Draft DN:https://usfs-public.box.com/s/rusbsn33x6wgw1urfizjnrten17g9qr3 The Draft DN for the Mill Creek Dry Forest Restoration Project describes the reasons for the proposed decision to select Alternative 4 Modified. The Final Revised EA analyzes four alternatives: Alternative 1 (No Action); Alternative 2, Alternative 3, and Alternative 4. Alternative 4 Modified involves commercial thinning up to 21” DBH across 7,749 acres; biomass thinning on 1,182 acres; non-commercial thinning only on 4,432 acres; prescribed underburning or handpiling and underburning only on 4,286 acres; riparian restoration and floodplain enhancement on 23 miles of stream channel; closure or decommissioning of about 6 miles of road; opening of 1 mile of road; and reinforcement of road closures at about 26 locations. Specific actions, connected actions, and resource protection measures included in the selected alternative are described in the Draft DN which is available on the project web page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/ochoco/?project=58081. If you require a print copy of the EA, please contact Beth Peer at 541-416-6463. How to Object and Timeframe This project is subject to pre-decisional administrative review pursuant to 36 CFR 218, Subpart B (also called the “objection process”). The full text of the rule can be found here: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-36/chapter-II/part-218 Only individuals or organizations that submitted specific written or oral comments during a designated opportunity for public participation may object (36 CFR 218.5). Notices of objection must meet the requirements of 36 CFR 218.8. Objections can be submitted in writing, either electronically or in hard copy, and must be filed with the Reviewing Officer within 45 days from the date of publication of the legal notice announcing the opportunity to object; the legal notice is published in The Bulletin newspaper of Bend, Oregon. The legal notice publication date is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Those wishing to file an objection to this decision should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. Mailed objections must be received before the close of the fifth business day after the objection filing period closes. Incorporation of documents by reference is not allowed, except for the following list of items that may be referenced by including date, page, and section of the cited document, along with a description of its content and applicability to the objection: 1) all or any part of a federal law or regulation; 2) Forest Service directives and land management plans; 3) documents referenced by the Forest Service in the subject EIS or EA; or 4) comments previously provided to the Forest Service by the objector during public involvement opportunities for the proposed project where written comments were requested by the responsible official. All other documents must be included with the objection. Minimum requirements of an objection are described at 36 CFR 218.8(d). An objection must include 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 will resolve the objection; supporting reasons for the reviewing officer to consider; and a statement that demonstrates the connection between prior specific written comments on the particular proposed project or activity and the content of the objection, unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the designated opportunities for comment. There are several options for submitting objections. We strongly encourage you to submit objections electronically. Electronically Electronic objections will be accepted through the Forest Service online comment system available at: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=58081 (Note that once-monthly updates to the system, usually occurring on Fridays, can briefly interfere with the public’s ability to upload objections.) Electronic objections must be submitted as part of an actual e-mail message, or as an attachment in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx), rich text format (.rtf), or portable document format (.pdf) only. For electronically mailed objections, the sender should receive an automated electronic acknowledgement from the agency as confirmation of receipt. If the sender does not receive an automated acknowledgement of receipt of the objection, it is the sender’s responsibility to ensure timely receipt by other means. Postal Mail or Delivery Objections delivered by mail must be postmarked by the closing day of the objection filing period and received before close of the fifth business day following the end of the objection period. Shane Jeffries, Forest Supervisor Ochoco National Forest 3160 NE Third Street Prineville, OR 97754 Hand Delivery Objections may be brought to the above address during regular business hours (8:00 am to 4:30 pm). For more information, please contact Beth Peer at (541) 416-6463 or via email at beth.peer@usda.gov.
Elizabeth Peer
