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Logo Department Name Agency Organization Organization Address Information

United States

Department of

Agriculture

Forest

Service

White River National Forest 900 Grand Ave

Glenwood Springs, CO 81601-3602

File Code: 2720; 1950

Date: February 5, 2016

Dear Interested Party,

The White River National Forest (WRNF) is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to

consider and disclose the anticipated environmental effects of implementing several projects

proposed by Copper Mountain Resort (CMR). The proposed Copper Mountain Resort Recreation

Enhancement Projects have been designed to improve the year-round recreation experience of

National Forest System (NFS) guests.

All proposed projects are located within CMR’s existing special use permit (SUP) area or on

adjacent private lands owned by CMR. They are consistent with CMR’s 2011 Master

Development Plan (MDP) and the 2015 MDP Addendum. These projects are also consistent with

the Ski Area Recreational Opportunities Enhancement Act of 2011, which provides authority for

mountain resorts operating on NFS lands to offer an expanded range of outdoor recreation

activities in order to further recreational opportunities for the public and allow year-round

utilization of existing resort facilities.

A description of the projects and the purpose and need are included below. Your comments are

being sought on these projects at this time. Comments should be received by March 11, 2016.

Details on how to comment are found at the conclusion of this scoping notice.

Purpose and Need

The proposed projects would help address these two identified needs at CMR:

Snowmaking

There is a need for improved efficiency and coverage of snowmaking operations on the

existing West Encore and Collage trails. Currently, CMR’s snowmaking system covers

approximately 333 acres of the developed terrain network. CMR struggles to keep an

appropriate depth of coverage on these trails due to their popularity, level of use, and their

windward exposure.

Recreational Opportunities

There is a need for improved connectivity between the Fat Marmot trail and the base area.

CMR maintains 11 mountain biking and hiking trails ranging from beginner to advanced

ability levels. Consistent with the zoning identified in the 2015 MDP Addendum, the

majority of existing trails fall west of the American Eagle chairlift, and are accessed by

riding that lift. This concentrates users and impacts the recreational experiences for guests

accessing the Center Village.

There is also a need for additional, diversified recreational activities at CMR. There is a lack

of recreational opportunities that provide adventure or thrill-based experiences that require

little specialized knowledge, skills, equipment or familiarity with the mountain environment -

- elements which can be a barrier for visitors (e.g., families, the elderly/aging, or those with

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disabilities) desiring to engage in outdoor activities. The proposed projects would

complement these current activities by offering an even broader range of passive recreation

opportunities to engage visitors on National Forest System lands.

Proposed Action

Additional Snowmaking Coverage

The Proposed Action includes installation of snowmaking infrastructure on West Encore and

Collage trails to provide additional snowmaking coverage within the existing terrain network.

Snowmaking coverage exists uphill and downhill of the project area. The additional coverage is

within CMR’s existing snowmaking water rights.

Mitigation is proposed to offset potential impacts from increased snowmelt within the Wheeler

drainage. A drainage management system is being designed to re-route an equivalent amount of

snowmelt from a designated catchment area. This mitigation plan would be finalized as soon as

practicable, as the plan would require analysis as part of this NEPA analysis. In addition, the

mitigation for increased snowmaking would include some revegetation on the West Encore and

Collage trails. CMR would add soil amendments to improve the revegetation process.

Mountain Biking Trail

The proposed intermediate mountain biking trail would connect users on Fat Marmot trail with

the Center Village and provide an alternative route from B-Road to Center Village, reducing the

number of users on Red Tail trail. This would be a more direct route than the current route.

Bikers coming off of the Fat Marmot trail traverse on B-Road to Red Tail or Elk Alley trails, and

then back onto East Fork into the Center Village.

The proposed mountain biking trail would originate from B-Road, just below Fat Marmot,

approximately 2,100 feet below and to the east of Solitude Station and would travel through

mostly forested terrain, joining East Fork approximately 800 feet above Center Village. The

proposed trail would be constructed by a mini-excavator. Tree removal and limbing would be

required to create the appropriate trail corridor.

Alpine Coaster

This proposal includes an alpine coaster to be constructed and operated near the Center Village

area to accommodate visitors who seek an additional on-mountain experience. The proposed

coaster would operate year-round in an area that currently serves as a hub for summer and winter

recreation at CMR. The gravity-driven coaster would be located near the American Flyer

chairlift.

Alpine coaster infrastructure includes an uphill track, which tows riders to the top terminal of the

coaster, a storage/mechanical building and a downhill track. Construction and access to the

coaster would generally utilize existing mountain access roads along with some additional

clearing for the coaster alignment; however, construction and continued maintenance of the

coaster would require a short access road to be built from A-Road to the top terminal of the

coaster. The power line for the coaster would run from an existing maintenance facility to the top

terminal, utilizing the access road corridor. The location of the Coaster is not expected to

interfere with ski area operations or winter guest experiences. Bridging some trails and mountain

access roads would be necessary.

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Request for Comments

The environmental review process will culminate with a decision being issued by the Forest

Supervisor. Based on the forthcoming environmental analysis, the project decision will either

authorize implementation of the proposal or another alternative developed in response to specific

issues. The decision will also include a determination of whether additional site-specific

management requirements and/or mitigation measures would be required.

The WRNF is providing this comment period for the public to submit comments on all

components of this project. The purpose of this scoping period is to provide an opportunity for

the public to have early and meaningful participation in the process and to learn more about the

proposed projects.

Your questions and comments regarding this proposal are an integral part of the environmental

analysis process. Respondents should include: (1) name, address, telephone number, and

organization represented, if any; (2) reference the “Copper Mountain Resort Recreation

Enhancement Projects” and (3) specific facts, concerns or issues, and supporting reasons why

they should be considered.

Specific written comments on the proposed project will be accepted for 30 calendar days

following publication of this notice in the Glenwood Springs Post Independent. The publication

date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the comment period. The

regulations prohibit extending the length of the comment period.

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, Forest Supervisor, c/o

Roger Poirier, Project Leader, 900 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, FAX:

(970) 945-3266. Electronic comments including attachments can be submitted to

https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public//CommentInput?Project=48633.

For the latest project details please visit the project website:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=48633.

Additional information will also be made available at a public open house at The Edge, 0050

Beeler Place, Copper Mountain, CO 80443 in the Sky Chutes Theater on Feb 17, 2016 from

5:00pm to 7:00pm.

The analysis and public involvement process will include an opportunity for public comment

when the EA is complete. The public will also have opportunity to object before the final

decision is made, consistent with 36 CFR 218(a)(b). The EA will be mailed to those who have

submitted comments and to those who have requested to be included on the project mailing list.

Individuals and organizations who provide comments during the 30-day comment period on the

EA will have standing to file objections. If you provide comments that include your name and

address for this proposal, you will receive future correspondence for this project. In the event

that you choose not to comment at this time but would still like to receive correspondence or if

you have additional questions about this project, please contact Roger Poirier at (970) 945-3245

or rogerepoirier@fs.fed.us.

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Thank you for your participation. I look forward to your comments.

Sincerely,

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Prepared by:Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye,Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX,Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS UserCommunity

Copper Mountain Resort Recreation Enhancement Projects

Date: February 2016

LegendExisting

LiftRoadsSUP Boundary

ProposedMountain Biking TrailAlpine CoasterAlpine Coaster Power RouteAlpine Coaster Access RoadSnowmakingSnowmaking Drainage Project Area

0 930 1,860465Feet

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