Opportunity to Object on the Forest-Wide Outfitter-Guide Permit Issuance Project Environmental Assessment and Amendment to the 1986 Carson National Forest Plan
James D. Duran of the Carson National Forest has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) finding of no significant impact (FONSI) and draft decision notices (DNs) for the proposed Forest-Wide Outfitter-Guide Permit Issuance project and the proposed Forest Plan amendment has been prepared. The purpose of the project is to more efficiently process and manage the outfitter-guide program across the forest using improved understanding of public and agency need for services. The proposal includes reissuing priority use permits to outfitter-guides whose permits are expiring and issuing priority permits to outfitter-guides who have previously held multiple temporary permits. New temporary permits could also be issued for activities that meet public and agency need. The project area includes all ranger districts and National Forest System lands managed by the Carson National Forest in Colfax Mora Rio Arriba and Taos Counties New Mexico. The project also proposes a non-significant programmatic forest plan amendment to remove the established hunting outfitter-guide capacity on the Jicarilla Ranger District called the “Forest Plan Amendment for Outfitter-Guide Capacity on the Jicarilla Ranger District”.
The EA FONSI and draft DNs are available online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=43472. These documents are also available for review at Carson National Forest District Offices. Additional information regarding this action can be obtained from: Alicia Gallegos 208 Cruz Alta. Road Taos NM 87571 (575) 758-6200 and/or alicia.gallegos@usda.gov.
The analysis with the Forest-Wide Outfitter-Guide Permit Issuance Project EA and the associated programmatic plan amendment will result in two separate decisions which consequently require two separate but concurrent pre-decision objection periods and processes.
How to file an Objection and Timeframe
This proposed project is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B and the Forest Plan amendment is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 219 Subparts A and B. Objections to the Forest-Wide Outfitter-Guide Permit Issuance project or to the Forest Plan amendment will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted timely comments regarding these planning efforts during any designated opportunity for public comment unless based on information not available during an earlier designated opportunity for public comment (i.e. new information).
Objections on the Forest-Wide Outfitter-Guide Permit Issuance project must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of the notice in the Taos News. Objections on the Forest Plan amendment will be accepted within 45 calendar days following this notice in the Taos News. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. A timely submission will be determined by USPS postmark the agency’s electronically generated posted date and time for email and facsimiles; shipping date for delivery by private carrier official agency date stamp showing receipt of hand delivery. It is the responsibility of the sender to ensure timely receipt of any objections submitted.
Objections including attachments must be addressed to the Reviewing Official Elaine Kohrman Acting Regional Forester filed via mail express delivery or messenger service to 333 Broadway SE Albuquerque NM 87102 ; by facsimile to 505-842-3173; by email to objections-southwestern-regional-office@usda.gov; or by hand-delivery to 333 Broadway SE Albuquerque NM 87102 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. An automated response will confirm the electronic objection has been received. If an automated response is not received it is the sender’s responsibility to ensure timely filing by other means. Electronic objections must be submitted in MS Word Word Perfect portable document format (PDF) or rich text format (RTF). The subject line for electronic submissions should contain Forest-Wide Outfitter-Guide Permit Issuance Project.
Eligible objections must be filed in writing with the reviewing officer of the plan and must be open to public inspection during the objection process. At a minimum an objection must include the following: (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. Additional requirements are included below. Including documents by reference is limited. Please contact Alicia Gallegos 208 Cruz Alta. Road Taos NM 87571 (575) 758-6200 and/or alicia.gallegos@usda.gov for further information.
The Reviewing Officer must set aside and not review an objection when one or more of the following applies: (1) they are not filed in a timely manner; (2) the proposed project or plan amendment is not subject to the objection procedures; (3) the individual or entity did not submit timely and specific written comments or substantive formal comments during opportunities for public comment; (4) except for issues that arose after the opportunities for comment none of the issues included in the objection are based on previously submitted written comments and the objector has not provided a statement demonstrating a connection between the comments and the objection issue; (5) the objection does not provide sufficient information as required; (6) the objector withdraws the objection; (7) an objector’s identify is not provided or cannot be determined from the signature and a reasonable means of contact is not provided; or (8) the objection is illegible for any reason including submissions in an electronic format different from that specified in the legal notice and a legible copy cannot easily be obtained. Other issues raised in an objection that meet the requirements will be reviewed.
How to Object to the Outfitter-Guide Permit Issuance Project
In addition to the identifying information outlined above written objection comments 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. 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.
How to Object to the Carson National Forest Plan Amendment
In addition to the identifying information outlined above written objection comments must include (1) the identification of the plan amendment being objected to and the name and title of the responsible official; (2) a statement of the issues and/or the parts of the plan amendment to which the objection applies; (3) a concise statement explaining the objection and suggesting how the proposed plan amendment decision may be improved. If applicable the objector should identify how the objector believes that the plan amendment is inconsistent with law regulation or policy; and (4) a statement that demonstrates the link between prior substantive formal comments attributed to the objector and the content of the objection unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the opportunities for formal comment. Substantive formal comments are those that are within the scope of the proposal are specific to the proposal have a direct relationship to the proposal and include supporting reasons for the responsible official to consider
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