Landscape Scale Vegetation Management in Catalina-Rincon Mountains (FireScape) #27526

Forest proposes mechanical and prescribed fire treatments on about 220,000 acres of Forest and adjacent Federal, state and private lands.

The Santa Catalina Ranger District, Coronado National Forest has prepared an environmental assessment (EA), draft Decision Notice (DN) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Catalina-Rincon FireScape (CRFS) Project. The CRFS project area comprises approximately 265,000 acres of National Forest System lands in Pima, Pinal and Cochise counties, and includes two wilderness areas, two research natural areas, and six inventoried roadless areas. The CRFS is a landscape-scale restoration project that focuses on promoting resilient ecosystems; protecting life, property, and natural resources; and encouraging natural wildland fire to function as a healthy process in the ecosystem. The draft DN details the intended selection of the Proposed Action with modifications, and provides the rationale for selecting that alternative. 

The EA, draft DN, and FONSI are available online at: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=27526. These documents are also available for review at the Santa Catalina Ranger District office. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the District Ranger at SantaCatalinaRD@fs.fed.us.

How to File an Objection

The publication of the legal notice in the Arizona Star opens a 45-day objection period.  Objections will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunity for public comment in accordance with §218.5(a). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunities. Electronic objections in common formats (.doc, .rtf, .pdf, or .txt) may be submitted to objections-southwestern-coronado@fs.fed.us with the Subject titled: “Catalina-Rincon FireScape.” Objections may also be faxed to 520-388-8305 to the attention of “OBJECTION: Catalina-Rincon FireScape,” sent by mail to the following address, or hand-delivered during normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays:

Kerwin S. Dewberry

Forest Supervisor and Reviewing Officer

Coronado National Forest
300 W. Congress St. 
Tucson, AZ 85701  

A written objection, including attachments, must be postmarked or received within 45 days after the date that notice of the draft decision is published in the Arizona Daily Star. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. The regulations prohibit extending the time to file an objection. 

At a minimum, an objection must include the following (36 CFR 218.8(d)):

1. The objector’s name and address, with a telephone number, if available;
2. A signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for email may be filed with the objection);
3. Identification of the lead objector when multiple names are listed on an objection, (verification of the identity of the lead objector shall be provided upon request);
4. The name of the proposed project (Catalina-Rincon FireScape), the name and title of the Responsible Official (Beth Dykstra, Acting District Ranger), and the name of the National Forest (Coronado) and Ranger District (Santa Catalina) on which the proposed project will be implemented;
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
6. A statement that demonstrates connection between prior specific written comments on the particular proposed project or activity and the content of the objection.

Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in §218.8(b). It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer pursuant to §218.9. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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