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Edwin Holloway District Ranger for the Clifton Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) finding of no significant impact (FONSI) and draft decision notice (DDN) for the East Eagle/Mud Springs (EEMS) Fuels Project. The project area is located in the Clifton Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests and would authorize vegetation and fuels treatments within a 91029-acre project area. This project is expected to move the project area towards desired conditions prescribed through the use of fire thinning pre-treatments (fuels distribution) and site preparation.

The EA FONSI and DDN are available for review on the forest website project page at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50358. These documents are also available for review at the Clifton Ranger District Office located at: 397240 AZ 75 Duncan AZ  85534.  Business hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday (excluding Federal holidays).  Additional information may be obtained from Justin Thompson District Fire Management Officer at (928) 687-8600.

The EEMS Project is an activity implementing a land management plan and not authorized under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (HFRA) and is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B.

How to file an Objection and Timeframe

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). The previous designated comment period was from May 23^rd to June 21^st 2018. 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. The Reviewing Officer is the Forest Service line officer at the next higher administrative level above the responsible official (36 CFR §218.3(a)).

Electronically filed objections including attachments may be submitted by email in word (.doc) portable document format (.pdf) rich text format (.rtf) text (.txt) or hypertext markup language (.html) to objections-southwestern-apache-sitgreaves@usda.gov. Include the subject title of “East Eagle/Mud Springs Fuels Project Objection”. Objections may also be faxed to 928-333-5966 or sent by mail messenger service or hand-delivery during normal business hours (Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. excluding holidays) to: Stephen Best Forest Supervisor Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests 30 Chiricahua Drive Springerville AZ 85938.

Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of this notice in the Copper Era newspaper. 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 per 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; and
6. A statement that demonstrates connection between prior specific written comments (or new information) 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.

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