This legal notice initiates the objection period for the Kaibab Plateau Ecological Restoration Project (KPERP) located on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. The project includes prescribed fire and mechanical treatments without removal of commercial wood products to work towards desired conditions identified in the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Kaibab National Forest (“forest plan” 2014, as amended). The project will reduce the threat of uncharacteristic high-severity wildfire and restore resiliency so vegetation communities are better able to resist and adapt to current and future disturbance events.
District Ranger Randall Walker prepared an environmental assessment (EA) and draft decision notice (DN) which includes the finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the project. The draft DN details the intended selection of the proposed action and the rationale for that decision. District Ranger Walker is the responsible official for the project.
The EA and draft DN are available online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=54226. For additional information, please contact David Vincelette, North Kaibab Ranger District by phone at 928-643-8143 or by email at david.vincelette@usda.gov.
The project implements the forest plan and is not authorized under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act; therefore, it 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 the public comment period 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:
Objections may be submitted in print or electronically in MS Word, PDF, or Rich Text format.
The objection must meet the content requirements of 36 CFR 218.8(d), and include the following information: 1) the objector’s name and address, with a telephone number or email address, 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 as defined in 36 CFR 218.2 (verification of the identity of the lead objector shall be provided upon request); 4) the name of the project being objected to, the name and title of the responsible official, and the name of the national forest and ranger districts on which the project will be implemented; 5) a description of those aspects of the project addressed by the objection, including specific issues related to the project and, 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 the connection between prior specific written comments on the particular project or activity and the content of the objection, unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the designated opportunity for formal comment. With certain exceptions (36 CFR 218.8(b)), all documents referenced in the objection must be included with the objection.
An objection, including attachments, must be filed with the appropriate reviewing officer within 45 calendar days following publication of the legal notice of the objection filing period in the newspaper of record. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Objectors should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. 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. Responses that do not adhere to these requirements make review of an objection difficult and are conditions under which the reviewing officer may set aside an objection pursuant to 36 CFR 218.10.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
