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Aspen HighJand.J Ski Area - Draft EnvironmenJaJ Impact S/alemenJ site are located to the east of the present Aspen Highlands SUP area, but Class I cultural resource inventories conducted between 1974 and 1987 revealed no cultural sites within the Aspen Highlands SUP area. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES Since no registered cultural resources were discovered within the existing Aspen Highlands Ski Area, no impacts on such resources would occur under the No Action Alternative. No cultural resources were discovered on the terrain targeted for development under alternatives B or C. Concurrence of this rmding by a Native American Consultant of the Southern Ute tribe led to cultural resource clearance of Aspen Highlands Ski Area for development. POTENTIAL MITIGATION MEASURES Since no cultural resources were identified in the SUP area, no mitigation measures are proposed. Should cultural resources be discovered during construction. all activities at the site would immediately cease so that appropriate measures could be taken to evaluate and protect the site. SCENIC RESOURCES AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT Ten views were analyzed for disclosure of existing views and viewsheds within the analysis area. The two primary areas of concern, from the Aspen Mountain sundeck and from SH 82, included terrain modeling and visual simulation. These views were studied in detail because of the large number of people viewing them, and because the majority of the proposed developments would be visible from them. The Aspen Mountain sundeck overlooks the eastern flank of Aspen Highlands from a distance of about 2.9 miles. This viewsbed has a high level of sensitivity because it is highly visible from the restaurant and swnmer amphitheater on Aspen Mountain. It includes Highland Bowl ridgeline, Temerity, Steeplechase, and the Grand Traverse Catwalk. Highland Bowl and Highland Peak are unforested and do not currently show evidence of development. Temerity and Steeplechase areas south of the Grand Traverse Catwalk are densely forested areas with few openings except those created by avalanches and relatively linear drainage patterns. The Grand Traverse Catwalk. which traverses several contours along Aspen Highlands' east facing slopes, is the most obtrusive elemcot because it cuts directly across the predominantly vertical avalanche chutes and drainages. The catwalk does not currently meet the Forest Service visual quality objective (vQO) of modification. Due to distance, skilift facilities are not readily apparent from this vantage point. The second key viewpoint, located about 1.3 miles to the north of Aspen Highlands, faces south from the east end of the Maroon Creek bridge on the north side of SH 82. This viewshed is sensitive because the lower and middle slopes of Aspen Highlands are clearly visible to people traveling along Highway 82, the major transportation route into and out of Aspen. The Aspen Highlands north face is prontinent from this viewpoint and ski runs and lift corridors are highly visible. The clearcut, linear-edged appearance of the lift corridors, many of the ski runs, and standing islands of vegetation is not in compliance with the Forest Service VQO of modification. This is due to the existing ski area developments occurring prior to completion of the 1984 Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES VQOs of modification in the Forest Plan are a function of visual sensitivity, number of viewers, and distance from viewpoint. The greatest visible impact for any developments on Aspen Highlands are the Sundeck Restaurant at Aspen Mountain and the Maroon Creek Bridge on SH 82. Under the No Action Alternative. completion of approved improvemcots would not significantly change the visual quality from these two viewpoints since they 34 See/ion III Scenic Resources