Dale Deiter, Forest Supervisor of the Prescott National Forest has prepared an environmental assessment (EA), finding of no significant impact (FONSI), and draft decision notice (DN) for Yavapai Ranch Reciprocal Easements.  Forest Supervisor Deiter has decided to implement Alternative 2, the Proposed Action, to approve the reciprocal easements.  Implementing the revised Proposed Action with removal of the installation of utilities and maintaining the subject roadways under the current status quo maintenance regimen falls within the range of the alternatives explored in the EA.  Any future installation of utilities or the desire to improve the roads beyond their current road prisms and/or heightened maintenance activities beyond what is already occurring would require additional environmental analysis and subsequent decision document.

The EA, FONSI, and draft DN are available on-line at: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=29905.  Additional information can be obtained from:  Chris Welker, Realty Specialist, Prescott National Forest, 344 S. Cortez St., Prescott, AZ  86303, chris.welker@usda.gov.

Yavapai Ranch Reciprocal Easements is an activity implementing a land management plan and not authorized under the HFRA and is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B.

How to file an Objection and Timeframe

Objections will only be accepted 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 §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 the designated comment opportunities.

Objections, including attachments, must be filed via email or mail to: Regional Forester, 333 Broadway SE, Albuquerque, NM  87102.  EMAIL: Objections-southwestern-regional-office@usda.gov. Electronically filed objections may be submitted by email in word (.doc), portable document format (.pdf), rich text format (.rtf), text (.txt), and hypertext markup language (.html).

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 timeframe 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; supporting reasons for the reviewing officer to consider; and
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 §218.8(b). It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer pursuant to §218.9. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process.

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