Boulder, Colo. - U.S. Forest Service, Boulder Ranger District officials are releasing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to disclose the impacts associated with ski area improvements, and are asking the public for their comments during the 45-day public comment period. The Forest Service prepared the DEIS in response to Eldora's request to implement projects from their accepted Master Development Plan.

The release of the DEIS on Feb. 28, 2014, marks the beginning of a 45-day public comment period. Two public meetings will provide the public with opportunities to learn about the proposal, ask questions and submit comments:

* March 25 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.at Nederland Community Center, 750 Highway 72, Nederland, CO 80466

* March 26 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Boulder West Senior Center, 909 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, CO 80303

The proposed action includes the construction of two new lifts; upgrade to the Corona lift; replacement of the Challenge and Cannonball lifts with a single high-speed lift; a variety of new ski trails and gladed terrain; new and remodeled visitor facilities; some trail widening, and snowmaking on all new ski trails. Non-significant forest plan amendments would be required to expand the ski area permit boundary-to include approximately 70 additional acres in the Placer Pod and approximately 16 additional acres in the Jolly Jug Pod. The Arapaho and Roosevelt and Pawnee National Grassland Forest Supervisor will decide, based on the analysis in the DEIS and public comments, whether or not to implement the Proposed Action (in whole or in part) or one of the alternatives, which includes the No Action Alternative.

Learn more about the project and submit comments through the project website at www.EldoraEIS.com<http://www.EldoraEIS.com> or contact Paul Alford, Project Leader, at 303-541-2506 or pwalford@fs.fed.us.