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<br />;'I0~ 01 0 <br />OJ_v_ <br /> <br />Chap/cd - Purpose aNI Need <br /> <br />alternatives to it, providing the elements are consistent with the stated purpose and need of the Proposed Action. <br />The coosll'Uction schedule and other details may then be addressed by routine submission of operational plans, <br />but the actual decision would not be revisited once it is made. The Forest Service decision would apply only to <br />the NFS land analyzed in the EIS. However, decisions by'other jurisdictions to issue approvals related to this <br />proposal may be aided by the disclosure of potential impacts found in this document. The Forest Service assumes <br />no responsibility for enforcing laws. regulations, or ordinances which are under the jurisdiction of other <br />government agencies. <br /> <br />None'of the elements of the ASC's current proposal have been analyzed and approved by Forest Service through <br />previous NEPA processes. The only previous NEP A-based analysis is the 1994 Environmental Assessment of <br />improvements to existing facilities at Aspen Highlands (USDA-FS 1994a). The developments approved by the <br />Forest Service are recorded in the 1994 Decision Notice (USDA-FS 1994b). They include consll'UCtion of a new <br />on-mountain delivery system (Exhibition I and Loge Peak Lifts); removal of the Nugget, Grand Prix. and <br />Olympic lifts; and replacement of the Exhibition II and Cloud Nine lifts with upgraded lifts. In addition. <br />constrUCtion of an wulerground utility corridor from the base area up to Loge Peak, consolidation of maintenance <br />facilities in the Merry-Go-Round area, and selective thinning of ski terrain in several areas were also approved. <br />These developments have not been affected by any changes to the NEP A regulations since they were approved. <br /> <br />Specific decisions to be made by the Forest Service are: <br /> <br />. Whether to constrUCt additional lifts proposed by the ASC (Steeplechase, Highlands, and Maroon Bowl lifts) <br />and/or other lifts to access these areas. <br /> <br />. Whether to develop the proposed new gladed and bowl terrain in the Boomerang, Deep Steeplechase, <br />Temerity, Highland Bowl, Maroon Bowl, and Loge Bowl areas. <br /> <br />. Whether to develop the proposed Steeplechase, Highland Bowl, and Loge Bowl catwalks, or' alternative ' <br />Calwalks/maintenanee roads in the Temerity area (Temerity Catwalk and lower Temerity maintenance road) <br />as well as catwa1ks/service roads from mid-mountain to the lower terminal of the Steeplechase Lift and from <br />Loge Peak to the upper terminal of the Maroon Bowl Lift. <br /> <br />. Whether to constrUCt a new Merry-Go-Round restaurant, ski pall'ol headquarters. or additional facilities. <br /> <br />. Whether to expand the existing snowmaking capacity at Aspen Highlands. <br /> <br />. Whether to authorize summer recreation activities and operation of associated facilities in the Merry-Go- <br />Round or other areas. <br /> <br />. How and when to implement any of the actions which are approved for development through the EIS process. <br /> <br />. What mitigation measures should be applied for those elements of the Proposed Action or alternatives that <br />are approved through the EIS process. <br /> <br />PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT'AND SCOPING <br /> <br />THE $cOPING PROCESS <br />NEP A requires that the public and agency personoel be involved from an early stage in decision making on <br />federal lands. An important part of this strategy is scoping, which the CEQ regulations describe as the process <br />for determining the "scope of the issues to be addressed and for identifying the significant issues related to a <br />proposed action" (40 CFR ~ 1501.7). In addition to revealing potentially significant concerns, this process can <br /> <br />Public Inllo1vDnenl and Scoping <br />TM Scoping Process <br /> <br />1-9 <br />