The Responsible Official is planning to implement the selected alternative, which includes construction of an approximately 11.9-mile unpaved multi-use pathway and associated infrastructure (trailheads, bridges, parking access points, etc.). The proposed trail would roughly follow the course of New Mexico State Highway 38 between the Village of Questa and the Town of Red River, utilizing bridges to cross the Red River multiple times and Columbine Creek once. The majority of the proposed trail (approximately 10.6 miles) would be an engineered path (i.e., an unpaved soft surface, native surface, or compacted crusher fines) to allow for multimodal recreation opportunities. In addition to the primary engineered path, there would also be a “primitive” portion of the proposed trail extending approximately 1.3 miles along mostly NFS lands near the Town of Red River. The Final EA and Draft DN/FONSI for the Questa to Red River Trail Project are available upon request at the Questa Ranger District Office at 184 State Hwy 38 in Questa, New Mexico, 87556. Office hours are Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. These documents are also available on the project website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/carson/projects/67508. Additional information regarding this proposed action can be obtained from Amy Simms, Questa District Ranger at 575-758-6200 or email at amy.simms@usda.gov. The Questa to Red River Trail Project includes activities implementing a land management plan. These activities are 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 Taos News, 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 the 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 the Draft EA comment period 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. Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in 36 CFR 218.8(b). At a minimum, an objection must include the following (36 CFR 218.8(d)): (d)(1): The objector’s name and address, with a telephone number, if available; (d)(2): A signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for email may be filed with the objection); (d)(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); (d)(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; (d)(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 (d)(6): A statement that demonstrates connection between prior specific written comments on the particular proposed project or activity and the content of the objection. Electronic comments are preferred and can be submitted on the project website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/carson/projects/67508, (under the heading "Get Connected," select Comment/Object on Project) or by email at objections-southwestern-carson@usda.gov with “Questa to Red River Trail Project” in the subject line. Electronic submissions must be submitted in a format that is readable with optical character recognition software (e.g., Word, PDF, Rich Text) and be searchable. An automated response should confirm your electronic objection has been received. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process. Written objections may be submitted via regular mail to: James Duran, Forest Supervisor,Carson National Forest, c/o Jessica Barela, Attn: Questa to Red River Trail Environmental Assessment Project, 208 Cruz Alta Road, Taos, New Mexico, 87571. Thank you for your interest in the management of the CAF. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
The form below can be used to submit your comments to the responsible project official.
National Forests have the option to post comments for public viewing on this web site via a public reading room. Active reading rooms allow the public to read or download your letter, including your contact information. If this project has an active reading room, a link labeled “Public Comment Reading Room” will appear on the main project page. The agency may withhold letters containing proprietary information, sensitive cultural or habitat locations, profanity, etc. All letters, including those not posted, will be considered and included as part of the project record.
Disclaimer: All contact information is optional; however, anonymous comments will not provide standing to object.
