Opportunity to Object on the Arizona National Scenic Trail Comprehensive Plan Michiko Martin, Regional Forester for the Southwestern Regional Office, has prepared a final environmental assessment (EA), finding of no significant impact (FONSI), and draft decision notice (DN) for the Arizona National Scenic Trail Comprehensive Plan. The comprehensive plan will establish administrative objectives, policies, processes, and management guidelines necessary to fulfill legislative requirements for national scenic trails under the National Trails System Act. The final EA, FONSI, and draft DN are available on-line at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=49535. For addition information, contact Jason Scow at jason.scow@usda.gov. The Arizona National Scenic Trail Comprehensive Plan is an activity implementing a land management plan not authorized under HFRA and is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B. How to file an Objection and Timeframe 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 timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunities. Objections, including attachments, must be submitted online at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=49535, or by email to objections-chief@usda.gov or by mail to Reviewing Officer, 333 Broadway SE; Albuquerque, NM 87102. Electronic objections must be submitted in a format such as Portable Document Format (pdf), plain text (.txt), or Word (.doc or .docx). Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of this notice in the Arizona Republic. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating 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 time to file an objection. At a minimum, an objection must include the following (36 CFR 218.8(d)): Objector’s name and address with a telephone number if available; with signature or other verification of authorship supplied upon request. Identification of lead objector when multiple names are listed, along with verification upon request. Name of project, name and title of the responsible official and national forest(s) where the project is located. Sufficient narrative description of those aspects of the proposed project objected to, specific issues related to the project, how environmental law, regulation, or policy would be violated, and suggested remedies which would resolve the objection; and A statement demonstrating connection between prior specific written comments on this project and content of the objection unless the objection issue arose after designated opportunities for comment. 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. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Sara Hivick
