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<br />Aspen Highlands Ski Area - Draft Environl1umlal lmpOl:t Stalemenl <br />hnpacts on mule deer would be similar to those on elk. but due to their adaptability mule deer would likely return <br />to vacated areas following cessation of coostruction activities. Due to the prevalence of high quality summer <br />forage in the nearby wilderness. displacement of bighorn sheep by summertime coostruction activities in Loge <br />Peak, Highland Bowl and Maroon Bowl areas would not likely impact the population. However. winter activities <br />in these areas would affect sheep when they are most subject to physiological stress and may lead to mortality <br />ifbighorns are forced to move. Black bear could be adversely affected by the development of new ski terrain if <br />these areas contain denning sites. Since no threatened or endangered species were found to exist within the area <br />of influence of the Aspen Highlands Ski Area. implementation of all or part of Alternative B would not impact <br />any such species. <br /> <br />hnpacts to MIS \IIIlIa" Alternative C would be similar to those occurring under Alternative B. the main differences <br />being due to coostruction of the Loge Peak restaurant, and Ridge and Highland Surface lifts, less snowmaking, <br />and summer activities at Loge Peak. Following are differences in habitat losses and impacts that may occur <br />between the two alternatives: Pika, 0 acres of habitat would be lost and 56 acres less than under Alternative B <br />would be skied over, but additional disturbance could result from increased summer activities near Loge Peak <br />restaurant; and white-tailed ptarmigan, one extra acre of habitat could be impacted by surface lifts. resulting in <br />possible loss of brood if impacts occur during the nesting season, and additional impacts could occur due to <br />increased summertime recreation at Loge Peak. Impacts on Forest seositive species would be similar to those <br />occurring under Alternative B, the main differences being due to coostruction of the Loge Peak restaurant, and <br />the Ridge and Highland Surface lifts, less snowmaking, and summer activities at Loge Peak. Following are <br />possible differences in habitat loss and impacts under the two alternatives: Dwarf shrew, one additional acre of <br />habitat would be impacted due to extra grading along the ridgeline. but the total of 6 acres of habitat disturbance <br />would coostitute <I % of total habitat although added snow compaction could also affect the species; and fox <br />sparrow, only 9 acres (12 less than under Alternative B) would be impacted resulting in less of an effect <br />especially if terrain developmeot is not carried out during the breeding season. Under Alternative C. impacts to <br />species of high public interest would also be similar to those associated with Alternative B. However. due to the <br />restaurant and surface lifts under Alternative C. bighorn sheep and black bear may suffer additional impacts as <br />follows: bighorn sheep, coostruction/maintenance of the surface lifts and expanded summertime and winter <br />recreation activities along the Loge Peak-Highlands Peak ridge are likely to cause sheep to avoid this area year <br />round; black bear, the new restaurant and expanded summer and winter recreation at Loge Peak could have <br />additiooal adverse impacts by attracting bears to restaurant waste sites. Since no threatened or endangered <br />species wac found to exist within the area of influence of the Aspen Highlands Ski Area, implementation of all <br />or part of Alternative C would not impact any such species. <br /> <br />POTENTIAL MITIGATION MEASURES <br />To reduce loss of snags and forest debris habitat elements. phase glading, retain snags that occur among live <br />trees, and recruit new snags inungladed areas. Habitat fragmentation can be reduced by minimizing the amount <br />of c1earcutting for liftlines/access roads. and coosolidating blocks of habitats wbere possible. To minimize <br />disruption of alpine babitats, prohibit skiing and trail grooming during shallow snow periods. airlift towers and <br />materials to coostruction sites. and confme summer traffic to well-defmed roads and foot paths. To minimize <br />displacemeot of forest-interior and edge-seositive species from critiCal habitat areas. limit coostruction to after <br />July 15. and phase coostruction of separate lifts over several years. To reduce wildlife disturbance in the off- <br />season. restrict construction and swnmer visitation to after July 15. limit summer recreation activities to existing <br />roads and paths, and prohibit dogs or enforce existing leash laws. <br /> <br />Loss of big game habitat could be reduced by leaving large lDldisturbed forest islands in close proximity to gladed <br />areas. and by stabilizing and seeding liftline corridors with preferred elk. mule d=, and black bear forages. In <br />particular. distuIbance of bighorn sheep during off season can be reduced by prohibiting access to lambing areas <br />from May to June, and avoiding disturbance of salt licks near Pyramid Park. Nuisance bear hazards can be <br />avoided by keeping all restaurant associated food and garbage out of reach of bears, training employees in proper <br />waste disposal techniques. and providing bear-proof trash cans in off-season visitor areas. Since no threatened <br /> <br />22 <br /> <br />Section III <br />Wildlife <br />