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OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT TO GILMORE DRILLING PROJECT-----------------------------------

The Salmon-Challis National Forest has completed the Gilmore Exploration Drilling Project Environmental Analysis (EA). The Responsible Official who will issue a decision on this project is Bobbi Filbert, Salmon-Cobalt District Ranger. The proposed action would authorize conditional approval of the Operator’s Plan to conduct mineral exploration core drilling (primarily for copper) on Kennecott Exploration Company mining claims within the project area for five years. Exploration drilling would take place at a total of 10 ground-supported drilling sites comprised of 8 primary identified drilling sites, for which anticipated disturbance would total 4.16 acres, and two alternate possible sites, which could disturb another 1.04 acres for a total disturbance of 5.2 acres. The EA, a draft Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (DN/FONSI), legal notice of opportunity to object, and other information are available for review at the Forest’s web site at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63039.

A hard copy of the EA, the draft DN/FONSI, and additional information regarding this proposed project can be obtained from: Cassandra Kollenberg, Salmon-Challis Supervisor’s Office, 1206 S. Challis St., Salmon, ID 83467, cassandra.kollenberg@usda.gov, 208-768-7619. This proposed project is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B.

Eligibility to File Objections: Objections will be accepted only from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project either during scoping or other designated opportunity 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 based on new information arising after designated opportunities. 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 (36 CFR 218.7).

Names and addresses of objectors will become part of the public record. Contents of an Objection: Incorporation of documents by reference in the objection is permitted only as provided for at § 218.8(b).

Minimum content requirements of an objection identified at § 218.8(d) include: Objector’s name and address with a telephone number if available; with signature or other verification of authorship supplied upon request; Identification of the lead objector when multiple names are listed, along with verification upon request; Name of project, name and title of the responsible official, national forest/ranger district where project is located; 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; and 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.

Filing an Objection: The Objection Reviewing Officer is Chuck Mark, SalmonChallis Forest Supervisor. Objections must be postmarked (if sent via postal mail), faxed, or submitted electronically via the project webpage at https://www.fs.usda. gov/project/?project=63039 within 45 days following publication of this legal notice. Send written objections, including any attachments, to: Objection Reviewing Officer, Intermountain Region USFS, 324 25th Street, Ogden, Utah 84401; or by email to: objections-intermtn-regional-office@usda.gov, or faxed to 801-625-5365.

Electronic objections must be submitted in a format such as an email message, portable document format (.pdf), plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), and Word (.doc or .docx). Hand delivery of written objections can be made during regular business hours to the Intermountain Regional Office, Room 4016, 324 25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401. 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 Recorder Herald, newspaper of record, is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection of this project. Those wishing to object to this proposed project should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source.

For further information contact Cassandra Kollenberg, Salmon-Challis Supervisor’s Office, 1206 S. Challis St., Salmon, ID 83467, cassandra.kollenberg@usda.gov, 208-768-7619.  4-20-1tc