The Saco Ranger District has released the environmental assessment, finding of no significant impact, and draft decision notice for the Sandwich Vegetation Management Project. The project area comprises about 638 acres of National Forest System lands in a portion of the Sandwich Habitat Management Unit in Carroll County, New Hampshire. The project includes management actions to diversify vegetation and wildlife habitat while providing a sustainable yield of high-quality timber products, and address transportation system needs. The draft decision notice and supporting documents including the environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact are available here on the project website or at the Saco Ranger District, 33 Kancamagus Highway, Conway, New Hampshire 03818. The draft decision is subject to the pre-decisional objection process pursuant to 36 CFR Part 218, subparts A and B. Only individuals or organizations who submitted timely and specific written comments (218.2) about this project during designated opportunities for public comment are eligible to file an objection in accordance with 218.5. 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 designated comment opportunities (218.8(c)). The burden is on the objector to demonstrate compliance with this requirement for objection issues. The objection must contain the minimum content requirements specified in 218.8(d). Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in 218.8(b). The opportunity to object ends 45 days following the date of publication of the legal notice in the newspaper of record, the New Hampshire Union Leader. Written objections must be postmarked by the close of the filing period and received no later than 5 business days after the close of the filing period. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection, and those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. The 45-day time period is computed using calendar days, including Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays. When the time period expires on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, the time is extended to the end of the next federal working day. The regulations prohibit extending the length of the comment period. It is the objector's responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process. If no objections are filed within the 45-day time period, the final decision may be signed on but not before the 5th business day following the end of the objection filing period. Written objections may be mailed or hand-delivered during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central Time), excluding holidays) to: Derek Ibarguen, Reviewing Officer; Attn.: PAL-LSC Objections, Administrative Review Coord., Suite 700; USDA Forest Service, Eastern Region; 626 East Wisconsin Avenue; Milwaukee, WI 53202; or faxed to 414-944-3963. For more information regarding this project, contact Jim Innes, District Ranger, at 603-447-5448 x 5102 or james.innes@usda.gov. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Scott Hall
