The scoping period was open for public comment submittal between August 26, 2020 and October 12, 2020. Two web-based public scoping meetings were held on September 8, 2020 and September 10, 2020 to further inform the public of the projects identified in the Scoping Notice and to encourage public involvement. Virtual meetings were conducted rather than in-person meetings due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Scoping comments were accepted through mail, fax, telephone, email, and the CTNF's project website. A record of comments is available on CTNF's project website at the Public Comment/Objection Reading Room link.
This information is currently being used to develop an appropriate range of alternatives for the project, as well as issues and indicators for each resource, to guide analysis in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The next milestone for this project will be the availability of the Draft EIS, expected to be available in the summer of 2021. The public will have a minimum of 45 days after the Notice of Availability (NOA) is published for the DEIS to provide comments on the analysis and findings.
Forest Service Coronavirus (Covid-19) Update
The Forest Service is taking the risks presented by Covid-19 seriously and is following U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) public health guidance as we continue to offer services to the public. Visitors to our National Forests and Grasslands are urged to take the precautions recommended by the CDC. There are three official, government-wide sources of up-to-date information about the coronavirus: Coronavirus.gov, CDC.gov/coronavirus, and USA.gov/coronavirus.
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In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights
activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov