LEGAL NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT USDA FOREST SERVICE BLACK HILLS NATIONAL FOREST, NORTHERN HILLS RANGER DISTRICT GOLDEN CREST EXPLORATION DRILLING PROJECT The USDA Forest Service has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) and draft decision notice and finding of no significant impact (DN/FONSI) for the Golden Crest Exploration Drilling Project. The proposed action is to be located on the Northern Hills Ranger District of the Black Hills National Forest in the following sections: Sections 1, 3, 10, 21, 22, 25, 26, and 27, T4N R1E; Section 29, T4N R2E; Section 35, T5N R1E; and Sections 7, 18, and 19, T5N R2E. The Responsible Official for this decision is Steve Kozel, District Ranger. The Responsible Official is planning to implement the Proposed Action Alternative with additional mitigation measures, which proposes the following activities: Up to 25 exploratory drilling sites to search for gold mineralization. Each drill site would measure approximately 25X75 feet, for a combined estimated acreage of 1.0 acre. Drill holes will be approximately 4 inches in diameter and be drilled to a depth of approximately 1,300 to 1,600 feet. Some drill sites may have up to four additional angled holes from the same site. Equipment and supplies would be stored at staging area approximately 1 acre in size; total surface disturbance for the project would be approximately 2 acres. Access to individual drill sites would be along NFSRs and trails branching off NFSR 134. No new road or trail construction is proposed. Any water used for drilling would be sourced from an approved municipal or privately owned water supply in the Lead/Deadwood area. The proposed Project duration is a total of 27 months of active drilling, excluding inactive periods, over a total of 5 calendar years. All sites would be reclaimed following drilling activities. The EA and draft DN/FONSI for the Golden Crest Exploration Drilling Project are available upon request at the Northern Hills Ranger District office, 2014 North Main Street, Spearfish, SD 57783. These documents are also available at the Black Hills National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=62590. Additional information regarding this proposed action can be obtained from Chris Stores, Natural Resources Planner, at 605-443-3081 or by e-mail at chris.stores@usda.gov. The Golden Crest Exploration Drilling 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 Rapid City Journal, 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. Per 36 CFR § 218.26 (b), the Reviewing Officer must issue a written response to the objector(s) concerning their objection(s) within 45 days following the end of the objection filing period. The Reviewing Officer also has the discretion to extend the time for up to 30 days. If an objection is received, the Reviewing Officer has decided to extend the objection resolution period for 30 days for this project to ensure adequate consideration and response to the objection(s). 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. Electronic objections are preferred and must be submitted to the Objection Reviewing Officer online at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=62590. An automated response should confirm your electronic objection has been received. Objections can be faxed to the Objection Reviewing Officer at 605.673.9350. The fax coversheet must include a subject line with “OBJECTION: Golden Crest Exploration Drilling Project” and should specify the number of pages being submitted. Written objections may be submitted via regular mail to: Black Hills National Forest Supervisor’s Office, Attn: Objection Review Officer, 1019 North 5th Street, Custer, SD 57730. Objections sent by private carrier or hand delivery must be addressed to: Black Hills National Forest Supervisor’s Office, Attn: Objection Review Officer, 1019 North 5th Street, Custer, SD 57730. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding Federal holidays, for hand delivery. Any objections sent by US mail or private carrier must be postmarked by the final day of the objection period to be eligible for consideration. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Chris Stores
