The Superior National Forest (SNF) published a notice of intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on April 15, 2020 for the Lutsen Mountains Ski Area Expansion Project. Lutsen Mountains Corporation (LMC) applied to the Superior National Forest (SNF) for a special use permit (SUP) to construct, operate, and maintain an expansion to a winter sports resort onto approximately 495 acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands located near Lutsen, Minnesota. The original scoping period was identified to conclude May 15, 2020. The scoping period will be extended to conclude May 28, 2020. The original NOI also indicated that one public open house meeting would be held; however, in response to the coronavirus (COVID–19) pandemic in the United States, and the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation for social distancing and avoiding large public gatherings, a public meeting will not be scheduled during the scoping period.

LMC’s proposed project and SUP application address existing constraints and conditions and further improve the skiing experience at Lutsen Mountains. The project proposal is unchanged from the previous press release released by the Forest Service on April 20, 2020. 

The EIS will inform the Forest Service in deciding whether to grant a SUP for the project, under the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986.  The analysis in the EIS will evaluate the special use permit’s potential impacts of construction, maintenance, and operation of a ski resort on NFS lands and if granted, determine what stipulations are needed to protect NFS lands.

The NOI includes information on how the public can become involved in the project. View the NOI in the Federal Register at: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-04-28/pdf/2020-08969.pdf.

Additional information can be found on the project website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52440.  Details of the project proposal can also be viewed through an online interactive viewer here: https://arcg.is/18mzzu.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.