The filing periods for submitting objections and interested person requests have closed.
A notice of the opportunity to object was posted in the Silver City Daily Press on July 30, 2024, initiating a 60-day opportunity to object to the revised forest plan and the Regional Forester’s list of species of conservation concern for the Gila National Forest. Eligible objections are available for review below. The filing period ended on September 30, 2024. The Forest Service received 15 unique eligible letters from individuals and organizations. On October 10, 2024, the US Forest Service published a legal notice in the Silver City Daily Press initiating a 10-day period to file a request to participate as an interested person in any discussions between the Forest Service and the objectors related to the issues they raised in objection and potential resolution. The filing period closed on Monday, October 21, 2024.
All objectors will receive a written response to their objection prior to a final decision being made on the Gila National Forest Plan. The 90-day objection review period ended on December 27, 2024. In order to provide for an adequate response to the objections and to participate in discussions with eligible objectors and interested persons, the reviewing officers elected to extend the review period as provided by the regulation at 36 CFR 219.56(g).
Objection Resolution Meetings
The Forest Service objection process allows the agency to consider public concerns early on, before a decision is made, aligning with the Forest Service’s collaborative approach to forest management and increasing the likelihood of resolving ongoing concerns (36 CFR 219, Subpart B). Prior to the issuance of the reviewing officer's written objection response, either the reviewing officer or the objector may request to meet to discuss issues raised in the objection and potential resolution. Resolution meetings are open to observation by the public, but only objectors and interested persons may actively participate (36 CFR 219.57). The intent of the resolution meeting is to clarify issues and explore potential remedies so that the reviewing officer gains full understanding of the issues, including the perspectives of interested persons at that time. The resolution meetings were held on January 22 and 23, 2025 in Silver City, NM with an option for participants to join remotely. See the Legal notice of opportunity to object and Legal notice of objections filed and interested persons requests for additional information.
Lisa Mizuno
