The USDA Forest Service has prepared a supplemental environmental assessment (SEA) and draft decision notice and finding of no significant impact (DN/FONSI) for the modified proposal for the Aspen-Sopris Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project (ASWHIP). The proposed action is located on the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District and Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District of the White River National Forest in Colorado. The Responsible Official for this decision is the Aspen-Sopris District Ranger of the White River National Forest.
The Responsible Official is planning to implement the Proposed Action analyzed in the environmental assessment which modifies approximately 7,454 acres of prescribed fire treatments to a blended prescribed fire and/or mechanical treatment prescription, thereby allowing for greater flexibility in treatments to achieve the objective of habitat improvement over a greater extent of the planning area.
The SEA and draft DN/FONSI for the ASWHIP project is available on the Forest Service project website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/whiteriver/?project=67247. Additional information regarding this Modified Proposal can also be obtained from Philp Nyland, USDA Forest Service Wildlife Biologist by e-mail at philip.nyland@usda.gov.
The ASWHIP 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 Aspen Times Daily, 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=67247 with “ASWHIP SEA Project Objection” in the subject line. Electronic submissions 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.
Note: Any person who wishes to fax an objection should contact Cary Green, NEPA Coordinator, via phone at 970-390-3234 or email at cary.green@usda.gov.
Written objections may be submitted via regular mail to: USDA Forest Service, White River National Forest, Attn: Reviewing Officer, C/O Cary Green, PO Box 948, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601-3601.
Objections sent by private carrier or hand delivery must be addressed to: Objection Reviewing Officer, USDA Forest Service, White River National Forest, Attn: Reviewing Officer, C/O Cary Green, 900 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:00pm, excluding Federal holidays, for hand delivery
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Cary Green
