Gila National Forest Plan Revision Update

Category: Local News Releases Local News Releases
Published: 07 April 2020 07 April 2020

Dear Interested Parties:

I have received a few letters requesting an extension to the Gila National Forest's open public comment period on the draft Forest Plan and draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Gila National Forest. Most cited COVID-19 as a reason to extend the comment period beyond the April 16 deadline. I have taken the requests seriously.

Upon careful consideration I have decided to continue with the current comment period that was initiated with a Notice of Availability published Friday, January 17, 2020 in the Federal Register. Although the formal comment period began January 17, 2020, the material needed for a full review were made available to the public on December 23, 2019 which extended the opportunity to prepare for the comment period by 25 days.

The result is that interested individuals and organizations will have had 115 days total to review the Forest Plan and EIS and over 90 days to provide comments. While I am sympathetic to the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on normal working and living conditions, the timeline for the comment period provided 80 days from the date the material was available until March 11, 2020 when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic. As such, I feel we have provided ample time for stakeholders to read the draft documents and formulate comments.

In addition, I know there has been extensive public engagement through-out the process with several working groups, government officials, and individuals. This engagement was used to assist land managers in the development of the plan and EIS. Also, several parties have prepared and submitted or plan to submit their comments by the deadline and I would like to respect those who have worked hard to meet this commitment. All the ways to submit a comment are still available including mail, email, CARA, phone, fax, etc.

I feel all these factors support my decision to not extend the comment period. I encourage continued involvement as we move from draft to final.

As a reminder, the comment period closes April 16, 2020. I look forward to receiving your comments.

Sincerely,

ADAM MENDONCA, Forest Supervisor

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