Legal Notice: Opportunity To Object To A Proposed (NON-HFRA) Vegetation Treatment Project

LEGAL NOTICE

OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT TO A PROPOSED (NON-HFRA)

VEGETATION TREATMENT PROJECT

USDA Forest Service

Lassen National Forest

Eagle Lake Ranger District

Lassen County, CA

The Eagle Lake Ranger District of the Lassen National Forest has completed the Acer Vegetation Management Project Environmental Assessment (EA). The primary objectives of this project are to 1) create healthy forest conditions that are characterized by more open forested stands dominated by fire-resilient tree species, reduced surface fuel loads and ladder fuels where periodic low-intensity surface fires can be re-introduced and where wildfires can be safely fought, 2) forest areas with reduced tree densities that decrease risk of mortality from insects, drought, and disease, 3) functioning aspen, meadow and riparian systems which contribute to landscape biodiversity, 4) cost effective treatments that contribute to community stability, and 5) management of the transportation system.

The Acer Project is located 18 miles northwest of Susanville, CA. It includes Township (T) 33 North (N), Range (R) 9 East (E), Sections 25, 35, and 36; T33N, R10E, Sections 25, 30, 31, 35, 36; T32N, R9E, Sections 1, 2, 9 through 16, 21 through 27, and 34 through 36; T32N, R10E, Sections 2, 6 through 10, 15 through 22, 27 through 34; T31N, R9E, Section 1; and T31N, R10E, Sections 4 through 8 of the Mount Diablo Meridian.

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=55762

Additional information regarding this project may be obtained by contacting Darby Boe, Project Leader, at [email protected].

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;
• 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; Attn: Acer Vegetation Management Project; 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592, (707) 562-8737. Objections may be submitted via mail, FAX (707-562-9229), or via electronic (.doc, .pdf, .rtf, .txt) formats, to: [email protected]; Subject: Acer Vegetation Management Project.

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.

Please state “Acer Vegetation Management Project Objection” in the subject line when providing electronic objections, or on the envelope when replying by mail.