Comments including anonymous comments will be accepted at any time. However comments posted after the close of a designated comment period may not be able to be given full consideration. Anonymous comments and comments submitted after the close of the final designated comment period will not provide the commenter standing for administrative review.
The Forest Service values public participation. Communications from the public regarding this project including commenter’s names and contact information will become part of the public record.
Comments or in some cases other expressions of interest along with respondent’s contact information submitted during the comment period may be necessary to establish a respondent’s eligibility to participate in an administrative review for this proposed action. Interested members of the public should review the proposal’s information to determine the applicable administrative review process and the eligibility requirements for that process. The date of the legal notice of opportunity to comment on this proposed action is the exclusive means for calculating the comment period. For proposals to be documented with an Environmental Assessment the legal notice announcing the comment period appears in the Newspaper of Record . For Draft Environmental Impact Statements the Notice of Availability announcing the comment period appears in the Federal Register.
The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest is proposing the authorization of repair to the existing boat ramp located at Hells Canyon Creek of the Snake Wild and Scenic River. The project area is located in Wallowa County approximately 30 miles southeast of Joseph Oregon.
Analysis has been completed and the Hells Canyon Creek Boat Ramp Repair Project is now subject to pre-decisional administrative review; a requirement of 36 CFR 218 subparts A and B.
Only individuals or organizations that submitted specific written comments during a designated opportunity for public participation (scoping or the 30-day public comment periods) may object (36 CFR 218.5). Notices of objection must meet the requirements of 36 CFR 218.8(d); incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided for at 36 CFR 218.8(b).
Objections must be submitted within 45 days following the publication of the legal notice in the Wallowa County Chieftain Enterprise OR. The date of this legal notice is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframes provided by any other source. It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure evidence of timely receipt (36 CFR 218.9).
The objection must be filed by way of regular mail fax 541-278-3730 e-mail hand-delivery or express delivery to the Objection Review Officer: Forest Supervisor Tom Montoya Attn.1570 Appeals and Objections 1550 Dewey Ave Suite A Baker City OR 97814. The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered objections are: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday excluding holidays. Electronic objections must be submitted on the Wallowa Whitman National Forest’s project webpage (see link above) selecting the “Comment/Object on Project” link in the “Get Connected” group at the right hand side of the project webpage. Comments directed to other Forest staff and email comments containing viruses or malware will be rejected.
Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project or activity and attributed to the objector unless the issue is based on new information that arose after the opportunities for comment. The burden is on the objector to demonstrate compliance with this requirement for objection issues.
Andrea Holmquist
