Forest Service Announces Objection Period for Trails at Mena Project
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Nov. 25, 2024 — The Trails at Mena Project Revised Environmental Assessment and Draft Decision Notice are now available for public review and objection.
The Trails at Mena Project is a special use permit proposed by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism – Division of Arkansas State Parks. Activities in the proposal include phased construction of downhill mountain bike trails and recreation-related infrastructure on national forest lands northwest of the city of Mena, Arkansas.
The Revised Environmental Assessment addresses public comments that were received this summer during the comment period, and the Draft Decision Notice documents the current intention to approve Alternative 3 – Reduced Development/Built Infrastructure and explains the rationale for this decision. These documents are available for viewing at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63649.
A Final Decision Notice will be issued following resolution of any objections received during the 45-day objection period that begins the day after the November 24, 2024, legal notice publication in The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the newspaper of record. This objection period provides those that have previously submitted comments an opportunity to submit an objection.
Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted specific written comments regarding the project and attributed to the objector, unless the issue is based on new information that arose after a designated opportunity to comment (§218.8(c)). This objection period follows the regulation found in 36 Code of Federal Regulations Part 218 Subpart A.
Objections must be submitted electronically at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63649. Contact Ouachita National Forest Environmental Coordinator Jade Ryles by email at charity.j.ryles@usda.gov for further information on how to object.
As per 36 CFR 218.12, if no objection is received within the legal objection period, the decision may be signed and implemented on, but not before, the fifth business day following the close of the objection filing period. The decision cannot be signed or implemented until the reviewing officer has responded in writing to all pending objections. Project implementation at this stage refers to the issuance of the special use permit. Ground disturbing activities cannot take place until all necessary surveys, consultation periods, special use permit requirements, and pre-construction documentation are completed.