Notice of Opportunity to Object Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Comprehensive Plan/EA U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Pacific Northwest Regional Office The USDA Forest Service has completed a comprehensive plan for the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (Pacific Northwest Trail) and associated environmental analysis. The Forest Service is providing an objection period on the comprehensive plan and environmental assessment (EA). HOW TO OBJECT The Responsible Official is Elizabeth Berger, Pacific Northwest Regional Forester, and the Objection Reviewing Officer is Jacqueline Emanuel, Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System, USDA Forest Service. The proposed project information, EA/FONSI, and draft decision notice (DN) are available on-line at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52259. For additional information please contact Rick Pringle, Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Administrator, by emailing richard.pringle@usda.gov. This action is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B.A final decision will not be made until after the objection process has been completed. Eligibility to File Objections Objections can be accepted only from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during a designated opportunity 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 based on new information arising after designated opportunities for comment. A connection to previous comments must be demonstrated in the objection. Individual members of organizations must have submitted their own comments to meet the requirements of eligibility as an individual. Objections received on behalf of an organization are considered as those of the organization only. If an objection is submitted on behalf of a number of individuals or organizations, each individual or organization listed must meet the eligibility requirement of having previously submitted comments on the project (36 CFR 218.7). Names and addresses of objectors will become part of the public record. Contents of an Objection Incorporation of documents by reference in the objection is permitted only as provided for at 36 CFR 218.8(b). Minimum content requirements of an objection as identified in 36 CFR 218.8(d) include: Objector’s name and address with a telephone number if available; with signature or other verification of authorship supplied upon request; Identification of the lead objector when multiple names are listed, along with verification upon request; Name of project, name and title of the responsible official, national forest/ranger district where project is located, and Sufficient narrative description of those aspects of the proposed project objected to, specific issues related to the project, how environmental law, regulation, or policy would be violated, and suggested remedies which would resolve the objection. Statement demonstrating the connection between prior specific written comments on this project and the content of the objection, unless the objection issue arose after the designated opportunities for comment. Filing an Objection Objections must submitted within 45 days following publication of this legal notice via the Comment Analysis and Response Application (CARA) at: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?project=52259. If CARA cannot be accessed, objections may be submitted within 45 days following publication of this legal notice to: objections-chief@usda.gov. Mailed objections should be sent to Jacqueline Emanuel, Objection Reviewing Officer, National Forest System, USDA Forest Service, ATTN: PNW Trail Objections Coordinator Debbie Anderson, R6 Regional Office, 1220 SW Third Ave., Portland, OR 97204. Mailed objections must be postmarked no later than 45 days after publication of the legal notice. Objections may also be faxed within 45 days following publication of this legal notice to Debbie Anderson at: 503-808-2339. Electronic objections must be submitted in a format such as an email message, pdf, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or Word (.doc or .docx). It is the responsibility of objectors to ensure their objection is received in a timely manner (36 CFR 218.9). The publication date in The Seattle Times, newspaper of record, is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection to this project. Those wishing to object to the draft DN/FONSI should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source.
Rick Pringle
