Forest Service Announces Objection Period for Arizona National Scenic Trail Comprehensive Plan
Contact Information: Southwestern Region Press Office SM.FS.SWpressoffice@usda.gov
ALBUQUERQUE, NM, Nov. 20, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service announced the availability of the draft decision notice, environmental assessment, and comprehensive plan to start the objection period for the Arizona National Scenic Trail Comprehensive Plan.
The comprehensive plan is a key document that will guide the development of the nonmotorized trail throughout its entire length, from the US-Mexico border to the Utah border. The Forest Service gathered public input on key content in the plan and environmental analysis during a scoping comment period from August 1 to September 30, 2017, and a draft comprehensive plan and environmental assessment public comment period from February 23 to March 25, 2024. The documents have been updated to address comments received during these comment periods.
The Arizona National Scenic Trail is an 800-mile hiking trail that starts on the US-Mexico border at the Coronado National Memorial and crosses Arizona to connect deserts, mountains, canyons, wilderness, history, communities, and people ending at the Arizona-Utah border. This nonmotorized trail showcases the State’s diverse geology, vegetation, and wildlife. It was designated by Congress as part of the National Trails System in 2009.
While the comprehensive plan would only be binding on the Forest Service and other federal land management agencies, the plan aims to provide a guide for local, state, federal, and tribal land managers to develop the trail and preserve its natural beauty. The Forest Service hopes to complete the plan in early 2025.
This is an opportunity for those who are eligible to object under 36 CFR 218, based on submitting comments during either the scoping comment period or the public review and comment period on the draft environmental assessment and draft comprehensive plan to file an objection. Any objections will be used to help shape the future of the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Objections may be filed online by visiting the project webpage.
Objections must be submitted within 45 days following the publication of the legal notice in the newspaper of record, the Arizona Republic. A copy of the legal notice will be available on the project’s webpage.