest Plan). However, if any
of the action alternatives are selected as
part of the record of decision for the
IPNF’s ongoing Forest Plan revision, all
lands potentially affected by the
Proposed Action would fall within MA
7 (primary recreation areas) and would
not require a Forest Plan amendment.
Responsible Official: Mary
Farnsworth, Forest Supervisor, Idaho
Panhandle National Forests, 3815
Schreiber Way, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
83815.
Nature of Decision To Be Made: Based
on the analysis that will be documented
in the forthcoming EIS, the responsible
official will decide whether or not to
amend the current special use permit to
implement, in whole or in part, the
Proposed Action or another alternative
that may be developed by the Forest
Service as a result of scoping.
Scoping Process: This notice of intent
initiates the scoping process, which
guides the development of the EIS. The
Forest Service is soliciting comments
from federal, state, and local agencies
and other individuals or organizations
that may be interested in or affected by
implementation of the proposed project.
Public questions and comments
regarding this proposal are an integral
part of this environmental analysis
process. Input provided by interested
and/or affected individuals,
organizations, and governmental
agencies will be used to identify
resource issues that will be analyzed in
the Draft EIS. The Forest Service will
use the significant issues raised during
the scoping process to formulate
alternatives, prescribe mitigation
measures and project design features,
and analyze environmental effects.
It is important that reviewers provide
their comments at such times and in
such manner that they are useful to the
agency’s preparation of the EIS.
Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the
comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer’s specific facts,
concerns, or issues, and the supporting
reasons.
Comments received in response to
this solicitation, including names and
addresses of those who comment, will
be part of the public record for this
Proposed Action. Comments submitted
anonymously will be accepted and
considered; however, anonymous
comments will not allow the Forest
Service to provide the respondent with
subsequent environmental documents.
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Dated: March 28, 2014.
Lisa A. Timchak,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2014–07524 Filed 4–3–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Siuslaw Resource Advisory Committee
Meetings
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of meetings.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Siuslaw Resource
Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in
Corvallis, Oregon. The committee is
authorized under the Secure Rural
Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act (Pub. L. 110–343)
(the Act) and operates in compliance
with the Federal Advisory Committee
Act. The purpose of the committee is to
improve collaborative relationships and
to provide advice and recommendations
to the Forest Service concerning projects
and funding consistent with Title II of
the Act. The meetings are open to the
public. The purpose of the meetings is
to recommend projects for Title II
funding.
SUMMARY:
The meetings will be held from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the following dates:
• May 8, 2014
• May 28, 2014
• June 6, 2014
All RAC meetings are subject to
cancellation. For status of meeting prior
to attendance, please contact the person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
DATES:
The meeting will be held at
Siuslaw National Forest Headquarters,
Conference Room 20 A, 3200 SW
Jefferson Way, Corvallis, Oregon 97331.
Written comments may be submitted
as described under SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION. All comments, including
names and addresses when provided,
are placed in the record and are
available for public inspection and
copying. The public may inspect
comments received at Siuslaw National
Forest Headquarters. Please call ahead
to facilitate entry into the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joni
Quarnstrom, RAC Coordinator, by
phone at 541–750–7075 or via email at
jquarnstrom@fs.fed.us.
Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
Standard Time, Monday through Friday.
ADDRESSES:
PO 00000
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Please make requests in advance for sign
language interpreting, assistive listening
devices or other reasonable
accommodation for access to the facility
or procedings by contacting the person
listed above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Additional RAC information, including
the meeting agenda and the meeting
summary/minutes can be found at the
following Web site: www.fs.usda.gov/
siuslaw/rac. The agenda will include
time for people to make oral statements
of three minutes or less. Individuals
wishing to make an oral statement
should request in writing at least 2 days
before the meeting date to be scheduled
on the agenda. Anyone who would like
to bring related matters to the attention
of the committee may file written
statements with the committee staff
before or after the meeting. Written
comments and requests for time for oral
comments must be sent to Joni
Quarnstrom, RAC Coordinator, Siuslaw
National Forest Headquarters, 3200 SW
Jefferson Way, Corvallis, Oregon 97331;
or by email to jquarnstrom@fs.fed.us or
via facsimile to 541–750–7234.
