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Opportunity to Comment on a Proposed Chugach National Forest Plan Amendment

The Chugach National Forest Supervisor is proposing to amend the 2020 Land Management Plan (Forest Plan) and would like your comments on the proposed amendment.

Background and Need for Change

Due to a mapping error, approximately 35 acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands at Trinity Point located on the southside of Passage Canal near the City of Whittier, were not included in the 2020 Chugach National Forest Plan.  When the error was discovered, an Administrative Change was made to the Forest Plan to assign that parcel a Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) classification of Semi-Primitive Motorized.  While this was consistent with the previous Forest Plan’s ROS designation for that area, it does not meet Forest Service Manual 2300 Chapter 10 (Exhibit 01)  direction that outlines the characteristics that define areas that are designated with a Semi-Primitive Motorized ROS class. 

Substantive Requirements

The 2012 Planning Rule requires the Responsible Official to include information in the initial notice for the amendment (§ 219.16(a)(1)) about which substantive requirements of §§ 219.8 through 219.11 are likely to be directly related to the amendment (§ 219.13(b)(5)).)  The Responsible Official has preliminarily determined that social and economic sustainability, specifically sustainable recreation, is directly related to the amendment (36 CFR 219.8(b)(2)).

Public Comments and Objections

The proposed amendment is subject to objection (36 CFR 219 Subpart B). Only those who submit timely and specific written comments regarding the proposed project during any designated opportunity for public comment may file an objection (36 CFR 219.53). This scoping period is the only opportunity for public comment on the proposed amendment. The publication date of the legal notice in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the comment period and individuals should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by another other source. Individuals and entities wishing to be eligible to object must meet the provisions in 36 CFR 219 Subpart B.

1. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such a way that they are useful to the Agency's preparation of the Categorical Exclusion (CE). Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions. The submission of timely and specific comments can affect a reviewer's ability to participate in subsequent administrative review or judicial review.
2. Comments received in response to this proposed amendment, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the respondent with standing to participate in subsequent administrative or judicial review.

How to Comment

The project page - https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66715  includes a web form to comment on this project.

Written comments can also be mailed to Chugach Supervisor's Office, Attn: Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Forest Plan Amendment, 161East 1^st Ave, Door 8, Anchorage, AK, 99501 or hand delivered to the Anchorage Supervisors Office, Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., except for Federal holidays. For more information contact Carey Case, at carey.case@usda.gov.

It is the responsibility of the individual or entity to submit comments by the close of the comment period. The time period for the opportunity to comment shall not be extended. Specific written comments should include the following:

1. Name and current physical mailing address (a telephone number is optional),
2. Your organization name if commenting as a representative,
3. The project title, Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Forest Plan Amendment.

An electronic username, or email address is insufficient for identification of an individual or entity.

Written, hand delivered, and electronic comments will be accepted for 30 days following the date of publication of this legal ad in the Anchorage Daily News, newspaper of record.  All information including the names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record and available for public inspection.  Electronic comments must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or Word (.doc, .docx).

If you have questions or would like more information on this project, please contact Carey Case, at carey.case@usda.gov.