USDA FOREST SERVICE ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT TO THE DRAFT DECISION NOTICE FOR THE MADLICK VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT ON THE MARIENVILLE RANGER DISTRICT The draft decision notice for the Madlick Vegetation Management Project is available for review and may be downloaded from https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/allegheny/?project=63444. The Responsible Official, District Ranger Robert T. Fallon is proposing to implement the proposed action alternative, as described in the Madlick Environmental Assessment. The 10,736-acre project area is located in Hamilton and Wetmore Townships, McKean County, Pennsylvania. The proposed action includes timber harvesting on 1,425 acres with associated reforestation treatments, non-native plant species treatments on 400 acres, wildlife habitat enhancements on 26 acres, large wood introductions along 16.7 miles of stream, 1.6 miles of road construction using new corridors, 4.1 miles of road construction using existing corridors, and applying high quality road surfacing to 3.3 miles of road. The draft decision is subject to the objections process of 36 C.F.R. part 218 subparts A and B. Objections will be accepted only from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding this project during the designated opportunity for public comment in accordance with 36 C.F.R. § 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 comment opportunities. The burden is on the objector to demonstrate compliance with this requirement for objection issues. The objection filing period will begin the day after this notice is published in The Kane Republican newspaper, and objections must be filed within 45 days. The publication date of this notice is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. 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. Timeliness will be determined by: • The date of the U.S. Postal Service postmark for an objection received before the close of the fifth business day after the objection filing period. • The agency’s electronically generated posted date and time for email and facsimiles. • The shipping date for delivery by private carrier for an objection received before the close of the fifth business day after the objection filing period. • The official agency date stamp showing receipt of hand delivery. • For emailed objections, the sender should receive an automated electronic acknowledgement from the agency as confirmation of receipt. If the sender does not receive an automated acknowledgment of receipt of the objection, it is the sender’s responsibility to ensure timely filing by other means. At a minimum, an objection must include the following: • Objector’s name and address, with a telephone number, if available. When multiple names are listed on an objection, identification of the lead objector. • Signature or other verification of authorship upon request. • The name of the project, the name and title of the responsible official, and the name of the national forest on which the project will be implemented. • A description of those aspects of the project addressed by the objection, including specific issues related to the 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. • A statement that demonstrates the connection between prior specific written comments on the particular project or activity and the content of the objection, unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the designated opportunities for comment. Incorporation of documents by reference is not allowed, except for the list of items identified at 36 C.F.R.§ 218.8(b). Objections, including attachments, must be filed in one of the following ways: • Mail, express delivery, or messenger service to USDA-Forest Service, Eastern Region, Objection Reviewing Officer, 626 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202. • Hand delivery to the address above during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays). • Fax to 414-944-3963. • Email to objections-eastern-region@usda.gov. Acceptable formats for electronic objections are text or html email, Adobe portable document format (pdf), and formats viewable in Microsoft Office applications. If no objection is received, a final decision may occur on, but not before, five business days from the close of the objection filing period. If an objection is received, a final decision will not occur before all instructions identified by the Reviewing Officer have been addressed. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Marienville Ranger District at (814) 927-5700. This legal notice was published in The Kane Republican on Thursday, November 16, 2023.
Kevin Treese
