| Following the release of the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) by the Forest Service for the Mount Ashland Ski Area Expansion,
council met at a regularly scheduled council meeting on August 5 to discuss
the DEIS and course of action. At that meeting, staff was seeking direction
regarding the process to follow to provide comments regarding the DEIS to
the Forest Service. The City Council directed staff to establish a schedule
and process for developing comments regarding the DEIS. The final EIS is
proposed to be released by the Forest Service in the Spring of 2004.
The 60-day comment period began on July 25, 2003. Council voted at the August
5 council meeting to request the Forest Service extend the 60-day comment
period for an additional 30 days beyond the initial 60 days. It is anticipated
the Forest Service will respond to our request during the week of August
18th.
A Study Session and Public Input Session is proposed as part of the process
prior to comments due to the Forest Service. Two schedules have been prepared:
the first in the event an extension is not granted; the second in the event
an extension is granted.
No extension
September 4 - 4:00 p.m. Study Session (Council Chambers)
September 8 - 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Public Input (Council Chambers). (School Board
meets at 7:00 p.m.)
September 16 - 7:00 p.m. Regularly scheduled Council meeting - council
decision.
September 23 - Comments due to Forest Service.
With extension:
September 24 - noon. Study Session (Council Chambers)
September 30 - 7:00 p.m. Public Input (Council Chambers)
October 7 - 7:00 p.m. Regularly scheduled Council meeting - council
decision.
October 21 - 7:00 p.m. Regularly scheduled Council meeting (if needed)
October 23 - Comments due to Forest Service.
In addition, the Forest Service will be hosting field tours, an open house,
and a public hearing during the comment phase of the Mt Ashland Ski Area
Expansion Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Forest personnel will lead
four field trips within the Mt. Ashland Ski Area on August 23rd, 27th, 30th,
and September 3rd to show how the alternatives, including the proposed action
and the preferred alternative, will be analyzed and could be implemented
on the ground. The first two trips will be in the "knoll" area and the last
two trips will be in the Middle Fork area. The hikes, which may last up to
seven hours, will be on steep, uneven terrain at high elevations. The public
should meet at the Mt. Ashland Ski Lodge parking lot at 9:00 a.m., and
participants should bring water, lunch, and wear appropriate hiking boots
and clothing for cool mornings and possibly hot afternoons.
An Open House session is scheduled on September 2nd, noon to 3:00 p.m. at
the Ashland Windmill Inn & Suites, 2525 Ashland Street. The ranger, resource
specialists, and analysis team members will share information and discuss
the different alternatives. A formal public hearing will be held that same
day from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Ashland Windmill Inn & Suites.
Individuals will be provided up to 3 minutes to give oral comments to the
forest supervisor and district ranger on the draft EIS. |
