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LEGAL NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT LIBBY EXPLORATION 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 Libby Exploration Project. The proposed action is to be located on the Libby Ranger District of the Kootenai National Forest. The Project is based on a Plan of Operations submitted by Montanore Minerals Corporation, a fully owned subsidiary of Hecla Mining Company, for the Libby Exploration Project approximately 20 miles south of the town of Libby in Lincoln County, Montana. Project surface-disturbing activities would be conducted on private lands owned or controlled by Montanore Minerals Corporation, while underground construction would occur beneath public lands administered by the USDA Forest Service. The Responsible Official for this decision is Chad Benson, Forest Supervisor. The EA and draft DN/FONSI for the Libby Exploration Project are available at the Kootenai National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/kootenai/projects/62833 or upon request at the Kootenai National Forest Supervisor’s Office located at 31374 US Highway 2, Libby, MT 59923. Additional information regarding this proposed action can be obtained from Julie Hopkinson, Forest Minerals Program Manager, at 293-6211 or by e-mail at Julie.Hopkinson@usda.gov. The Libby Exploration 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 Missoulian, 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 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 during and after the objection process. Electronic objections are preferred through the Forest Service website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/kootenai/projects/62833 click “get Connected” then click “Comment/Object on Project.” Electronic submissions must be submitted in a format that is readable with optical character recognition software (e.g., Word, PDF, Rich Text) and be searchable. Written objections may be submitted via regular mail to: Chad Benson, Kootenai National Forest, Attn: Libby Exploration Project, 31374 US Highway 2, Libby, MT 59923. Objections sent by private carrier or hand delivery must be addressed to: Chad Benson, Kootenai National Forest, Attn: Libby Exploration Project, 31374 US Highway 2, Libby, MT 5992. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm, excluding Federal holidays, for hand delivery.