USDA Forest Service, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland, Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, Mad Rabbit Trails Project Draft Decision Notice Available. The Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District has released the environmental assessment, finding of no significant impact, and draft decision notice for the Mad Rabbit Trails project to improve recreational opportunities near the community of Steamboat Springs. Through multiple community and stakeholder conversations, the Forest Service has identified opportunities to decommission non-system trails and develop a sustainable trail network that meets a wide range of user abilities while minimizing impacts to natural resources. The project is located on National Forest System lands north and east of the town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, in Routt, Grand, and Jackson counties. The draft decision notice and supporting documentation including the environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact are available on the project website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/mbr/?project=50917 or by request at the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears district office at 925 Weiss Drive, Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80487. This draft decision notice is subject to the pre-decisional objection process pursuant to 36 CFR Part 218, subparts A and B. Only individuals or organizations who submitted timely and specific written comments (218.2) about this project during designated opportunities for public comment are eligible to file an objection in accordance with 218.5. 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 burden is on the objector to demonstrate compliance with this requirement for objection issues. The objection must contain the minimum content requirements specified in 218.8(d). Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in 218.8(b). The opportunity to object ends 45 days following the date of publication of the legal notice in the newspaper of record, the Steamboat Pilot. Written objections must be postmarked or received during this time period. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection, and those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. The 45-day time period is computed using calendar days, including Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays. When the time period expires on a Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday, the time is extended to the end of the next federal working day. The regulations prohibit time extensions per 218.6(d). It is the objector's responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process. If no objections are filed within the 45-day time period, the final decision may be signed on but not before the 5th business day following the end of the objection filing period. To submit objections electronically, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/mbr/?project=50917. Written objections may be mailed or hand delivered during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Mountain Time, excluding holidays, to: Russell Bacon, Reviewing Officer, Attn: Objections, USDA Forest Service, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland 2468 Jackson Street Laramie, WY 82070-6535. To send by fax 307-745-2398. For more information regarding this project, contact Brendan Kelly, Project Lead, at 925 Weiss Drive, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487, at 970-870-2299, or brendan.kelly@usda.gov. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Brendan Kelly
