[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 19, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69363-69365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27495]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California, Heavenly Mountain
Resort Epic Discovery Project
AGENCY: Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a joint Environmental Impact
Statement and Initial Study.
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SUMMARY: The Epic Discovery Project is intended to enhance summer
activities in response to the USDA Forest Service Ski Area Recreational
Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011. Heavenly Mountain Resort
(Heavenly) proposes to improve year-round, recreation opportunities
within the developed portions of the ski area on National Forest System
lands using existing facilities and infrastructure to meet the
expanding needs and expectations of visitors to Lake Tahoe, better
support the year-round local economy of the South Lake Tahoe area, and
connect a diverse group of visitors to our national forest with
recreation and educational opportunities to further inspire passion and
excitement for the outdoors. The summer activities are designed to suit
a wide range of visitors from the casual sightseer to the avid mountain
adventurer. A key component of the project proposal is a unique and
comprehensive environmental education and interpretive component that
is woven into the entire experience. This project is a joint project
between the USDA Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
(Forest Service), Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), and California
Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Region (Lahontan). The
joint environmental document will use information taken where
appropriate from the Heavenly Mountain Resort Master Plan Amendment
Final EIR/EIS/EIS certified in 2007. The project is located at Heavenly
within El Dorado and Alpine Counties, CA and Douglas County, NV,
adjacent to South Lake Tahoe. The TRPA Governing Board will use the
EIS/EIS/IS when they consider the amendment of the existing Ski Area
Master Plan to add the Epic Discovery projects.
DATES: Submit comments on or before December 20, 2013.
The meeting dates are: Wednesday, December 4, 2013, 9:30 a.m.,
Stateline, NV; and Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30
p.m., South Lake Tahoe, CA.
ADDRESSES: Please send your written comments to: Heavenly Epic
Discovery Project, TRPA, P.O. Box 5310, Stateline, NV 89449, Attention:
David Landry, or email: [email protected].
The meeting locations are:
1. TRPA Advisory Planning Commission Hearing, TRPA Board Rooms, 128
Market Street, Stateline, NV 89449.
2. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, 35 College
Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Dickinson, NEPA Contract
Coordinator, USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, at
(530) 543-2769 or [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose And Need for Action--As provided for in the Ski Area
Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011, Heavenly proposes to
improve year-round recreation opportunities within the developed
portions of the ski area on National Forest System lands using existing
facilities and infrastructure to meet the expanding needs and
expectations of visitors to Lake Tahoe, better support the year-round
local economy in South Lake Tahoe area, connect a diverse group of
visitors to our national forest with recreation and educational
opportunities to further inspire passion and excitement for the
outdoors.
Proposed Action--Located at the top of the Heavenly Gondola,
Adventure Peak opened in the 2000/01 ski season and is the focus of
Heavenly's non-skiing and family-oriented activities. In 2007, the
Master Development Plan was amended to add more non-skiing activities
across a wide area of the upper mountain, including the Adventure Peak
area. The Epic Discovery proposal is consistent with and further
refines the intent of the 2007 MDP and responds to visitor preferences
and changes in sport technology. Since the creation of Adventure Peak,
Heavenly has discovered that visitors to Lake Tahoe are increasingly
seeking fun,
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adventurous outdoor activities in a readily accessible environment.
This extends to the winter, summer and shoulder seasons. Today,
Adventure Peak represents an important component of the recreational
activities at Heavenly, and provides visitors with a unique opportunity
to access and explore the National Forest System lands of the Lake
Tahoe Basin.
Adventure Peak will continue to serve as the primary access portal
and hub for most of the proposed Epic Discovery activities. However,
the Project will extend activities beyond Adventure Peak to provide
natural resource-based recreation in the East Peak Lake Basin to the
east and the Sky Meadows Basin to the west. All three activity centers
will be linked by a combination of ski lifts, hiking trails, zip line
or similar conveyances, and summer roads for the visitors' enjoyment
and convenience.
The Forest Service will review and consider for decision certain
activities contained in the proposal that lie outside of the Lake Tahoe
Region (Carson River watershed), and are, therefore, not subject to the
review and action by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. Similarly, the
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency will review and consider for decision
one proposed activity (the Forest Flyer Alpine Coaster), not currently
accepted for review and decision by the Forest Service.
The following specific projects are proposed to help Heavenly
fulfill its objective of making the resort a more diverse and
encompassing year-round facility capable of meeting the seasonal needs
of its guests.
Mid Station Zipline Canopy Tour--Top of Gondola/Adventure
Peak Area, An interpretive zipline canopy tour will be implemented in
the area between the gondola mid-station and the top station to the
east of the gondola alignment.
