Dogtown Waterline Project Alternate Alignment Supplemental EA #59517

To provide reliable and efficient water delivery to the City of Williams. An alternate dual water line alignment, totaling approx. 0.8 mi, with access road improvement, is being considered to replace approx. 1 mi of the alignment approved in 2020.

Opportunity to Object to the Dogtown Water Line Project

The Forest Supervisor of the Kaibab National Forest (NF) has prepared a Final Supplemental Environmental Assessment (EA) with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Draft Decision Notice (DN) for the Dogtown Water Line Project located on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab NF. The Kaibab NF would issue a special use permit to the City of Williams, which would authorize the City to install and maintain water lines from the Dogtown Reservoir and wells on the Williams Ranger District to the City’s water treatment facility and water distribution system. The City of Williams is proposing the project to provide reliable and efficient water delivery to the city. Currently, the City of Williams transfers approximately 80% of the City's water supply, both raw and potable water, in one existing water line. The Draft DN for the project would authorize modifications to the Proposed Action as stated in the Final Supplemental EA and FONSI issued in 2020.

The Supplemental EA, FONSI, and draft DN are available on-line at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59517. Additional information can be obtained from Marcos Roybal, Environmental Coordinator, at 928-635-8331 or email at marcos.roybal@usda.gov. The Dogtown Water Line Project is an activity implementing a land management plan not authorized under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act and is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 218 Subparts A and B.

How to File an Objection and Time Frame

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 addressed to the Reviewing Official, Southwestern Regional Forester, filed via mail, express delivery, or messenger service to 333 Broadway SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102; by facsimile to (505) 842-3800; or by email to objections-southwestern-regional-office@usda.gov. Electronically filed objections may be submitted by email in word (.doc or .docx), portable document format (.pdf), rich text format (.rtf), text (.txt), and hypertext markup language (.html) and should include “Dogtown Water Line Project” in the subject line. Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of this notice in the Arizona Daily Sun. 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.
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. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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