Dear Interested Citizen, The Eastern Divide Ranger District (EDRD) has released the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Decision Notice (DN) for the White Pine Removal Project. This project is subject to the Pre-decisional Administrative Review Process (Objection Process) pursuant to 36 CFR 218, subparts A and B. The EA and draft DN are available on-line at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62011. These documents are also available for review by appointment at the EDRD office at 110 Southpark Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24060. 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. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process. Electronic objections must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or Word (.doc, .docx) through the project website here: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=62011 Written objections, including attachments, must be filed with: Reviewing Officer Joby P. Timm, Forest Supervisor, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, 5162 Valleypointe Parkway, Roanoke Virginia 24019-3050, (540)-265-5100 (voice). The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered objections are: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Please write “White Pine Removal Project” on the envelope if replying by mail. Objections must be submitted within 30 calendar days following the date of this letter. The legal notice announcing the release of this project objection period was published in The Roanoke Times on November 22, 2023. While the legal notice publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection, with consideration for the holiday season, the objection period for the White Pine Removal Project will be extended 30 days and will close February 5, 2024. 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; and 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. If you have any questions concerning this project, please contact Jesse Overcash, Project Leader, at jesse.overcash@usda.gov or Beth Christensen, District Ranger, beth.christensen@usda.gov at the Eastern Divide Ranger District Office at (540) 552-4641.Thank you for your interest in the management of your National Forests.
Jesse Overcash
