Talking Points for Scoping Comments
What: The Forest Service has proposed to allow construction and implementation of a large
snowmaking system at
How: The Forest Service proposes to permit this project pursuant to a Categorical Exclusion (“CE”). Under a CE, the Forest Service is under no obligations to take or respond to comments from the public regarding the environmental impacts of the proposed project pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”). The Forest Service would also be exempt for considering other alternatives to the proposal. The public would be unable to administratively appeal the decision to the Regional Forester.
When: The Forest Service would like “comments and
thoughts about the proposal” from the public by
Who: Submit comments to: Doug Jones
Hood River Ranger District
6780 Highway 35
(541) 352-6002
The Forest Service has stated that they will accept emailed comments.
Talking Points:
Please call and write Mr. Jones with the following talking points.
1. The
The Forest Service conducted a long and involved public process during the late 1990s to determine future development at Mt. Hood Meadows. Neither the ski area nor the Forest Service saw any need for snowmaking at that time, and this project was never analyzed in the EIS for the Master Plan. The Forest Service must amend the Master Plan before moving forward with a snowmaking proposal. What purpose does the Master Plan serve if the Forest Service will simply approve projects that were not disclosed to the public during the Master Planning process?
2. The
The Forest
Service should not be approving this project pursuant to a CE. The public must be involved in an analysis of
the potential environmental impacts of the proposal. The project could have an impact on the
spotted owl and steelhead, both listed under the Endangered Species Act. The project may also impact wetlands and
involve instream construction work in the
3. The
scoping letter provides inadequate information to determine whether the project
will have a significant impact on resources.
The scoping letter simply provides inadequate information to determine whether the project may have a significant impact on the environment. Concerns include:
a. Wetlands – will the excavation for the pipes and power lines cross any wetlands or the associated Riparian Reserves? How does the Forest Service know there will be no wetlands impacted? Has the Forest Service performed a wetland delineation for this area? The Forest Service claims that the project will not impact “significant riparian areas.” What is an insignificant riparian area? What riparian areas will be impacted?
b. Habitat – what effect will result from cutting down large live trees and snags?
c. Sedimentation – past projects at
d. Fisheries and Water Flows – What impact
would snowmaking and water removal have on fish habitat and water flows? Has the Forest Service considered impacts to
downstream fish survival. Loss of water due to evaporation, impacts to
flattening the curve of surface water flows, impacts to aquatic species other
than fish, and impacts to wetlands from altering water flows? Is snowmaking a permitted use for
e. Visibility – Will the tanks be visible
from the Timberline Trail, Highway 35, the
f. Noise – How loud will the snowmaking guns be and what impact will that have on wildlife during nighttime hours?
g. Failure of the Water Tank – What happens if the water tank fails due to windthrow of trees or structural failure? Is the water tank designed to withstand tree fall? What would be the impact of releasing 1 million gallons of water at that location?
4. The
timeline.
The Forest
Service is proposing to take scoping comments, make a decision and finalize that
decision in only two months. How can the
public possibly participate under such a short time frame? It appears that both the Forest Service and
Please include these talking points in your scoping
comments. If you have any questions,
please feel free to contact
503-525-2725 503-525-2724
THANK YOU!!