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<br />f1r,flq)~ <br /> <br />A. GENERAL RATIONALE FOR THE DECISION <br /> <br />This decision selects site-specific actions to implement <br />previous decisions and programmatic documents. The <br />components) will help ensure that the Snowmass Ski Area <br />high-quality skiing experience that is responsive <br />preferences for outdoor recreation. <br /> <br />land uses authorized in <br />selected actions (MOP <br />continues to provide a <br />to evolving customer <br /> <br />I believe my decision will accomplish the following -important benefits: <br /> <br />. Provide new and expanded high-quality year-round recreational <br />opportunities, including downhill skiing and other developed and dispersed <br />recreational activities, that are consistent with physical and biological <br />resource objectives. <br /> <br />. Provide the services and facilities needed by existing and projected <br />visitors, including day skiers, destination skiers and summer visitors, <br />over the short and long terms. This includes accommodating additional <br />demand for recreational opportunities that will be generated from local <br />(Roaring Fork Valley-wide area) planned and approved developments. <br /> <br />. Improve access, egress, day skier parking and skier distribution to and <br />within the permit area and thus the recreational experience on NFSL. <br /> <br />. Improve the balance of summer and winter recreational opportunities in the <br />Snowmass village area to promote community diversity and stability, <br />economic viability and a more stable' work force. <br /> <br />. Provide the improventents, such as high-speed lifts and advanced snowmaking <br />systems, and terrain expansion needed to ensure that the Snowmass Ski Area <br />remains economically stable and capable of providing quality skiing <br />experiences. <br /> <br />. Improve existing public, access to NFSL, and ensure its provision in the <br />long term, for a variety of recreational activities. <br /> <br />The reasons for the decision are further described i,n the discussion of the <br />authorized MOP components below. <br /> <br />B. AUTHORIZED MDP COMPONENTS <br /> <br />Selected actions (i.e., authorized MOP components) are listed in Tables 1 to 3. <br />The authorization of these facilities does hot necessarily mean that they will <br />be constructed, as considerable financial investment by the permittee will be <br />required to implement this MDP. The Forest Service can control the sequencing <br />of facility installation, but the decision to initiate construction re.sts-iwith <br />the permittee. <br /> <br />The new authorized comfortable carrying capacity for the ski area is 13,500 <br />skiers at one time (SAOT). This is an increase of 35 percent over the previously <br />authorized capacity of 10,000 SAOT. The discussion which follows describes the <br />specific components authorized and explains specific reasons for their <br />authorization, along with conditions for implementation and operation. <br />Mitigation and monitoring requirements are specified in the FEIS Mitigation and <br />Monitoring plan, which is fully adopted by this Decision. <br /> <br />1. Burnt Mountain Gondola and Associated Facilities <br /> <br />A two-stage gondola is authorized from Base Village (in the vicinity of Parking <br />Lot C) to the Burnt Mountain summit. The gondola will have a mid-station near <br /> <br />Page . 5 <br /> <br />RECORD OF DECISION <br />