The Project Review Process

In order to do invasive exploratory work on Forest Service (USFS) land, a mining company must submit a Plan of Operations (PoO) to USFS for review and approval.  Forest Service is currently reviewing PoOs for two drilling projects within the Patagonia Mountains. One of the proposed projects, the San Antonio Exploratory Drilling Project, is located within the San Rafael Watershed. The second project, the Sunnyside Exploratory Drilling Project is located in the northern section of the Patagonia Mountains. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) has established procedures Federal agencies, in this case USFS, must follow to identify and analyze the environmental impacts of the proposed plan.  The public comment periods for both the San Antonio and the Sunnyside Plan of Operations have closed. Although the public may still submit comments to the USFS, the comments posted after the close of a designated comment period may not be given full consideration and will not provide the commenter standing for administrative review. 

NEXT STEP: The Forest Service will review all public comments, seek input from other organizations/subject matter experts, and make an initial decision on whether the project will receive a permit to proceed or is additional environmental assessment required. Depending upon the scope and size of the proposed project, this review may take a few months or more than a year. The USFS decision will be issued in the form of a DECISION MEMO. 

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  To make your comments to the U.S. Forest Service the most effective:

• Send specific written comments 
• Be clear and concise 
• Make your comments relevant to the proposed action (mining activity)
• Be polite and respectful 
• Be solution-oriented 
• Include specific examples of what you oppose and why (Do not simply oppose)
• Include your personal and/or professional relationship to and experience with the area and the specific issues at hand
• Reference specific impacts of this project and the CUMULATIVE impact resulting from similar projects in the same geographic area
• Offer reasonable alternatives to the proposed action
• Include your particular purpose for commenting, specifically how you will be impacted
• Offer recommendations for appropriate action

Remember:   

• Commenting is not “voting.” The number of negative comments does not prevent action.
• Numerous similar or identical comments may be “counted” collectively and will not carry individual weight. 
• Your letter should unique, authentic, and in your own voice.
• Specific examples are crucial. Do not simply cite “significant environmental      effects.”
• USFS  accepts comments by mail, in person or electronically. 

All comments should include:

• Your name
• Organization (if any)
• Title (if any)
• Address
• Phone
• Email address

A reminder of what will be affected by drilling:

• Water quantity and Water quality
• Roads
• Air quality
• Endangered & Threatened Species and other wildlife
• Economic impacts
• Recreation
• Noise & vibration
• Culture
• Dark skies
• View shed