Public comment sought for Mt. Rose ski area expansion plans
Submitted by editor on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 11:23am
CARSON CITY — The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest on Friday released the Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe Atoma Area Expansion Draft Environmental Impact Statement to the public for a 90-day comment period.
“We are now eager to hear what the public thinks of the alternatives and if there are other considerations to take into account before a final decision is made,” said Bill Dunkelberger, Forest Supervisor.
The draft EIS analyzed the environmental effects of expanding the ski area permit boundary and associated facilities to improve the quality of recreational offerings on National Forest System (NFS) lands. The purpose of the expansion project is to provide additional terrain that is comfortable and appropriate for lower-level skiers and improves the ski area’s ability to provide a consistent and quality snow surface on key ski terrain throughout the season.
The draft EIS analyzed three alternatives: no action, proposed action (Alternative 2) and the Forest’s preferred action (Alternative 3). Alternative 2 and 3 are similar in that they would both amend the existing special use permit by approximately 112 acres to incorporate a portion of the Atoma Area located on the north side of Nevada State Route 431 (Mount Rose Highway). In addition, a chairlift and skier bridge across the highway, 11 new ski trails, and a five million gallon water tank to support snowmaking would be constructed. A Forest Plan amendment would also be required for both action alternatives, which would restrict future commercial development on approximately 3,446 acres of NFS lands in the area known as Galena Land Exchange with the exception of the 112-acre Atoma and 168-acre Chutes areas.
The difference between the two action alternatives is that Alternative 3 would require a two-chair lift configuration (delete of chairlifts) to service the Atoma Area. The lift configuration would require one chairlift to cross over the skier bridge rather than directly over the highway. Additionally, a restroom would be located on NFS land instead of on private land.
The comment period for this project is open from Friday, Jan. 19 through Thursday, April 19. The public can download the draft EIS for this project at:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=41487.
It is the responsibility of persons providing comments to submit them by the close of the comment period. Only those who submit timely and specific written comments regarding the proposed project are eligible to file an objection.
Written comments must be submitted to William A. Dunkelberger, Forest Supervisor, at the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 1200 Franklin Way, Sparks, Nevada 89431 or hand-delivered during normal business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Facsimiles can be sent to 775-355-5399.
Electronic comments must be submitted in a format such as an email message, pdf, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or Word (.doc). They can be uploaded to the “Comments/Objection on Project” section of the project website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=41487 under “get connected”, or email comments to comments-intermtn-humboldt-toiyabe-carson@fs.fed.us. Please put “Mt. Rose Ski Project” into the subject line.
For more information on this project please contact Marnie Bonesteel, Team Leader, at (775) 352-1240 or mbonesteel@fs.fed.us.