Sky Cycle Canopy Tour--Top of Gondola/Adventure Peak Area,
An aerial activity known as the Sky Cycle Canopy Tour will be
implemented in an area between the gondola top station and the gondola
mid-station to the west of the gondola alignment. It will allow
visitors the opportunity to traverse the area by pedaling individual
bicycle-like devices that are suspended from a cable in the air.
Forest Flyer Alpine Coaster--Top of Gondola/Adventure Peak
Area, The Forest Flyer Alpine Coaster is an activity that allows users
on individual sleds to descend on a raised track through the forest and
natural rock formations. The Forest Flyer is proposed to be located a
short distance to the north and west of the existing tubing lift.
Infill Activities--Top of Gondola/Adventure Peak Area, A
number of smaller individual activities will be sited in and around the
existing and proposed activities to infill between the larger
activities and create a critical mass of activities. The infill
activities include interpretive trails, interactions with interpretive
specialists, disc golf, a smaller-scaled zipline or ropes course, gold/
gem panning, a mountain bike skills park and bouldering-type activities
for children.
Mountain Bike Park--East Peak Lake Basin, A new mountain
bike park will be located in the East Peak Basin area. It will be lift-
served and utilize the Comet Express and the Big Easy lifts. The park
will include a combination of existing summer roads and new single-
track type trails. It will be approximately 9-10 miles in total length.
New trails will be four feet wide with a one-foot wide shoulder on
either side for a total cross-section width of six feet.
East Peak Zipline Canopy Tour--East Peak Lake Basin, A
multi-stage guided zipline canopy tour will begin near the top of the
Big Easy lift and end with a zip over East Peak Lake near the base of
the Dipper Express lift. It will generally traverse the hillside
between Von Schmidt's Trail and the East Peak Lodge and Lake.
East Peak Lake Water Activities--East Peak Lake Basin,
Water-oriented activities on and around the existing East Peak
reservoir will include kayaking, canoeing, other small boats without
engines and fishing.
Interpretive Activities at East Peak Lodge--East Peak Lake
Basin, The existing East Peak Lodge and Deck will be seasonally
converted into an interpretive education center. It will continue to
provide restrooms, First Aid and food and beverage services. No other
physical modifications to the lodge or deck are planned.
East Peak Lodge Hiking Trail--East Peak Lake Basin, A new
segment of hiking trail will be implemented that connects the Top of
the Gondola area with East Peak Lodge. It will allow visitors the
opportunity to hike back and forth between the two activity centers. It
will be built to Forest Service trail standards.
Sky Meadows Zipline Canopy Tour--Sky Meadows Basin, A
multi-stage guided zipline canopy tour will begin near the top of the
Tamarack Express lift and end near the base of Sky Express lift. It
will generally traverse the hillside known as the Ski Ways. It will be
similar in nature to the Mid-Station Zipline Canopy Tour, however, it
will take advantage of a different landscape type and slope condition
to provide a uniquely different experience for users. It will consist
of a series of canopy-level ziplines between platforms constructed in
and around existing trees or using a pre-fabricated steel pole if a
suitable tree does not exist in the vicinity.
Sky Meadows Ropes Course--Sky Meadows Basin, A self-guided
ropes course consisting of a series a series of platforms and rope
walkways/bridges will be located between Sky Deck and the base of the
Sky Express lift. It will incorporate existing mature trees into the
layout. Where a suitable tree is not available along the route to
support a landing platform, individual steel or wooden columns may be
installed to support the platform.
Ridge Run Lookout Tower and Observation Deck--Sky Meadows
Basin, Develop a new observation tower near the existing Ridge Run
Overlook. It will resemble a historic Forest Service Fire Lookout Tower
and used for scenic views and interpretive education regarding the
Forest Service's historic and modern role in managing the forests,
including fire. The tower will be approximately 400-500 square feet in
area and a maximum of 25-30 feet in height and will offer views of High
Meadows and Free! Peak as well as Lake Tahoe.
Interpretive Activities at Sky Deck--Sky Meadows Basin,
The existing Sky Deck facility will provide a small interpretive
education center, restrooms, First Aid and food and beverage facility.
The existing facility will be seasonally modified to provide
information and exhibits. No other physical modifications to the lodge
or deck are necessary.
Mountain Excursion Tour--Top of Gondola/Adventure Peak
Area, East Peak Lake Basin, and Sky Meadows Basin, A Mountain Excursion
Tour will connect the three activity centers and will offer guided
tours to various locations around the upper mountain. It will consist
of Heavenly operated vehicles that will make continuous loops to pick
up and drop off visitors at each center. They are intended to provide
an enjoyable connection between the centers in a vehicle that is
appropriate for mountain travel.
