Opportunity to Object on the McGaffey Forest and Rio Grande del Rancho Restoration Project Environmental Assessment.
Carson National Forest District Ranger Michael Lujan has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA), finding of no significant impact (FONSI), and draft decision notice (DN) for the proposed McGaffey Restoration Project. The project is located in Taos County, New Mexico and encompasses both sides of Highway 518, from the Carson National Forest boundary on the north to U.S. Hill on the south and from Miranda Canyon on the west to Bear Wallow Ridge and Maestas Ridge on the east. The project proposal consists of manual and mechanical vegetation restoration treatments and prescribed fire to improve forest and watershed health on approximately 30,000 acres, in addition to temporary road construction and decommissioning. The environmental assessment is available online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52579
Additional information regarding this project proposal can be obtained from James Arciniega, Carson National Forest Silviculturist, at 575-758-6200 and/or comments-southwestern-carson-caminoreal@usda.gov
How to file an Objection and Timeframe
This proposed project is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B. Objections to the McGaffey 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 McGaffey 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, James Duran, Forest Supervisor, filed via mail to 208 Cruz Alta Road, Taos, NM 87571, or by email to objections-southwestern-carson@usda.gov or by Public Comment Form at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=52579. 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 “McGaffey Restoration Project”.
At a minimum, an objection must include the following (36 CFR 218.8(d)): (1) The objectors 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 to 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; 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 Jessica Barela at 575-758-6200 and/or jessica.barela@usda.gov for further information. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
