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The Shoshone National Forest recently came out with a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Risk Analysis of Disease Transmission (RADT). They are going to allow packgoats in certain areas with a permitting system and ban them in other areas that are considered core Bighorn Sheep areas. Unfortunately, the FS is still using language implicating packgoats as disease carriers responsible for Bighorn Sheep die-offs. It cites the debunked Dr. Besser study and also treats opinions and anecdotes as scientific facts. NAPgA's lawyer, Andy Irvine, is preparing an objection letter, but we need individuals to voice their objections as well. Anyone who submitted a comment about the Shoshone wilderness plan last August is able to file an objection now. What happens in Shoshone may well affect other wilderness plans in the future so we need to make our voices heard and get the FS to stop using faulty "science" and opinions to exclude packgoats in Bighorn territory. The objection deadline is Tuesday, February 13th.
Objections may be submitted by email to: objections-chief@fs.fed.us
All email submissions should contain "Notice of Objection: Use of Sheep, Goats and Pack Goats EIS / Shoshone National Forest" as the first words on the subject line.
Acceptable electronic formats are: text (.txt), Microsoft Word 6.0 or higher (.doc), portable document format (.pdf), or rich text format (.rtf). For submission by email, appeals greater than 10 lines (no more than 80 characters per line) should be electronically attached. If electronic appeals are 10 lines or less, they may be submitted as an email message using standard messaging software.
Objections may also be sent by mail to:
USDA Forest Service
Attn: Objection Reviewing Officer
Use of Domestic Sheep, Goats and Pack Goats
Shoshone National Forest
EMC, Mailstop 1104
1400 Independence Ave.
SW Washington, D.C. 20250
Here is a link that describes the objection process:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC...566628.pdf
Here are some more details:
The Use of Sheep, Goats and Pack Goats project is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 219 subpart B. These published regulations are available at:
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2016-t...art219.pdf
Objections will only be accepted from individuals or entities who previously submitted timely written formal substantive comments, as defined by 36 CFR 219.53, specific to this project during the comment period. Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely written formal substantive comments regarding this project unless based on new information arising after the designated opportunity.
Pursuant to 36 CFR 219.54, the objection must include a description of those aspects of the project addressed by the objection, including specific issues related to the project, if applicable, how the objector believes the environmental analysis or draft decision specifically violates law, regulation or policy; suggested remedies that would resolve the objection; supporting reasons for the reviewing officer to consider; and a statement that demonstrates the connection between prior written formal substantive comments on the particular project and the content of the objection, unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the designated opportunities for comment.
In addition, an objection must include the following: the objector’s name, address and telephone number (if available); signature or other verification of authorship or the individual, entity, or lead objector; the name of the project; the name and title of the Responsible Official; and the name of the National Forest. Furthermore, incorporation of documents by reference is not allowed, except for the following: all or any part of a Federal law or regulation; Forest Service directives and land management plans; documents referenced by the Forest Service in the proposed project; comments previously provided to the Forest Service by the objector during the comment period where comments were requested by the Responsible Official. All other supporting documents must be provided with the objection.
The FEIS and RADT may be found here:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/shoshone/...EPRD540949
If you're not sure if you submitted comments about this issue, look for your name on this list:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/shosh...width=full
Objections may be submitted by email to: objections-chief@fs.fed.us
All email submissions should contain "Notice of Objection: Use of Sheep, Goats and Pack Goats EIS / Shoshone National Forest" as the first words on the subject line.
Acceptable electronic formats are: text (.txt), Microsoft Word 6.0 or higher (.doc), portable document format (.pdf), or rich text format (.rtf). For submission by email, appeals greater than 10 lines (no more than 80 characters per line) should be electronically attached. If electronic appeals are 10 lines or less, they may be submitted as an email message using standard messaging software.
Objections may also be sent by mail to:
USDA Forest Service
Attn: Objection Reviewing Officer
Use of Domestic Sheep, Goats and Pack Goats
Shoshone National Forest
EMC, Mailstop 1104
1400 Independence Ave.
SW Washington, D.C. 20250
Here is a link that describes the objection process:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC...566628.pdf
Here are some more details:
The Use of Sheep, Goats and Pack Goats project is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 219 subpart B. These published regulations are available at:
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2016-t...art219.pdf
Objections will only be accepted from individuals or entities who previously submitted timely written formal substantive comments, as defined by 36 CFR 219.53, specific to this project during the comment period. Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely written formal substantive comments regarding this project unless based on new information arising after the designated opportunity.
Pursuant to 36 CFR 219.54, the objection must include a description of those aspects of the project addressed by the objection, including specific issues related to the project, if applicable, how the objector believes the environmental analysis or draft decision specifically violates law, regulation or policy; suggested remedies that would resolve the objection; supporting reasons for the reviewing officer to consider; and a statement that demonstrates the connection between prior written formal substantive comments on the particular project and the content of the objection, unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the designated opportunities for comment.
In addition, an objection must include the following: the objector’s name, address and telephone number (if available); signature or other verification of authorship or the individual, entity, or lead objector; the name of the project; the name and title of the Responsible Official; and the name of the National Forest. Furthermore, incorporation of documents by reference is not allowed, except for the following: all or any part of a Federal law or regulation; Forest Service directives and land management plans; documents referenced by the Forest Service in the proposed project; comments previously provided to the Forest Service by the objector during the comment period where comments were requested by the Responsible Official. All other supporting documents must be provided with the objection.
The FEIS and RADT may be found here:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/shoshone/...EPRD540949
If you're not sure if you submitted comments about this issue, look for your name on this list:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/shosh...width=full