Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Bald Mountain Ski Resort Master Development Plan, 8199-8200 [E7-3083]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 36 / Friday, February 23, 2007 / Notices Heindon Road, Arcata, 95521. For background information and questions regarding the Trinity River Restoration Program, please contact Douglas Schleusner, Executive Director, Trinity River Restoration Program, P.O. Box 1300, 1313 South Main Street, Weaverville, 96093. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Randy A. Brown of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office, telephone: (707) 822– 7201. Randy A. Brown is the working group’s Designated Federal Officer. For questions regarding the Trinity River Restoration Program, please contact Douglas Schleusner, Executive Director, telephone: (530) 623–1800. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), this notice announces a meeting of the Trinity Adaptive Management Working Group (TAMWG). Dated: February 15, 2007. Randy A. Brown, Designated Federal Officer, Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office, Arcata, CA. [FR Doc. E7–3106 Filed 2–22–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Bald Mountain Ski Resort Master Development Plan Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability. cprice-sewell on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) the Bureau of Land Management publishes a Notice of Availability (NOA) of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Bald Mountain Ski Resort Master Development Plan, the purpose of which is to analyze and disclose the effects of the updated Bald Mountain Ski Area Master Development Plan and 40-year term ski permit application. DATES: The DEIS will be available for review and comment for 45 calendar days from the date of this publication which coincides with the NOA published in the Federal Register by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) can best use comments and resource information if they are submitted by, or before, close of business the last day of the comment VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:07 Feb 22, 2007 Jkt 211001 and review period. If you are uncertain as to what constitutes acceptable comment format or when comments are due, please contact Joe Miczulski, Winter Sports Manager at the Ketchum Ranger District; P.O. Box 2356, Ketchum, ID 83340; or phone at (208) 622–5371. Public meetings will be held to solicit comments on the DEIS on the update to the Master Development Plan for Bald Mountain Ski Resort. Dates and locations for these meetings will be published in the Idaho Mountain Express, Boise Statesman and Twin Falls Times News. ADDRESSES: A copy of the DEIS was sent to affected Federal, State, and local government agencies and to interested parties. The document is also available electronically on the following Web site: https://www.fs.fed.us/r4/sawtooth/ projects. Copies of the DEIS will be available for public inspection at the following locations: Ketchum Ranger District, 206 Sun Valley Road, Ketchum, ID 83340, Business Hours 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Kurtz, Outdoor Recreation Planner at the Shoshone Field Office of the Twin Falls District, 400 West F Street, Shoshone, ID 83352; or phone at (208) 732–7296. Requests for information may be sent electronically to: john_kurtz@blm.gov with ‘‘Attention: Bald Mountain DEIS Information Request’’ in the subject line. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The majority of Sun Valley Resort’s Bald Mountain Ski Area is located on public lands under the jurisdiction of both the U.S.D.A. Forest Service (Forest Service) and the U.S.D.I. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The ski area is administered through two jointly-issued Special Use Permits (SUP), totaling approximately 3,325 acres (1,969 of which are administered by the Sawtooth National Forest, and 1,356 are administered by the BLM’s Twin Falls District). Sun Valley Company has requested a new 40-year term ski area permit for the Bald Mountain Ski Resort. The existing ski area permit, which was issued in December 1977, expires December 2007. One requirement for a ski area permit is to have an approved Master Development Plan (MDP), which is prepared by the permit holder and encompasses the entire winter sports resort envisioned for development and authorization by the permit. Upon acceptance by the Authorized Officers, the MDP becomes part of the ski area permit. The EIS will analyze the effects of the proposed action and alternatives. The agencies give notice of the National PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8199 Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis and decision making process on the proposal so interested and affected members of the public may participate and contribute to the final decision. The Sawtooth National Forest, as the lead for both agencies, invites written comments and suggestions on the scope of the analysis and issues addressed. The 1989 MDP currently guides the Forest Service and BLM in their administration of the special use permit for the ski area. A majority of the actions described in the 1989 MDP have been implemented. Given the age and status of the 1989 MDP, the Forest Service, BLM and Sun Valley Company determined that an updated plan would be appropriate at this time. The Sun Valley Company has updated their MDP for Bald Mountain Ski Area and presented it to the Forest Service and BLM in conjunction with their request for a new 40-year permit to continue operating on these public lands. The existing permit expires December 2007. The draft MDP as submitted by Sun Valley Company is available electronically on the following Web sites: Sawtooth National Forest—https:// www.fs.fed.us/r4/Sawtooth and Sun Valley Company—https:// www.sunvalley.com. An approved MDP will guide development on Bald Mountain Ski Area. Anticipated projects include new ski trail development both inside and outside of the current permit boundary, additional snowmaking installation, existing ski run modification, installation of new ski lifts, including gondola, removal of some existing ski lifts, and addition of a mountain restaurant. A Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) will be analyzed concurrently with the proposed MDP. The VMP will access current conditions of vegetation components on Bald Mountain, both with respect to timber and grass/forb species. The VMP will specify treatments necessary to enact, that will ensure long-term health of vegetation on Bald Mountain. Purpose and Need for Action The purpose and need for the proposed Master Development Plan (MDP) is to update the 1989 MDP to reflect current conditions and needs at the ski resort. Most of the improvements described in the 1989 MDP have been implemented. In addition, new ski area technologies, updated Land Management Plans, and changes in the environment have emerged during this time which warrant