Go back to main project page

PUBLIC NOTICE

Opportunity to Object to the Sunnyside Exploration Drilling Project

The Sierra Vista Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest has prepared a final environmental assessment (FEA), finding of no significant impact (FONSI), and draft decision notice (DN) for the Sunnyside Exploration Drilling Project. The proposed action is to approve a Plan of Operations for exploratory drilling activities submitted by Arizona Standard, LLC (Arizona Standard). The proposed work is exploration only, including drilling; no mining, milling, or permanent facilities are being proposed.

Arizona Standard’s Sunnyside Exploration Drilling Project would include drilling on up to 30 constructed drill pads within three drill areas on National Forest System lands. During the exploration drilling, no more than two drill sites at a time would be active. Drilling would be undertaken around the clock on a rotational work schedule with intermittent breaks, seven days a week for up to seven years.  Drill holes would have a maximum depth of approximately 6,500 feet from the surface.

The FEA, FONSI and Draft Decision Notice are available for review online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=55719. Questions concerning this authorization should be directed to Deborah Bradley, Forest Service Geologist, at (520) 388-8345 or Deborah.Bradley@usda.gov . The Sunnyside Exploration Drilling Project is subject to the pre-decisional 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 action during scoping or other designated opportunity for public comment in accordance with 36 CFR 218.5(a). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted, timely, and specific written comments regarding the proposed action unless based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunities.

Objections, including attachments, must be submitted to the reviewing officer: Kurt Davis, Deputy Forest Supervisor, Coronado National Forest, 300 West Congress Street, Tucson, AZ 85701. Objections may be submitted via mail or electronically. Electronic objections, in common (.doc, .pdf, .rtf, .txt) formats may be submitted to: objections-southwestern-coronado@usda.gov with subject: “OBJECTION: Sunnyside Exploration Drilling Project.”

Objections must be submitted within 45 days following the publication of this legal notice in the Herald/Review newspaper (Sierra Vista, AZ). 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. Regulations prohibit extending the time to file an objection.

At a minimum, an objection must include the following (36 CFR 218.8(d)):

1. Objector’s name and address as defined in 218.2, with a telephone number, if available;
2. Signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for electronic mail may be filed with the objection);
3. When multiple names are listed on an objection, identification of the lead objector must be provided as defined in 218.2. Verification of the identity of the lead objector must be provided upon request or the reviewing officer will designate a lead objector as provided for in 218.5(d);
4. The name of the proposed action (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 action will be implemented;
5. A description of those aspects of the proposed action addressed by the objection, including specific issues related to the proposed action; if applicable, how the objector believes the environmental analysis or draft decision, specifically, violates the law, regulation or policy; suggested remedies that would resolve the objection; supporting reasons for the reviewing officer to consider; and
6. A statement that demonstrates the connection between prior specific written comments on the particular proposed action and the content of the objection, unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the designated opportunity(ies) for comment (see paragraph 218.8(c)).

Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in 218.8(b). It is the objector’s responsibility to insure a 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.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.