The Boise National Forest has published the Environmental Assessment (EA), Finding of No Significant Impact (DN/FONSI), and the Draft Decision Notice (DN) for the 2023 CuMo Exploration Project. The selected alternative in the draft DN would authorize a 6-year mineral exploration project (4 years of exploratory drilling and 2 years of reclamation) within the CuMo claim block. Project activities could begin annually on April 15, with demobilization and seasonal stabilization completed by December 15. By the end of the project, all project disturbance, including new and existing roads, will be reclaimed. A full description of the Proposed Action is in section 2 of the EA. Selection of the Proposed Action does not constitute approval of the 2023 CuMo Plan. Approval of the 2023 CuMo Plan is contingent upon the proponent’s acceptance of the mitigation measures developed to minimize the effects of the operation on surface resources and the posting financial assurance to ensure reclamation for project-related disturbance.
The Responsible Official is Brant Petersen, Forest Supervisor, and the Objection Reviewing Officer is the Intermountain (R4) Regional Forester. The EA and Draft DN are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/boise/?project=64920. For additional information contact Josh Newman, Project Lead, at joshua.newman@usda.gov or at 208-392-3701,
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 B. A final decision will not be made until after the requirements of 36 CFR 218.12, Timing of Project Decision, 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 218.5). 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/project/boise/?project=64920 within 45 days following publication of this legal notice. Mailed objections should be sent to Objection Reviewing Officer, 2023 CuMo Exploration Project, USFS Intermountain Regional Office, Room 4403, 324 25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401. Hand delivery of written objections can be made during normal working hours to this address. Objections may be faxed to 801-625-5127. Electronic objections must be submitted in a format such as Portable Document Format (pdf), plain text (.txt), or Word (.doc or .docx) and electronic file names must be less than 85 characters long (including spaces).
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 Idaho Statesman, newspaper of record, is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection to this project. Those wishing to object to the EA and Draft DN should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source.
Joshua Newman
