Operators are Standing By (for comments on TSV Master Plan)

Slowly but surely the Taos Ski Valley 2010 Master Development Plan progresses. The Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Taos Ski Valley's 2010 Master Development Plan - Phase 1 Projects was published in the Federal Register on January 13, 2012. A 45-day comment period began the day after the publication date of the NOA (the Comment Period ends February 27, 2012). Since I don't subscribe to the Federal Register it's fortunate that local media picked up on this news.

The Draft EIS has three proposed alternatives for the Taos Ski Valley 2010 Master Development Plan (MDP)—Phase 1 Projects. The first proposed option is simple, Alternative 1 – No Action (no changes).

The second proposed option is Alternative 2 – Proposed Action. Alternative 2 is the proposed action modified after public scoping, to address identified resource and ski area issues related to two proposed projects: the proposed Snowtubing Center and the proposed Mountain Bike Trail. All of the other proposed project components, including new and realigned lifts, lift replacements, glading, and parking lot reconfigurations are as originally described in the scoping document provided to the public for comment.

The last proposed option, Alternative 3 was developed in response to issues raised by the public during scoping. Alternative 3 does NOT include the Main Street Lift or the Ridge Lift nor does it include the East Guest Drop-Off Area, the Snowtubing Center and parking lot reconfiguration.

Your well-reasoned and articulate comments on this Draft EIS are encouraged! Per the USFS - 'Reviewers have an obligation to structure their participation in the NEPA process so that it is meaningful and alerts the Agency to the reviewers’ position and contentions. Environmental objections that could have been raised at the draft stage may be waived if not raised until after completion of the final environmental impact statement.2 Comments on the Draft EIS should be specific and should address the adequacy of the statement and the merits of the alternatives discussed'.

Written comments must be submitted to:
Kendall Clark, Forest Supervisor
ATTN: Taos Ski Valley Draft EIS
Carson National Forest
208 Cruz Alta Road
Taos, NM 87571
FAX: 505-758-6213

Oral Comments must be provided at the Responsible Official’s office during normal business hours via telephone (505-758-6200) or in person, or at an official agency function (i.e., public meeting) that is designed to elicit public comments.

The Forest Service has scheduled two Open Houses to solicit comments and answer questions. The first open house will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Feb. 14 at the Looking Glass in the Resort Center at Taos Ski Valley. The second one will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 16 in the Taos Convention Center in Taos, NM.

Electronic Comments must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), Word (.doc or .docx), or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) to: comments-southwestern-carson@fs.fed.us

Comments must have an identifiable name attached or verification of identity will be required. A scanned signature may serve as verification on electronic comments.

More Info:

Federal Register Volume 77, Number 9 (Friday, January 13, 2012)

Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Taos Ski Valley's 2010 Master Development Plan - Phase 1 Projects (.pdf 11.6 Mb)

Taos Ski Valley's 2010 Master Development Plan - Phase 1 Proposed Projects

SantaFeNewMexican.com - Local news in brief, Feb. 2, 2012

Does Taos Deserve a 'D' on Expansion Plans?