SFNF Reinitiates 45-Day Objection Period for Santa Fe Mountains Project

Release Date: 

Contact(s): Santa Fe Public Affairs


SANTA FE, NM – Dec. 9, 2022 – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) today reinitiated a 45-day objection period for the final environmental assessment (EA) and draft decision notice on a proposed forest restoration project in the mountains near Santa Fe. Publication of a legal notice in the Albuquerque Journal this morning officially starts the clock on the objection period.

In July, the SFNF withdrew the draft decision notice and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the Santa Fe Mountains Landscape Resiliency Project (SFMLRP) during suppression of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire. The pause in the environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) gave the SFNF the opportunity to re-engage with partners and communities on the urgent need to make the forested landscapes around Santa Fe more resilient to the threats of climate change, drought and wildfire

Organizations or individuals who previously submitted comments specific to the SFMLRP during scoping or the comment period can submit an objection in the new objection period. Objections submitted in the earlier objection period that ended May 12 will have to be resubmitted to be considered.

Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days from today or by Jan. 23, 2023. Objections, including attachments, must be filed via mail to Regional Forester, 333 Broadway SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102; by fax to 505-842-3173; or by email to objections-southwestern-regional-office@usda.gov.

The SFMLRP was developed in close coordination with partners in the Greater Santa Fe Fireshed Coalition, including other federal agencies, state, local and Tribal governments, and non-governmental and community organizations. The 50,566-acre project would use prescribed fire and small-tree thinning to improve the health of a priority landscape and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire in the Santa Fe foothills and municipal watershed.

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