The Forest Service has prepared a draft decision to amend the 2018 Coconino Forest Plan to accommodate the roadway approved in the Verde Connect Environmental Assessment and FONSI published on July 22 2020 by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). According to 36 CFR 219.13(a) a plan amendment is required to add modify or remove one or more plan components or to change how or where one or more plan components apply to all or part of the plan area (including management areas or geographic areas). This amendment is to accommodate the Verde Connect project because it does not meet two guidelines in the Coconino National Forest Plan regarding scenic resources and stream ecosystems. This notice is to inform the public that a 45-day period is being initiated where individuals or entities with specific concerns about the plan amendment to accommodate the Verde Connect decision may file objections for Forest Service review prior to approval of the plan amendment.
The Verde Connect draft plan amendment and the FHWA Environmental Assessment documents on which the plan amendment are based are located online: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56355.
This decision to approve the plan amendment for the Coconino National Forest Plan will be subject to the objection process identified in 36 CFR part 219 subpart B (219.50 to 219.62). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely substantive formal comments regarding the proposed plan amendment unless based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunities.
Objections including attachments must be filed via mail fax email or express delivery (Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. excluding holidays) to: Acting Regional Forester 333 Broadway Blvd SE Albuquerque NM 87102; FAX: (505) 842-3800 objections-southwestern-regional-office@usda.gov. Electronically filed objections may be submitted by email in word (.doc or .docx) rich text format (.rtf) text (.txt) and/or hypertext markup language (.html).
Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days (36 219.56(a)) following the publication of this legal notice in the Arizona Daily Sun. 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.
An objection must include the following (36 CFR 219.54(c)):
(1) The objector's name and address along with a telephone number or email address if available—in cases where no identifiable name is attached to an objection the Forest Service will attempt to verify the identity of the objector to confirm objection eligibility;
(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. The Forest Service will communicate to all parties to an objection through the lead objector. Verification of the identity of the lead objector must also be provided if requested;
(4) The name of the plan plan amendment or plan revision being objected to and the name and title of the responsible official;
(5) A statement of the issues and/or parts of the plan plan amendment or plan revision to which the objection applies;
(6) A concise statement explaining the objection and suggesting how the draft plan decision may be improved. If the objector believes that the plan plan amendment or plan revision is inconsistent with law regulation or policy an explanation should be included;
(7) A statement that demonstrates the link between the objector's prior substantive formal comments and the content of the objection unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the opportunities for formal comment; and
36 CFR 219.54(b) All documents referenced in the objection (a bibliography is not sufficient) except the following need not be provided:
It is the responsibility of the objector to ensure that the objection includes the appropriate information as stated above and that the reviewing officer receives the objection in a timely manner. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process.
For additional information concerning this decision or to request hard copy documents or other project-related information please contact Mike Dechter NEPA Coordinator at (928) 527-3416 or mike.dechter@usda.gov.
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Acting Regional Forester
