USDA Forest Service, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Ely Ranger District, White Pine County, Nevada Legal Notice of Opportunity to Object-Muncy Creek Mineral Exploration Project The Ely Ranger District has completed the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and the Draft Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (DN/FONSI) for the Muncy Creek Exploration Project submitted by Falcon Copper Corporation. This project is a non-HFRA 10-year mineral exploration-only Plan of Operations located approximately 30 miles northeast of Ely, Nevada. The selected alternative in the draft DN would authorize the proposed action that consists of conducting exploration activities up to 15 acres within the 97-acre Plan of Operations boundary. Exploration activities include construction of exploration roads and drill sites, exploration drilling, geologic mapping, and geophysical surveys. Existing access roads will be utilized to the extent practicable to minimize new surface disturbance. Reclamation consists of removing of drilling equipment and materials, recontouring all new constructed roads, drill pads, and sumps and recontouring disturbed areas followed by final seeding with an approved seed mix. The Responsible Official is Wendy Markham, Acting District Ranger. The Final Environmental Assessment and supporting documents are available on-line at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/humboldt-toiyabe/projects/62350. This action is subject to a pre-decisional administrative review process, also known as an objection process (36 CFR 218, Subparts A and B). The objection process provides an opportunity for members of the public who have previously participated in the planning process for the action to have any unresolved concerns reviewed by the USDA Forest Service prior to the final decision by the Responsible Official. The final decision will not be made until afterthe requirements of 36 CFR 218.12 have been met. Eligibility to File Objections Objections will be accepted only from individuals and entities who have submitted timely, specific written comments regarding a proposed project or activity per 36 CFR 218.5. Individual members of organizations must have submitted their own comments to meet the requirements of eligibility as an individual. Objections received on behalf of an organization are considered as those of the organization only. If an objection is submitted on behalf of a number of individuals or organizations, each individual or organization listed must meet the eligibility requirement of having previously submitted comments on the project. Objections will become part of the public record. Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunity for public comment unless based on new information arising after designated opportunities for comment. Names and addresses of objectors will become part of the public record. Contents of an Objection Minimum content requirements of an objection as identified in 36 CFR 218.8(d) must include: (1) Objector's name and address with a telephone number if available; with signature or other verification of authorship supplied upon request. (2) Identification of the lead objector when multiple names are listed, along with verification upon request. (3) Name of project, name and title of the responsible official, national forest/ranger district where project is located. (4) Sufficient narrative description of those aspects of the proposed project objected to, specific issues related to the project, how environmental law, regulation, or policy would be violated, and suggested remedies which would resolve the objection. (5) A statement demonstrating the connection between prior specific written comments on this project and the content of the objection unless the objection issue arose after the designated opportunities for comment. Incorporation of documents by reference in the objection is permitted only as provided for at 36 CFR 218.8(b). Filing an Objection Objections must be postmarked (if sent via postal mail), faxed, or submitted electronically within 45 days following publication of the legal notice in the Bristlecone Tribune. Mailed objections should be sent to Objection Reviewing Officer, Muncy Creek Exploration Project, USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Regional Office, 324 25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401. Objections may be faxed to 801-625-5365. Electronic objections can be submitted using the project webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/humboldt-toiyabe/projects/62350, click “Get Connected” and “Comment/Object on Project”. Hand delivery of written objections can be made during normal working hours to the Intermountain Regional Office, Hansen Federal Building, Room 4016, 324 25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401. A timely submission will be determined as outlined in 36 CFR 218.6(a) for project objections. It is the responsibility of objectors to ensure their objection is received in a timely manner (36 CFR 218.9). The publication date in the Bristlecone Tribune, newspaper of record, is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection to this project. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. For more information, questions related to the project or accessing the digital materials on the project website, please contact Erin Levesque, Project Manager at 775-778-6117.
Wendy Markahm
