Tonto National Forest officials announce the release of a final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the Resolution Copper Project and Land Exchange. The FEIS discloses the potential environmental effects from the disposition of National Forest System land and development of the proposed Resolution Copper Mine near Superior, Arizona.
The FEIS analyzes several alternatives to the proposed action submitted to the Tonto National Forest by Resolution Copper Mining, LLC (Resolution Copper), and identifies Alternative 6 – Skunk Camp as the preferred alternative. The FEIS also identifies mitigation measures, both required and voluntary, that would minimize, reduce, or offset impacts from the proposed project.
The Tonto National Forest also prepared a draft Record of Decision (ROD) that documents the U.S. Forest Service’s decision to issue a roads use permit and special use authorizations for pipeline and power line corridors associated with the Resolution Copper Project as described by the preferred alternative, Alternative 6 – Skunk Camp.
The FEIS, draft ROD, and supporting documentation are available online at: www.ResolutionMineEIS.us.
This proposed project is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 218 Subparts A and B. Objections to the Resolution Copper Project will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted timely comments regarding this project proposal during a 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 Resolution Copper Project must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of the legal notice in the Arizona Capitol Times. The date the legal notice is published in the Arizona Capitol Times is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. We anticipate this publication to occur on or about January 15, 2021. We will post a copy of the published notice on our website (above) once received. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or time frame 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; or shipping date for delivery by private carrier. It is the responsibility of the sender to ensure timely receipt of any objections submitted. The regulations at 36 CFR 218 prohibit extending the time to file an objection.
Objections, including attachments, must be addressed to the Reviewing Official, R3 Regional Forester, filed via mail or express delivery to 333 Broadway Boulevard SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102; by facsimile to: (505) 842-3800; or by email to objections-southwestern-regional-office@usda.gov. 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 Microsoft Word, portable document format (PDF), or rich text format (RTF). The subject line for electronic submissions should contain the words “Resolution Copper Project”.
Eligible objections must be filed, in writing, with the reviewing officer of the project, 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.
The reviewing officer must set aside and not review an objection when one or more of the following applies: (1) it is not filed in a timely manner; (2) the proposed project 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. Only issues raised in an objection that meets the requirements for eligibility will be reviewed.
In addition to the identifying information outlined above, written objection comments on the proposed project must include (1) the name of the proposed project (Resolution Copper), the name and title of the responsible official (Tom Torres, Acting Forest Supervisor), and the name(s) of the National Forest or District on which the proposed project will be implemented (Tonto National Forest); (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; and 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 opportunities for comment. Specific written comments are written comments within the scope of the proposed action, with a direct relationship to the proposed action, and include supporting reasons for the responsible official to consider.
Including documents by reference is limited to incorporation of all or any part of a Federal law or regulation, agency directives and land management plans, documents referenced by the agency in specific proposed project documentation, or comments previously provided by the objector during an opportunity to comment. If the objector included copies of cited and/or supporting materials with their comments, they are not required to submit them again (“comments previously provided”). All other documents must be included with the objection.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Regional Forester
