March 25, 2008 Coronado National Forest Extends Scoping Period on Rosemont Copper Company Proposal

CORONADO NATIONAL FOREST EXTENDS SCOPING PERIOD ON ROSEMONT
COPPER COMPANY PROPOSAL, SCHEDULES OPEN HOUSE IN VAIL, CONSIDERS
HOSTING LISTENING SESSION IN MAY

TUCSON, AZ, (March 25, 2008) – The Coronado National Forest has extended the official scoping period for the proposed Rosemont Copper Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).  Comments are being accepted at open house meetings, via U.S. mail, facsimile, and online.  Citizens do not need to be present at any meeting to submit comments. Although the scoping period runs through May 19, comments will be accepted throughout the process.
 
A fourth Open House is scheduled in Vail, Arizona on Saturday, April 5, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Auditorium at Cienega High School, 12775 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way.  The meeting will be an open house format, not a “hearing.”  The open house format is designed to allow attendees to view informational displays, ask specialists about the Rosemont Copper Project and the environmental impact statement (EIS) process, and submit written comments onsite.  Attendees may arrive at any time during the meeting.

Forest Service officials are also planning a public listening session (hearing) some time in May, prior to the close of the official scoping period.  During the session, participants may sign in as speakers, and take up to three minutes to provide comments to Forest Service personnel and a recorder. 

“We may consider additional open house meetings to assure the public has ample opportunity to learn about this project and to provide input,” said Jeanine Derby, Forest Supervisor.  “Those who cannot attend public meetings can still provide us with comments by mail, email, or FAX.  Comments submitted in these ways are given equal consideration to comments made at public meetings.”

Citizens are urged to read the Notice of Intent prior to attending meetings or submitting comments.  The Notice of Intent is available online at www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/rosemont.  Those without Internet access may request a hard copy by calling (520) 388-8300.  Copies of the Notice of Intent will also be available at all public meetings.

The comments most useful for the EIS process should be directly related to issues associated withthe proposed action described in the Notice of Intent, rather than general advocacy for or opposition to the project. Comments on the scope of the impacts analysis are welcome during the NEPA review until the draft EIS is issued for public comment (scheduled for March, 2009).  However, they will be most useful if received during the public scoping period, which ends May 19, 2008.

Alternatively, for those who do not attend meetings, agencies or individuals can submit comments by mail, FAX, or email as follows:

• Mail comments to Team Leader, Rosemont Copper Project, Coronado National Forest, 300 W. Congress St., Tucson, Arizona 85701
• FAX comments to (520) 388–8305, ATTN:  Rosemont Team Leader
• Or email to comments-southwestern-coronado@fs.fed.us

For questions about the public meetings or the comment period, the public can call (520) 388-8300.

Questions about the EIS process should be directed to Ms. Andrea Campbell, Forest NEPA Coordinator, at 300 W. Congress St., Tucson, AZ 85701, or telephone (520) 388-8300.

Additional information about the proposed Rosemont Copper Project is available online at www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/rosemont.