Opportunity to Object the Drake Limestone Quarry Expansion Project.
Responsible Official, District Ranger Sarah Clawson of the Prescott National Forest, Bradshaw and Chino Ranger District, has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for the Drake Limestone Quarry Expansion Project.
The Prescott National Forest (PNF) is proposing to approve an amendment to Drake Cement LLC (Drake)’s existing Plan of Operations to allow Drake to expand their existing quarry operations on an additional 222.2 acres of National Forest System lands. These actions are proposed to be implemented on the Chino Valley Ranger District of the Prescott National Forest. The proposed site is located on 222.2 acres of Drake’s placer mining claims immediately surrounding Drake’s existing limestone quarry, within the SE ¼ of Section 31 and the SW ¼ of Section 32, Township 19 North, Range 1 West and in the NW ¼ of Section 5 and the east half of Section 6, Township 18 North, Range 1 West (Figure 3). Drake’s cement plant, which produces Portland cement, is located on private lands to the northeast. Access to the existing quarry and proposed project site is currently provided from State Route (SR) 89 via Forest Road (FR) 680 and FR 9711F (also known as Old Highway 89). This proposal is needed to allow the continuation of limestone mining for Drake’s operations for an estimated 35 years to continue to meet current and projected regional needs for limestone used in the production of cement. The existing limestone deposit is estimated to be mined out by 2020. This action is needed because the Forest Service is obligated to process, administer, and manage mining operations on National Forest System lands.
The EA is available on-line at http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=57628. Please contact Frances Alvarado, Project Lead, at 928-443-8014 (phone) or by email at frances.alvarado@usda.gov to request a copy.
The Drake Limestone Quarry Expansion 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 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, fax, or email to: Reviewing Officer Dale Deiter, Forest Supervisor, Prescott National Forest, 735 N. Highway 89, Chino Valley, AZ 86323, or by email to objections-southwestern-prescott@usda.gov with “Drake Limestone project” in the subject line. Electronically filed objections may be submitted by email in word (.doc), rich text format (.rtf), text (.txt), portable document format (.pdf), and hypertext markup language (.html).
Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of this notice in the Prescott Daily Courier. 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; and 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. 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.
Dale Deiter
