Legal Notice: Opportunity to Comment 2025 Mt. Baker Geothermal Consent to Lease USDA Forest Service Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Mt. Baker Ranger District Whatcom County, WA An Environmental Assessment (EA) for the 2025 Mt. Baker Geothermal Consent to Lease (CTL) is now available for review and comment. The project area surrounds Mt. Baker on all sides within the Mt. Baker Ranger District. The responsible official for the project is Forest Supervisor Erin Uloth. The CTL is a focused administrative analysis to determine whether nominated parcels of National Forest System (NFS) lands are available for geothermal leasing and provide stipulations on certain nominated parcels to protect surface resources. This project initiated public comment after the publication of the proposed amendment to the regulations at 36 CFR 218 in the Federal Register on February 6, 2026 (91 FR 5387). This project and the associated EA, FONSI and ROD may be subject to the revised administrative review process if the final 36 CFR 218 rule is published before the project’s objection period is initiated. Otherwise, this project will follow the administrative review process established prior to the proposed rule. Pursuant to 36 CFR 218.25, comments on the proposed project will be accepted for 30 days beginning on the day after publication of the legal notice in the paper of record (The Everett Herald). The EA includes the purpose and need for the project, alternatives, and relevant analysis. It is available on the project website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/mbs/projects/2841363, which is the most up-to-date source for project information. Due to changes in our data storage and project categorization systems, the links for the public comment application and the public document folders may not appear on the project website. Project documents can be found at: https://usfs-public.box.com/s/r56gzyn1msyfvj8md81arv1mo15tgoso. The public comment form can be found at: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?project=284163. After consideration of comments received during this 30-day comment period, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will likely be issued. The FONSI will be subject to an objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218, subparts A and B. Only those who have submitted timely, specific written comments during a public comment period established by the responsible official are eligible to file an objection (36 CFR 218.24(b)(6)). 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 218.25). Other eligibility requirements are defined by 36 CFR 218.25 (a)(3) and include name, postal address, title of the project and signature or other verification of identity upon request. Individual members of an entity must submit their own individual comments to have eligibility to object as an individual. A timely submission will be determined as outlined in 36 CFR 218.25 (a)(4). It is the responsibility of the sender to ensure timely receipt of any comments submitted. Comments are requested electronically through the project website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/mbs/projects/284163. To access the Comment Analysis and Response Application (CARA), visit the project website, click “Get Connected”, then click “Comment/Object on Project.” An automated response will confirm the electronic objection has been received. Electronic objections must be submitted in MS Word, Word Perfect, portable document format (PDF), or rich text format (RTF). If the links in the project website do not work, please access the public comment form at: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?project=284163. Written comments may be mailed to: Erin Uloth, Forest Supervisor; Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest; 1000 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 410, Everett WA, 98208. If you wish to submit hand-delivered comments, visit during the office hours of: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Comments received in response to this notice, including names and addresses, will be part of the Project Record and available for public review. Thank you for your interest in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. If you have any questions, additional information can be provided by contacting Cody Franklin, Environmental Coordinator, at FS-comments-pacificnorthwest-mtbaker-snoqualmie-mtbaker@usda.gov. Please include “2025 Mt. Baker Geothermal Consent to Lease” in the subject line. Published: May 13, 2026. EDH1030717

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