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USDA Forest Service
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Notice of Draft Decision & Opportunity to Object
North Fork Stillaguamish Landscape Analysis
The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest has prepared a draft Decision Notice (DN), Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), and an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the North Fork Stillaguamish Landscape project. The draft DN proposes to implement Alternative 2 with the modification of the Riparian Reserve buffers from Alternative 3. These actions include approximately 8,842 acres of proposed variable density timber thinning and 5, 944 acres of non-commercial thinning for habitat improvement and huckleberry enhancement, 1,275 acres of riparian reserve variable density thinning, improvements to the transportation system and aquatic organism passage, approximately 12 miles of road decommissioning and recreation projects such as dispersed campsite improvements.
A programmatic forest plan amendment for MA-19, Mountain Hemlock Zone, is included in the EA. The Forest is proposing to amend the 1990 Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Land and Resource Management Plan for MA-19 land allocations across the Forest. The amendment would allow for management activities to improve habitat diversity across the Forest within MA-19, and specifically to enhance habitat for huckleberries via non-commercial thinning in the North Fork Stillaguamish project.
The draft DN and related project documents are available online: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61659 . The Responsible Official for the project is Forest Supervisor Jody Weil. For more information, contact Melissa Shelley, Environmental Coordinator at melissa.shelley@usda.gov.
This proposed project is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B and the Forest Plan amendment is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 219 Subparts A and B. Objections to the North Fork Stillaguamish project or to the Forest Plan amendment will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted timely comments regarding these planning efforts during any designated opportunity for public comment in accordance with the project objection requirements in §218.5(a) and the amendment objection requirements in §219.53(a). Issues raised in objection must be based upon these previously submitted timely comments regarding the planning efforts unless based on information not available during an earlier designated opportunity for public comment (i.e., new information).
Objections on the North Fork Stillaguamish project and Forest Plan amendment must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of the notice in the Everett Herald. A calendar day ends at 11:59:59 p.m. in the time zone of the Reviewing Officer for objections filed by electronic means such as email or facsimile. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. If the objection filing period ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, objections will be accepted until the end of the next Federal working day. A timely submission will be determined as outlined in 36 CFR 218.6(a) for project objections, or 36 CFR 219.56(c), for plan amendment objections. It is the responsibility of the sender to ensure timely receipt of any objections submitted.
Objections, including attachments, must be addressed to the Reviewing Official, Region 6 Regional Forester, Pacific Northwest Region, USDA Forest Service, Attn: 1750/1950 Objections, 1220 SW 3rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97204; by facsimile to (503) 808-2339; or by hand-delivery to the above address. At this time, the Regional Office has limited access; therefore, those who wish to hand deliver objections or deliver via private carrier must email Marcy Anderson, marcelle.anderson@usda.gov, to ensure staff are available to receive the objection.
Electronic responses are preferred and can be submitted via the Comment Analysis and Response Application (CARA). To access CARA, visit the project website and click “Comment On / Object.” An automated response will confirm the electronic objection has been received. Electronic objections must be submitted in MS Word, Word Perfect, portable document format (PDF), or rich text format (RTF). The subject line for electronic submissions should contain “North Fork Stillaguamish Landscape Analysis.”
Eligible objections must be in writing and contain (1) The objector’s name and address, along with a telephone number or email address if available; (2) Signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for electronic mail may be filed with the objection; (3) Identification of the lead objector, when multiple names are listed on an objection, and verification of the identity of the lead objector, if requested. Individual members of an entity must have submitted their own individual comments in order to have eligibility to object as an individual. Including documents by reference is limited. Please contact Marcy Anderson, marcelle.anderson@usda.gov for further information regarding objections. Objections received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who object, will be considered part of the public record on these proposed actions and will be available for public inspection.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Published in the Everett Herald April 14, 2023.
Melissa Shelley
