LEGAL NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT
USDA FOREST SERVICE
CARSON NATIONAL FOREST, QUESTA RANGER DISTRICT
TAOS SKI VALLEY GONDOLA & OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
The USDA Forest Service has prepared a final environmental assessment (EA) and draft decision notice and finding of no significant impact (DN/FONSI) for the Taos Ski Valley (TSV) Gondola and Other Improvements Project. The proposed action is to be located on the Questa Ranger District, Carson National Forest. The project, proposed by TSV, includes installation of a new base-to-base gondola, replacement of two existing lifts, construction of a water tank and booster station, development of hiking, Nordic, and snowshoe trails, construction of a new restaurant near existing Lift 7, and replacement and relocation of the Whistlestop Café. TSV is located approximately 20 miles northeast of Taos, New Mexico and operates under a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Special Use Permit. The Responsible Official for this decision is James D. Duran, Forest Supervisor.
The final EA and draft DN/FONSI for the TSV Gondola and Other Improvements Project are available upon request at the Questa Ranger District office, 184 State Hwy 38, Questa, NM 87556. This document is also available upon request at the Carson National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 208 Cruz Alta Road, Taos, NM 87571, as well as the Carson National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/carson/?project=61390. Additional information regarding this proposed action can be obtained from Amy Simms, at 575-586-0520 or by e-mail at mailroom_r3_carson@usda.gov.
The TSV Gondola and Other Improvements Project is an activity implementing a land management plan. This activity is subject to pre-decisional objection under subparts A and B of 36 CFR Part 218.
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 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.
Objections, including attachments, must be addressed to the Reviewing Official, Michiko Martin, Regional Forester, filed via mail or express delivery to 333 Broadway Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87102; by email to objections-southwestern-regional-office@usda.gov, or via online web form at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=61390. An automated response will confirm the electronic objection has been received. If an automated response is not received, it is the sender’s responsibility to ensure timely filing by other means. Electronic objections are preferred and must be submitted with “TSV Gondola and Other Improvements Project Objection” in the subject line. 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.
Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of this notice in the Taos News, 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. The regulations prohibit extending the time to file an objection.
The objection must contain the minimum content requirements specified in 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 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 eligible objections are available for public inspection.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
