Eagle Lake Weeds and Wildlife Project

OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT

USDA Forest Service

Lassen National Forest

Eagle Lake Ranger District

Lassen County, California

Eagle Lake Weeds and Wildlife Project

The Eagle Lake Ranger District (ELRD) of the Lassen National Forest (LNF) has completed the Eagle Lake Weeds and Wildlife Project Environmental Assessment (EA). The project proposes to treat priority invasive plant infestations on up to 30 acres annually, using a combination of manual, cultural, biological and/or chemical methods. In addition, the project would re-establish osprey nesting platforms within the Osprey Management Area that were destroyed by the Whaleback Fire.

The project area encompasses approximately 28,300 acres of Lassen National Forest land located along the shores of Eagle Lake, and within the footprint of the 2018 Whaleback Fire (Township (T) 31 North (N), Range (R) 10 East (E), Sections 2, 3, 10, 21; T31N, R11E, Sections 4, 5, 7, 8 and 18; T32N, R10E, Sections 1-29, 33-36; T32N, R11E, Sections 6, 7, 15, 17-20, 30 and 33; T32N, R12E, Section 7, T33N, R10E, Sections 25, 28, 29, 31-34, and 36; T33N, R11E, Sections 24, 28-33; and T33N, R12E, Section 19 of the Mount Diablo Meridian).

Currently, invasive plants are known to 58 locations, and degrade approximately 20 acres across the project area which includes the 2018 Whaleback Fire footprint. During the Whaleback Fire, fire suppression dozer lines and very high burn severity resulted in considerable ground disturbance, leaving favorable conditions for the establishment and spread of invasive plants. In addition, the fire also resulted in the destruction of existing osprey platforms within the Eagle Lake Osprey Management Area.

The Responsible Official who will issue a decision on this project is Deb Bumpus, Lassen National Forest Supervisor. The Final EA, Draft Decision Notice, and other project information, including maps, can be found on the project website:   https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59482.

This proposed project is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B.

Eligibility to File Objections

Objections will be accepted only from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project either 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.

Individual members of organizations must have submitted their own comments to meet the requirements of eligibility as an individual, objections received on behalf of an organization are considered as those of the organization only. If an objection is submitted on behalf of a number of individuals or organizations, each individual or organization listed must meet the eligibility requirement of having previously submitted comments on the project (§ 218.7). Names and addresses of objectors will become part of the public record.

Contents of an Objection

Incorporation of documents by reference in the objection is permitted only as provided for at § 218.8(b). Minimum content requirements of an objection are identified in § 218.8(d) include: Objector’s name and address with a telephone number if available, with signature or other verification of authorship supplied upon request; Identification of the lead objector when multiple names are listed, along with verification upon request; Name of project, name and title of the responsible official, national forest/ranger district of project, and sufficient narrative description of those aspects of the proposed project objected to, specific issues related to the project, how environmental law, regulation, or policy would be violated, and

suggested remedies which would resolve the objection; and Statement demonstrating the connection between prior specific written comments on this project and the content of the objection, unless the objection issue arose after the designated opportunity(ies) for comment.

Filing an Objection

Objections must be submitted to the reviewing officer: Jennifer Eberlien, Regional Forester, USDA Forest Service; Objection may be submitted by mail to: USDA Forest Service. Jennifer Eberlien, Regional Forester, 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592, (707) 562-8737. Attn: Eagle Lake Weeds and Wildlife Project, FAX (707-562-9229), or by electronic submissions in common formats (.doc, .pdf, .rtf, .txt) to: [email protected]

It is the responsibility of Objectors to ensure their objection is received in a timely manner (§ 218.9). Timeliness must be determined by the following indicators: The date of the U.S. Postal Service postmark for an objection received before the close of the fifth business day after the objection filing period; the agency’s electronically generated posted date and time for email and facsimiles; the shipping date for delivery by private carrier for an objection received before the close of the fifth business day after the objection filing period; or the official agency date stamp showing receipt of hand delivery. For emailed objections, the sender should receive an automated electronic acknowledgement from the agency as confirmation of receipt. If the sender does not receive an automated acknowledgment of receipt of the objection, it is the sender’s responsibility to ensure timely filing by other means

The opportunity to object ends 45 days following the date of publication of the legal notice on the Lassen County Times website. The publication date on the Lassen County Times website, newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection of this project. Those wishing to object to this proposed project should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source.

Additional information regarding this project may be obtained by contacting Allison Sanger, Project Leader, at 2550 Riverside Drive, Susanville, CA 96130 or [email protected] Please state “Eagle Lake Weeds and Wildlife Objection” in the subject line when providing electronic objections, or on the envelope when replying by mail.