Lookout Pass to hold meetings
MINERAL COUNTY – The Idaho Panhandle National Forests and Lolo National Forest will be hosting three public scoping meetings for the proposed Lookout Pass Ski Area Expansion Third-Party Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The purpose of the meetings will be to provide information on the proposed project and to give members of the public the opportunity to ask questions of the U.S. Forest Service team leader and resource specialists. The public will also be able to provide comments on potential issues and alternatives to consider in the Draft EIS.
The Idaho Panhandle National Forests and Lolo National Forest are providing this opportunity as part of the preparation of an EIS to disclose the anticipated environmental effects of a proposal from Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area to expand its special use permit. The proposal would allow the ski area to upgrade and develop new lifts, ski terrain, parking, access roads, and guest service facilities. The proposed project is located approximately 12 miles east of Wallace, Idaho, on National Forest System lands within Shoshone County, Idaho, and Mineral County, Montana.
“Public participation at these meetings is vital to help identify important questions and concerns early on in the process,” noted Chad Hudson, the Coeur d’Alene River District Ranger overseeing the project.
According to Mr. Hudson, “the Forest Service will use this information to develop alternatives, analyze environmental effects, and even possibly establish mitigation measures in the EIS.”
All scoping meetings will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Meetings will take place in DeBorgia on April 22, 2014 at the Black Diamond Ranch (120 DeBorgia Haugan Frontage Rd), in Wallace on April 23, 2014 at the Wallace Inn (100 Front St.), and on April 24, 2014 in Coeur d’Alene at the Coeur d’Alene Forest Supervisors Office (3815 Schreiber Way).
Scoping comments will be accepted through May 5, 2014, and can be submitted at the public meetings, faxed to (503) 224-1851, emailed to comments-northern-idpanhandle-coeur-dalene@fs.fed.us, submitted online via the project website at http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php?project=43757, dropped off at the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District, Fernan or Smelterville offices, or the Superior Ranger District Office, or mailed to SWCA Environmental Consultants, 1220 SW Morrison St., Suite 700, Portland, OR 97205.
In all correspondence please put “Lookout Pass Ski Area Expansion Third-Party EIS” in the subject line and include your name, address, and organization name if commenting as a representative of an organization.
More information on the project can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php?project=43757.