Request for Comments Jones Ranch Proposal 30 Day Comment Period Christian County, Missouri USDA Forest Service Mark Twain National Forest Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District

Request for Comments Jones Ranch Proposal 30 Day Comment Period Christian County, Missouri USDA Forest Service Mark Twain National Forest Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District The Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs District Ranger invites you to comment on the Jones Ranch Proposal's preliminary environmental analysis evaluating the impact of proposed actions within the activity area encompassing 14,182 acres, of which 9,869 are National Forest System managed lands. The legal description for the Jones Ranch Proposal area is Township 26 North, Range 20 West, Sections 21-24, 26-29, 31-33; and Township 25 North, Range 20 West, Sections 5-8, 16-22, 27-34, Fifth Principal Meridian. Although there are private lands within the proposal area boundary, the proposed activities are intended only for National Forest System lands. The primary objective for this proposal is to address the gradual decline of forest health by encouraging species diversity, optimizing stocking, removing trees with declining health, and moving conditions toward natural, historic ecological conditions as outlined in the 2005 Land and Resource Management Plan ("Forest Plan"). This constitutes notice of opportunity to comment on the Jones Ranch proposal per Forest Service administrative review procedures at 36 CFR § 218.22. No other designated comment period for this proposal is planned. Specific, written comments must be postmarked by the Postal Service, emailed, faxed, or otherwise submitted (for example, express delivery service) by 11:59 p.m. in the time zone of the receiving office on the 30th calendar day following publication of the legal notice in The Springfield News-Leader (the newspaper of record). It is the responsibility of all individuals and organizations to ensure that their comments are received in a timely manner. Specific written comments should be within the scope of the proposed action, have a direct relationship to the proposed action, and must include supporting reasons for the responsible official to consider (36 CFR § 218.2). All public comments and objections, including names and addresses of those who comment, will become part of the public record for this proposal and will be subject to review pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. The proposed activities are subject to a pre-decisional objection process described in 36 CFR § 218, Subparts A and B. Objections will only be accepted from those who have submitted specific written comments regarding the proposal during a designated opportunity for public comment (36 CFR § 218.5). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposal unless based on new information arising after designated comment opportunities (36 CFR §218.8(c)). Individuals and organizations wishing to be eligible to file an objection must provide the following with their comments: (i) Name and address; (ii) Title of the proposed action; (iii) Specific written comments on the proposed action, along with supporting reason the Responsible Official should consider in reaching a decision; and (iv) Signature on comments submitted or other verification of identity upon request. Please submit your comments via the webform on the Forest Service's website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/marktwain/projects. Scroll down to the Jones Ranch Project, click on the proposal title, then click on the "Get Connected" link. From there, click the "Comment/Object on Project" link and follow the prompts. Electronic comments should be in formats such as text, e-mail, Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), or formats viewable in Microsoft Office applications. You can submit attachments to the online comment form. Electronic form submission through the proposal's webpage is preferred but written hardcopy comments concerning this proposal may be submitted to: Ava Ranger District, Attn: Cody Lunsford, 1006 S. Jefferson St., Ava, MO 65608. The office business hours for those submitting hand delivered written comments are Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Central Time, excluding Federal holidays. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message. You will receive a reply during normal business hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Time. "The Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider and employer." December 11 2025 LCLM0416814