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The USDA Forest Service has received 5 timely objections regarding a programmatic amendment to the 2015 Kootenai National Forest Revised Land Management Plan (Forest Plan) from individuals or organizations who previously commented.

In order to ensure potential objection resolution discussions are open and transparent, interested persons may participate in these discussions.  You do not need to have objected to the amendment decision to request to be an interested person; however, you must have provided substantive comments during the opportunities provided during the planning process.

The November 16, 2023 publication the legal notice in the newspaper of record for the Kootenai National Forest, the Missoulian, initiates the 10-day period during which individuals or organizations who have commented in the past and have a particular interest in the resolution of these objections may file a request to be an interested person and participate in meetings between the objectors and the Forest Service, should they occur. This is described in the regulations at 36 CFR 219.57.

All objection letters are posted on the Kootenai National Forest project planning website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/kootenai/?project=64585 along with the Draft Decision Memo for the Kootenai Forest Plan Amendment for Bears Outside the Recovery Zone.

To become an interested person:  Written requests for recognition as an interested person must include the following information:

1. Name and affiliation, if any, of the requestor
2. Mailing address, phone number, and email address (if available) of the requestor
3. The objection issues in which the requestor has an interest; a brief explanation of the requestor’s interest in the objection(s), and specific concern(s), including a description of support or opposition to the objections(s); and
4. Identification of substantive formal comments(s) provided by the requestor during the planning process demonstrating the requestor’s participation.

The requests will be considered by the Reviewing Officer, and eligible interested persons will be notified in advance of any objection resolution meetings. Objection resolution meetings are open to observation by the public, and the date(s), location(s) and agenda(s) for any meeting(s) will be posted on our website https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/kootenai/?project=64585