Mt Elden/Dry Lake Hills Recreation Planning #38239

This proposal is being brought forward to address non-motorized recreation with regards to trails, special uses and facilities management in the Mt. Elden-Dry Lake Hills (MEDL) area.

Opportunity to Object to the Mt. Elden-Dry Lake Hills Recreation Planning Project on the Flagstaff Ranger District. Matthew McGrath, District Ranger for the Flagstaff Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest, has prepared a final environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI), and draft decision notice (DN) for the Mt. Elden-Dry Lake Hills Recreation Planning Project. The draft Decision Notice approves a modified proposed action, which would authorize new trail construction and adoption of portions of unauthorized trails, major trail relocations, reroutes, and improvements, closure, and restoration of unauthorized trails (also referred to as naturalization or rehabilitation), trailhead construction and improvements, improvements to the Mount Elden Environmental Study Area, as well as special-use trail events.

This project is subject to the pre-decisional objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 subparts A and B. The EA, FONSI, and draft DN are available on-line at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=38239. These documents are also available for review at the Flagstaff Ranger District Office, by appointment. 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 §218.8(c).

Objections, including attachments, must be filed via mail to: Forest Supervisor Laura Jo West, Coconino National Forest, 1824 S. Thompson St. Flagstaff, AZ 86001, or via e-mail: objections-southwestern-regional-office@usda.gov. Electronically filed objections may be submitted by email in portable document format (.pdf), word (.doc or .docx), rich text format (.rtf), text (.txt), and hypertext markup language (.html).

Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of a legal notice in the Arizona Daily Sun. 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, so please ensure you understand the timelines. 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. 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).
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.
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 a specific 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.

For additional information, please contact Patrick McGervey at (928)-527-8234, or via email at patrick.mcgervey@usda.gov.

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