OBJECTION OPPORTUNITY
United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service
Daniel Boone National Forest
Stearns Ranger District
McCreary and Whitley Counties, Kentucky
Jellico Vegetation Management Project Environmental Assessment
The Stearns Ranger District of the Daniel Boone National Forest (DBNF) has prepared an environmental assessment, draft Decision Notice and draft Finding of No Significant Impact for the Jellico Vegetation Management project. These documents describe a proposed action and its affects for implementation. The proposed project or activity is subject to the pre-decisional objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B.
The EA and draft DN/FONSI are available on-line at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/danielboone/projects/63037. These documents are also available for review at the Stearns Ranger District Office. Additional information regarding this project or activity can be obtained from: District Ranger Kyle Edmonds, 3320 Highway 27 North, Whitley City, KY 42653, Phone: (606) 376-5323, Email: kyle.edmonds1@usda.gov.
How to Object and Timeframe
The opportunity to object ends 45 days following the date of publication of the legal notice in the McCreary Journal (formerly known as the McCreary County Voice). The publication date of the legal notice in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection, and that those wishing to object 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.
Objections will be accepted only from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunities for public comment. 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 designated comment opportunities §218.8(c). Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in §218.8(b). All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process.
At a minimum, the objection must include the following:
State that the document is a Notice of Objection filed pursuant to Title 36 CFR Part 218;
List the name, address, and if possible, the telephone number of the objector;
Provide a signature or other verification of authorship (a scanned signature for electronic mail may be filed with the objection);
Provide the name of the project being objected to, the name and title of the responsible official, and the name of the National Forest(s) and/or ranger district on which the project is located;
A statement of the issues and/or the parts of project to which the objection applies;
A concise statement explaining the objection and suggesting how the proposed plan decision may be improved;
State how the draft decision fails to consider comments previously provided, either before or during the comment period specified in Title 36 CFR §315.6, unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the opportunities for formal comment, and, if applicable, how the objector believes the decision violates law, regulation or policy; and
A statement that demonstrates the connection between prior specific written comments and the content of the objection, unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the designated opportunities for comment.
Written objections, including attachments, must be filed via mail service to: H. Scott Ray, Forest Supervisor, 1700 Bypass Rd., Winchester, KY 40391; Electronic objections must be submitted via web portal at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=63037 or in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or Word (.doc, .docx) to SM.FS.r8_ro_obj@usda.gov.
Please state “Jellico Vegetation Management Project” in the subject line when providing electronic objections, or on the envelope when replying by mail. 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 form below can be used to submit your comments to the responsible project official.
National Forests have the option to post comments for public viewing on this web site via a public reading room. Active reading rooms allow the public to read or download your letter, including your contact information. If this project has an active reading room, a link labeled “Public Comment Reading Room” will appear on the main project page. The agency may withhold letters containing proprietary information, sensitive cultural or habitat locations, profanity, etc. All letters, including those not posted, will be considered and included as part of the project record.
Disclaimer: All contact information is optional; however, anonymous comments will not provide standing to object.
