The Durango NW Recreation Project is in a "pre-NEPA" initial public sensing stage. This timeframe is being used to hear and share public and partner concerns, ideas, and suggestions regarding recreational use and infrastructure in the project landscape.
This pre-NEPA period is on-going and flexible, but the Forest Service requests initial input by May 31, 2023 so that the extent of the project area and an initial list of proposed actions can be refined.
Once the proposed actions are more refined, the formal NEPA process will be initiated with a formal scoping period; then later, another public comment period will be held in which a draft environmental analysis document will be available for review. Timeframes for these next steps is unknown at this time.
The Forest Service values public participation. While the Forest Service will protect Private Personal Information (addresses, emails, and phone numbers) and will not post PII publicly, communications from the public regarding this project (including commenters' names and contact information) will become part of the public record and could be disclosed under Freedom of Information Act requests.
Comments, including anonymous comments, will be accepted at any time. However, comments submitted after the close of a designated comment period may not be able to be given full consideration. Anonymous comments and comments submitted after the close of the final designated comment period will not provide the commenter standing for administrative review. Comments, or in some cases other expressions of interest, along with respondent's contact information, submitted during a designated comment period may be necessary to establish a respondent's eligibility to later participate in an administrative review for this proposed action.
Jonathan Erickson