consideration in an updated MDP. E:\FR\FM\23FEN1.SGM 23FEN1 8200 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 36 / Friday, February 23, 2007 / Notices Proposed Action The proposed action analyzes the implementation of the MDP as submitted by the Sun Valley Company. The agencies have a responsibility to determine consistency of the MDP with their respective Land Management Plans, to evaluate if any proposed facilities are in hazardous areas (i.e. avalanche path); evaluate if improvements are an appropriate use of Forest Service and BLM land; determine if private land is available to accomplish the proposed activities; and to make a public interest determination. Alternatives Identified Alternatives identified include: Alt. 1—No Action (continuing the present course of action). The existing MDP would not be updated. The ski area permit would be renewed in 2007 and the current MDP would be made part of it. Alt. 2—Proposed Action, the MDP as submitted by Sun Valley Company, would be attached to a new ski area permit. Alt. 3—An alternative which meets the purpose and need to update the MDP, but varies from the actions submitted by Sun Valley Company. cprice-sewell on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES How To Submit Comments Comments must be submitted using one of the following methods: 1. Comments may be electronically mailed to comments-intermtn-sawtoothketchum@fs.fed.us with ‘‘Attention: Bald Mountain DEIS’’ in the subject line. Avoid the use of special characters or any form of encryption. If you do not receive a confirmation from our system that your comment has been received, please contact Joe Miczulski, Winter Sports Manager at the Ketchum Ranger District; P.O. Box 2356, Ketchum, ID 83340; or phone at (208)–622–5371. 2. Written comments may be mailed directly or delivered to the Forest Service at: Joe Miczulski, Winter Sports Manager at the Ketchum Ranger District; P.O. Box 2356, Ketchum, ID 83340; or phone at (208)–622–5371. 3. Comments may be sent via telefax to the Forest Service, Attn: Joe Miczulski, (208)–622–3923. 4. Comments may be given at the public meetings to be scheduled. To be given consideration by BLM, all DEIS comments must include the commenter’s name and street address. BLM’s practice is to make all comments, including the names and street addresses of each respondent, available for public review at the BLM office listed above during business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays. Your comments may be published as VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:07 Feb 22, 2007 Jkt 211001 part of the EIS process. Individual respondents may request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold your name, street address or both from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your written comments. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law. BLM will not consider anonymous comments. All submissions from organizations or businesses will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. Howard Hedrick, District Manager. [FR Doc. E7–3083 Filed 2–22–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–GG–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CO–923–1430-ET; COC–70704] Notice of Proposed Withdrawal and Opportunity for Public Meeting; Colorado Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Secretary of the Interior proposes to withdraw three small sites totaling 22.36 acres of public lands from surface entry and mining for a period of 20 years to protect maternity roosts of Townsend’s Big-eared Bats in Mesa, Montrose, and San Miguel counties, Colorado. This notice segregates the public lands from surface entry and mining for up to 2 years while various studies and analyses are made to support a final decision on the withdrawal application. DATES: Comments and requests for a public meeting must be received by May 24, 2007. ADDRESSES: Comments and meeting requests should be sent to the Colorado State Director, 2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, Colorado 80215–7093. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew J. Senti, BLM Colorado State Office, 303–239–3713. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The applicant is the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) at the address stated above. The petition/application requests the Secretary of the Interior to withdraw, for a period of 20 years and subject to valid existing rights, the following described public land from settlement, sale, location or entry under the general land laws, including mining laws, but not the mineral leasing laws: PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 New Mexico Principal Meridian T. 47 N., R. 17 W., Sec. 11, a metes and bounds parcel within the NW1⁄4NW1⁄4. T. 49 N., R. 17 W., Sec. 4, a metes and bounds parcel within the NE1⁄4NW1⁄4. T. 43 N., R. 18 W., Sec. 15, a metes and bounds parcel within the SW1⁄4NE1⁄4. The areas described aggregate 22.36 acres in Mesa, Montrose, and San Miguel Counties. The BLM petition/application has been approved by the Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management, therefore, it constitutes a withdrawal proposal of the Secretary of the Interior (43 CFR 2310.1–3(e)). The use of a right-of-way, interagency agreement, cooperative agreement or surface management under 43 CFR part 3809 regulations would not adequately constrain non-discretionary uses that could irrevocably affect bat maternity roosts. There are no suitable alternative sites, since the lands described contain the resources that need protection. No water rights will be needed to fulfill the purpose of the withdrawal. The potential for locatable minerals is considered to be low. The purpose of the withdrawal is to preserve old mine workings on three small sites on public lands that contain a unique and favorable physical environment for maternity roosts of the Townsend’s Big-eared Bat, currently designated as a sensitive species by the BLM in Colorado. For a period of 90 days from the date of publication of this notice, all persons who wish to submit comments, suggestions, or objections in connection with the proposed withdrawal may present their views in writing to the BLM Colorado State Director at the address listed above. Comments including names and street addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the BLM Colorado State Office, during regular business hours, 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Individual respondents may request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold your name or address from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by the law. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. E:\FR\FM\23FEN1.SGM 23FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 36 (Friday, February 23, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8199-8200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-3083]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management


Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Bald Mountain Ski Resort Master Development Plan

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
(FLPMA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) the Bureau of 
Land Management publishes a Notice of Availability (NOA) of a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Bald Mountain Ski Resort 
Master Development Plan, the purpose of which is to analyze and 
disclose the effects of the updated Bald Mountain Ski Area Master 
Development Plan and 40-year term ski permit application.

DATES: The DEIS will be available for review and comment for 45 
calendar days from the date of this publication which coincides with 
the NOA published in the Federal Register by the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA). The Forest Service and Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) can best use comments and resource information if they 
are submitted by, or before, close of business the last day of the 
comment and review period. If you are uncertain as to what constitutes 
acceptable comment format or when comments are due, please contact Joe 
Miczulski, Winter Sports Manager at the Ketchum Ranger District; P.O. 
Box 2356, Ketchum, ID 83340; or phone at (208) 622-5371. Public 
meetings will be held to solicit comments on the DEIS on the update to 
the Master Development Plan for Bald Mountain Ski Resort. Dates and 
locations for these meetings will be published in the Idaho Mountain 
Express, Boise Statesman and Twin Falls Times News.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the DEIS was sent to affected Federal, State, and 
local government agencies and to interested parties. The document is 
also available electronically on the following Web site: https://
www.fs.fed.us/r4/sawtooth/projects. Copies of the DEIS will be 
available for public inspection at the following locations: Ketchum 
Ranger District, 206 Sun Valley Road, Ketchum, ID 83340, Business Hours 
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Kurtz, Outdoor Recreation Planner 
at the Shoshone Field Office of the Twin Falls District, 400 West F 
Street, Shoshone, ID 83352; or phone at (208) 732-7296. Requests for 
information may be sent electronically to: john_kurtz@blm.gov with 
``Attention: Bald Mountain DEIS Information Request'' in the subject 
line.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The majority of Sun Valley Resort's Bald 
Mountain Ski Area is located on public lands under the jurisdiction of 
both the U.S.D.A. Forest Service (Forest Service) and the U.S.D.I. 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The ski area is administered through 
two jointly-issued Special Use Permits (SUP), totaling approximately 
3,325 acres (1,969 of which are administered by the Sawtooth National 
Forest, and 1,356 are administered by the BLM's Twin Falls District).
    Sun Valley Company has requested a new 40-year term ski area permit 
for the Bald Mountain Ski Resort. The existing ski area permit, which 
was issued in December 1977, expires December 2007. One requirement for 
a ski area permit is to have an approved Master Development Plan (MDP), 
which is prepared by the permit holder and encompasses the entire 
winter sports resort envisioned for development and authorization by 
the permit. Upon acceptance by the Authorized Officers, the MDP becomes 
part of the ski area permit. The EIS will analyze the effects of the 
proposed action and alternatives. The agencies give notice of the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis and decision making 
process on the proposal so interested and affected members of the 
public may participate and contribute to the final decision. The 
Sawtooth National Forest, as the lead for both agencies, invites 
written comments and suggestions on the scope of the analysis and 
issues addressed.
    The 1989 MDP currently guides the Forest Service and BLM in their 
administration of the special use permit for the ski area. A majority 
of the actions described in the 1989 MDP have been implemented. Given 
the age and status of the 1989 MDP, the Forest Service, BLM and Sun 
Valley Company determined that an updated plan would be appropriate at 
this time. The Sun Valley Company has updated their MDP for Bald 
Mountain Ski Area and presented it to the Forest Service and BLM in 
conjunction with their request for a new 40-year permit to continue 
operating on these public lands. The existing permit expires December 
2007.
    The draft MDP as submitted by Sun Valley Company is available 
electronically on the following Web sites: Sawtooth National Forest--
https://www.fs.fed.us/r4/Sawtooth and Sun Valley Company--https://
www.sunvalley.com. An approved MDP will guide development on Bald 
Mountain Ski Area. Anticipated projects include new ski trail 
development both inside and outside of the current permit boundary, 
additional snowmaking installation, existing ski run modification, 
installation of new ski lifts, including gondola, removal of some 
existing ski lifts, and addition of a mountain restaurant. A Vegetation 
Management Plan (VMP) will be analyzed concurrently with the proposed 
MDP. The VMP will access current conditions of vegetation components on 
Bald Mountain, both with respect to timber and grass/forb species. The 
VMP will specify treatments necessary to enact, that will ensure long-
term health of vegetation on Bald Mountain.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose and need for the proposed Master Development Plan (MDP) 
is to update the 1989 MDP to reflect current conditions and needs at 
the ski resort. Most of the improvements described in the 1989 MDP have 
been implemented. In addition, new ski area technologies, updated Land 
Management Plans, and changes in the environment have emerged during 
this time which warrant consideration in an updated MDP.

