Opportunity to Object the Granite Fuels Project Benjamin Johnson of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, St. Joe Ranger District, has prepared an environmental assessment (EA), finding of no significant impact (FONSI) and draft decision notice for the Granite Fuels project. The 112,146-acre project covers an area from the North Fork of the Clearwater River to the Upper St Joe River. The approximately 112,000-acre project area is located on National Forest System lands including one Inventoried Roadless Area, the Mallard Larkins Pioneer Area. The area includes the Snow Peak Wildlife Management Area (SPWMA) (roughly 11,600 acres) which is administered by Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). The SPWMA is managed by the Idaho Panhandle National Forest (IPNF) under a Memorandum of Agreement as backcountry. The purpose of this project is to reduce the risk of uncharacteristically severe wildfire and influence how wildfire and other disturbances would shape the landscape Within the project area there is a need to use managed ignitions to modify vegetation to reduce stand density, change stand structure, and to improve browse conditions for big game species. There is also a need to reduce heavy concentrations of dead and down fuel, maintain and improve areas previously treated or burned, and return fire to the project area landscape. The proposed action will include prescribed fire up to approximately 71,000 acres over a 10-year period on areas departed from their historical vegetation characteristics, fuel composition, and fire regime. There is no timber harvest or road construction associated with this project. The EA/FONSI and draft DN are available online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/ipnf/?project=66722. These documents are also available for review at St. Joe Ranger District. Additional information can be obtained from: Idaho Panhandle National Forests, St. Joe Ranger District, 222 S. 7th Street, Suite 1, St Maries, ID 83861; or from the project leader, Jennifer Cinq-Mars via email: jennifer.cinq-mars@usda.gov. The Granite Fuels project is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218, subparts A and B. How to file an Objection and Timeframe Written objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication date of this notice in the Coeur d’Alene Press. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. The regulations prohibit extending the time to file an objection. Objections will be accepted only from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunity for public comment. 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 comment opportunities §218.8(c). The objection must contain the minimum content requirements specified in §218.8(d) and incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in §218.8(b). It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer pursuant to §218.9. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process. Electronic objection submissions can be submitted at: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?project=66722. Electronic objections and supporting information must be submitted in an acceptable format such as an email message, PDF or Word (.docx or .xlsx). The following address should be used for the objections submitted by regular mail: to Objection Reviewing Officer, USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, 26 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula, MT 59804. Objections can also be faxed to (406) 329-3411. Address faxes to “Objection Reviewing Officer” in the fax cover sheet. Hand delivery objections can be received Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays at USDA Forest Service, 26 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula, MT 59804. Names and contact information submitted with objections will become part of the public record and may be released under the Freedom of Information Act. The USDA Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Jennifer Cinq-Mars
