The USDA Forest Service has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) and draft decision notice and finding of no significant impact(DN/FONSI) for the No Name Basin Projects at Monarch Mountain (Monarch). The proposed action is to be located on the Gunnison Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, adjacent to Monarch’s existing ski area in No Name Basin. The responsible official for this decision is Pike-San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Forest and Grassland Supervisor Ryan Nehl through a delegation of authority by the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests Supervisor. The responsible official is planning to implement the proposed action, which proposes the following activities: Expansion of Monarch’s SUP area from 769 acres to 1,146 acres to include No Name Basin; Construction of a new 2,700-feet-long fixed grip chairlift, with a carrier size of up to four people; Construction of an up to 8,600-feet-long permanent access road from the existing SUP area to the bottom terminal of the proposed chairlift; Development of approximately 62 acres of traditionally cleared terrain and 75 acres of gladed terrain, including low intermediate, intermediate, and advanced-intermediate terrain; Construction of a warming hut and restroom adjacent to the bottom terminal of the proposed chairlift; and Realignment of approximately 700 feet of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. The EA and draft DN/FONSI for the No Name Basin Projects are available upon request at the Salida Ranger District Office, 5575 Cleora Rd, Salida, CO 81201. This document is also available at the Pike-San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61373. Additional information regarding this proposed action can be obtained from Don Dressler, at (720) 391-0626 or by e-mail at donald.dressler@usda.gov. The No Name Basin Projects is an activity implementing a land management plan. This activity is subject to pre-decisional objection under subparts A and B of 36 CFR Part 218. Objections, including attachments, must be filed with the appropriate reviewing officer within 45 calendar days following publication of this notice in the Pueblo Chieftain, the newspaper of record. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Objectors should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer pursuant to 36 CFR 218.9. Objections will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunities for public comment in accordance with 36 CFR 218.5(a). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless the issue is based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunities. The objection must contain the minimum content requirements specified in 36 CFR 218.8(d) and incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in 36 CFR 218.8(b). Objections that do not adhere to these requirements make review of an objection difficult and are conditions under which the reviewing officer may set aside an objection pursuant to 36 CFR 218.10. All eligible objections are available for public inspection. Electronic objections are preferred and must be submitted to the objection reviewing officer online at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=61373 with “Monarch Mountain No Name Basin Projects Objection” in the subject line. Electronic submissions must be submitted in a format that is readable with optical character recognition software (e.g., Word, PDF, Rich Text) and be searchable. An automated response should confirm your electronic objection has been received. Note: any person who wishes to fax an objection, contact Scarlett Vallaire, Administrative Review Coordinator via phone at 801-989-6605 or email at scarlett.vallaire@usda.gov. Written objections may be submitted via regular mail to: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Attn: Reviewing Officer, C/O Director of Strategic Planning 2nd floor, 1617 Cole Blvd., Bldg. 17, Lakewood, CO, 80401. Objections sent by private carrier or hand delivery must be addressed to: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Attn: Reviewing Officer, C/O Director of Strategic Planning 2nd floor, 1617 Cole Blvd., Bldg. 17, Lakewood, CO, 80401. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm, excluding Federal holidays, for hand delivery. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Don Dressler
