LEGAL NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT USDA FOREST SERVICE NEBRASKA NATIONAL FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS, FALL RIVER RANGER DISTRICT RED SHIRT WATER LINE PROJECT The USDA Forest Service has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) and draft decision notice and finding of no significant impact(DN/FONSI) for the Red Shirt Water Line Project. The proposed action is located in the Buffalo Gap National Grassland in Pasture 8 of the Red Shirt Allotment. It is north of Battle Creek and Highway 40. The Responsible Official for this decision is Julie Wheeler, District Ranger. The Responsible Official is planning to implement the proposed action. The proposed action allows the term grazing permit holder to permanently bury 1.25-miles of temporary water line that tiers off an existing underground water line and install a 10-foot water tank. The EA and draft DN/FONSI for the project is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/nebraska/?project=65336. It is also available at the Fall River Ranger District, 1801 Highway 18 Bypass, Hot Springs, South Dakota. Additional information regarding this proposed action can be obtained from Julie Bain at (308) 221-0748. The Red Shirt Water Line Project is an activity implementing a land management plan. This activity is subject to pre-decisional objection under subparts A and B of 36 CFR Part 218. Objections, including attachments, must be filed with the appropriate reviewing officer within 45 calendar days following publication of this notice in the Rapid City Journal, the newspaper of record. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Objectors should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer pursuant to 36 CFR 218.9. Objections will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunities for public comment in accordance with 36 CFR 218.5(a). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless the issue is based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunities. The objection must contain the minimum content requirements specified in 36 CFR 218.8(d) and incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in 36 CFR 218.8(b). Objections that do not adhere to these requirements make review of an objection difficult and are conditions under which the reviewing officer may set aside an objection pursuant to 36 CFR 218.10. All eligible objections are available for public inspection. Electronic objections are preferred and must be submitted to the Objection Reviewing Officer online at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?project=65336. If including an attachment, it must be submitted in a format that is readable with optical character recognition software (e.g., Word, PDF, Rich Text) and be searchable. An automated response should confirm your electronic objection has been received. Objections can be faxed to the Objection Reviewing Officer at (308) 432-0309. The fax coversheet must include a subject line with “OBJECTION: Red Shirt Water Line Project” and should specify the number of pages being submitted. Paper copy objections may be submitted via regular mail to: Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands, Attn: Reviewing Officer, 125 N. Main Street, Chadron NE 69337. Also use this address for objections sent via private carrier or hand delivery. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm mountain time. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Mandy Irwin
