LEGAL NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT
USDA FOREST SERVICE
NEBRASKA NATIONAL FOREST, BESSEY RANGER DISTRICT
WHITETAIL ROAD (FOREST ROAD 224) TRAVEL MANAGEMENT PROJECT
The USDA Forest Service has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) and draft decision notice and finding of no significant impact (DN/FONSI) for the Whitetail Road (Forest Road 224) Travel Management Project. The proposed action is located in the southeast area of the Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands in Thomas and Blaine Counties. The Responsible Official is Tedd N. Teahon, District Ranger.
The Responsible Official is planning to implement the Modified Proposed Action, which would create a direct route to Whitetail Campground by constructing 0.41 miles of new road from the end of Forest Road 224 to the campground. It would also close Forest Road 277 to motorized use.
The EA and draft DN/FONSI are available on the project website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/nebraska/?project=62606. Copies are also available upon request from the Bessey Ranger District office, 40637 River Loop, Halsey, Nebraska. Additional information regarding this project can be obtained from Emily Hiatt at 308-533-8107.
The Whitetail Road (Forest Road 224) Travel Management Project is an activity implementing a land management plan. This activity is subject to pre-decisional objection under subparts A and B of 36 CFR Part 218.
Objections, including attachments, must be filed with the appropriate reviewing officer within 45 calendar days following publication of this notice in the North Platte Telegraph, the newspaper of record. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Objectors should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer pursuant to 36 CFR 218.9.
Objections will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunities for public comment in accordance with 36 CFR 218.5(a). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless the issue is based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunities.
The objection must contain the minimum content requirements specified in 36 CFR 218.8(d) and incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in 36 CFR 218.8(b). Objections that do not adhere to these requirements make review of an objection difficult and are conditions under which the reviewing officer may set aside an objection pursuant to 36 CFR 218.10. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process.
Electronic objections are preferred and must be submitted to the Objection Reviewing Officer online at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=62606. If including an attachment, electronic submissions must be submitted in a format that is readable with optical character recognition software (e.g., Word or PDF) and be searchable. You should receive an automated response once your electronic objection has been received.
Written objections may also be submitted via regular mail, private carrier, or hand-delivery to USDA Forest Service, Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands, Attn: Jack Isaacs, Reviewing Officer, 125 N. Main Street, Chadron, NE 69337. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, excluding Federal holidays.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Tedd Teahon
