LEGAL NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT USDA FOREST SERVICE CARIBOU-TARGHEE NATIONAL FOREST, WESTSIDE RANGER DISTRICT LOWER PORTNEUF COOPERATIVE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT The USDA Forest Service, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Westside Ranger District, is proposing to restore forest health and help protect the Pocatello community from wildfire in the Lower Portneuf project area within the Bannock Range south and west of Pocatello, Idaho. The Lower Portneuf Cooperative Vegetation Management Project would treat up to 12,185 acres using vegetation management activities (prescribed fire, mechanical treatments, and harvest) to diversify species composition and age class structure of vegetation, focus on more resilient vegetation in the face of future disturbance, provide for a safe and effective wildfire response, and promote more fire adapted communities. The Responsible Official for this decision is Chris Colt, Acting Westside District Ranger. A Final Environmental Assessment and draft Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Lower Portneuf Cooperative Vegetation Management Project is available at the following website (https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/caribou-targhee/projects/67104) or upon request at the Westside Ranger District office, 4350 Cliffs Way, Pocatello, Idaho 83204. Additional information regarding this project can also be obtained from Arik Jorgensen, at 208-236-7539, by e-mail at Carl.Jorgensen1@usda.gov. This proposed project is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B. How to Object and Timeframes The opportunity to object ends 45 days following the date of publication of this legal notice in the Idaho State Journal. If the objection filing period ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, objections will be accepted until the end of the next Federal working day. The publication date of the legal notice 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. Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely and specific written comments regarding the proposed project or activity during a public comment period, unless based on new information arising after designated comment opportunities. Interested individuals or entities who have not previously commented may gain limited eligibility to object based on new information, but only for issues that arise based on new information where that information is truly new and was not available during the designated public comment opportunity. Contents of an Objection 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. At a minimum, the objection must include the following: Name, address, and if possible, a telephone number of the objector; signature or other verification of authorship (a scanned signature for electronic mail may be filed with the objection); identification of the lead objector, when multiple names are listed on an objection; the name of the project being objected to, the name and title of the responsible official, and the name of the National Forest and/or ranger district on which the project is located; a statement of the issues and/or the parts of the project to which the objection applies; if applicable, a statement explaining how the environmental analysis or draft decision specifically violates law, regulation, or policy; suggested remedies; and supporting reasons; and a statement that demonstrates the connection between prior specific written comments and the content of the objection, unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the designated opportunities for comment. Filing an Objection The reviewing officer is the Caribou-Targhee Forest Supervisor, Kim Pierson. Written objections, including attachments, must be filed with: Kim Pierson, Objection Reviewing Officer, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, ID 83401. The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered comments at the Westside Ranger District are: 8:00AM – 4:30PM Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The preferred method for submitting objections is via the following link: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=67104. Electronic objections must be submitted in a format such as plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or Word (.doc, .docx). Objections received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who object, will be considered part of the public record on these proposed actions and will be available for public inspection during and after the objection process.
The form below can be used to submit your comments to the responsible project official.
National Forests have the option to post comments for public viewing on this web site via a public reading room. Active reading rooms allow the public to read or download your letter, including your contact information. If this project has an active reading room, a link labeled “Public Comment Reading Room” will appear on the main project page. The agency may withhold letters containing proprietary information, sensitive cultural or habitat locations, profanity, etc. All letters, including those not posted, will be considered and included as part of the project record.
Disclaimer: All contact information is optional; however, anonymous comments will not provide standing to object.
