Commenting on the Carson National Forest Service Draft Environmental Analysis for Taos Ski Valley, Inc. Gondola and Other Improvements Project

CURRENT STATUS: Draft Final Decision release. Protest comments due by Dec 15, 2024

Background

In 2010, TSVI submitted a Master Development Plan (MDP) for multiple projects, some of which were approved and have been completed (Lift 4 upgrade is underway Summer 2023). The Carson National Forest (CNF) consideration of these projects, following the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, resulted in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - a detailed and thorough analysis used for those actions that were expected to result in significant impacts. For more information see document links on our Reading Room Page.

“Gondola” and Associated Projects

On April 7th, 2022, a Scoping Notice for a TSVI 2021 Master Development Plan (link at bottom of page) was released - including these proposed projects:

• Build a base to base gondola.

• Replace lifts 2 and 8.

• Install a new booster station, water tank (5 million gallons), and additional snowmaking pipe.

• Develop Nordic and snowshoe trails.

• Build a restaurant near the top of Lift 7.

• Replace and relocate the Whistlestop Café.

• Construct a lift 4 hiking trail.

• Create construction and staging areas.

The project proposal was accepted by CNF and the corresponding scoping period was the first step in the NEPA process. The comments received during the 2022 scoping period were used to determine the issues to be addressed and their potential impacts. This time, the CNF determined based on the received comments that only a brief analysis should be used to determine the significance of impacts - an Environmental Assessment (EA) crafted by a third party (the SE Group paid for by TSVI) . Many interested parties feel this was a mistake because of the large number of comments that identified a multitude of potential impacts and flaws in the planning that warrant a full EIS. The 2021 MDP does not give sufficient specifics (amounts, locations, and other data) for a reasonable analysis, and the EA gave only qualitative justifications without relying on specifics. Furthermore, the NEPA process requires that any project have alternatives which are lacking in the EA. Examples of concern are: How can one assess the impact to a riparian area if the placement and dimensions of a gondola aren’t provided? Can the environmental impact be determined when increased water and sewer use for an upgrade to the Whistlestop are unknowns? Why would a gondola be necessary to redistribute people over the Special Use Area (SUP) if the purpose and need doesn’t take into account the people-moving by the upgraded chair 2 as an alternative? In the links that follow we give more detailed information and questions related to each individual proposed project.

Status

The Draft Final Decision regarding the TSVI Master Development Plans 2021 (Gondola, etc) has been released and protest comments were due by December 15, 2024. Thank you to TMA members and associates who submitted protest comments (read them here). We waited to see if the Forest Service does the right thing and responds to the many thoughtful, thorough, and professional comments, based on logic, centered around the shortcomings of this process, and the lack of required NEPA consideration. A recent development was that we are told by CNF that persons who submitted protest comments will have a chance to be interviewed by the Forest Service officials making the final decision. This all changed with a letter to protest commenters telling them there would be no chance for “resolution” interviews, and all the projects are being approved. If you have further interest in the situation and want to be on the communication “channel” with various officials as we continue to provide our input, please send an email to TaosMountainAlliance@gmail.com

Other friend organizations with whom we support and communicate:

Winter Wildlands Alliance Supports Taos! (Click Here)

Friends of the Wheeler Peak Wilderness (Click Here)

Friends of the Rio Hondo (Click Here)