The undersigned provide this letter to provide information in response to the Forest Service (“USFS”)’s notice as part of its proposed rulemaking for 36 C.F.R. § part 228 Subpart A. 83 Fed.Reg. 46451-46458 (Sept. 13, 2018). Collectively, the undersigned represent organizations with millions of members who work to protect public lands, water, communities, and species from environmental harm.
As an initial matter, this letter requests again that USFS extend the public comment period by another 60-days and provide public hearings in Washington, D.C., and three more in USFS regions that would be most affected by oil, gas, and mining on Forest Service System lands. See attached extension request letter, submitted ***; see also attached Senator Bennet extension letter request. Previously submitted letters explained that USFS should provide an extension for both this Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Subpart E1 due to the broad variety of complex technical and legal issues these proposals raise. It is critical that the public have sufficient opportunity to review and provide feedback on USFS’s proposals.