Opportunity to Object the
Proposed Greater Prescott Trails Mid-Term Projects #2 Project
Responsible Official, Sarah Clawson, District Ranger of the Bradshaw Ranger District, Prescott National Forest, has released a final Environmental Assessment (EA) and draft Decision Notice/Finding of No Significant Impact (DN/FONSI) for the Proposed Greater Prescott Trails Mid-Term Projects #2 Project. The Bradshaw Ranger District is proposing to improve the Forest trail system in the Prescott Basin and neighboring areas by constructing, rerouting, and/or adopting 64 miles of motorized trails and obliterating/decommissioning 40 miles of system and unauthorized trails; constructing 1.1 miles of new road, and implementing a seasonal closure on approximately 1.5 miles of road; constructing 2 new trailheads, decommissioning 1 trailhead, and improving 2 existing staging areas within the Bradshaw Ranger District, Prescott National Forest. The EA and DN/FONSI are posted online on the Prescott National Forest planning website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=53205. Please contact Susan Johnson, West Zone Recreation Program Manager, at (928) 443-8075, or by email at susan.a.johnson@usda.gov to request a hard copy of the documents.
The Greater Prescott Trails Mid-Term Projects #2 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 or email to: Dale Dieter, Forest Supervisor, Prescott National Forest, 735 N. Highway 89, Chino Valley, AZ 86323, objections-southwestern-prescott@usda.gov. Electronically filed objections may be submitted by email in word (.doc), rich text format (.rtf), text (.txt), portable document format (.pdf), and hypertext markup language (.html). Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of this notice in the Prescott Daily Courier. 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.
