Chiricahua Public Access #57856

Construct small sections of road to connect existing system roads to system roads that currently do not have public motorized access due to intervening private land. Four segments would be constructed in three different areas of the Chiricahua EMA.

Opportunity to Object to the Chiricahua Public Access Project

The Douglas Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest has prepared an environmental assessment, finding of no significant impact, and draft decision notice for the Chiricahua Public Access Project. The proposed action is to authorize construction of 2.7 miles of new National Forest System Roads (system roads) to provide legal, permanent, motorized, public access to existing system roads in John Long, North Fork of Pinery, and Horseshoe Canyons. The general location of the proposed project is the Chiricahua Ecosystem Management Area in Cochise County, Arizona. The project would accomplish the purpose and need to restore and secure permanent, legal, public, motorized access to existing National Forest System Roads consistent with 2018 Coronado National Forest Plan objectives and management direction.

The environmental assessment, finding of no significant impact, and draft decision notice are available online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57856. Questions should be directed to Joseph Harris, District Range and Watershed Staff, at (520) 388-8447 or joseph.e.harris@usda.gov.

The Chiricahua Public Access Project is an activity implementing a land management plan not authorized under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act and is subject to the objection process pursuant 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 action 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, and specific written comments regarding the proposed action unless based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunities.

Objections, including attachments, must be submitted to the reviewing officer: Kurt Davis, Deputy Forest Supervisor, 300 West Congress Street, Tucson, AZ 85701. Objections may be submitted via mail or electronically. Electronic objections, in common (.doc, .pdf, .rtf, .txt) formats, may be submitted to: objections-southwestern-coronado@usda.gov with subject: “OBJECTION: Chiricahua Public Access Project” or may be submitted using the Public Comment Form at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=57856.

Objections must be submitted within 45 days following the publication of this legal notice in the Herald/Review County Edition newspaper. 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. Regulations prohibit extending the time to file an objection.

At a minimum, an objection must include the following (36 CFR 218.8(d)):

1. Objector’s name and address as defined in 218.2, with a telephone number, if available;
2. Signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for electronic mail may be filed with the objection);
3. When multiple names are listed on an objection, identification of the lead objector must be provided as defined in 218.2. Verification of the identity of the lead objector must be provided upon request or the reviewing officer will designate a lead objector as provided for in 218.5(d);
4. The name of the proposed action (project), the name and title of the responsible official, and the name of the national forest and/or ranger district on which the action will be implemented;
5. A description of those aspects of the proposed action addressed by the objection, including specific issues related to the proposed action; if applicable, how the objector believes the environmental analysis or draft decision, specifically, violates the 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 the connection between prior specific written comments on the particular proposed action and the content of the objection, unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the designated opportunities for comment (see paragraph 218.8(c)).

Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in 218.8(b). It is the objector’s responsibility to insure a 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.

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