Object to a land or resource management plan for a national forest? If you do, there's a form you can fill out and a U.S. Forest Service (USFS) official will review it. USFS is taking comments on its proposed form for Objection to New Land Management Plans, Plan Amendments, and Plan Revisions.
You can submit comments on the proposed form by Feb. 27. For details, see http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-01-28/html/2013-01601.htm.
If an organization or individual objects to a new land management plan, revision to a current plan or amendment to a plan; and wants to formally protest, the objector will have to complete the form. It lists the objector's name, mailing address, telephone number and the specific item being protested. Then the protester can explain the reasons for the objection.
The objector can show how the plan and any relevant environmental disclosure documents may violate law, regulation, policy or executive order. The protester can also recommend changes on the form.
The USFS official reviewing the document will respond in writing. USFS sees the form as a way to include public input in its plans and maintain good relationships with the public.
It only expects to get about 36 objections per year, though.
But USFS expects people to put some thought into their comments. It estimates it will take an average of 10 hours to file a thought-out objection.
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