Opportunity to Object the South Pit Expansion Pumice Mine Environmental Assessment
Brian Riley, District Ranger of the Jemez Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest, has prepared an environmental assessment (EA), finding of no significant impact (FONSI), and draft decision notice (DN) for South Pit Expansion Pumice Mine Project. The project proposes to make mineable minerals available for sale to the public, consistent with the Federal Land and Policy Management Act of 1976, 36 CFR 228 Subpart C, and the 1987 Santa Fe National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, as amended.
The EA, FONSI, and draft DN are available on-line at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=2408 . Additional information can be obtained from: Brian Riley, Jemez Ranger District Office located at at 90 Villa Louis Martin Lane or by phone at 575/829-3535.
The South Pit Expansion Pumice Mine Project is an activity implementing a land management plan and not authorized under the HFRA and is subject 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 mail, fax, email, express delivery, or messenger service (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays) to: Objection Reviewing Officer, James E. Melonas, Forest Supervisor, 11 Forest Lane, Santa Fe, NM 87508, FAX: (505) 438-5390, or email: objections-southwestern-santafe@usda.gov. Electronically filed objections may be submitted by email in common document formats (.doc, .rtf, .txt, .pdf, .html).
Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of this notice in the Albuquerque Journal. 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; and 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 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
