Construct 11 miles of non-motorized trail and rehabilitate approximately 4.7 miles of trail (includes portions of NFST 5421, 5420 and 5505) in the Telluride vicinity.
NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT USDA FOREST SERVICE GRAND MESA, UNCOMPAHGRE AND GUNNISON NATIONAL FORESTS NORWOOD RANGER DISTRICT TELLURIDE MOUNTAIN CLUIB TRAIL PROPOSAL PROJECT The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest’s (GMUG), Norwood Ranger District has prepared a final environmental assessment (Final EA) and draft decision notice and finding of no significant impact(DN/FONSI) for the Telluride Mountain Club Trail Proposal Project. The Norwood Ranger District is responding to a proposal from the Telluride Mountain Club (TMtC). TMtC is a non-profit organization based in Telluride, Colorado, that serves “as a community catalyst for sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities.” The trails project is in the Telluride region. The Responsible Official for this decision is Megan Eno, Norwood District Ranger. Ranger Eno is planning to approve a portion of Alternative 2 identified in the Final EA, which includes the following activities: Proposed non-motorized use trails for new construction: Mountain Village to Valley Floor Connector Trail (length: 1.8 miles) South Side Perimeter Trail (length: 2.0 miles total, approximately 1.0 miles on GMUG) Sheep Corrals to Sunshine Connector Trail (length: 0.6 miles) Sunshine Uphill Trail (length: 2.9 miles) Sunshine Parking Area Connection Trail (length: 0.2 miles) Proposed trails for reconstruction: East Side of National Forest System Trail (NFST) 5421—Wilson Mesa Trail (length: 1.9 miles) NFST 5420—Morningstar Trail (length: 1.3 miles) North Side of NFST 5505—Lizard Head Trail (lower section from Lizard Head Wilderness border to the junction of Wilson Mesa Trail) (length: 1.8 miles) Proposed parking area: Sunshine Parking Lot (0.05 acres, up to 6 car parking spaces) Additional details can be found in the Final EA and Draft Decision Notice. The Final EA and draft DN/FONSI for the Telluride Mountain Club Trail Proposal Project are available on the GMUG’s website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/gmug/projects/301400 . Additional information regarding this proposed action can be obtained from Krystina Smith, Recreation Staff Officer, at 970-327-4261 or by e-mail at krystina.smith@usda.gov. Telluride Mountain Club Trail Proposal Project is implementing a land management plan subject to pre-decisional objection under 36 CFR Part 218 Subparts A and B. Objections, including attachments, must be filed with the reviewing officer within 45 calendar days following publication of this notice in the Telluride Times (formerly Telluride Daily Planet), 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 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 herewith “Telluride Mountain Club Trail Proposal Project Objection” in the subject line. Due to some glitches with a new system, if you experience issues submitting objections online, please email objection to Niccole Mortenson at niccole.mortenson@usda.gov. 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. Written objections may be submitted via regular mail, private carrier or hand delivered to: Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, Attn: Reviewing Officer, Chad Stewart, 2250 South Main Street, Delta, CO 81416. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm, excluding Federal holidays, for hand delivery. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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