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Opportunity to Object the Heber Allotment Analysis project

Responsible Official Richard Madril, District Ranger for the Black Mesa Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) finding of no significant impact (FONSI), and draft decision notice (DN) for the Heber Allotment Analysis project. The project would authorize grazing on the allotment under an adaptive management framework that includes authorization for an adjustable range of stocking numbers and structural range improvements based on the on-the-ground conditions. This project is expected to move the project area towards desired conditions by providing for more flexible range management and increasing vegetative ground cover through improved livestock distribution.

The EA/FONSI and draft decision provide further details on the project and are available for review on the forest website project page at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=43442. Additional information can be obtained by request by emailing comments-southwestern-apache-sitgreaves-black-mesa@usda.gov.

The Heber Allotment Analysis project is an activity implementing a land management plan and not authorized under the HFRA and is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B.

Objection Limitations

Objections will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunity for public comment in accordance with §218.5(a). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted comments unless based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunity. Individual members of an entity must have submitted their own comments independently during the prior comment period in order to have eligibility to object as individuals; objections received on behalf of an organization are considered as those of the organization only. If an objection is submitted on behalf of a number of individuals or organizations, each individual or organization listed must have submitted comments on the project during a designated comment period. For objections listing multiple entities or individuals, a signature or other means of verification must be provided for the individual authorized to represent each entity and for each individual in the case of multiple names.

How to file an Objection and Timeframe

Objections, including attachments, must be filed via mail, fax, or email, to Reviewing Officer Anthony Madrid, Forest Supervisor, US Forest Service, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, P.O. Box 640, Springerville, AZ 85938; fax: (505) 842-3110, objections-southwestern-apache-sitgreaves@usda.gov with the subject line of “Heber Allotment Analysis EA Objection”. Electronically filed objections may be submitted by email in word (.doc), portable document format (.pdf), rich text format (.rtf), text (.txt), and hypertext markup language (.html).

Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of this notice in the White Mountain Independent. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. The regulations prohibit extending the time to file an objection. 

At a minimum, an objection must include the following (36 CFR 218.8(d)):

1. The objector’s name and address, with a telephone number, if available;
2. A signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for email may be filed with the objection);
3. When multiple names are listed on an objection, identification of the lead objector (verification of the identity of the lead objector shall be provided upon request);
4. The name of the proposed project, the name and title of the Responsible Official, and the name(s) of the National Forest(s) and/or Ranger District(s) on which the proposed project will be implemented;
5. A description of those aspects of the proposed project addressed by the objection, including specific issues related to the proposed project if applicable, how the objector believes the environmental analysis or draft decision specifically violates law, regulation, or policy; suggested remedies that would resolve the objection; supporting reasons for the reviewing officer to consider; and
6. A statement that demonstrates connection between prior specific written comments on the particular proposed project or activity and the content of the objection.

Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in §218.8(b). It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer pursuant to §218.9. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process.

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