OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT
Valle Seco 2019 Land Exchange
San Juan National Forest, Pagosa Ranger District
Archuleta County, Colorado
A Draft Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact is available for the Valle Seco 2019 Land Exchange project. The Responsible Official is Kara Chadwick, Forest Supervisor. It is the Responsible Official’s intention to select Alternative 3 Modified for this project. Alternative 3 Modified involves exchanging nine Federal parcels on the SJNF totaling approximately 380 acres for one non-Federal parcel totaling 880 acres. The Final EA and Draft Decision Notice describing the proposed activities, maps, and other information is available on the project webpage at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57154.
The Valle Seco 2019 Land Exchange project is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218. Objections will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the land exchange during scoping or other designated opportunity for public comment for the land exchange project in accordance with §218.5(a). An objection, including attachments, must be postmarked or received within 45 days after the date of publication of this legal notice in the newspaper of record (the Durango Herald). It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer. Per 36 CFR § 218.26 (b), the Reviewing Officer must issue a written response to the objector(s) concerning their objection(s) within 45 days following the end of the objection filing period. The Reviewing Officer also has the discretion to extend the time for up to 30 days. If an objection is received, the Reviewing Officer has decided to extend the objection resolution period for 30 days for this project to ensure adequate consideration and response to the objection(s).
Objections must be in writing and meet the content requirements at 36 CFR 218.8(d). Electronic submissions are preferred and may be submitted at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57154. Objections may also be faxed to 1-303-275-5134, Attn: Reviewing Officer “OBJECTION: Valle Seco 2019 Land Exchange.” Written objections may be submitted via mail to: USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region; Attn: Reviewing Officer; PO Box 18980; Golden, CO 80402 (Note: for objections submitted via postal mail, please notify Josh Sidon at 720-556-1191). Objections may also be submitted via express or hand delivery to USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region; Attn: Reviewing Officer; 1617 Cole Boulevard, Building 17; Lakewood, CO 80401 (Note: Any in-person submittal must be coordinated prior to delivery by contacting Josh Sidon at 720-556-1191). It is the responsibility of Objectors to ensure their objection is received in a timely manner (36 CFR 218.9). All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process. For more information about the project contact Becca Smith at 970-264-1521 or e-mail rebecca.smith@usda.gov.
Rebecca Smith
