Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Bald Mountain Ski Resort Master Development Plan EIS, 64666-64667 [E7-22502]
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64666
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 221 / Friday, November 16, 2007 / Notices
February 1, 2008, through 11:59 p.m.
(MST) on Saturday, February 2, 2008.
Prohibited Acts: The following acts
are prohibited during the temporary
land closure:
1. Being present on, or driving on, the
designated race course. Spectators may
not be within 200 feet of the designated
race course. This does not apply to race
participants, race officials nor
emergency vehicles authorized by or
operated by local, State or Federal
Government agencies. Emergency
medical response shall only be
conducted by personnel and vehicles
operating under the guidance of La Paz
County Emergency Medical Services
(EMS) and Fire, or the Arizona
Department of Public Safety (DPS), or
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
2. Vehicle parking or stopping in
areas affected by the closure, except
where such is specifically allowed
(designated spectator areas).
3. Camping in any area, except in the
designated spectator areas.
4. Discharge of firearms.
5. Possession or use of any fireworks.
6. Cutting or collecting firewood of
any kind, including dead and down
wood or other vegetative material.
7. Operating any vehicle (except
registered race vehicles), including offhighway vehicles, not registered and
equipped for street and highway
operation.
8. Operating any vehicle in the area of
the closure at a speed of more than 35
mph. This does not apply to registered
race vehicles during the race, while on
the designated race course.
9. Failure to obey any official sign
posted by the Bureau of Land
Management, La Paz County, or the race
promoter.
10. Parking any vehicle in a manner
that obstructs or impedes normal traffic
movement.
11. Failure to obey any person
authorized to direct traffic, including
law enforcement officers, BLM officials
and designated race officials.
12. Failure to observe Spectator Area
quiet hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
13. Failure to keep campsite or race
viewing site free of trash and litter.
14. Allowing any pet or other animal
to be unrestrained by a leash of not
more than 6 feet in length.
The above restrictions do not apply to
emergency vehicles owned by the
United States, the State of Arizona, or
La Paz County. Authority for closure of
public lands is found in 43 CFR 8340,
Subpart 8341; 43 CFR 8360, Subpart
8364.1; and 43 CFR 2930. Persons who
violate this closure order are subject to
arrest, and upon conviction may be
fined not more than $100,000 and/or
VerDate Aug<31>2005
21:48 Nov 15, 2007
Jkt 214001
imprisoned for not more than 12
months.
Steven Politsch,
Field Manager, Lake Havasu Field Office.
[FR Doc. E7–22390 Filed 11–15–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–$$–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Final
Environmental Impact Statement
(FEIS) for the Bald Mountain Ski Resort
Master Development Plan EIS
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
Federal Land Policy and Management
Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et. seq., as
amended, and the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et. seq., as
amended, the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM), Shoshone Field
Office, announces the availability of the
Final Environmental Impact Statement
(FEIS) for the Bald Mountain Ski Resort
Master Development Plan EIS. The FEIS
analyzes and discloses the effects of the
updated Bald Mountain Ski Area Master
Development Plan and 40-year term ski
permit application for the Bald
Mountain Ski Area near Ketchum,
Idaho.
The FEIS will be available for
public review for 30 calendar days from
the date of this publication, which
coincides with the NOA published in
the Federal Register by the
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA). Following this 30 day period, the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and
U.S. Forest Service will each issue a
separate Record of Decision, which will
identify the Responsible Officials’
Selected Alternative and discuss the
rationale for their decisions.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the FEIS was sent
to affected Federal, State, and local
government agencies and interested
parties. The document is also available
electronically on the following Web site:
https://www.fs.fed.us/r4/sawtooth/
projects. Copies of the Final EIS 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: Joe
Miczulski, Winter Sports Manager at the
Ketchum Ranger District; P.O. Box 2356,
DATES:
PO 00000
Frm 00093
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Ketchum, ID. 83340; or phone at (208)–
622–5371.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sun
Valley Company (SVC) 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.
To be valid, a ski area permit must 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
analyzes the effects of the proposed
action and alternatives. The agencies
give notice of the NEPA analysis and
decision making process on the
proposal so interested and affected
members of the public may participate
in and contribute to the final decision.
