(Revised to reflect changes in the public comment period and upcoming public hearings.)
Lake Tahoe, Stateline, NV – Public comments are being accepted on a draft environmental impact report for Heavenly Mountain Resort’s Epic Discovery Project until October 27, 2014.
The U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, and Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board directed the preparation of a joint environmental document for the project, located at the Heavenly Mountain Resort in El Dorado, Alpine and Douglas counties.
The Epic Discovery Project is intended to enhance summer activities at the ski resort in response to the Forest Service Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011, which allows more summer activities on national forest lands.The draft environmental impact report is available online at:
- www.trpa.gov/get-involved/major-projects/
- www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/HeavenlyEpicProject
- www.waterboards.ca.gov/lahontan/
The draft report is also available at the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, 35 College Drive in South Lake Tahoe; the TRPA, 128 Market Street in Stateline; the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, 2501 Lake Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe; the El Dorado County Library South Lake Tahoe Branch, 1000 Rufus Allen Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe; and the Douglas County Library Lake Tahoe Branch, 233 Warrior Way in Zephyr Cove.
Several public hearings are scheduled to accept public comments on the draft environmental impact report. Meetings are set for:
- Wednesday, September 10, 9:30 a.m., TRPA Advisory Planning Commission Hearing, TRPA Board Room, 128 Market Street, Stateline, NV;
- Thursday, September 18, 6 p.m., USDA Forest Service open house, LTBMU Forest Supervisor’s Office, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA;
- Wednesday, September 24, 9:30 a.m., TRPA Governing Board Hearing, TRPA Board Room, 128 Market Street, Stateline, NV.
Comments submitted at these public hearings or in writing to any of the responsible agencies will be distributed to each agency and considered in the environmental review process. Comments need not be repeated to each agency. TRPA has been identified as the primary point of contact to address questions and collect comments.
The TRPA Governing Board will use the environmental impact report when it considers amending the existing Ski Area Master Plan, as well as the Regional Plan, for the Epic Discovery Project.
Public comments or questions can be directed to David Landry, TRPA Senior Planner, at 775-589-5214 or dlandry@trpa.gov.
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency leads the cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region, while improving local communities, and people’s interactions with our irreplaceable environment. For additional information, call Tom Lotshaw, Public Information Officer, at 775-589-5278.
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