USDA Forest Service, White Mountain National Forest, Wilderness Standard Forest Plan Amendment: Trails Management Project Draft Decision Notice Available
The White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) has released the environmental assessment (EA), Finding of No Significant Impact, and draft Decision Notice for the Wilderness Standard Forest Plan Amendment: Trails Management Project. The amendment involves changes to two WMNF Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) standards to 1) allow relocation of segments of existing Wilderness trails in the National Forest System Trail network away from unstable areas and other areas experiencing resource damage to more sustainable alignments, and 2) allow the designation of existing, unauthorized trails and their associated corridors into the trail network so that trail managers can address resource concerns on these trails, if doing so has a positive impact on Wilderness character. The draft Decision Notice and supporting documents are available on the project website at
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain/projects/63551 or at the White Mountain National Forest Headquarters, 71 White Mountain Dr., Campton, NH 03223. This EA was developed in accordance with the requirements of 36 CFR 220.7(c). Substantive requirements of the 2012 Planning Rule that are related to the proposed Forest Plan amendment include those pertaining to sustainable recreation and Wilderness. See 36 CFR 219 §§ 219.8(a)(2) and (b)(2), and 219.10(a)(1) and (a)(10). This programmatic plan amendment is subject to a 45-day pre-decisional objection period pursuant to 36 CFR 219 Subpart B (36 CFR 219.50). Only individuals or organizations who submitted timely and specific written comments about this project during designated opportunities for public comment are eligible to file an objection in accordance with 219.53. Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the opportunities for formal comment (219.53(a)). The burden is on the objector to demonstrate compliance with this requirement for objection issues. The objection must contain the minimum content requirements specified in 219.54(c). Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in 219.54(b). The opportunity to object ends 45 days following the date of publication of the legal notice in the newspaper of record, the New Hampshire Union Leader. Written objections must be postmarked by the close of the filing period and received no later than 5 business days after the close of the filing period (219.56(c)(1)). The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection, and those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. The 45-day time period is computed using calendar days, including Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays. When the time period expires on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, the time is extended to the end of the next federal working day (219.56(b)). The regulations prohibit extending the length of the comment period. It is the objector's responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process. If no objections are filed within the 45-day time period, the final decision may be signed on but not before the 5th business day following the end of the objection filing period. To submit objections electronically, go to
https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=63551. Electronic comments submitted through the webform are preferred, but hard copy comments may be submitted to Ken Arney, Reviewing Officer; Attn.: PAL-LSC Objections, Administrative Review Coord., Suite 700; USDA Forest Service, Eastern Region; 626 East Wisconsin Avenue; Milwaukee, WI 53202; or faxed to 414-944-3963. Office hours for submitting comments in person are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. (Central Time), excluding holidays. The preamble to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulation at 7 CFR Part 1b provide agencies with discretion to use either the new regulations or the previous regulations for projects already underway. This project was developed with and continues to use the previous regulations.
For further information, contact Theresa Corless, Forest Planner, at theresa.corless@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Your comments are requested through 6/15/2026 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time).
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.
