Notice2025-13252
Dixie National Forest; Utah; Brian Head Resort Expansion Environmental Impact Statement
Primary source
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Published
July 15, 2025
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentForest Service
Abstract
The USDA Forest Service is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Brian Head Resort Expansion. Brian Head Resort Recreation 1, LLC (BHR) has submitted a proposal to the Dixie National Forest (DNF) to pursue approval of projects identified within BHR's 2023 Master Development Plan (MDP). The DNF is considering this proposal and is initiating the preparation of an EIS to analyze and disclose the potential environmental effects of the proposed projects (proposed action). The Planning Administrative Reviews & Litigation System number is 65965.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 133 (Tuesday, July 15, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 15, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31598-31599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-13252]
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Notices
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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 133 / Tuesday, July 15, 2025 /
Notices
[[Page 31598]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Dixie National Forest; Utah; Brian Head Resort Expansion
Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service is preparing an environmental impact
statement (EIS) for the Brian Head Resort Expansion. Brian Head Resort
Recreation 1, LLC (BHR) has submitted a proposal to the Dixie National
Forest (DNF) to pursue approval of projects identified within BHR's
2023 Master Development Plan (MDP). The DNF is considering this
proposal and is initiating the preparation of an EIS to analyze and
disclose the potential environmental effects of the proposed projects
(proposed action). The Planning Administrative Reviews & Litigation
System number is 65965.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by August 29, 2025. This environmental analysis will follow the USDA
regulations implementing NEPA (as described in the interim final rule
effective July 3, 2025) and the timing of the subsequent steps of this
EIS process shall be available at <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/dixie/projects/65965">https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/dixie/projects/65965</a>, with the final EIS expected to be released two years
from publication of the NOI.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted through the public
participation portal on the project web page: <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/dixie/projects/65965">https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/dixie/projects/65965</a>. To submit comments using the web form on the
project web page select ``Get Connected'' under ``Project Summary'' on
the project's web page. Then select ``Comment/Object on Project'' to be
directed to the comment web form. Written comments can also be sent to:
Kevin Wright, Forest Supervisor, c/o Matt Loscalzo, Project Manager,
Dixie National Forest; 820 N Main Street, Cedar City, UT 84721 820 N
Main Street, Cedar City, UT 84721, or via facsimile to (435) 865-3791.
Please use the subject line ``Brian Head Resort Expansion Environmental
Impact Statement.'' A full description of the project purpose and need
and proposed action can be found on the project web page at: <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/dixie/projects/65965">https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/dixie/projects/65965</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Loscalzo, Project Manager, by
email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5a373b2e2e323f2d74363529393b3620351a2f293e3b743d352c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="375a5643435f5240195b584454565b4d58774244535619505841">[email protected]</span></a>, (720) 908-1213. Individuals who use
telecommunications devices for the hearing impaired may call 711 to
reach the Telecommunications Relay Service, 24 hours a day, every day
of the year, including holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose of, and need for, Forest Service action is to respond
to an application submitted by BHR under the National Forest Ski Area
Permit Act of 1986 and Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Act of 2011 to
implement projects from their accepted MDP. The 1986 Land and Resource
Management Plan for the Dixie National Forest (DNF LRMP) identifies
providing increased downhill skiing capacity and working with the
private sector to help meet future recreation demand as desired future
conditions for recreation on the DNF. The Forest Service has identified
a need to meet the demand for increased downhill skiing capacity
working through this private sector application from BHR. The Forest
Service will use the EIS to inform the decision regarding: whether to
approve, in whole or in part, BHR's application; the selection of a
preferred alternative; determining appropriate environmental protection
measures; and establishing, if necessary, what terms and conditions
should apply with the issuance of an amended special use permit (SUP).
BHR has identified a need to add a variety of recreational
opportunities and amenities to address shortcomings in resort capacity,
access, and operations to meet the demands of a growing, recreational-
focused region and state. BHR's overall purpose of the proposed action
is to provide an improved and unique guest experience that meets the
current and expected population growth, and associated demand for
outdoor recreation in Utah and the southwest region, which cannot be
accomplished within BHR's existing operational and SUP boundary. A full
description of BHR's Purpose and Need can be found at: <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/dixie/projects/65965">https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/dixie/projects/65965</a>.
Proposed Action
The proposed action includes: the expansion of the existing special
use permit (SUP) area; installation of new lifts; construction (tree
and stump removal and grading) of new ski trails; construction of new
on-mountain facilities; installation of new snowmaking facilities;
installation of new utilities; construction of new administrative roads
and improvements to existing roadbeds to access new infrastructure
(such as upper lift terminals); re-routing of an existing snowmobile
route; and hazard tree removal and post-fire treatment in areas
impacted by the 2017 Brian Head Fire.
A full description of the proposed action on National Forest System
lands and adjacent private land can be found at: <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/dixie/projects/65965">https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/dixie/projects/65965</a>.