A 1989 MDP currently guides the
Forest Service and BLM in their
administration of the Special Use Permit
(SUP) 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 SVC determined that
an updated plan would be appropriate
at this time.
In August 2005, the Sun Valley
Master Plan (2005 Master Plan) was
produced and submitted to the Forest
Service and BLM. The 2005 Master Plan
was accepted at that time, and the Phase
1 projects on public lands were
advanced for site-specific review and
analysis under requirements of NEPA.
A Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) for the Phase 1
projects of the 2005 Master Plan was
released for public comment in
February 2007. The comment period on
the DEIS extended through April 9,
2007, eliciting ninety-three comment
letters from individuals, organizations,
and public agencies. Major themes of
the letters included comments relating
to the proposal to construct a trail on
Guyer Ridge (and associated impacts on
the visual environment), installation of
additional snowmaking infrastructure
(and associated impacts on the acoustic
environment), as well as effects to
recreation resources associated with
trail construction, installation of
snowmaking machinery, and seasonal
construction of a terrain park on the
Warm Springs side of the ski area. The
Agencies formally addressed comments
in the ‘‘Response to Comments on the
DEIS’’ which is included with the FEIS.
In addition, some comments warranted
clarifications and factual changes in the
E:\FR\FM\16NON1.SGM
16NON1
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]
[Pages 64666-64667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-22502]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Final Environmental Impact
Statement (FEIS) for the Bald Mountain Ski Resort Master Development
Plan EIS
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act
of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et. seq., as amended, and the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et. seq., as
amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Shoshone Field Office,
announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement
(FEIS) for the Bald Mountain Ski Resort Master Development Plan EIS.
The FEIS analyzes and discloses the effects of the updated Bald
Mountain Ski Area Master Development Plan and 40-year term ski permit
application for the Bald Mountain Ski Area near Ketchum, Idaho.
DATES: The FEIS will be available for public review for 30 calendar
days from the date of this publication, which coincides with the NOA
published in the Federal Register by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). Following this 30 day period, the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service will each issue a separate
Record of Decision, which will identify the Responsible Officials'
Selected Alternative and discuss the rationale for their decisions.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the FEIS was sent to affected Federal, State, and
local government agencies and interested parties. The document is also
available electronically on the following Web site: https://
www.fs.fed.us/r4/sawtooth/projects. Copies of the Final EIS 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: Joe Miczulski, Winter Sports Manager
at the Ketchum Ranger District; P.O. Box 2356, Ketchum, ID. 83340; or
phone at (208)-622-5371.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sun Valley Company (SVC) 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. To be valid, a ski area permit must 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 analyzes the effects of the proposed action and alternatives. The
agencies give notice of the NEPA analysis and decision making process
on the proposal so interested and affected members of the public may
participate in and contribute to the final decision.
A 1989 MDP currently guides the Forest Service and BLM in their
administration of the Special Use Permit (SUP) 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 SVC determined that an updated plan would be
appropriate at this time.
In August 2005, the Sun Valley Master Plan (2005 Master Plan) was
produced and submitted to the Forest Service and BLM. The 2005 Master
Plan was accepted at that time, and the Phase 1 projects on public
lands were advanced for site-specific review and analysis under
requirements of NEPA.
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Phase 1
projects of the 2005 Master Plan was released for public comment in
February 2007. The comment period on the DEIS extended through April 9,
2007, eliciting ninety-three comment letters from individuals,
organizations, and public agencies. Major themes of the letters
included comments relating to the proposal to construct a trail on
Guyer Ridge (and associated impacts on the visual environment),
installation of additional snowmaking infrastructure (and associated
impacts on the acoustic environment), as well as effects to recreation
resources associated with trail construction, installation of
snowmaking machinery, and seasonal construction of a terrain park on
the Warm Springs side of the ski area. The Agencies formally addressed
comments in the ``Response to Comments on the DEIS'' which is included
with the FEIS. In addition, some comments warranted clarifications and
factual changes in the
[[Page 64667]]
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.
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 in-
bounds 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
