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Opportunity to Object on the Northern New Mexico Riparian, Aquatic, and Wetland Restoration Project

Forest Supervisor James Duran of the Carson National Forest, Forest Supervisor Steve Hattenbach of the Cibola National Forest and Kiowa National Grassland, and Acting Forest Supervisor Debbie Cress of the Santa Fe National Forest have prepared a final Environmental Assessment (EA), Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), and draft Decision Notice (DN) for the Northern New Mexico Riparian, Aquatic, and Wetland Restoration Project. The project area includes all riparian, wetland, or aquatic habitat and adjacent uplands on the Carson, Cibola, and Santa Fe National Forests and the Kiowa National Grassland. The Forest Service would use a toolbox of riparian restoration techniques and project-specific design criteria to aid in the restoration of these habitats and the recovery of riparian and aquatic species in the project area as well as improve watershed health and water quality. The draft decision meets the project Purpose and Need and is consistent with the Forest Plans. During project implementation, the Forest Service is required to adhere to all applicable project design criteria identified in Appendix B in the EA.

The EA, FONSI, and draft DN are available on-line at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56975. Additional information can be obtained from Joshua Hall, 11 Forest Lane, Santa Fe, NM 87501, (505) 438-5430, joshua.hall@usda.gov.

How to file an Objection and Timeframe

The Northern New Mexico Riparian, Aquatic, and Wetland Restoration Project is an activity implementing a land management plan not authorized under the HFRA and is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B.

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 filed via mail or email (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays) to: Regional Forester, 333 Broadway Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87102; objections-southwestern-regional-office@usda.gov. 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 Albuquerque Journal. 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, unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the designated opportunity(ies) for comment (see paragraph 218.8(c)).

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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