Opportunity to Object the South Sacramento Restoration Project
Jason Freeman, Forest Supervisor of the Lincoln National Forest, Sacramento Ranger District, has prepared a final environmental impact statement (FEIS), and a draft Record of Decision (ROD) for the South Sacramento Restoration Project. The purpose of the project is to restore forest health, watershed health, and wildlife habitat on approximately 140,000 acres. Two alternatives were considered: No Action, and the Proposed Action to conduct restoration activities within the project area. Under the proposed action, restoration activities would include thinning and prescribed burning; the use of herbicides to treat juniper resprouts; and related road management. Special use authorizations and rock pits are proposed where such uses would facilitate project implementation. Project implementation is expected to take 10 to 20 years to meet initial project objectives with additional maintenance treatments over the long term. The proposed action includes a project-specific amendment to the 1986 Lincoln National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) and would follow the 2012 Planning Rule per 36 CFR 219.17 (b)(2), and per the 2012 Planning Rule substantive requirements (36 CFR 219.8 through .11). The project was developed in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, and with the participation of a local collaborative group. The FEIS includes a complete description of the alternatives considered including potential environmental consequences.
The FEIS and draft ROD are available on-line at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=51146. Copies of the FEIS are also available upon request at the Lincoln National Forest Supervisor's Office at 3463 Las Palomas Road in Alamogordo, or at the Sacramento Ranger District Office at 4 Lost Lodge Road in Cloudcroft. Additional information regarding this action can be obtained from: David Baker at David.c.baker@usda.gov or 575-434-7200. The South Sacramento Restoration Project is a hazardous fuel reduction project as defined by the HFRA, section 101(2). This proposed project is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subpart A and C.
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 addressed to the Reviewing Officer, Michiko Martin, Regional Forester, filed via mail or express delivery to 333 Broadway Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87102; by email to objections-southwestern-regional-office@usda.gov, or via online web form at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=51146. 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, including attachments, must be submitted within 30 calendar days following the publication of this notice in the Alamogordo Daily News. 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)): The objector’s name and address, with a telephone number, if available; A signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for email may be filed with the objection); 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); 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; 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 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.
The Reviewing Officer must set aside and not review an objection when one or more of the following applies: (1) they are not filed in a timely manner; (2) the proposed project is not subject to the objection procedures; (3) the individual or entity did not submit timely and specific written comments during opportunities for public comment; (4) except for issues that arose after the opportunities for comment, none of the issues included in the objection are based on previously submitted written comments and the objector has not provided a statement demonstrating a connection between the comments and the objection issue; (5) the objection does not provide sufficient information as required; (6) the objector withdraws the objection; (7) an objector’s identity is not provided or cannot be determined from the signature, and a reasonable means of contact is not provided; or (8), the objection is illegible for any reason, including submissions in an electronic format different from that specified in the legal notice, and (9) the responsible official cancels the objection process underway to reinitiate the objection procedures at a later date or withdraw the proposed project or activity.
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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Reviewing Officer
