Yavapai-Apache Nation Land Exchange #63848

The Prescott National Forest is proposing a land exchange between the Prescott, Coconino, Kaibab, and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests and the Yavapai-Apache Nation (YAN). More information at https://yavapai-apache.org/land-exchange

Opportunity to Object to the Yavapai Apache Nation Land Exchange

The Prescott National Forest and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), as a cooperating agency, have prepared a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Decision Notice (DDN) for the Yavapai Apache Nation Land Exchange (YAN Lex) under the authority of the General Exchange Act of March 20, 1922 (42 Stat. 465, as amended; 16 U.S.C 485, 486), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of October 21, 1976 (90 Stat. 2743; 43 U.S.C. 1716, 1717) and the Federal Land Exchange Facilitation Act of August 20, 1988 (102 Stat. 1086; 43 U.S.C. 171). The Yavapai Apache Nation (YAN) has assembled a land exchange package containing roughly 4,782 acres of non-federal lands in exchange for roughly 3,201 acres of National Forest System lands located on either side of the Verde River on the Coconino and Prescott National Forests near the town of Camp Verde, Arizona. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is a cooperating agency to meet its responsibility pursuant to 25 CFR 151, to review and approve actions to acquire trust title to land by the United States on behalf of tribes.

Under the draft decision, the Nation would exchange 6 fee-owned parcels totaling approximately 4,782 acres located in four national forests in Arizona (Prescott, Coconino, Kaibab, and Apache-Sitgreaves national forests) in exchange for 10 Federal parcels located contiguous to or near the Nation’s existing Camp Verde Indian Reservation lands and totaling approximately 3,201 acres. Upon closing of the land exchange, 9 of the 10 Federal parcels exchanged to the Nation, with the exception of the Cedar Ridge Parcel (NF10), would be acquired into trust by the BIA for the Nation and added to the existing Reservation.

The purpose of the land exchange is to address community and cultural needs for the Yavapai Apache Nation, such as additional housing and cemetery space, while also reducing the administrative costs and supporting watershed protection on National Forest System lands.

The Final EA, FONSI, and draft DN are available online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/prescott/?project=63848. Additional information can be obtained from Prescott National Forest Realty Specialist, Chris Welker, at christopher.welker@usda.gov. The YAN Lex Project is an activity implementing a land management plan not authorized under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act and is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR Part 218, Subparts A and B.

How to File an Objection and Time Frame

Objections will be accepted only from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other 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 that has arisen after the designated comment opportunities.

Objections, including attachments, must be submitted online through the project website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/coconino/?project=63848 (click on “Comment/Object on Project”). Comments may also be submitted via mail or in person to the Regional Forester, filed via mail, express delivery, or messenger service to 333 Broadway Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Electronically filed objections may be submitted by email to objections-southwestern-regional-office@usda.gov in Word (.doc or .docx), portable document format (.pdf), rich text format (.rtf), text (.txt), and hypertext markup language (.html) and should include “Yavapai Apache Nation Land Exchange” in the subject line.

Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of this notice in the Prescott Daily Courier. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or time frame information provided by any other source. The regulations prohibit extending the time to file an objection. At a minimum, an objection must include the following (36 CFR 218.8(d)):

1. The objector’s name and address, with a telephone number, if available.
2. A signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for email may be filed with the objection).
3. When multiple names are listed on an objection, identification of the lead objector (verification of the identity of the lead objector shall be provided upon request).
4. The name of the proposed project, the name and title of the Responsible Official, and the name(s) of the National Forest(s) and/or Ranger District(s) on which the proposed project will be implemented.
5. A description of those aspects of the proposed project addressed by the objection, including specific issues related to the proposed project if applicable; how the objector believes the environmental analysis or draft decision specifically violates law, regulation, or policy; suggested remedies that would resolve the objection; and supporting reasons for the reviewing officer to consider.
6. A statement that demonstrates connection between prior specific written comments on the particular proposed project or activity and the content of the objection. Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in 36 CFR 218.8(b).

It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer pursuant to 36 CFR 218.9. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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