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be required to actively participate in funding and coordinating the monitoring needed to validate the aquatic habitat impacts disclosure contained in the FEIS. I recommend that the appropriate regulatory agencies and the permittee schedule annual meetings to review monitoring results. If the group determines that the identified impacts to the aquatic ecosystem, from water withdrawals for snowmaking are greater than projected, and are unacceptable, additional mitigation should be adopted. The Forest Service will participate in implementing such mitigation, within its purview. Additional mitigation may include more water storage on NFSL or private lands; or adoption of regulated regimes for water withdrawals, such as the "no net loss", "mean February flow", or "lowest average seven-day flow" approaches documented in the FEIS. 12. Nordic Trail System A new nordic trail system and backcountry touring operation is authorized primarily forNFSL located between the Snowmass and Tiehack permit areas. Up to ten miles of new nordic trail may be constructed and additional miles may be incorporated into the system if they do not entail vegetation clearing or grading. This trail system was described and assessed as part of FEIS Alternative B. The primary staging area will be West Buttermilk, where single- ride lift tickets will provide access to the new trail system. Skiers will be able to stage from East Village as well. Associated with the trail system is a small warming hut on the eastern edge of the Snowmass permit area. This hut may have a permanent foundation, but the remainder of the structure will be removed after winter use. The Forest Service will issue a prospectus to potential small business qualified operators and select and award a new outfitter permit for this backcountry touring operation. DISCUSSION Development of the East Village area will adversely affect the quantity and quality of nordic skiing opportunities in the Snowmass/Aspen area. Although this impact will occur on private lands, the Forest Service recognizes its ability to ameliorate this cumulative impact and provide high-quality backcountry skiing opportunities on NFSL. Staging from the top of the West Buttermilk lift will enable ski touring to begin at a high elevation in a scenic natural environment where the snow conditions are much better than those provided near the base area. CONDITIONS All new nordic trails located above the Government Trail will be for winter use only. Vegetation clearing and grading will be minimized by aligning trails through natural openings and on natural slope breaks. The trail will be left undefined and in rough condition so that ,it is unsuitable for mountain bikes. Access points will be closed and signed at the beginning of summer. 13. Summer Recreational Uses Summer use of the permit area will be greatly increased. The focal point of the summer use program will be gondola and chairlift rides for sightseers, hikers, and mountain bikers. Summer uses- will continue to be concentrated within the Baldy Mountain portion of the permit area where an additional 15 to 20 miles of new hiking and biking trails are authorized. New uses may be free to visitors, or there may be a charge, depending on the level of investment and services provided by the permittee(s) . Assuming a Base Vil1age-to-Burnt Mountain or Elk Camp gondola is built, the Cafe Suzanne facility will serve as the primary staging area for summer activities, with access to the Elk Camp summit via the gondola upper stage or the Elk Camp RECORD OF DECISION Page. 18