Proposal to authorize Ski Apache to conduct hazardous fuels reduction and hazard tree removal on steep slope areas of the ski resort that were damaged during the 2012 Little Bear Fire. Proposal includes a project-specific Forest Plan amendment.

Travis G. Moseley, Supervisor of the Lincoln National Forest has prepared a final environmental assessment (EA), a finding of no significant impact (FONSI), and a draft decision notice (DN) for the Ski Apache Vegetation Restoration Project.

The purpose of the project is to remove trees killed in the 2012 Little Bear Fire in order to reduce fuel loading, reduce the risks to staff, guests, and resort infrastructure, and to improve the recreation opportunities available. Project activities would include hazard tree removal and forest thinning using heavy machinery on slopes of up to 80% within the footprint of the Ski Apache ski area (the majority of the project area does not exceed 60% slopes), and the planting/transplanting of trees. The project area covers approximately 373 acres. The area is west of Alto, NM and can be accessed by state road 532. The legal location is on sections PB 57 and PB 58 of Township 10 South / Range 11 East.

The draft DN includes a project-specific amendment to the Lincoln National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) for this project to allow the use of ground-based thinning equipment to operate on slopes greater than 40%. This project-specific amendment is a one-time adjustment to the Forest Plan and would not apply to any other project.

The EA, FONSI, and draft DN are available on-line at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52739 These documents are also available for review at The Smokey Bear Ranger District, 901 Mechem Drive, Ruidoso, NM 88345 and at the Lincoln National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 3463 Las Palomas Rd, Alamogordo, NM 88310. Additional information can be obtained from: Andrew Ellis, NEPA Planner, 901 Mechem Dr., Ruidoso, NM 88345; 575-257-4095; AndrewEllis@fs.fed.us.

The Ski Apache Vegetation Restoration Project is an activity implementing a land management plan and not authorized under the HFRA and is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B. This decision would approve a non-significant forest plan amendment that applies to only to the Ski Apache Vegetation Restoration Project; the review process in 36 CFR 218 will be applied.   

How to file an Objection and Timeframe

Objections will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunity for public comment in accordance with §218.5(a). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunities.

Objections, including attachments, must be filed via mail, fax, email, hand-delivery, express delivery, or messenger service (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays) to: Cal Joyner, Regional Forester, USDA-Forest Service, ATTN: Objection Reviewing Officer, 333 Broadway Blvd. SE Albuquerque, NM 87102, or by fax: 505–842–3173, or by email: objections-southwestern-regional-office@fs.fed.us. Electronically filed objections may be submitted by email in word (.doc), portable document format (.pdf), rich text format (.rtf), text (.txt), and hypertext markup language (.html).

Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of this notice in the Alamogordo Daily News. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. The regulations prohibit extending the time to file an objection. 

At a minimum, an objection must include the following (36 CFR 218.8(d)):

1. The objector’s name and address, with a telephone number, if available;
2. A signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for email may be filed with the objection);
3. When multiple names are listed on an objection, identification of the lead objector (verification of the identity of the lead objector shall be provided upon request);
4. The name of the proposed project, the name and title of the Responsible Official, and the name(s) of the National Forest(s) and/or Ranger District(s) on which the proposed project will be implemented;
5. A description of those aspects of the proposed project addressed by the objection, including specific issues related to the proposed project if applicable, how the objector believes the environmental analysis or draft decision specifically violates law, regulation, or policy; suggested remedies that would resolve the objection; supporting reasons for the reviewing officer to consider; and
6. A statement that demonstrates connection between prior specific written comments on the particular proposed project or activity and the content of the objection.

Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in §218.8(b). It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer pursuant to §218.9. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.