Mr. Stewart has decided to consent to lease as described under the Proposed Action for NFS lands including all lease stipulations identified in the Ouray Silver Mining Plan & Fringe Lease Application Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Decision. BLM will make a subsequent leasing decision approving or denying issuance of the fringe leases.
This decision is subject to a predecisional objection period in accordance with the provisions of 36 CFR 218 subparts A and B. Objections must be filed with the reviewing officer in writing. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process. Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted and timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project or activity and attributed to the objector, unless the issue is based on new information that arose after the opportunities for comment on the Preliminary EA.
At a minimum, an objection must include the following: (1) Objector's name and address as defined in 36 CFR 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 as defined in 36 CFR 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 in 36 CFR 218.5(d); (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 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 Objector’s 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 (i.e., after November 23, 2020). Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided for at 36 CFR 218.8(b).
Due to COVID-19 related office restrictions, objections, including attachments, must be filed (regular mail or online here) with the Reviewing Officer (see 36 CFR § 218.3 and §218.8) within 45 days of the publication of the legal notice in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. The publication date of the legal notice in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel 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. Evidence of timely filing is described in 36 CFR 218.9. Please submit objections to the Reviewing Officer at:
Written objections may also be submitted via U.S. Postal Service to:
USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region
Attn: Reviewing Officer
P.O. Box 18980
Golden, CO 80402
Niccole Mortenson
