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4FRI Rim Country Project #48210

Landscape-scale restoration on the Coconino, Apache-Sitgreaves, and Tonto National Forests of ponderosa pine ecosystems, designed to maintain, improve, and restore ecosystem structure, pattern, function, and resiliency.

Responsible Officials Forest Supervisor Judith Palmer of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, Forest Supervisor Laura Jo West of the Coconino National Forest, and Forest Supervisor Neil Bosworth of the Tonto National Forest have prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Draft Record of Decision (DROD) for the proposed Rim Country Project and the proposed project-specific land management plan amendment. The Rim Country Project is part of the 2.4 million-acre Four Forest Restoration Initiative, the nation’s largest collaborative landscape-scale restoration effort aimed at accelerating the pace and scale of restoration treatments in the ponderosa pine forests of northern Arizona.

The Rim Country Project proposes landscape-scale restoration treatments on approximately 1.2 million acres on the Black Mesa and Lakeside Ranger Districts of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, the Mogollon Rim and Red Rock Ranger Districts of the Coconino National Forest, and the Payson and Pleasant Valley Ranger Districts of the Tonto National Forest. Proposed restoration activities under the Rim Country Project include timber harvest, prescribed fire, stream and spring restoration, road reconstruction, road realignment, temporary road construction, road decommissioning, and other actions.

The Rim Country Project proposes one project-specific plan amendment to the Tonto National Forest Land Management Plan which includes three exceptions (1) to incorporate best available science with regards to ponderosa pine vegetation/forest cover types, (2) align with the 2012 Mexican spotted owl Recovery Plan and (3) allow ground-based equipment for restoration treatments on slopes greater than 40 percent to move those areas toward desired conditions.

The FEIS, supporting documentation, and DROD are available online at: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/4FRIRimCountry. These documents are also available upon request. Additional information regarding this action can be obtained from: Kara Kirkpatrick-Kreitinger, 1824 S. Thompson St. Flagstaff, AZ 86001, (928) 527-3600, kara.kirkpatrick-kreit@usda.gov.

How to file an Objection and Timeframe:

This proposed project and project-specific amendment are subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B. Objections to the Rim Country Project will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted timely comments regarding these planning efforts during the designated opportunity for public comment, unless based on information not available during an earlier designated opportunity for public comment (i.e., new information).

Objections on the Rim Country Project must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of the notice in the Arizona Daily Sun. The Arizona Daily Sun is the newspaper of record and 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. A timely submission will be determined by USPS postmark, the agency’s electronically generated posted date and time for email and facsimiles; or shipping date for delivery by private carrier. It is the responsibility of the sender to ensure timely receipt of any objections submitted. The regulations at 36 CFR 218 prohibit extending the time to file an objection.

Objections, including attachments, must be addressed to the Reviewing Officer, Southwestern Regional Forester, filed via mail or express delivery to 333 Broadway Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87102; by facsimile to FAX: 505-842-3173; or by email to objections-southwestern-regional-office@usda.gov. 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 must be submitted in MS Word, portable document format (PDF), or rich text format (RTF). The subject line for electronic submissions should contain Rim Country Project.

Eligible objections must be filed, in writing, with the reviewing officer and must be open to public inspection during the objection process.

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, unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the designated opportunity(ies) for comment. Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in §218.8(b).

The Reviewing Officer must set aside and not review an objection when one or more of the following applies: (1) they are not filed in a timely manner; (2) the proposed project is not subject to the objection procedures; (3) the individual or entity did not submit timely and specific written comments during opportunities for public comment; (4) except for issues that arose after the opportunities for comment, none of the issues included in the objection are based on previously submitted written comments and the objector has not provided a statement demonstrating a connection between the comments and the objection issue; (5) the objection does not provide sufficient information as required; (6) the objector withdraws the objection; (7) an objector’s identity is not provided or cannot be determined from the signature, and a reasonable means of contact is not provided; or (8), the objection is illegible for any reason, including submissions in an electronic format different from that specified in the legal notice, and (9) the responsible official cancels the objection process underway to reinitiate the objection procedures at a later date or withdraw the proposed project or activity.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.



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