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Opportunity to Object to the South Fork Day Use Area Environmental Assessment

The Coronado National Forest, Douglas Ranger District, has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA), finding of no significant impact (FONSI), and draft decision notice (DN) for the South Fork Day Use Area project. The purpose of this action is to replace the former day use site in the South Fork of Cave Creek Canyon with sustainable facilities to accommodate visitor use while reducing negative environmental impacts to the area in a manner consistent with 2018 Coronado National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.

The EA, FONSI, and draft DN are available online at: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=56779. Additional information can be obtained from  Emily Reynolds, NEPA Planner, at emily.reynolds@usda.gov. The proposed project is an activity implementing a land management plan and not authorized under the HFRA and is subject 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 opportunities for public comment in accordance with §218.5(a). Issues raised in the 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.

Electronic objections in common (.doc, .pdf, .rtf, .txt) formats must be submitted to: objections-southwestern-coronado@usda.gov with subject: “South Fork Day Use Area”. Objections, including attachments, may also be submitted via mail to the reviewing officer: U.S. Forest Service, Kerwin S. Dewberry Forest Supervisor and Reviewing Officer, OBJECTION: South Fork Day Use Area, 300 West Congress Street, Tucson, AZ 85701.

A written objection, including attachments, must be postmarked or received within 45 days after the date that notice of the draft decision is published in the Herald/Review County Edition. 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. Objector’s name and address, with a telephone number, if available;
2. Signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for electronic mail may be filed with the objection);
3. Identification of the lead objector when multiple names are listed on an objection, (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 action will be implemented;
5. A description of those aspects of the proposed action addressed by the objection, including specific issues related to the proposed action; if applicable, how the objector believes the environmental analysis or draft decision, specifically, violates the 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 the connection between prior specific written comments on the particular proposed action 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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