Opportunity to Object on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Forestwide Prescribed Fire Restoration Project
The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest has completed the final environmental assessment, finding of no significant impact, and draft decision notice for the Forestwide Prescribed Fire Restoration Project. The proposed action would authorize prescribed burning where it is needed to restore fire-dependent ecosystems on national forest lands in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forests. This decision would allow us to increase the scope and scale of our fuel treatment program to potentially 30,000 acres per year across the Forest, over the next 15 to 20 years. The treatment methods included in the selected action are hand thinning, piling, mastication, chipping, and prescribed fire. Activities would be conducted within established guidelines, law, regulation, and policy. The proposal excludes lands within Congressionally Designated Wilderness and Research Natural Areas.
The responsible official for this project is Jon Stansfield, Forest Supervisor. The Final Environmental Assessment and supporting documents are available on-line at:
Additional information regarding this project or the objection period can be obtained from: Duncan Leao,
duncan.leao@usda.gov.
The proposed project is an activity implementing a land management plan and is subject to pre-decisional administrative review process outlined in Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 218, Subparts A and B. A final decision will not be made until after the requirements of 36 CFR 218.12, Timing of Project Decision, have been met.
Eligibility to File Objections
Objections can be accepted only from individuals and entities who have submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project subject to these regulations during any designated opportunity for public comment, per the regulations at 36 CFR 218.5(a). Additional eligibilities are established in 36 CFR 218.5(b) through (f). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted specific timely, written comments regarding the proposed project unless based on new information arising after designated opportunities to comment. A connection to previous comments must be demonstrated in the objection.
Individual members of organizations must have submitted their own comments to meet the requirements of eligibility as an individual. Objections received on behalf of an organization are considered as those of the organization only. If an objection is submitted on behalf of individuals or organizations, each individual or organization listed must meet the eligibility requirement of having previously submitted comments on the project (36 CFR 218.5).
The publication date of the legal notice in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection to this project. It is the responsibility of all individuals and organizations to ensure that their objection is received in a timely manner. For objection eligibility, each individual or representative from each entity submitting timely and specific written comments regarding the proposed project or activity must either sign the objection or verify identity upon request §218.24(b)(8).
Objections must be postmarked (if sent via postal mail), faxed, or submitted electronically via the following email to
objections-intermtn-regional-office@usda.gov within 45 days following publication of this legal notice. Mailed objections should be sent to Objection Reviewing Officer, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Forestwide Prescribed Fire Restoration Project, USFS Intermountain Regional Office, 324 25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401. Electronic objections must be submitted in one of the following three formats: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx), plain text (.txt), or Portable Document Format (.pdf) and filenames MUST be less than 85 characters long. Hand delivery of written objections can be made during normal working hours to the Intermountain Regional Office, Fourth Floor, 324 25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401.
Objections received in response to this request, including names, addresses, and any other information provided with the comments, will be considered a part of the public record and will be subject to the Freedom of Information Act and released if requested.
