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<br />l <br />/ <br /> <br />m <br /> <br />002083 <br /> <br />September27,1996 <br />Page Two <br /> <br />If plants and/or wildlife are your passion, please focus your attention on the Vegetation, Wildlife, and <br />Biodiversity sections of the document which describe the effect of the various alternatives on different species <br />and their habitats. There are no listed Threatened and Endangered plant or animal species within the Aspen <br />Highlands Ski Area. While surveys conducted during the 1995 and 1996 field seasons idantified potential <br />habitat for one Forest Sensitive Species, the brownie lady slipper, no individuals of this species were found <br />during these surveys. <br /> <br />Another resource of concern throughout the West is water. The issues of water rights ownership, what are <br />the volumas of these rights and when are they used, and how does use of water rights effect water yield, <br />water quality, and aquatic resources are of frequent concern. The Aspen Skiing Company is proposing to <br />incraase snowmaking capacity at Aspen Highlands by using water rights to which they are entitled. The <br />Forest Service is concemed about the potential effects of increased snowmaking on the volume of spring <br />runoff, soU erosion and landslides, and the effect of increased snowpack on underlying plants and animals. <br />Also of concern are the effects of withdrawing water from Maroon Creek on the habitat of aquatic species. <br />These issues are addressed in the Watershed Resources and Aquatic Resources sections in the Draft EIS, <br />respectively. <br /> <br />A number of individuals emphasized the importance of the visual appearance of the Aspen Highlands Ski <br />Area. Of particular concem was the potential creation of large clear cut areas. The Standards & Guidelines <br />within the Forest Plan specify acceptable visual quality standards. In the case of Aspen Highlands, the <br />Special Use Permit, which govems the use of the area for recreational activities, was issued by the Forest <br />Service prior to formulation of the Forest Plan. Consequently, there are certain areas within the ski area which <br />are not currently in compliance with their standards and guideiines, but these deficiencies are to be rectified <br />through the implementation of a Vegetation Management Plan, which is a requirement of the Special Use <br />Permit. Any new developments must comply with the established Standards & Guidelines. In the Draft EIS, <br />a Forest Service computer simulated the probable appearance of the lift line and ski terrain construction <br />should the decision be made to implement any new developments. <br /> <br />I would like to invite you to thoroughly review the Draft EIS and provide written comments to the Forest Service <br />during the forty-five day comment period. Please address your comments to Arthur Bauer, Special Projects <br />Coordinator, Aspen Ranger District, 806 W. Hallam St., Aspen, Colorado 81611. If you have questions, or <br />are interested in visiting the Special Project's Office, please call (970) 544-0082 to make an appointment. <br />Your participation in identifying areas of concem has already been invaluable in allowing me to eventually <br />reach a decision that has broad acceptance. Active citizen participation in projects, such as the development <br />of the Aspen Highlands Ski Area, has repeatedly proven to be of tremendous value in our attempt to, "Care <br />for the Land and Serve the People" - you, The Public. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />ie ~ALLE <br /> <br />Forest Supervisor <br /> <br /> <br />Caring for the Land and Serving the People <br /> <br />PrintMI on Recyc~ Paper ~ <br />FS-6200-2Ib 1(12193) W <br /> <br />- <br />