ELKHART, KS, November 21, 2022—The Cimarron Ranger District, Pike and San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, is seeking public comments on three proposed projects near Elkhart, Kansas. A scoping period provides those parties interested in or affected by this action an opportunity to make their concerns known and raise any substantive issues to be addressed in the environmental analysis.  To be most helpful and considered in the analysis, comments concerning these actions should be submitted by December 9, 2022.  The proposed projects are: 

• Elkhart Repeater Antenna Replacement – The Forest Service proposes to replace the existing 100-foot guided tower (tower with guidelines) with a 100-ft free-standing, self-supported tower at the existing Forest Service Elkhart Repeater site. The site is 6 miles north of Elkhart at the junction of state routes 27 and 51 at NW ¼ Sec. 32, T33S, R42W.     
• Ambrosier Pipeline and Electric Line Special Use Permit – The Forest Service proposes to issue a Special Use Permit for a term of 20 years to allow a private landowner to install, maintain and use a buried waterline and electric line between his two parcels of private land, through 660ft of national forest system land. The lines would be adjacent to Forest Service Road 705, which is 2 miles northwest of Tunnerville Work Center in SW ¼ SW ¼ of Sec. 20 T34S, R42W.
• CIM 101 Special Use Permit Amendment – The Forest Service proposes to amend a Special Use Permit (CIM 101) by allowing the proponent to install approximately 600 ft of new injection (water) line to connect their Pearson C-2 well site with their existing injection line.  The line would be installed along an existing lease road about 8 miles northwest of Elkhart, along the east border of Section 32 T34S R41W.

Comments must be filed via mail, express delivery, or messenger to: Michelle Putz, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, 5575 Cleora Rd., Salida, CO 81201. Faxed to: 719-530-2160; or email written comments to michelle.putz@usda.gov. Please include Michelle Putz and Cimarron Projects in the subject line. The map and updates for these three projects are at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/psicc/landmanagement/projects.  For more information on the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands follow us on Facebook or visit our website  https://www.fs.usda.gov/psicc.