The Manti-La Sal National Forest has completed the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and the Draft Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (DN/FONSI) for the Skyline HFRA Project. The selected alternative in the draft DN would authorize Alternative 3. To address concerns regarding treatments within IRAs and to gain a clearer understanding of their potential impacts, this alternative eliminates all proposed treatments in IRAs. All the treatment methods outlined for the Proposed Action on pages 15-26 would be the same for Alternative 3. This alternative would treat approximately 46,849 acres of vegetation with the same project design features as the proposed action. Approximately 347 miles of temporary roads associated with the mechanical treatments would be authorized under the No Treatments in Inventoried Roadless Areas Alternative (Appendix A Skyline HFRA Logging Plan). The Responsible Official is Barbara Van Alstine, Forest Supervisor and the Objection Reviewing Officer is Michiko Martin, Acting Intermountain Regional Forester. The Final EA and Draft DN/FONSI are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/manti-lasal/projects/64839 . For additional information, contact Michael Scottorn, Forest Silviculturist, michael.scottorn@usda.gov . This action is subject to the predecisional administrative review process outlined in Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 218, Subparts A and C. A final decision will not be made until after the requirements of 36 CFR 218.12 have been met. Eligibility to File Objections Objections can be accepted only from individuals and entities who have submitted timely, specific written comments regarding a proposed project or activity subject to these regulations during any designated opportunity for public comment, per the regulations at 36 CFR 218.5(a). Additional eligibilities are established in 36 CFR 218.5(b) through (f). 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 opportunities for comment. A connection to previous comments must be demonstrated in the objection. Individual members of organizations must have submitted their own comments to meet the requirements of eligibility as an individual. Objections received on behalf of an organization are considered as those of the organization only. If an objection is submitted on behalf of a number of individuals or organizations, each individual or organization listed must meet the eligibility requirement of having previously submitted comments on the project (36 CFR 218.7). Names and addresses of objectors will become part of the public record. Contents of an Objection Incorporation of documents by reference in the objection is permitted only as provided for at 36 CFR 218.8(b). Minimum content requirements of an objection as identified in 36 CFR 218.8(d) include: Objector’s name and address with a telephone number if available; with signature or other verification of authorship supplied upon request. Identification of the lead objector when multiple names are listed, along with verification upon request. Name of project, name and title of the responsible official, national forest/ranger district where project is located. Sufficient narrative description of those aspects of the proposed project objected to, specific issues related to the project, how environmental law, regulation, or policy would be violated, and suggested remedies which would resolve the objection; and A statement demonstrating the connection between prior specific written comments on this project and the content of the objection unless the objection issue arose after the designated opportunities for comment. Filing an Objection Objections must be postmarked (if sent via postal mail), faxed, or submitted electronically via the project webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/manti-lasal/projects/64839 within 30 days following publication of this legal notice. Mailed objections should be sent to Objection Reviewing Officer, Skyline HFRA EA, USFS Intermountain Regional Office, 324 25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401. Electronic objections must be submitted in a format such as Portable Document Format (pdf), plain text (.txt), or Word (.doc or .docx) though the “Comment/Object on Project” link on the project webpage. Electronic file names must be less than 85 characters long (including spaces). Hand delivery of written objections can be made during normal working hours to the Intermountain Regional Office, Hansen Federal Building, Room 4016, 324 25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401. It is the responsibility of objectors to ensure their objection is received in a timely manner (36 CFR 218.9). The publication date in the ETV News, newspaper of record, is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection to this project. Those wishing to object to the Draft DN/FONSI should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source.
Michael Scottorn
