The U.S. Forest Service has found no significant impact for the improvements happening at Steamboat Resort, with terrain, roads and lifts. The forest service reviewed the changes since the ski area is in Routt National Forest. The press release talks about new Fish Creek terrain, widening and grading of Sundial and Why Not Trails, and improvements to Four Points Road. There would be new snowmaking and a restaurant up on Sunshine Peak. There is a 45-day objection period. Project webpage
Here is more from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service release today.
Forest Service releases Draft Decision for Steamboat Resort Improvements Project
(STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo.) April 28, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service has released the environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact for the Steamboat Resort (Steamboat) Improvements Project. The proposed action seeks to improve available recreation opportunities for visitors at the ski area. After considering public comments, alternatives, and the analysis in the environmental assessment, Forest Supervisor Russ Bacon, deciding official, has released his draft decision notice.
Steamboat Resort is in the Park Range, on the eastern edge of Steamboat Springs, Colo., and is an authorized permittee of the Routt National Forest.
The purpose of Steamboat’s proposal is to make terrain, road, and lift network improvements. An adjustment of Steamboat’s ski area operational boundary to encompass Fish Creek terrain would be authorized, along with widening and grading along Sundial and Why Not ski trails, as well as road improvements to Four Points Road. New snowmaking would be authorized, as well as potable water and utilities infrastructure improvements. Additionally, a new restaurant would be authorized on top of Sunshine Peak. This project would improve the intermediate terrain and visitor experience at Steamboat by making the Sunshine pod more accessible.
A project-specific forest plan amendment would be authorized to address project activities occurring in proximity of known raptor nests, both active and inactive.
The release of this draft decision initiates the 45-day objection period. Individuals who submitted timely and specific written comments during the 30-day comment period initiated in April 2020 have standing to file an objection to the draft decision notice.
Objections, including attachments, can be filed via mail, fax, or email to: Steamboat Resort Improvements Project, c/o Reviewing Officer, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, P.O. Box 18980, Golden CO 80402; Fax: (303) 275-5134; email SM.FS.r02admin-rev@usda.gov. For in-person submittal via hand delivery, express delivery, or messenger service (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays), please contact Lucy Aragon, Regional Administrative Review Coordinator, at (303) 275-5188 to arrange delivery. Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of a legal notice in the Laramie Boomerang, on or around April 28, 2021. The publication date in the Laramie Boomerang (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.