Meeting Accommodations: If you are
a person requiring reasonable
accommodation, please make requests
in advance for sign language
interpreting, assistive listening devices
or other reasonable accommodation for
access to the facility or proceedings by
contacting the person listed in the
section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT. All reasonable
accommodation requests are managed
on a case by case basis.
Dated: March 26, 2014.
Jeremiah C. Ingersoll,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2014–07437 Filed 4–3–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Del Norte Resource Advisory
Committee
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of meetings.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Del Norte Resource
Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in
Crescent City, California. The committee
is authorized under the Secure Rural
Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act (Pub. L 110–343) (the
Act) and operates in compliance with
the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
The purpose of the committee is to
improve collaborative relationships and
to provide advice and recommendations
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 65 (Friday, April 4, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18878-18880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-07524]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Idaho Panhandle National Forests and Lolo National Forest;
Shoshone County, ID and Mineral County, MT; Lookout Pass Ski Area
Expansion Third-Party Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Idaho Panhandle National Forests (IPNFs) and Lolo National
Forest (LNF) are preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) to
consider and disclose the anticipated environmental effects of a
proposal from Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area (Lookout Pass) to
expand its special use permit to upgrade and develop new lifts, ski
terrain, parking, access roads, and guest service facilities. The
proposed project is located approximately 12 miles east of Wallace,
Idaho, on National Forest System (NFS) lands within Shoshone County,
Idaho, and Mineral County, Montana.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by May 5, 2014. The Draft EIS is expected to be available for public
review in winter 2015 and the Final EIS is expected in summer 2016.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to SWCA Environmental Consultants,
1220 SW Morrison St., Suite 700, Portland, OR 97205. Comments may also
be sent via email to comments-northern-idpanhandle-coeur-dalene@fs.fed.us, via facsimile to (503) 224-1851, online through the
project Web site at https://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php?project=43757, or in-person at the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger
District, Fernan or Smelterville offices, or the Superior Ranger
District. Include ``Lookout Pass Ski Area Expansion Third-Party EIS''
in the subject line. Comments submitted electronically must be
searchable or readable with optical character recognition software.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information related to the
proposed project can be obtained from the project Web site, https://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php?project=43757, by contacting the
Lookout Pass Ski Area Expansion Third-Party EIS NEPA Contractor, Sue
Wilmot, at (503) 224-0333 ext. 6324, or by emailing: swilmot@swca.com.
Further information will also be made available at three public open
houses:
April 22, 2014, 5-7 p.m. at the Black Diamond Ranch (120
Borgia Haugan Frontage Rd., De Borgia, MT).
April 23, 2014, 5-7 p.m. at the Wallace Inn (100 Front
Street, Wallace, Idaho).
April 24, 2014, 5-7 p.m. at the Coeur d'Alene Forest
Supervisors Office (3815 Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho).
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action: The purpose of the proposed Lookout
Ski Area Expansion is to provide a high-quality downhill skiing
recreational opportunity on the IPNFs and LNF. Lookout Pass ski terrain
is insufficient to meet market demands, resulting in diminished
recreational experiences and reduced economic viability for the ski
area. In the Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area Master Development
Plan, Lookout Pass specifically identified three social, economic, or
physical factors that necessitate the development of additional terrain
in order to ensure continued, publicly acceptable ski operations. These
factors are (1) diminished skier experiences associated with
overcrowding, increased skier congestion, decreased safe operating
conditions, and inefficient skier transport during high-visitation days
as well as inefficient skier transport and trail use on low-visitation
days; (2) current ski terrain distribution that does not match market
demand; and (3) concerns over the economic viability of Lookout Pass
and its ongoing contribution to the local economy. Expansion of Lookout
Pass would address these needs by providing more skiable terrain and
more efficient lift systems to enable the ski area to remain
economically viable while ensuring a high-quality recreation experience
for a wider range and number of skiers. This action would move the ski
area toward a desired condition outlined in the Idaho Panhandle
National Forests Land Management Plan and the Lolo National Forest Plan
and respond to the Forest Plans' goals and objectives.