[[Page 8200]]

Proposed Action

    The proposed action analyzes the implementation of the MDP as 
submitted by the Sun Valley Company. The agencies have a responsibility 
to determine consistency of the MDP with their respective Land 
Management Plans, to evaluate if any proposed facilities are in 
hazardous areas (i.e. avalanche path); evaluate if improvements are an 
appropriate use of Forest Service and BLM land; determine if private 
land is available to accomplish the proposed activities; and to make a 
public interest determination.

Alternatives Identified

    Alternatives identified include: Alt. 1--No Action (continuing the 
present course of action). The existing MDP would not be updated. The 
ski area permit would be renewed in 2007 and the current MDP would be 
made part of it. Alt. 2--Proposed Action, the MDP as submitted by Sun 
Valley Company, would be attached to a new ski area permit. Alt. 3--An 
alternative which meets the purpose and need to update the MDP, but 
varies from the actions submitted by Sun Valley Company.

How To Submit Comments

    Comments must be submitted using one of the following methods:
    1. Comments may be electronically mailed to comments-intermtn-
sawtooth-ketchum@fs.fed.us with ``Attention: Bald Mountain DEIS'' in 
the subject line. Avoid the use of special characters or any form of 
encryption. If you do not receive a confirmation from our system that 
your comment has been received, please contact Joe Miczulski, Winter 
Sports Manager at the Ketchum Ranger District; P.O. Box 2356, Ketchum, 
ID 83340; or phone at (208)-622-5371.
    2. Written comments may be mailed directly or delivered to the 
Forest Service at: Joe Miczulski, Winter Sports Manager at the Ketchum 
Ranger District; P.O. Box 2356, Ketchum, ID 83340; or phone at (208)-
622-5371.
    3. Comments may be sent via telefax to the Forest Service, Attn: 
Joe Miczulski, (208)-622-3923.
    4. Comments may be given at the public meetings to be scheduled.
    To be given consideration by BLM, all DEIS comments must include 
the commenter's name and street address. BLM's practice is to make all 
comments, including the names and street addresses of each respondent, 
available for public review at the BLM office listed above during 
business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), Monday through Friday, except 
for Federal holidays. Your comments may be published as part of the EIS 
process. Individual respondents may request confidentiality. If you 
wish to withhold your name, street address or both from public review 
or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state 
this prominently at the beginning of your written comments. Such 
requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law. BLM will not 
consider anonymous comments. All submissions from organizations or 
businesses will be made available for public inspection in their 
entirety.

Howard Hedrick,
District Manager.
[FR Doc. E7-3083 Filed 2-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P

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