Connecting Hiking Trails Between Activities--Connecting
hiking trails between the activities will be developed to facilitate
safe and efficient movement by visitors between the activities. The
trails will be laid out in the field and constructed consistent with
Forest Service trail standards for this type of use. Interpretive
opportunities along the
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trails will be included in specific locations.
Mountain Bike Trail Connectors--Two separate mountain bike
connections are planned. They will be free of charge and open to the
general public as key connections to the larger network of trails in
and around Heavenly and the surrounding public lands. The first trail
connection is intended to connect the East Peak Mountain Bike Park to
the Tahoe Rim Trail. The second trail connection is intended to connect
the mountain to Heavenly Village.
Emergency Gondola Snow Cat Evacuation Route--Gondola
Alignment, In order to safely evacuate the gondola during emergency
situations, Heavenly proposes to selectively clear trees at a limited
number of strategic access points located from the Gondola Mid-Station
down along the gondola line for emergency snow cat access. The access
route will only be used in times of operational emergencies and will
not be used on a regular basis.
Maps and a more specific project description can be found on the
LTBMU Web site at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/ltbmu.
Possible Alternatives--In order to address substantive issues
identified during scoping, project alternatives may be considered and
developed by lead agency staff, following completion of the public
scoping period. If necessary, the alternatives shall fulfill the
identified purpose & need for action while addressing one or more
significant issues related to the proposed project.
Preliminary Issues/Potential Environmental Effects--Potential
environmental effects and impacts will be explored during project
scoping and during preparation of the EIS/EIS/IS. In addition to the
potential environmental effects outlined below, the EIS/EIS/IS will
analyze the full range of resource topics required by the lead agencies
(e.g., noise, land use), cumulative impacts, and attainment of the TRPA
Environmental Threshold Carrying Capacities.
Cumulative Watershed Effects/Water Quality. The EIS/EIS/IS will
evaluate potential water quality impacts associated with the proposed
projects that focus on Heavenly Valley Creek where a TMDL is in place
for suspended sediment and Daggett Creek watersheds where a majority of
the projects are sited.
Biological Resources. The EIS/EIS/IS will evaluate potential
impacts to sensitive plant and wildlife species (e.g., American marten,
Tahoe draba, Whitebark pine) known to occupy habitat within the
Heavenly special use permit boundary. The evaluation will also address
potential effects to migratory birds, noxious weeds/invasive species,
and Forest Service management indicator species.
Scenic Resources. The EIS/EIS/IS will evaluate potential impacts to
designated TRPA and Forest Service scenic resources and from viewpoints
within adjacent recreational sites (e.g., Van Sickle State Park).
Transportation and Parking. Using trip generation methodology
developed for the Project, the EIS/EIS/IS will evaluate potential
impacts to US Highway 50, local roadways and intersections during peak
hour traffic conditions. The analysis will discuss the Project's
parking needs and identify strategies to accommodate new demand.
Air Quality and Climate Change. Using results from the
transportation analysis, the EIS/EIS/IS will evaluate potential impacts
to applicable air quality standards and greenhouse gas emissions.
Recreation. The EIS/EIS/IS will evaluate potential impacts to
existing recreation resources that may occur from the expansion of
summer uses at Heavenly. Specifically, the analysis will identify
whether the Project may affect recreational quality and opportunities
(including changes to person at one time capacity) available on
National Forest System lands.
Scoping Process
This NOP/NOI initiates the scoping process, which guides the
development of the EIS/EIS/IS. It is important that reviewers provide
their comments at such times and in such a manner that they are useful
in the lead agency's preparation of this EIS/EIS/IS. Therefore,
comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period
and should clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
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. However, comments submitted anonymously will
also be accepted and considered. If applicable, responses should
include the name of a contact person at your agency or organization.
Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by
December 20, 2013. The draft EIS/EIS/IS is expected in August 2014 and
the final EIS/EIS/IS in January 2015. Two public scoping meetings are
being held to provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the
proposed action and to express oral comments about the content of the
EIS/EIS/IS, in addition to providing opportunity to submit written
comments. The scalping meetings will be held at the times and locations
listed in the DATES and ADDRESSES section above.
This project will follow the new objection procedures as directed
by 36 CFR 218. The objection process provides an opportunity for
members of the public who have participated in opportunities for public
participation provided throughout the planning process to have any
unresolved concerns receive an independent review by the Forest Service
prior to a final decision being made by the responsible official. Only
those who provided specific written comments during opportunities for
public comment are eligible to file an objection.
Dated: November 12, 2013.
Jeff Marsolais,
Deputy Forest Supervisor, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
[FR Doc. 2013-27495 Filed 11-18-13; 8:45 am]
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