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00213f3 Record 0./ DecislOll l' Ii> Impact Mitigated Required Mitigation Effective- Re~ponsible nessl Party Impacts of tree clearing I. The visual impact of ch::aring and grnding required for the 2 FSI ASC from Steeplechase Lift and Highland Bowl C<lt\\ul\'; \\herc it l'rosses the lower 600 I~et access road. of the Slccplech~ lift line four tllnes, would be minimized by cnd-hauling-fillslopes. laying cuI slopes back further than the fillslopes. or by incorporating retaining walls or sleep fillsJopes that retain as man)' trees as possible at the base of fillslopes. Both cuI and fill slopes should nOl exceed I 'l4: I since .steeper slopes tend 10 create long-term visual scars associated with revegetation constraints and Insufficient screening by existing vegetation. 2. Although 30 percent tree clearing has been prescribed for 2 FSI ASC tree stands dissected by the lower lift line, at least .50 percent tree clearing may be required to reduce the visual impact of the 11ft line and cal\\:alks transecting these stands Along stands Iransected farther up the: lift line. the \..idth of the lift line clearing should be variable from 60 to 90 ft. There should ;llso be some clearing adjacent to the fall line to break up the linear appearance of tree stands and to allow diagonal or parullel traversing by skIers. Care should also be e.\erciscd when thinning stands that would provide more than 50 percent skiable terrain to ensure natural-appearing transItions between those stands and adjacent stands which \\'ould not be thinned. In addition. terrain targeted for 30 to 70 percent skiablilit)' should not be thinned uniformly but should been thinned to uneven and Irregular tree densities. For example. in spruce-fir stands with clumps of 6 to 8 trees. small dumps rather than individual trees should be cut. Natural openings and chutes through the trees should be enhanced with additional clearing of single trees or clumps abo....e and below natural openings. Land Status Since 110 ncgati..'e direct and indirect impacts on NFS lands were identified for either action alternative. and the proposed developments are consistent with the Forest Plnn. no measures would be required to mitigate adverse impacts on land use patterns. > l-hig~effeC(ive; 2=moderatelv effecti..e: 3-somcwhat effective: ..J-uncenain REQUIRED PERMITS, LICENSES, GRANTS, OR AUTHORIZATIONS y ~ There are many federal, state, and local laws and regulations which affect development and operation of Aspen Highlands Ski Area. The Aspen Skiing Company is required by its Special Use Penn it to comply with all present and future state and local laws, ordinances or regulations which are applicable to the area or its operations, to the extent that they are not in conflict with federal law or policy, The Forest Service assumes no responsibility for enforcing laws, regulations, or ordinances which are under the jurisdiction of other governmental agencies. Nor is the Forest Service or the penninee bound by the actions of the City of Aspen or Pitkin County in reviewing and approving proposed land uses of NFS lands. As a consequence of my decision, Aspen Highlands Ski Area's MDP is amended with respect to the Deep Steeplechase Area, Thunderbowl lift replacement, Olympic catwalk extension, Merry-Go-Round Restaurant Associated Actions and Requirements Required Permits. Licenses, Grants, or Authori:arions 25