If necessary, the need for potential amendment(s) of the DNF LRMP,
as amended, in the areas of the proposed SUP boundary adjustment will
be identified and disclosed in the EIS. The purpose and need of the
potential plan amendment(s) would be to ensure consistency of the
project with the DNF LRMP 's scenery and recreation management
settings. The scope of the potential amendment may be project-specific
or plan-level.
Expected Impacts
The proposed action has the potential to result in impacts to
various resources including water, cultural resources, scenery,
recreation, traffic/transportation, wildlife, and socioeconomics.
Specific issues to be analyzed include: potential impacts to hydrologic
and/or groundwater resources from additional water use for expanded
snowmaking operations; potential impacts to dark night skies,
specifically to the Cedar Breaks National Monument (CBNM), a designated
International Dark Sky Park; the potential for new ski area
infrastructure to adversely affect cultural resources
[[Page 31599]]
and the scenic resource on DNF-managed lands (which will be analyzed
for consistency with the Scenic Integrity Objectives [SIOs] in the DNF
LRMP); the potential to alter the quality and variety of recreation
opportunities available within and proximate to the proposed SUP
expansion areas (which will be analyzed for consistency with the DNF
LRMP's Recreation Opportunity Spectrum [ROS] designation of Semi-
Primitive Non-Motorized, Semi-Primitive Motorized, and Roaded Natural)
as well as potential to impact permitted snowmobile operations for a
neighboring small business; the potential to increase traffic on
Highway 143 resulting from an increase to BHR's comfortable carrying
capacity; the potential to negatively impact northern goshawk nesting
and Post Fledgling Area habitat, crucial summer calving habitat for
Rocky Mountain elk, crucial summer fawning habitat for mule deer,
habitat for American pika, and habitat for the Brian Head Mountain
snail within and adjacent to the project area; and the potential to
affect adjacent communities resulting from changes in employment,
tourism revenue, and housing in Iron County.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The Forest Service is the lead federal agency for NEPA compliance,
review, and approval concerning the EIS. The National Park Service/CBNM
will be a cooperating agency to assist in the NEPA analysis for dark
skies and water resources.
Responsible Official
The responsible official is Kevin Wright, Forest Supervisor, Dixie
National Forest.
Scoping Comments and the Objection Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the EIS. In this process the Agency is requesting
comments on potential alternatives and impacts, and identification of
any relevant information, studies or analyses of any kind concerning
impacts affecting the quality of the human or natural environment.
Further, three public open house meetings will be held during this
comment period. These open houses will be held in the Town of Brian
Head, the City of Parowan, and Cedar City. Details of the dates, times,
and locations of these meetings can be found on the project's web page:
<a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/dixie/projects/65965">https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/dixie/projects/65965</a>. Representatives from
the DNF and BHR will be present at these scoping open houses to answer
questions and provide additional information on this project.
It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times
and in such a manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation
of the final EIS; therefore, comments must be provided prior to the
close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the
reviewer's concerns and contentions. Commenting during scoping and any
other designated opportunity to comment provided by the Responsible
Official as prescribed by the applicable regulations will also govern
eligibility to object once the final EIS and draft Record of Decision
has been published. 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 eligibility for the objection process.
Objections will be accepted only from those who have previously
submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project and
any project-specific amendment(s) during scoping or other designated
opportunity for public comment in accordance with 36 CFR 218.5(a).
Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted
timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless
based on new information arising after designated comment
opportunities.
If the potential amendment(s) is plan-level in scope then the
amendment decision would be subject to the plan objection process of 36
CFR 219, Subpart B. Only those individuals and entities who submit
substantive formal comments related to the potential plan amendment(s)
during the opportunities for public comment as provided in 36 CFR 219,
Subpart A may file a plan amendment(s) objection. The burden is on the
objector to demonstrate compliance with requirements for objection (36
CFR 219.53).
Permits, Licenses or Other Authorizations Required
<bullet> Forest Service SUP.
<bullet> Other permits as 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 alternatives, and the environmental
consequences to decide the following:
<bullet> Whether to approve, approve with modifications, or deny
BHR's application to amend their SUP for the adjustment of BHR's SUP
area, the associated projects within the proposed SUP areas, and the
projects within BHR's existing SUP boundary;
<bullet> The selection of a preferred alternative; and
<bullet> Whether to prescribe conditions needed for the protection
of the environment on NFS lands.
<bullet> Whether or not to approve any forest plan amendments
necessary as identified in the EIS to bring the project in compliance
with the DNF LRMP. These decisions would be made in the record of
decision, which would be issued following the publication of a final
EIS and completion of the Forest Service objection process (36 CFR part
218, subparts A and B, and 36 CFR 219, Subpart B if necessary).
Substantive Requirements
When proposing a potential forest plan amendment, regulation36 CFR
219.13(b)(2) requires the Responsible Official to identify which
specific substantive requirements (36 CFR 219.8 through 219.11) are
likely to be directly affected and therefore applicable to the
potential amendments. The substantive requirements that are likely
directly related to the purpose or effects of amendments to the forest
plan scenery and recreation management settings are 36 CFR 219.8(b), 36
CFR 219.10(a), and 36 CFR 219.10(b).
Beattra Wilson,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2025-13252 Filed 7-14-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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