DOE/LANL Paleoseismic Trenching Project #51678

DOE/LANL proposes to use National Forest System lands to conduct paleoseismic research on the bench between Pajarito Canyon and Canyon de Valle in late summer of 2018. Access routes from State Highway 501 to the sites would also be authorized

Sandy Hurlocker, District Ranger, Espanola Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest, the "Responsible Official" has prepared an environmental assessment (EA), finding of no significant impact (FONSI), and draft decision notice (DN) for the LANL Paleoseismic Project. The project lies along the Pajarito Geologic Fault north of Highway 501 in Los Alamos County between Pajarito Canyon, Canyon de Valle, and Water Canyon. The purpose of these trenches is to collect data for LANL’s required seismic hazard analyses.

The EA, FONSI, and draft DN are available on-line at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/santafe/landmanagement/projects   or more directly: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=51678

The project record and supporting documentation for this project can be reviewed on line at this site or by contacting the Espanola Ranger District, 1710 N Riverside Drive, Española, NM  Phone 505 753-7331. The proposed project is an activity implementing a land management plan not authorized under the HFRA (Healthy Forest Restoration Act) and is subject to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B.

 How to file an Objection

In accordance with §218.5(a), objections will be accepted only from those who have previously submitted specific written comments on the proposed project during scoping or another designated opportunity for public comment. Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific written comments unless based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunities.

Objections must be submitted via regular mail, delivery service, email, fax, or in person. Submit comments to James E. Melones, Reviewing Officer, Santa Fe National Forest, 11 Forest Lane, Santa Fe, NM 87508. The office business hours for submitting hand-delivered objections are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Electronic objections must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), portable document format (.pdf), Word (.doc), or other format readable by MS Word to objections-southwestern-santafe@fs.fed.us.  The fax number is 505-438-5390.

Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of this notice in the Albuquerque Journal. The publication date is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframes provided by any other source.

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.

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, including names and addresses of objectors, are available for public inspection during and after the objection process.

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