Proposed Action: The IPNFs and LNF propose to expand the existing
Lookout
[[Page 18879]]
Pass boundary through a new special use permit to encompass an
additional 650 acres of Forest Service lands. Administration of these
lands is split between the IPNFs in Shoshone County, Idaho, and the LNF
in Mineral County, Montana. Approximately 55% of the additional acreage
would fall within the IPNFs and 45% would fall within the LNF.
Ski Trails and Terrain: The Proposed Action would construct 15 new
ski trails, providing a total of 85 new acres of traditional ski
terrain. New connector ski trails would add about 24 acres of novice
terrain and provide access to proposed and existing lifts and terrain.
The remaining 61 acres would provide new low intermediate to advanced
intermediate terrain and reduce crowding and skier conflicts on high-
visitation days.
Construction of traditional terrain ski trails would require the
removal of all trees within the ski trail corridor. Some partial
removal would also occur along ski trail edges and in leave islands.
Timber harvest during ski trail construction would be conducted using
ground-based yarding systems and slash, including limbs and large woody
debris, would be either removed or burned.
In addition to traditional ski terrain, creation of about 9 acres
of gladed terrain is proposed. Beetle-killed and infested trees would
be removed, and wood waste would be chipped and used for erosion
control, cut for firewood, or piled and burned on site.
Lifts: Lift 1 would be upgraded from a two-passenger lift to a
four-passenger lift to increase skier capacity. A new drive terminal, a
return terminal, and 14 line towers would be installed to support this
upgrade. Existing access roads would be used for construction and
maintenance of upgraded Lift 1; no new road construction would be
required.
Two new lifts--Lifts 5 and 6--would be constructed in the proposed
expansion area to provide skier access to new traditional and gladed
terrain. Lift construction would occur within tree-cleared corridors.
Lift 5 would be approximately 5,200 feet long with a vertical rise of
approximately 1,300 feet. It would serve six trails and provide access
to the Lift 6 ski trails. Lift 5 would be installed as a fixed-grip
lift for two, three, or four passengers. Lift 6 would serve six trails
and would provide access back to the Lift 5 trails. The lift would be
approximately 2,800 feet long with a vertical rise of approximately 800
feet, and would be installed as a fixed-grip, two-passenger lift.
Lift terminals and towers would be transported to each site using
logging equipment (forwarders, tractors, or skidders).
Powerline: Proposed Lifts 5 and 6 would be powered via an
underground power cable extending from the bottom of existing Lift 1 to
the bottom drive terminals of proposed Lifts 5 and 6. The approximately
12,000 feet of buried cable would be installed within new and existing
ski trails and along proposed temporary roads.
The powerline would cross one unnamed spring-fed creek near the
base of Lift 6. The cable would be either directionally drilled under
the creek or installed using an open-cut method. The creek would be
restored to pre-construction or better condition, and erosion and
sediment control measures would be installed to reduce streambank and
upland erosion and sediment transport into the waterbody.
Parking: The Proposed Action would add 6.6 acres of parking to
accommodate an additional 130 vehicles and buses. Approximately 50
parking spaces and a turn-around area would be added north of the
existing overflow parking area. Ingress and egress for users of the
Northern Pacific Railroad Trail would be maintained. An additional 80
parking spaces would be created in two locations south of the existing
paved parking area; one on the west side of the access road and another
on the west side of the existing railroad grade. Ingress and egress for
other users would be maintained.
No snowmobile off-loading or trailer parking would be designated or
permitted within the special use area boundary.
Maintenance Facilities: A new maintenance shop and adjacent
concrete fuel tank pad would be constructed just south of the existing
fueling pad station to support ski operations. A 0.03-mile new,
permanent gravel road would be constructed to provide access between
the maintenance facilities and the lodge.
Guest Service Facilities (ski patrol service building and
restroom): A ski patrol service building and warming hut would be
constructed at the top of proposed Lifts 5 and 6. The log structure
would be similar to the existing ski patrol service building and would
be powered by propane or fuel cell technology to provide heat and
light.
