Forest Service Seeks Public Comment On Aspen Mountain Pandora And Snowmaking Projects
The Forest Service is seeking public comments on the proposal to initiate an Environmental Assessment for the Aspen Mountain Pandora Development and Summit Snowmaking Projects. The goal of Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) is to offer its guests and visitors to the White River National Forest, a high quality recreational experience while maintaining Aspen Mountain’s unique character. The proposed projects will offer additional lift-served terrain for intermediate, advanced and expert level skiers, improve skier circulation, and provide consistent and reliable snow coverage on the upper mountain.
“Aspen Mountain is a unique public-private recreation experience. Aspen Skiing Company’s proposal could provide for new terrain, better skier circulation and improved snow coverage throughout the season,” said Scott Fitzwilliams, Forest Supervisor. “We look forward to hearing the public’s thoughts on this proposal as we work through the NEPA process.”
Aspen Skiing Company is proposing to expand the developed trail network and increase terrain variety at Aspen Mountain by adding 148 acres of traditional downhill and gladed terrain, a detachable or fixed-grip chairlift and bottom terminal access road. The summit snowmaking portion of the project would add a snowmaking pump station which would provide snowmaking coverage to 53 acres of terrain. Additionally, the proposal calls for 18,000 feet of snowmaking pipeline and two water storage ponds to improve snowmaking capabilities and the timely opening of the trail network and skier circulation.
A public open house meeting is scheduled on May 23 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Limelight Hotel, Monarch Room (355 S Monarch St, Aspen, CO 81611). Forest Service and Aspen Skiing Company representatives will be available to answer questions about the project.
All project components are included in the accepted 2018 Aspen Mountain Master Development Plan (MDP). With the exception of a portion of the proposed Pandora terrain development, all other project components are within Aspen Mountain’s existing Forest Service special use permit (SUP) area or adjacent private lands owned by ASC. The proposed Pandora development project is immediately within or adjacent to the existing terrain network; however a portion of the proposed project area is not currently part of ASC’s existing special use permit area. The Pandora development project, as proposed, would require a Special Use Permit boundary adjustment and amendment to the White River National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.
How to Comment:
Scott Fitzwilliams, White River National Forest Supervisor, is the deciding official on this project. A legal notice published in the newspaper of record - the Glenwood Post Independent- is expected to be published on May 16, 2018. The publication of the legal notice will initiate a 30-day scoping comment period.
The Forest Supervisor requests your comments on any component of this project. The purpose of this scoping period is to provide an opportunity for interested parties to engage in early and meaningful participation on this project and to learn more about the project. To be most effective when submitting comments, please include: (1) name, address, telephone number and organization represented, if any; (2) reference the “Aspen Mountain Pandora Development and Summit Snowmaking Projects” and (3) specific facts, concerns or issues, and supporting reasons why they should be considered. Written comments must be submitted via mail, fax, electronically or in person (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays) to: Scott Fitzwilliams, c/o T.J. Broom, Mountain Sports - Special Uses Program Lead, White River National Forest, Aspen – Sopris Ranger District, 620 Main Street, Carbondale, CO 81623.
Electronic comments including attachments can be submitted to: https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public//CommentInput?Project=53847
Your comments will be most helpful if received by June 15, 2018. Only those persons who submit comments during this comment period will be placed on the mailing list for future information regarding these projects. Names and contact information submitted with comments will become part of the public record and may be released under the Freedom of Information Act. Please note that this period is serving as both scoping and the sole comment period for the Proposed Action Alternative. There will not be another opportunity to comment.
Visit the project website for more details regarding this project: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=53847 .
To review the content of the Notice of Proposed Action (NOPA) in an interactive viewer, please visit. https://tinyurl.com/y9ujpblg.
