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Opportunity to Object to the House Rock Wildlife Area Bison Infrastructure Project

The Forest Supervisor of the Kaibab National Forest has prepared a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Draft Decision Notice (DN) for the House Rock Wildlife Area Bison Infrastructure Project located on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.

The purpose of the project is to facilitate Arizona Game and Fish Department’s (AGFD) continued management of the House Rock Wildlife Area (HRWA) bison herd in the southeastern portion of the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest, in accordance with the Kaibab’s Forest Plan. Specifically, AGFD would be authorized, through special use permit, to construct new and upgrade existing fencing, install cattle guards, and construct a new wildlife water. Additional information about the project, as well as its anticipated effects, can be found in the EA and DN/FONSI.

The Final EA, FONSI, and draft DN are available online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58903. Additional information can be obtained from Marcos Roybal, Environmental Coordinator, at 928-635-8331 or email at marcos.roybal@usda.gov. The House Rock Wildlife Area Bison Infrastructure Project is an activity implementing a land management plan not authorized under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act and is subject to the 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 scoping or other designated opportunity for public comment in accordance with §218.5(a). Issues raised in 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 addressed to the Reviewing Official, Southwestern Regional Forester, filed via mail, express delivery, or messenger service to 333 Broadway SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102 or by email to

objections-southwestern-regional-office@usda.gov. Electronically filed objections may be submitted by email in word (.doc or .docx), portable document format (.pdf), rich text format (.rtf), text (.txt), and hypertext markup language (.html) and should include “House Rock Wildlife Area Bison Infrastructure Project” in the subject line. Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of this 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. 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 email 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 law, regulation, or policy; suggested remedies that would resolve the objection; supporting reasons for the reviewing officer to consider.
6. A statement that demonstrates 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 §218.9. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.