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Aspen Highlands Ski Area - Final Environmental Impacl S/alement PURPOSE OF PROPOSED ACTION Thc purpose of the Proposed Action is to expand, upgrade, and improve skiing facilities at Aspen Highlands in order to ensure continued provision of high quality skiing opportunities and services that respond to evolving customer preferences. The specific objectives (purposes) are to: * Increase skier comfort, convenience, and safety by installing modcm ski lifts, demanded by increasingly discerning skiers, and provide more convenient access to existing and new ski terrain. This objective would be achieved by installation of the Thunderbowl replacement lift, the new Steeplechase, Highland Bowl and Maroon Bowl lifts, and the Loge Bowl Catwalk. * Belter utilize the entire SUP area by adding gladed and bowl skiing for advanced and expert skiers in currently underutilized areas. This objective would bc achieved by developing new ski terrain in the Deep Steeplechase area, and in the Highland and Maroon bowls. * Make more efficient use of and improve the appearance of existing amenities at Aspen Highlands. This objective would be met by replacing the Merry-Go-Round restaurant with an upgraded facility, and by relocating the ski patrol headquarters (PHQ) in order to improve the ski patrol's capability of reaching existing and new terrain serviced by the current and proposed new lift alignments. * Provide better and more consistent skiing conditions by increasing the reliability of skiable snow cover, particularly when poor snow conditions frequently delay the start of the ski season. This would be addressed by expanding the snowmaking capacity. The proposal from ASC has several components, each of which is somewhat independent but when considered as a package serve to meet the overall purpose of the Proposed Action. NEED FOR PROPOSED ACTION The need for the proposed project is substantiated in the Forest Plan, Rocky Mountain Regional Guide, and the SUP for Aspen Highlands. The proposed project, or an acceptable alternative, is needed to ensure that Aspen Highlands continues to provide high-quality skiing experiences that respond to preferences of recreationists using NFS land. The Forest Service has long recognized the need to periodically address upgrading and improving skiing facilities. Also, guests and local residents wish to have greater access to advanced and expert bowl and gladed terrain. Aspen Highlands' skiers also want convenient lift service, low skier densities, and consistent snow conditions. These improvements are also needed to restore Aspen Highlands' competitive position and niche within the ski industry. It is in the public interest that the trend of declining visitor numbers be reversed and that Aspen Highlands remain economically slable and competitive so that it can maintain its contribution to the local and regional economy and continue to provide high quality recreational opportunities to the public. DECISIONS TO BE MADE The Forest Service decision will be documented in a ROD signed by the WRNF Forest Supervisor, who will decide whicb elements of each alternative will be pennilled for development. Tbe Forest Supervisor could approve all, part, or none of eacb element of the Proposed Action or alternatives to it, providing the elements are consistent with tbe stated purpose and need of the Proposed Action. The construction schedule and other details may then be addressed by routine submission of operational plans, but the actual decision will not be revisited once it is made. The Forest Service decision would apply only to tbe NFS lands analyzed in the EIS. The Forest Service assumes no responsibility for enforcing laws, regulations, or ordinances which are under the jurisdiction of other government agencies. 4 Section I DeciSIOns 10 be "..fude