WSP07593 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

002095 S""""ilTY I I \ I \ ..,.." " ....,'w,..".., ~~i~[:;i~ll!j~t~~i~ii~l~i:!j~:\~I!~lf;I;ili];iiii:~l:;!tiii::i ..../?:d.;.\\x.....;..S......./E..........e... ......c.(I.. ........,......0............/'1'1/) ..,..,..,........,..,......... ", ,.. "".. ~\{/Xt\,l/Ht:(\{!::,k: ",':, """"",:',',:":';:,, ,~.::. "~'::,,:,, ;', :',,)>, ::: ,hU .:';.!':;.?;ji:,;!:'!:'1;1[~!.::,.i~!:.'[:~!1l!!l~!~ii~il~:'i .." ,....,..,..,..,,'.... ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED IN DETAIL This section describes the range of alternatives analyzed in the EIS. including No Action (Alternative A). the permittee's Proposed Action (Alternative B) and an alternative to this proposal (Alternative C). Alternative C has been identified as the Forest Service's Preferred Alternative because it represeots a reasooable balance between meeting the purpose of the Proposed Action and minimizing adverse impacts to imponant natural resources. However. identification of a preferred alternative by the WRNF Forest Supervisor in the Draft ElS should not be construed as pre-decisional. The fmal decision that will be incorporated in the ROD will depend on the COlDlIJellts received from the public during the comment period. and may include all or part of any of the three alternatives. ALTERNATIVE A - No ACTION The No Action Alternative serves as a benchmark for comparing the action alternatives. Activities would be limited to those using existing facilities and upgraded facilities already approved by the Forest Service. or those not requiring Forest Service approval. Several previously approved actions that have not yet been implemented would take place under and be part of the No Action Alternative (Figure 2). Existing facilities associated with the Aspen Highlands Ski Area but not part of the upgrades approved in 1994 occur both within the permit area and on private land north of the permit area. Facilities within the permit area include the Golden Horn Lift. the Merry-Go-Round restaurant. and the PHQ at the top of the Cloud Nine Lift. The Thunderbowl Uft and the 76 acres of snowmaking terrain are located on private land north of the SUP area. The privately owned base area also contains a lodge. ski shop, skier services. maintenance/storage facilities. and a parking lot for 742 vehicles. Access to the ski area is facilitated by the Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFf A) skier shuttle service from Aspen and Snowmass. and the city bus service from Aspen. CurreOl summer recreation activities at Aspen Highlands consist of very limited hiking and mountain biking. Motorized access to NFS land is restricted by gates at the base of the Aspen Highlands Ski Area. In response to a request by the ASC to upgrade services at Aspen Highlands. the 1994 Finding of No Significance/Decision Notice resulted in the approval of a two-phase development for Aspen Highlands aimed at upgrading 30-year-Qld ski lifts, better utilizing public land committed to siding under the SUP. and improving maintenance facilities. Phase I tasks that were completed in 1994 included removing the Nugget Lift, replacing Exhibition I and Loge Peak lifts. widening the T-Lazy-7 Catwalk. and glading terrain in the St. Moritz/Boomerang. Golden HomfPark Avenue. Apple Strudel/Moment-of-Truth. and T-Lazy-7 Catwalk/Exhibition I areas. The approved relocation of the maintenance facility to a site northeast of the Merry- Go-Round restaurant was initiated but not completed in 1994. while construction of an underground utility corridor from the Aspen Highlands base area via the Merry-Go-Round restaurant to Loge Peak was not initiated in 1995. Phase IT penains to removing the Orand Prix and Olympic lifts. and upgrading the Cloud Nine and Exhibition 11 lifts in or after 1995. While the Grand Prix Lift was removed in 1995. the remaining phase IT developments have not yet been initiated. II I Under the No Action Alternative (as well as all other alternatives) access to and egress from Aspen Highlands would be affected by implementing the Aspen Highlands base area development plan that has received general submission approval by Pitkin County. 10 particular.,base area skier use patterns. access to initial access lifts. skier egress in the Thunderbowl area. skier amenities, and base area transponation and parking facilities would be affected. The development would include construction of the Aspen Highlands Village. recontouring of some SectiollJI Aller1Wlives COlUidered in Detail 7