The Proposed Action would also include construction of a two-stall
Romtec restroom structure in the vicinity of the proposed Lift 5 bottom
terminal, just off existing NFS Road 18591 along a proposed new
permanent road.
Roads and Access: Approximately 4.3 miles of existing and new roads
would be constructed or reconstructed to Forest Service standards by
the permittee to facilitate timber harvest and Lookout Pass maintenance
and operations. These roads would be closed to public travel during
project implementation and after completion.
Entry to the project area during the timber harvest and
construction phases would occur via existing NFS Roads 9132, 4208,
18591, and 3026A, requiring approximately 0.5 mile of reconstruction on
Road 18591.
Approximately 2.2 miles of new, permanent roads would also be
constructed to provide long-term, annual use by Lookout Pass for
maintenance and operations. Planned new permanent roads would be
constructed to Forest Service standards. Motorized vehicle access would
be permitted for Forest Service administrative use and by Lookout Pass
for maintenance and operations, but all other motorized access would be
prohibited.
Approximately 1.6 miles of temporary roads would be constructed,
primarily on existing ski trails, jeep tracks, or other primitive
trails and unmanaged Forest Service roads to minimize vegetation and
soil disturbance. Temporary roads would be constructed for logging of a
single entry only and would be decommissioned following this activity.
Low-impact temporary roads would also be needed to access the lift
tower locations. These would be made with a small trackhoe traversing
cross-country and removed at the conclusion of construction activities.
Upon construction of the proposed new permanent road, Forest
Service Undetermined Roads 37315 and 37315-1 would be decommissioned.
These roads provide duplicate access to areas that would be accessed by
the proposed new permanent road and represent a higher risk to area
resources because they are not managed by the Forest Service or
constructed to current Forest Service-specified road standards.
Forest Plan Amendment: The Proposed Action would include an
amendment to the Lolo National Forest Plan. This amendment would change
approximately 173 acres from Management Area (MA) 9 (concentrated
public use), 13 acres from MA 13 (riparian areas), and 107 acres from
MA 24 (timber production with high visual sensitivity) to MA 8 (ski
areas).
For the IPNFs, the Proposed Action would change approximately 85
acres from MA 1 (timber production) and 89 acres from MA 9 (non-forest
lands) to
[[Page 18880]]
MA 17 (developed recreation) under the current Idaho Panhandle National
Forests Land Management Plan (referred to as the Forest Plan). However,
if any of the action alternatives are selected as part of the record of
decision for the IPNF's ongoing Forest Plan revision, all lands
potentially affected by the Proposed Action would fall within MA 7
(primary recreation areas) and would not require a Forest Plan
amendment.
Responsible Official: Mary Farnsworth, Forest Supervisor, Idaho
Panhandle National Forests, 3815 Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
83815.
Nature of Decision To Be Made: Based on the analysis that will be
documented in the forthcoming EIS, the responsible official will decide
whether or not to amend the current special use permit to implement, in
whole or in part, the Proposed Action or another alternative that may
be developed by the Forest Service as a result of scoping.
Scoping Process: This notice of intent initiates the scoping
process, which guides the development of the EIS. The Forest Service is
soliciting comments from federal, state, and local agencies and other
individuals or organizations that may be interested in or affected by
implementation of the proposed project. Public questions and comments
regarding this proposal are an integral part of this environmental
analysis process. Input provided by interested and/or affected
individuals, organizations, and governmental agencies will be used to
identify resource issues that will be analyzed in the Draft EIS. The
Forest Service will use the significant issues raised during the
scoping process to formulate alternatives, prescribe mitigation
measures and project design features, and analyze environmental
effects.
It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of
the EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of
the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's
specific facts, concerns, or issues, and the supporting reasons.
Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record
for this Proposed Action. Comments submitted anonymously will be
accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not allow the
Forest Service to provide the respondent with subsequent environmental
documents.
Dated: March 28, 2014.
Lisa A. Timchak,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2014-07524 Filed 4-3-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
