[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 223 (Wednesday, November 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61726-61727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30326]


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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

[[Page 61727]]

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