Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Expansion of the Bill Williams Ski Area

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for

the Expansion of the Bill Williams Ski Area

AGENCY: Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

for the Expansion of the Bill Williams Mountain Ski Area.

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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service

(USDA, FS), Region 3, Kaibab National Forest, announces its intent to

prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to Sec.

102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Quality requestions for

implementing NEPA. This Environmental Impact Statement will evaluate

potential impacts from expanding the Bill Williams Mountain Ski area,

Coconino County, Arizona. The USDA, FS invites the general public,

local governments, Indian tribes, other Federal agencies, and states to

submit written comments or suggestions concerning the scope of the

issues to be addressed, alternatives to be analyzed, and the

environmental impacts and cultural impacts to be addressed in the Draft

Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The public is invited to

participate in scoping activities including an open house in which

comments and suggestions will be received. Oral and written comments

will be considered equally in preparation of the DEIS.

DATES: All comments must be received or postmarked by December 22,

1997, to be considered in the preparation of the DEIS. To the extent

practicable, the USDA, FS will consider comments received or postmarked

after the deadline. An open house will be conducted at the Williams

Holiday Inn (950 N. Grand Canyon Blvd., Williams, AZ) on December 4,

1997, between 4:30 and 8:00 P.M. The date, time, and specific location

of the scoping meeting will be announced at least 15 days before the

meeting in the local media.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please direct written comments/

suggestions on the scope of the DEIS or questions concerning the

project to: Teri Cleeland at USDA, FS Williams/Chalendar Ranger

District, 501 W. Route 66, Williams, AZ 86046, 520/635-2676 or Dave

Brewer at Kaibab National Forest, 800 S. 6th St., Williams, AZ 86046,

520/635-8331.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose and Need: The proposed ski expansion area is located in the

Kaibab National Forest approximately four miles south of Williams,

Arizona on Bill Williams Mountain. A comparison of the existing and

desired conditions for this management area outlined in the Kaibab

National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan indicates a need to

improve not only the existing ski facilities but also expand on the 16

acres of the skiable terrain to promote a quality alpine skiing

experience. The current vertical drop, ski run length, and ski run

configuration do not provide for a good cross-section for the various

experience levels of skiers. Provision of higher elevation runs and

snowmaking will increase the season of use through enhanced snow cover

on runs.

The proposed expansion of the Bill Williams Ski Area will satisfy

the following needs:

--improve the quality of recreation experience in the Williams area,

--diversify the local economic base for the City of Williams

--increase skier capacity to accommodate unmet skier demand in the

region,

--provide better and more consistent skiing conditions by increasing

reliability of skiable snow cover, particularly at the beginning of the

season when skiing is frequently delayed,

--encourage efficient use of facilities by expanding use into the

summer months,

--satisfy Forest Service management objective (see below).

The expansion of the Bill Williams Ski Area will meet the following

Forest Service management objectives:

--It is Forest Service policy to provide, under special-use

authorization, suitable facilities and services that supplement or

complement those provided by the private sector on private lands on

National Forest System land to meet public needs. In addition, it is

Forest Service policy to facilitate the use, enjoyment, and

appreciation of the National Forests in a natural resource setting (FSM

2340.2).

--Update and modify the previous approved Environmental Impact

Statement which authorized a new ski area on the north slopes of Bill

Williams Mountain (USDA-Kaibab National Forest 1986).

--To provide a diversity of recreation activities that emphasize the

forest setting and rustic, natural resource based recreation

opportunities (FSM 2343.02).

Decision to be Made: Based on public response to the DEIS, a

decision will be made regarding expansion of the Bill Williams Ski

Area. Possible decisions include the following: 1.) implement the

proposed action as defined; 2.) take no action at all; or 3.) take

action to some other degree, based on issues generated through public

scoping.

Proposed Action: The USDA--Kaibab National Forest, proposes to

authorize Alpine Recreation Company LLC., to incorporate the existing

Bill Williams ski area and construct, operate, and maintain an

expansion of current facilities. Under the proposed action, the skiable

terrain would increase from 16.4 acres to 62.6 acres. The total number

of skiers that could be

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accommodated at one time would increase from 250 to 1,130.

Specific expansions proposed by Alpine Recreation include the

following: additional ski runs (43 acres); a triple chair lift

(approximately 5,600 feet in length); three new handle tows (ranging

from 400 to 600 feet in length); a maintenance building (2,400 square

feet); construction of a new Top Vista Lodge with composting restrooms

(800 square feet); new parking facilities (75,000 square feet);

construction of a new bases lodge (4,600 square feet) with additional

outside deck seating (2,500 square feet); three new water impoundments

(capacity of 24 acre-feet); infrastructure for snowmaking (2,000

subsurface distribution system for snowmaking on 7 acres); a new septic

system; a summer trail which would generally follow runs 18, 18A, 12

and 7; a picnic area along the edge of run 12; implementation of a sky

ride program during the summer recreation period; and expansion of the

permit area from the current 37 acres to approximately 200 acres.

Preliminary Identification of Environmental and Cultural Issues:

The USDA, FS has identified the following preliminary issues for

analysis for alternative actions in the DEIS. Additional issues may be

identified as a result of the scoping process. Issues include impacts

of the action alternatives on:

--Water quality and quantity,

--Water rights,

--Soil erosion and disturbance,

--Threatened, endangered, and sensitive species and their habitat,

--Visual quality,

--Fire occurrence,

--Cultural resources,

--Traditional uses of the area by American Indians,

--Rights of American Indians for which the area has religious and

cultural significance,

--Socioeconomic resources of local communities,

--Demand for additional skiing facilities in Northern Arizona.

Cooperating Agencies and Groups Involved in the Preparation of the

DEIS: United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Region 3,

Kaibab National Forest; Alpine Research Company, LLC., and SWCA, Inc.,

Environmental Consultants.

Dated: November 12, 1997.

Bruce J. Higgins,

Acting Forest Supervisor.

[FR Doc. 97-30326 Filed 11-18-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-11-M