Opportunity to Object Legal Notice Nez Perce – Clearwater National Forests Palouse Ranger District Longleaf Project The Palouse Ranger District of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests has prepared a final EA, draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Draft Decision Notice for the Longleaf project for Forest Supervisor, Cheryl Probert’s’ review and approval. The Final EA analyzes 2 alternatives, a "no action" alternative, and the Proposed Action which were developed for the project. Longleaf Project Summary The Longleaf project is in Latah County, southwest of Elk River, Idaho. The Palouse Ranger District is proposing a combination of regeneration harvest, commercial timber harvest, hazardous fuels treatments, site preparation, and reforestation on a total of approximately 3302 acres. The proposal also includes road maintenance, road decommissioning as well as temporary and system road construction on a total of approximately 88 miles. The actions proposed in this project are intended to reduce the risk and extent of insect and diseases within the project area and to move the forest toward the desired future conditions as described in the Clearwater Forest Plan. Nez Perce- Clearwater Forest Supervisor, Cheryl Probert is the Responsible Official for this project and has identified the Proposed Action (modified) in the Draft Decision as the selected alternative for the Longleaf project. The project proposal was provided to the tribes, public, and other agencies for a 30-day scoping period on January 12, 2023, and a 30-day comment period on February 27, 2024. Comments that were received, including the names and addresses of those who commented, are part of the record for this project and are available for public inspection. Objections Objections, including attachments, must be filed with the appropriate reviewing officer within 45 calendar days following publication of this legal notice in the Lewiston Morning Tribune, 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. The Longleaf project is subject to pre-decisional administrative review pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B. Objections will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during the designated opportunity for public participation 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 burden is on the objector to demonstrate compliance with this requirement for objection issues. At a minimum an objection must include the following (36 CFR 218.8(d)): (1) The objector's name and address, with a telephone number, if available; (2) a signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for email may be filed with the objection); (3) when multiple names are listed on an objection, identification of the lead objector (verification of the identity of the lead objector shall be provided upon request); (4) the name of the proposed project (i.e. Longleaf), the name and title of the Responsible Official, and the name(s) of the National Forest(s) and/or Ranger District(s) on which the proposed project will be implemented; (5) a description of those aspects of the proposed project addressed by the objection, including specific issues related to the proposed project if applicable, how the objector believes the environmental analysis or draft decision specifically violates law, regulation, or policy; suggested remedies that would resolve the objection; supporting reasons for the Reviewing Officer to consider; and (6) a statement that demonstrates connection between prior specific written comments on the particular proposed project or activity and the content of the objection. 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 and must be submitted to the Objection Reviewing Officer online at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=63102, with “Longleaf Project Objection” in the subject line. 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. An automated response should confirm your electronic objection has been received. If the sender does not receive an automated acknowledgement of receipt, it is the sender's responsibility to ensure timely receipt by other means. Written objections may be submitted via regular mail to: Reviewing Officer, Northern Regional Office, Attn: Longleaf Project, 26 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula, MT 59804. Objections sent by private carrier or hand delivery must be addressed to: Reviewing Officer, Northern Regional Office, 26 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula, MT 59804. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm, excluding Federal holidays, for hand delivery. Thank you for your interest in the management of the Nez Perce – Clearwater National Forests.
Buddie Carroll
