Opportunity to Object to the Black River Landscape Restoration Project
The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest has prepared an environmental assessment (EA), finding of no significant impact (FONSI), and draft decision notice (DN) for the Black River Landscape Restoration Project. This project is located on the Alpine and Springerville Ranger Districts in Apache and Greenlee counties at Township (T) 6N, Range 27E, R28E; T5N R27E, R28E, R29E; T4.5N R29E, R30E; T4N R27.5E, R28E, R29E, and 30E. The project proposes to authorize vegetation and watershed restoration, prescribed fire and road decommissioning. A mechanical flexible toolbox will be used to develop the prescription for areas slated for mechanical thinning during implementation by assigning a treatment that will make the most progress towards meeting desired conditions. Rob Lever, Apache-Sitgreaves Forest Supervisor and Responsible Official is proposing to select Alternative 3, but with the definition, boundary, and baseline mechanical treatment intensities for the wildland urban interface (WUI) from Alternative 2. The EA, draft DN and FONSI provide further details on the project and are available for review on the project website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52740. It is also available upon request from the Apache-Sitgreaves Supervisors Office at 30 S. Chiricahua Dr. Springerville, AZ 85938.
The Black River Landscape Restoration Project is an activity implementing a land management plan not authorized under HFRA and is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218, subparts A and B. 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 36 CFR 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.
How to File an Objection and Time Frame
Objections, including attachments, must be submitted within 45 calendar days after publication of this notice in the White Mountain Independent of Show Low, AZ. The date of the publication of this notice is the only means for calculating the date by which objections must be received. Those wishing to object should not rely upon any other source for this information. The regulations prohibit extending the time to file an objection.
Objections must be addressed to the Reviewing Official, Southwestern Regional Forester, filed via mail, express delivery, or messenger service to 333 Broadway Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102; or by email to objections-southwestern-regional-office@usda.gov or by Public Comment Form at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=52740. Electronically filed objections may be submitted by email in word (.doc or .docx), portable document format (.pdf), rich text format (.rtf), text (.txt), and hypertext markup language (.html) and should include “Black River Landscape Restoration Project” in the subject line.
At a minimum, an objection must include the following in accordance with 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 identify 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 must 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; and 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, unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the designated opportunities for comment. Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in 36 CFR 218.8(b).
