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<br />GG2118 <br /> <br />Record oj Decision <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />Aspen Highlands Ski Area's original Special Use Permit was issued in 1958 to Whipple Van Ness Jones <br />and comprised an area of National Forest System (NFS) land of about 4,221 acres in size. In 1993, the <br />ski area facilities were donated to Harvard University. The facilities were then purchased by the Aspen <br />Skiing Company (ASC) and Gerald Hines and placed into a trust entitled, "Aspen Highlands Mountain <br />Limited Liability Company" at which time Gerald Hines owned the base property and ASC owned the <br />facilities on NFS lands. In ] 994, an Environmental Assessment was completed for the replacement of <br />several existing lifts under the current Master Development Plan (MDP). <br /> <br />On May 12. 1995. the Aspen Skiing Company submitted a site-specific development plan for the upgrade <br />and expansion of the Aspen Highlands Ski Area. The proposal trom the ASC included a request for <br />approval to construct and develop approximately 821 acres of skiable terrain within the existing Special <br />Use Permit boundary. Details of the proposal include the following: removal of two lifts and replaced <br />with one; addition of three (3) new ski lifts; a restaurant upgrade; a system of several skiways; <br />construction of roads; and the expansion of snowmaking. <br /> <br />One important provision was included in Aspen Skiing Company's proposal. The Aspen Skiing Company <br />wished to maintain the 4.500 skiers-at-one-ti"'e (SAOT) capacity approved in the 1980 MDP and the <br />submittal was designed to address specific dependability and skiing quality issues at the Aspen Highlands <br />Ski Area. <br /> <br />Following an evaluation of this proposal, the Forest Service initiated a site-specific environmental review <br />under provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. and other laws <br />and regulations. n,e results of this process were documented in a Draft Environmcntal Impact Statement <br />(Draft EIS) which was released for public comment on September 27, 1996. A Final Environmental <br />Impact Statement (EIS) has been issued concurrent with this Record of Decision (ROD). The <br />environmental analysis documented in the EIS provides the foundation for my decision outlined in the <br />Decision and Rationale section of this ROD. <br /> <br />Implementation of my decision will resolve important qualitative needs at the Aspen Highlands Ski Area <br />consistent with environmental, economic. and social considerations. My decision incorporates additional <br />conditions and restrictions that will minimize adverse impacts. Finally. the cooperative efforts by ASC, <br />the City of Aspen, and Pitkin County have demonstrated a positive pro-active effort in dealing with the <br />issues of peak-day skier visitations, transportation, and associated air quality. I believe these efforts <br />represent a model for environmentally sensitive ski area development and for cooperative efforts in a <br />mature resort community. <br /> <br />GENERAL MANAGEMENT DIRECTION <br /> <br />In evaluating and deciding upon the Aspen Skiing Company's proposal and alternative actions, ] am <br />required to ensure that selected actions are consistent with managemcnt direction for the project area and <br />are in the public interest. There are a variety of laws and regulations that call for the agency to work with <br />private industry to provide needed recreational facilities, including downhill ski areas, on suitable NFS <br />lands. <br /> <br />InlroduClion <br />General Management Direction <br />