Notice of Extension for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Smoky Canyon Mine, Panels F and G, 64667 [07-5684]

Download as PDF mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 221 / Friday, November 16, 2007 / Notices FEIS; however, none of these changes or clarifications altered the effects determinations disclosed in the DEIS. Some of these changes and clarifications include: quantification of earthen material proposed to be moved for development of the Guyer Ridge trail; a more thorough description of the remodeling plans for the Roundhouse Restaurant; information on avalanche danger on Guyer Ridge under Alternative 2; and clarifications concerning noise and light impacts due to construction and grooming activities on Guyer Ridge. 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. Proposed Action: SVC has largely implemented the 1989 MDP. The 2005 MDP represents a logical extension of the previously approved and completed projects, and is separated into three phases. Phase 1 projects are designed to enhance recreational opportunities on Bald Mountain by responding to the constantly evolving mountain sports industry while addressing the goals and objectives of the Sawtooth Forest Plan and the BLM Sun Valley Management Framework Plan. The Proposed Action includes: development of new ski trails both within and outside of the current permit boundary, installation of additional snowmaking machinery, modification of existing ski runs, installation of the River Run Gondola, removal of the Exhibition chairlift, and modifications to the Roundhouse Restaurant. A Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) was also analyzed concurrently with the DEIS. The VMP specified treatments to ensure long-term health of vegetation on Bald Mountain. Alternatives Identified: Three alternatives are analyzed in the FEIS. Alternative 1—No Action would result in the existing MDP not being updated. The SUP would be renewed in 2007 and the current MDP would be made part of it. Under Alternative 2—the Proposed Action—the MDP as submitted by SVC would be attached to a new ski area permit. Alternative 3 is an alternative which meets the purpose and need to update the MDP, but varies from the actions originally submitted by SVC in response to issues raised by the public. VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:48 Nov 15, 2007 Jkt 214001 Preferred Alternative: The Preferred Alternative is a slightly modified Alternative 3, as described in the DEIS and FEIS. The Preferred Alternative consists of a realigned western boundary of the SUP addition for the Guyer Ridge trail included in Alternative 3. The western boundary would be repositioned in a straight line to connect with the western bends of the proposed Guyer Ridge trail. All other elements of Alternative 3, as described in the DEIS, remain in the Preferred Alternative. These include the following: installation of a new gondola, removal of the Exhibition chairlift, adjustment of the SUP boundary to include new ski trails, development of new ski trails and modification of existing ski runs within the current permit boundary, installation of additional snowmaking machinery, implementation of a non-significant Forest Plan Amendment for scenery resources, modifications to the Roundhouse Restaurant, and implementation of the VMP. The Preferred Alternative would reduce the acreage added to the ski area’s SUP, yet still allow the permittee to glade Guyer Ridge as proposed in Alternative 3. In addition, this modification would provide the ski area the flexibility to manage the terrain similar to other inbounds portions of the ski area. Dated: August 16, 2007. Bill Baker, District Manager, Twin Falls District, Bureau of Land Management. [FR Doc. E7–22502 Filed 11–15–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–$$–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [ID 320 7122 EO 7979] Notice of Extension for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Smoky Canyon Mine, Panels F and G DOI Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Lead Agency; USDA Forest Service (FS), Co-lead Agency; and the State of Idaho, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Cooperating Agency. ACTION: Notice of Extension for the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Smoky Canyon Mine, Panels F and G Mine Expansion Project. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces an extenion of the mandatory 30-day waiting period prior to releasing the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Smoky PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 64667 Canyon Mine, Panels F and G Mine Expansion Project. The original availability notice, issued October 26, 2007, provided for a 30-day waiting period prior to the release of the ROD. The BLM is extending this period until December 26, 2007. The FEIS is now available for public review. The BLM Record of Decision will be released no sooner than December 26, 2007—60 days after publication of the original Notice of Availability of the FEIS in the Federal Register by the Environmental Protection Agency. DATES: The FEIS will be available in limited quantities at the Bureau of Land Management, Pocatello Field Office, 4350 Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, Idaho 83204, phone (208) 478–6340 and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Soda Springs Ranger District, 410 E. Hooper Avenue, Soda Springs, Idaho 83276, phone (208) 547–4356. It will also be available on the BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/ pocatello/programs/planning/ smoky_canyon_mine.html and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest Web site at: https://www.fs.fed.us/r4/cariboutarghee/phosphate. ADDRESSES: Bill Stout, Bureau of Land Management, phone (208) 478–6340; or Jeff Jones, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, phone (208) 236–7572. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The original Notice of Availability was published on October 26, 2007, and initiated a mandatory 30-day waiting period prior to releasing the ROD. Since this publication the BLM has received a number of requests from the public to extend the required 30-day waiting period. The FEIS, in exploring the effects of the mining operation, is lengthy and complex. Additional time will allow for increased public awareness of the proposed decision. To honor these requests the BLM has decided to extend the waiting period for an additional 30 days, to end on December 26, 2007. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: November 2, 2007. Joe Kraayenbrink, District Manager, Idaho Falls District, Bureau of Land Management. [FR Doc. 07–5684 Filed 11–15–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–GG–M E:\FR\FM\16NON1.SGM 16NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 221 (Friday, November 16, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 64667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-5684]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[ID 320 7122 EO 7979]


Notice of Extension for the Final Environmental Impact Statement 
(FEIS) for the Smoky Canyon Mine, Panels F and G

AGENCY: DOI Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Lead Agency; USDA Forest 
Service (FS), Co-lead Agency; and the State of Idaho, Idaho Department 
of Environmental Quality, Cooperating Agency.

ACTION: Notice of Extension for the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Smoky Canyon Mine, Panels F and G Mine Expansion 
Project.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces an extenion of 
the mandatory 30-day waiting period prior to releasing the Record of 
Decision (ROD) for the Smoky Canyon Mine, Panels F and G Mine Expansion 
Project. The original availability notice, issued October 26, 2007, 
provided for a 30-day waiting period prior to the release of the ROD. 
The BLM is extending this period until December 26, 2007.

DATES: The FEIS is now available for public review. The BLM Record of 
Decision will be released no sooner than December 26, 2007--60 days 
after publication of the original Notice of Availability of the FEIS in 
the Federal Register by the Environmental Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: The FEIS will be available in limited quantities at the 
Bureau of Land Management, Pocatello Field Office, 4350 Cliffs Drive, 
Pocatello, Idaho 83204, phone (208) 478-6340 and the Caribou-Targhee 
National Forest, Soda Springs Ranger District, 410 E. Hooper Avenue, 
Soda Springs, Idaho 83276, phone (208) 547-4356. It will also be 
available on the BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/
pocatello/programs/planning/smoky_canyon_mine.html and the Caribou-
Targhee National Forest Web site at: https://www.fs.fed.us/r4/caribou-
targhee/phosphate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Stout, Bureau of Land Management, 
phone (208) 478-6340; or Jeff Jones, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, 
phone (208) 236-7572.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The original Notice of Availability was 
published on October 26, 2007, and initiated a mandatory 30-day waiting 
period prior to releasing the ROD. Since this publication the BLM has 
received a number of requests from the public to extend the required 
30-day waiting period. The FEIS, in exploring the effects of the mining 
operation, is lengthy and complex. Additional time will allow for 
increased public awareness of the proposed decision. To honor these 
requests the BLM has decided to extend the waiting period for an 
additional 30 days, to end on December 26, 2007.

    Dated: November 2, 2007.
Joe Kraayenbrink,
District Manager, Idaho Falls District, Bureau of Land Management.
[FR Doc. 07-5684 Filed 11-15-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-GG-M

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