Carson National Forest Supervisor James D. Duran has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA), finding of no significant impact (FONSI), and draft decision notice (DN) for the proposed Pueblo Ridge Restoration Project. The project is being designed to create a landscape that improves the resilience of vegetation in response to wildland fire and insect and disease outbreak and encourages the return of low- and moderate-intensity fire as a natural process in the ecosystem. The proposal includes forest thinning, prescribed burning, riparian restoration, spring developments, new road construction, temporary road construction, guzzler and corral developments. The project is located in Taos County, New Mexico. The project also proposes two project-specific forest plan amendments: 1) to address management for the Mexican spotted owl and 2) allow ground-based mechanical harvesting with specialized equipment designed for operating on steep slopes.
The EA, FONSI, and draft DNs are available online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52575. Additional information regarding this action can be obtained from: Alicia Gallegos, Forest Environmental Coordinator, at (575) 758-6200 and/or alicia.gallegos@usda.gov.
This proposed project is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B. Objections to the Pueblo Ridge Restoration project will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during any designated opportunity for public comment, unless based on information arising after the designated comment opportunities (i.e., new information).
Objections on the Pueblo Ridge Restoration project must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of this notice in the Taos News. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. It is the responsibility of the sender to ensure timely receipt of any objections submitted. An automated response will confirm electronic objections received. If an automated response is not received, it is the sender’s responsibility to ensure timely filing by other means.
Objections, including attachments, must be addressed to the Reviewing Official, Elaine Kohrman, Acting Regional Forester, filed via mail to 333 Broadway SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102, or by email to objections-southwestern-regional-office@usda.gov. Electronically filed objections must be submitted in MS Word (.doc or .docx), portable document format (.pdf), rich text format (.rtf), text (.txt), or hypertext markup language (.html). The subject line for electronic submissions should contain “Pueblo Ridge Restoration Project”.
At a minimum, an objection must include the following (36 CFR 218.8(d)): (1) The objector’s name and address, along with a telephone number or email address if available; (2) Signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for electronic mail may be filed with the objection); (3) Identification of the lead objector, when multiple names are listed on an objection, and verification of the identity of the lead objector, if requested. Individual members of an entity must have submitted their own individual comments in order to have eligibility to object as an individual; (4) The name of the proposed project, the name and title of the responsible official, and the name(s) of the forest or district 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 the reviewing officer should consider; and (6) A statement that demonstrates the 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). It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer pursuant to 36 CFR 218.9. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process.
Please contact Alicia Gallegos at (575) 758-6200 and/or alicia.gallegos@usda.gov for further information.
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