Opportunity to Object the Heber Wild Horse Territory Project

Joshua Miller, Acting Forest Supervisor, of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, has prepared an environmental assessment (EA), finding of no significant impact (FONSI), and draft decision notice (DN) for the Heber Wild Horse Territory Management Plan.

The purpose of this project is to identify population management actions to maintain a healthy horse herd while also maintaining a thriving natural ecological balance within a range of lower and upper limits referred to as appropriate management levels (AMLs) for the Heber Wild Horse Territory (territory). Based on the analysis conducted, the Forest Service found an appropriate management level of 50 to 104 horses based on the resources available within the territory to support an upper limit of 104 free-roaming horses as reflected in the territory management plan and draft DN. Temporary and permanent infrastructure will be built to facilitate management of horses within the AML limits.

The territory is approximately 2.5 to 3 miles wide by about 7 miles long, centered about 5 miles southwest of Heber-Overgaard, Arizona in Coconino and Navajo Counties.

The Final EA, FONSI, and draft DN are available on-line at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/apache-sitgreaves/projects/18916. Additional information can be obtained from: Matthew Bullmore, Black Mesa District Ranger, by email at matthew.bullmore@usda.gov

The Heber Wild Horse Territory Management Plan 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 Public Comment Form at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=18916, or by mail to:

Michiko Martin, Reviewing Officer

Attn: Administrative Review Staff

USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region

333 Broadway Blvd. SE

Albuquerque, NM 87102

Electronically filed objections may be submitted 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 White Mountain Independent. 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 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.

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.