Notice2022-25688
Inyo National Forest; California; Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Main Lodge Redevelopment
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
November 25, 2022
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentForest Service
Abstract
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (MMSA) has submitted a proposal to the Inyo National Forest (the Forest) to pursue approval of select projects from its 2022 Master Development Plan (MDP) on National Forest System (NFS) lands, in accordance with its existing Special Use Permit (SUP). The Proposed Action includes: new lifts, lift replacements and realignments, additional ski terrain development, new buildings and parking lots for guest and employee use, road reconstruction and construction of a new road, trail construction for pedestrians and bike connectivity, extensions of existing utilities and on-mountain infrastructure, and other infrastructure improvements to support base area development on private parcels. The Inyo National Forest plans to complete a combined environmental impact statement (EIS)/Environmental Impact Report (EIR) with the Town of Mammoth Lakes because a number of projects proposed are entirely on private lands.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 226 (Friday, November 25, 2022)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 226 (Friday, November 25, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72444-72445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-25688]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Inyo National Forest; California; Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Main
Lodge Redevelopment
AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (MMSA) has submitted a proposal to
the Inyo National Forest (the Forest) to pursue approval of select
projects from its 2022 Master Development Plan (MDP) on National Forest
System (NFS) lands, in accordance with its existing Special Use Permit
(SUP). The Proposed Action includes: new lifts, lift replacements and
realignments, additional ski terrain development, new buildings and
parking lots for guest and employee use, road reconstruction and
construction of a new road, trail construction for pedestrians and bike
connectivity, extensions of existing utilities and on-mountain
infrastructure, and other infrastructure improvements to support base
area development on private parcels. The Inyo National Forest plans to
complete a combined environmental impact statement (EIS)/Environmental
Impact Report (EIR) with the Town of Mammoth Lakes because a number of
projects proposed are entirely on private lands.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by December 27, 2022. A separate notice (Notice of Preparation) with
concurrent review has been published by the Town under CEQA. The draft
EIS/EIR is expected in late 2023 and the final EIS is expected in 2024.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent by the following methods:
<bullet> Online: <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62406">https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62406</a>.
Click on ``Comment/Object on Project'' on the right side of the page.
<bullet> Mail: Lesley Yen, Forest Supervisor, c/o Fred Wong,
Mammoth Lakes District Ranger, Inyo National Forest, 351 Pacu Lane,
Suite 200, Bishop, CA 93514.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information related to the
proposed projects on NFS lands can be obtained from: Tyler Lee,
Mountain Resort Specialist, Inyo National Forest. Mr. Lee can be
reached by phone at 760-924-5508 or by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6014190c05124e0c050520151304014e070f16"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7b0f02171e0955171e1e3b0e081f1a551c140d">[email protected]</span></a>.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)
may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24
[[Page 72445]]
hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
The Forest Service is responding to an application submitted under
the National Forest Ski Area Permit Action of 1986 and Ski Area
Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011 (SAROEA) by MMSA to
implement certain projects from their accepted MDP. MMSA proposes key
infrastructural changes to meet the needs of its day-use and overnight
clientele and best utilize public and private lands within the Main
Lodge Base area. These changes are necessary to address aging
infrastructure, meet anticipated recreation demands, and attain the
desired conditions for this management area. These changes are intended
to improve guest circulation, operational efficiencies, fire safety,
and ski area access.
The Forest, through consideration and acceptance of the proposal,
has identified a need to:
<bullet> Renew and improve guest services, guest circulation,
accommodations, and portal staging capacity in the Main Lodge Base
area;
<bullet> Replace aging infrastructure;
<bullet> Expand guest services offerings to meet increased demands;
and
<bullet> Offer learning progression opportunities for lower ability
level skiers through enhanced skier services, improved terrain, and
additional lifts.
Proposed Action
The Proposed Action on NFS land includes the following:
<bullet> Construction of one new lift, two new magic carpets, one
new surface platter lift, and replacement of the existing Discovery
Chair, Broadway Chair, and Panorama Gondola;
<bullet> Terrain enhancements including new trails, trail
extensions, and grading that would result in approximately 10 acres of
new ski trails within the existing SUP;
<bullet> Installation of new snowmaking infrastructure to provide
approximately 9 additional acres of snowmaking coverage;
<bullet> Construction of a roadway connecting private parcels that
includes a snowmobile crossing;
<bullet> Reroute of the existing Highway 203 (within the boundary
of private parcel);
<bullet> An additional parking lot in ``Big Bend'' area adjacent
Highway 203 that would accommodate approximately 360 vehicles;
<bullet> Upgrades to existing utility lines and construction of new
utility lines to serve the proposed projects;
<bullet> Construction of a gravity fed water storage tank for
domestic water storage needs;
<bullet> Construction of a new reclaimed water treatment plant and
associated infrastructure on public and private lands;
<bullet> Construction of one new mountain operations facility (at
the Big Bend parking lot) and replacement of the existing Main Lodge;
<bullet> Enhancements to existing summer activities; and
<bullet> Creation of wildfire defensible space around the Main
Lodge Base area.
A number of projects proposed entirely on private lands that are
subject to authorization by the Town of Mammoth Lakes, evaluated under
CEQA, and analyzed alongside the previous list of proposed projects in
a forthcoming combined EIS/EIR. A full description can be found at:
<a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62406">https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62406</a>.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
While there are no identified cooperating agencies for this
project, the Town of Mammoth Lakes will be lead for the CEQA decision
and will be responsible for the CEQA compliance in a joint EIR/EIS.
Responsible Official
The Responsible Official is Lesley Yen, Forest Supervisor for the
Inyo National Forest.
Scoping Comments and the Objection Process
This notice of intent initiates the NEPA scoping process, which
guides the development of the environmental analysis. The Agency
requests comments on potential alternatives and impacts and
identification of any relevant information, studies, or analyses
concerning impacts affecting the quality of the environment.
Concurrently, the Town of Mammoth Lakes has issued a notice of
preparation of an EIR, initiating the scoping process under CEQA. A
public open house regarding this proposal including projects on private
lands will be held on November 30, 2022, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at
the Town of Mammoth Lakes, CA Council Chambers, Suite Z at 437 Old
Mammoth Road. This meeting will be held jointly with the Town of
Mammoth Lakes regarding their analysis of the project under CEQA.
Representatives from the Forest, Town of Mammoth Lakes, and MMSA will
be present to answer questions and provide additional information on
this project.
To be most helpful, comments should be specific to the project area
and should identify resources or effects that should be considered by
the Forest Service. Reviewers must 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
concerns and contentions. Submitting timely, specific written comments
during this scoping period or any other official comment period
establishes standing for filing objections under 36 CFR parts 218A and
B. 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, they will not be used to establish
standing for the objection process.
Permits, Licenses or Other Authorizations Required
Activities proposed on private lands will be subject to lead agency
authorization by the Town of Mammoth Lakes with analysis under the
CEQA. The reroute of Highway 203 will require authorization from the
California Department of Transportation (CalTrans). Other permits or
licenses may be identified through scoping and the EIS analysis
process.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Given the purpose and need, the Responsible Official will review
the proposed action, the other alternatives, and the environmental
consequences to decide the following:
<bullet> Whether to approve, approve with modifications, or deny
the proposed activities within MMSA's existing SUP.
<bullet> Whether to prescribe conditions needed for the protection
of the environment on NFS lands.
Dated: November 18, 2022.
Sandra Watts,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2022-25688 Filed 11-23-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on November 25, 2022.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.