COMMENT PERIOD ENDS May 22, 2023
Making your comments personal is highly encouraged, but here are some key points to consider (from WWA):
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This project must be analyzed with an Environmental Impact Statement that includes alternatives to the Proposed Action based on input received from public comments. The range of alternatives should include alternatives without the base-to-base gondola and without the water tank and booster station. Alternatives are required in an the NEPA process
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The water rights assumption in the EA is incorrect. The EIS should consider Taos Ski Valley’s proposals in light of the resort’s actual water rights of 21.45 acre-feet, which is limited to 0.11 acre-feet of daily use allowed between April 11th and October 25th. The EIS should analyze an alternative that places TSVI’s potential water usage in context of the resort’s allocated water rights.
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The EA fails to disclose impacts to public lands access. The EIS must consider how the gondola will affect public access to the Williams Lake trailhead. This analysis must include consideration of winter access.
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Given the likely negative impacts to Wilderness access the Forest Service should deny the base-to-base gondola.
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The Forest Service should hold off on considering the 5 million gallon water tank, booster station, and new restaurant until the Village of Taos Ski Valley’s water infrastructure is stabilized.
Tips on Good Comment Letter Writing
Below was for the scoping comments and the FS did NOT follow NEPA by conducting an accurate and complete assessment given the scope of the project and letters they received.
It is up to you to tell the agencies in your comments, what you want included—and why. Any topics left out of the scope of review (ie. your letters) will NOT be studied and will NOT be part of the EIS/EA. It is likely that CNF and TSV will push for only conducting an EA, but It is imperative that you ask that an EIS be conducted for this project in your comments. When the agency is assessing the potential Environmental AND Social impacts, they must address: Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Impacts. I will be drafting a letter this week and getting some more insight from colleagues here, as we are working on a similar situation. I hope to post it on the website or send out another email by the end of next week.
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Some Tips on Comment Writing:
• Consider the agency’s purpose and need, and focus on the specifics.
• Provide support for your statements with facts and references.
• Consider whether your comments are solution-oriented. Comments are not counted as votes and statements of opinion for/against a proposed action are not sufficient.
• Remember to include potential socioeconomics impacts as well as environmental and ecological.
Resource for successful NEPA comment letter writing
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Friends of the Rio Hondo has some good links as well. While there is a form letter, it is ALWAYS better to write your own. If the FS receives a lot of the same letter, they do not hold as much sway. It is an option to be "anonymous" but that also does not carry as much weight as signing your name.