The USDA Forest Service has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) and draft decision notice and finding of no significant impact (DN/FONSI) for the Dutch Fred Skills Area project. The proposed action is to be located on the South Platte Ranger District, off of Rampart Range Road (NFSR 300), in the popular North Rampart motorized recreation area in Douglas County. The Responsible Official for this decision is Brian Banks, South Platte District Ranger.
The Responsible Official is planning to implement the Proposed Action, which proposes to create a skills training area adjacent to the existing Dutch Fred Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) facility. The skills training area will consist of two designated practice areas where forest visitors can develop or practice their riding skills like what they may encounter while on forest system trails. One practice area would be dedicated for beginner riders and the other for more experienced, intermediate riders. In addition, approximately one-half mile of the existing trail NFST 681 would be rerouted to avoid the intermediate skills area. Once rerouted, the old section of NFST 681 would be decommissioned and rehabilitated.
The Dutch Fred Skills Area Project is an activity implementing a land management plan. This activity is subject to pre-decisional objection under subparts A and B of 36 CFR Part 218.
Objections, including attachments, must be filed with the appropriate reviewing officer within 45 calendar days following publication of this notice in the Douglas County News-Press, the newspaper of record. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Objectors should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer pursuant to 36 CFR 218.9.
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 36 CFR 218.5(a). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless the issue is based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunities.
The objection must contain the minimum content requirements specified in 36 CFR 218.8(d) and incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in 36 CFR 218.8(b). Objections that do not adhere to these requirements make review of an objection difficult and are conditions under which the reviewing officer may set aside an objection pursuant to 36 CFR 218.10. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process.
Marc Grandia
