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Opportunity to Object to the draft decision regarding the Sweet-Ione Integrated Resources Improvement Project.

The preferred method for objection submittal is to complete the form at the bottom of this page.

The Newport-Sullivan Lake Ranger District of the Colville National Forest has prepared an environmental assessment, draft Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Sweet-Ione Integrated Resources Improvement Project. The Sweet-Ione project area is approximately 20,324 acres located in Pend Oreille County, WA in the Big Muddy Creek and Sweet Creek-Pend Oreille River subwatersheds. The draft Decision Notice describes my decision to restore and improve vegetation within the project area through a variety of methods including commercial (7,880 acres) and non-commercial vegetation management treatments (10,265 acres), realignment of the road system with an overall reduction of five miles of open National Forest System roads, and multiple aquatic habitat improvement projects. The Responsible Official is Carin Vadala, Newport-Sullivan Lake District Ranger. This project is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 subpart B.

How to Object and Timeframe

The opportunity to object ends 45 days following the date of publication of the legal notice in The Newport Miner. The publication date of the legal notice 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. It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer.

Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project or activity during any designated opportunity for public comment, unless based on new information arising after designated comment opportunities. Interested individuals or entities who have not previously commented may gain limited eligibility to object based on new information, but only for issues that arise based on new information where that information is truly new and was not available during the designated public comment opportunity. Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in §218.8(b).

At a minimum, the objection must include the following:

• List the name, address, and if possible, a telephone number of the objector;
• Provide a signature or other verification of authorship (a scanned signature for electronic mail may be filed with the objection;
• Identify the lead objector when multiple names are listed on an objection;
• Provide the name of the project being objected to, the name and title of the responsible official, and the name of the National Forest(s) and/or ranger district on which the project is located;
• A statement of the issues and/or the parts of the project to which the objection applies;
• If applicable, a statement explaining how the environmental analysis or draft decision specifically violates law, regulation, or policy; suggested remedies; and supporting reasons; and
• A statement that demonstrates the connection between prior specific written comments and the content of the objection, unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the designated opportunities for comment.

Written objections, including attachments, must be filed with: Forest Supervisor, Objection Reviewing Officer, Colville National Forest Supervisor’s Office, Attn: Objections, 765 South Main, Colville, WA 99114 between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays; or faxed to: Forest Supervisor, Attn: Objections at (509) 684-7080. Electronic objections must be submitted as part of an actual e-mail message, or as an attachment in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx), rich text format (.rtf), or portable document format (.pdf) only to: objections-pnw-colville@usda.gov. Please put OBJECTION and the project name in the subject line. If the sender does not receive an automated acknowledgement of the receipt of the objection, it is the sender’s responsibility to ensure timely receipt by other means.

For additional information contact Carin Vadala, Newport-Sullivan Lake District Ranger, at carin.e.vadala@usda.gov.

The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.