1) When the Forest Service (FS) initiates a project, they have a scoping period. The purpose of the scoping process is to gather as much information possible. Information is gathered from inside the agency and from the public. The FS is required to invite public opinion. When a proposed project is in the scoping process the public can comment by send a letter stating important aspects for the agency to consider as they prepare a project (such as a ski area expansion). Scoping periods last for a varying period of time. The Forest Service is required to publish notice of proposed projects, usually in a Schedule Of Proposed Actions (SOPA). Click here to find out how to be added to the Forest Service's list of interested parties and receive scoping notices.
2) The FS uses the information they have gathered through scoping, both internal and external, to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project . Environmental Impact Statements must be prepared if the agency determines that the proposed action could potentially have a "significant impact" on the environment. An EIS is a longer and more comprehensive document then an EA. In both EA's and EIS's the FS is required to prepare several alternatives, including a no-action alternative. The alternatives describe different ways the FS could do the project.
3) After the EA is published, there is a 30 day comment period. The comment period for an EIS is typically 45 days. The public is invited to comment on the EA or EIS. Comments need to have your name, address and (if available) your phone number on them. You must comment before the EA or EIS comment period is over in order to have standing (36 CFR pt. 215.11 (a) (2)). Standing means that you can appeal the decision because you previously made input on the project. Agencies will typically publish a draft EIS (DEIS) and will incorporate comments they receive in a Final EIS (FEIS) that they will publish along with the ROD.
4) After the comment period is over, the Deciding Officer issues a Decision Notice (DN) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for an EA, or a Record Of Decision (ROD) for an EIS. The Deciding Officer is the person who decides what alternative to adopt, usually (in the case of the Forest Service) a District Ranger or a Forest Supervisor. An ROD or DN is just that, the actual decision they make. In some cases the agency will prepare an EIS if the EA reveals that there will be a significant impact from an action, or they might prepare a Supplemental EIS (SEIS) that details information that was not available in the original EIS.
5) Once the ROD is published, you have 45 days to submit an appeal. Appeals are usually based on the FS failure to follow the law or their own policies and procedures. An appeal must contain 7 things: A statement that the document is an appeal pursuant to 36 CFR Part 215, the Appellant's (that's you) name, address and phone number, the title and subject of the decision document (DN or ROD), the date of the decision, the name and title of the Deciding Officer, the specific change(s) in the decision you seek, and a statement of reasons that describes how you believe the decision violates laws, regulations or policy. After the DN or ROD is published, nothing happens for 45 days. If you submit an appeal then the project is put on hold until the Appeal Deciding Officer decides your appeal. Then the project is subject to a "stay" of fifteen days after the appeal is decided. The Appeal Deciding Officer is usually just the person higher up in the chain of command. If your appeal is denied than the project continues and your only recourse is the courts. If it is accepted than the project stops, is modified, or an EIS is performed, depending on what you asked for in the appeal and whatever side arrangements you decide to make with the agency.
Click here to find out how to write a letter to you public official.