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Opportunity to Object to the Pinaleño FireScape Environmental Assessment

The Safford 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 Pinaleño FireScape project. The project proposes to implement ecosystem restoration treatments, including prescribed fire, prescribed cutting, mastication and grubbing, planting, and soil stabilization, on approximately 198,975 acres of National Forest System lands in the Pinaleño Ecosystem Management Area.

The FEA, FONSI, and draft DN are available online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56958. Questions concerning this authorization should be directed to Scott Glaspie, Safford District Assistant Fire Management Officer, at scott.glaspie@usda.gov or (928) 428-4150.

The proposed project is an activity implementing a land management plan, not authorized under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA), and 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 project during a designated opportunity for public comment in accordance with §218.5(a). Issues raised in the 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.

Objections, including attachments, must be submitted to the reviewing officer: Kurt Davis, Deputy Forest Supervisor, 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: Pinaleño RevFireScape Project” or may be submitted using the Public Comment Form at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=56958.

Objections must be submitted within 45 days following the publication of a legal notice in the Eastern Arizona Courier. 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 (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 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 (verification of the identity of the lead objector shall 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 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 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 36 CFR 218.9. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process.

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