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This legal notice initiates the objection period for the Wallow West Landscape Prescribed Fire Project located south and west of the communities of Greer Eagar and Springerville within the Springerville and Alpine Ranger Districts Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Arizona. The draft decision notice (DDN) for the project is based on an environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) and would authorize the use of prescribed fire to restore fire adapted ecosystems while reducing hazardous fuel accumulations across approximately 112000 acres that were affected by the 2011 Wallow Fire. This project is expected to move the project area from existing conditions to desired conditions by reducing tree density reducing the threat of large stand-replacing wildfire improving watershed conditions and water quality and improving habitats for plant aquatic and wildlife species including threatened and endangered species. The EA/FONSI and draft DN provide further details on the project and are available for review on the forest website project page at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=48165. CD or hard copy formats of the documents and any additional information needed can be obtained from Adam Simmons Project Team Lead 928-333-6247 agsimmons@fs.fed.us. The Responsible Officials for the Wallow West Landscape Prescribed Fire Project are Richard Madril Springerville District Ranger and Alissa Tanner Acting Alpine District Ranger of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. 

Objection Limitations

This project is subject to the objection regulations of 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and C. Only those who submitted timely specific written comments during the designated combined scoping and comment period (February 9 2016 – March 17 2016) are eligible to object. Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted comments unless based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunity. Individual members of an entity must have submitted their own comments independently during the prior comment period in order to have eligibility to object as individuals; objections received on behalf of an organization are considered as those of the organization only. If an objection is submitted on behalf of a number of individuals or organizations each individual or organization listed must have submitted comments on the project during the designated scoping and comment period. For objections listing multiple entities or individuals a signature or other means of verification must be provided for the individual authorized to represent each entity and for each individual in the case of multiple names. Only the following documents may be incorporated into an objection by reference: (1) all or any part of a Federal law or regulation (2) Forest Service directives and land management plans (3) documents referenced by the Forest Service in the proposed project EA or EIS that is subject to objection and (4) comments previously provided by the objector during the combined scoping and comment period (36 CFR 218.8 (b)).

How to Object and Timeframe

The objection period extends 30 calendar days beginning the day after publication of this legal notice. If the 30th day falls on a Saturday Sunday or Federal holiday the end date will move to the next Federal working day. The publication date of this notice is the exclusive means for calculating the time to submit objections. Those wishing to object to this proposal should not rely upon dates or timeframes provided by any other source. Objections must be submitted in writing and can be emailed in an email message plain text (.txt) rich text (.rtf) or Word document (.doc or .docx) format to FS-objections-southwestern-apache-sitgreaves@fs.fed.us with the subject title of “Wallow West Landscape Prescribed Fire Project EA Objection;” faxed to 928-333-5966; or hand delivered Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to Stephen Best Forest Supervisor Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Supervisors Office 30 Chiricahua Drive Springerville AZ 85938; or mailed to Stephen Best Forest Supervisor Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Supervisors Office P.O. Box 640 Springerville AZ 85938. If unable to write objections submission of transcriptions from oral statements or presentations is accepted but it is objector responsibility to obtain and validate transcriptions. Timely submission of objections is on the 30th day of the period (1) by 11:59 p.m. MST for emailed and faxed objections; (2) before 4:30 p.m. for hand-delivered objections and (3) by postmark date for mailed objections. Objectors are responsible for ensuring timely receipt of any objections submitted. 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 identify 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 must 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; and supporting reasons for the reviewing officer to consider.
6. A statement that demonstrates 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 opportunities for comment.

All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process and names and contact information submitted will become part of the public record and may be released under the Freedom of Information Act. Responses to objections will be in writing within 30 calendar days beginning after the last day of the objection period. For any questions or additional information regarding this objection process see 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and C or contact Adam Simmons Fire Ecologist at 928-333-6247 or agsimmons@fs.fed.us.