Opportunity to Object on Plantation Thin and PCL Treatment Project The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has prepared an environmental assessment, draft Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Forest Wide Plantation Thin and Potential Control Line Project. The proposed action would include 2 primary elements: plantation thinning of previously regenerated stands under 80 years of age, and small diameter hand thinning within 500 feet of roadsides identified by fire management staff as PCLs for use in future wildfire management. The Responsible Official for this decision is Forest Supervisor, Johanna Kovarik. The proposed project is subject to the pre-decisional objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B. The EA and draft DN/FONSI are available on-line at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/giffordpinchot/projects/65884 . Additional information regarding this project can be obtained from: Josh Chapman, Natural Resource Staff Officer, joshua.l.chapman@usda.gov or via phone at 360-409-6236. How to file an Objection and Timeframe Objections to the Plantation Thin and PCL Treatment Project will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted timely comments regarding these planning efforts during any designated opportunity for public comment in accordance with the project objection requirements in §218.5(a). Objections on the Plantation Thin and PCL Treatment Project must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of the notice in The Columbian. A calendar day ends at 11:59:59 p.m. in the time zone of the Reviewing Officer for objections filed by electronic means such as email. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. If the objection filing period ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, objections will be accepted until the end of the next Federal working day. A timely submission will be determined as outlined in 36 CFR 218.6(a) for project objections. It is the responsibility of the sender to ensure timely receipt of any objections submitted. Written objections, including attachments, must be filed with the Responsible Official, Johanna Kovarik, Forest Supervisor, 987 McClellan Rd, Vancouver, WA 98664, telephone: 360-891-5100. The preferred method for submitting objections is via the following link: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=65884. The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered objections are: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Electronic objections must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or Word (.doc, .docx) to SM.FS.R6commentGP@usda.gov. Please state “Objections on Plantation Thin and PCL Treatment Project” in the subject line when providing electronic objections, or on the envelope when replying by mail. Eligible objections must be in writing and contain (1) The objector’s name and address, along with a telephone number or email address if available; (2) Signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for electronic mail may be filed with the objection; (3) Identification of the lead objector, when multiple names are listed on an objection, and verification of the identity of the lead objector, if requested. Individual members of an entity must have submitted their own individual comments in order to have eligibility to object as an individual. Including documents by reference is limited. Please contact Josh Chapman, Natural Resource Staff Officer, joshua.l.chapman@usda.gov or via phone at 360-409-6236 for further information. Objections received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who object, will be considered part of the public record on these proposed actions and will be available for public inspection. Objections specific to the Plantation Thin and PCL Treatment Project Issues raised in objection must be based on previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project or activity and attributed to the objector, unless the issue is based on new information that arose after the designated opportunities for comment (36 CFR 218.8(c)). Specific written comments are written comments within the scope of the proposed action, with a direct relationship to the proposed action, and included supporting reasons for the responsible official to consider. Per 36 CFR 218.8(d), in addition to the identifying information outlined above, written objections on the proposed project must include (1) the name of the proposed project, the name and title of the responsible official, and the name(s) of the forest or district on which the proposed project will be implemented; (2) 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 the reviewing officer should consider; and (3) a statement that demonstrates the connection between prior specific written comments on the particular proposed project or activity and the content of the objection, unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the designated opportunity(ies) for comment.
Joshua Chapman
