Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)

This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.

Report Contents (click to jump to a section):
- Cibola National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
- Cibola National Forest , Black Kettle National Grassland
- Cibola National Forest , Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands
- Cibola National Forest , Magdalena Ranger District
- Cibola National Forest , Mount Taylor Ranger District
- Cibola National Forest , Mountainair Ranger District
- Cibola National Forest , Sandia Ranger District


Cibola National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide) R3 - Southwestern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts Road Decommissioning
EA
- Watershed management Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start
04/2013
Expected: 09/2013 10/2013 Richard Graves
505-346-3846
rlgraves@fs.fed.us
Description: A proposal to decommission and restore approximately 71 miles of roads not needed for management purposes as identified in travel analysis process. About 65 miles of roads on Mountainair RD and 6 miles on Sandia RD.
Location: UNIT - Mountainair Ranger District, Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo, Torrance. Upper Tijeras watershed on Sandia RD and Tajique watershed on Mountainair RD.
USAF Training Area
EA
- Special use management In Progress
Scoping Start
01/26/2010
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
08/2013
Expected: 12/2013 12/2013 Cheryl Prewitt
505-346-3820
cprewitt@fs.fed.us
Description: Military training area permit on Mountainair, Magdalena, and Sandia Ranger Districts
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=5375
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District, Magdalena Ranger District, Mountainair Ranger District, Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo, Cibola, Socorro, Torrance. LEGAL - Specific areas on each district Mountainair, Magdalena, and Sandia Ranger Districts
Cibola National Forest , Black Kettle National Grassland R3 - Southwestern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Apache Corp Merritt 1-29H Well
CE
- Minerals and Geology Analysis Completed Expected: 04/2013
Actual: 04/29/2013
06/2013 Curtis Youngman
580-497-2143
cyoungman@fs.fed.us
Description: Proposal to develop an oil/gas well, including constructing a well pad, gas gathering pipeline corridor, an access road to the well pad, installation of a cattle guard in the road, and 5 strand barbed wire fence around the well pad.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41463
Location: UNIT - Black Kettle National Grassland. STATE - Oklahoma. COUNTY - Roger Mills. LEGAL - Section 29, T15N, R24W, IM 9 miles northwest of Cheyenne, OK
BLM Bull Bear 1H-18 Pipeline
CE
- Minerals and Geology Analysis Completed Expected: 05/2013
Actual: 04/22/2013
06/2013 Curtis Youngman
575-854-2281
cyoungman@fs.fed.us
Description: Proposal to install a gas gathering pipeline from a BLM well, across the Black Kettle National Grassland.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41739
Location: UNIT - Black Kettle National Grassland. STATE - Oklahoma. COUNTY - Roger Mills. LEGAL - T14N, R25W, Sections 6, 7, & 18 and T14N, R26W, Section 1 About 3.5 miles northeast of Reydon, OK, 1 mile east of Hwy. 30
Cibola National Forest , Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands R3 - Southwestern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Carrizo Creek Mountain Plover Prescribe Burn
CE
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress
Scoping Start
12/09/2011
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
03/2013
Expected: 04/2013 05/2013 Richard Hanson
575-374-9652
rahanson@fs.fed.us
Description: Prescibe burning approximately 300 acres to improve mountain plover nesting habitat. Burn needs to occur in the months of Feb or March prior to mountain plover migration.
Location: UNIT - Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Union. LEGAL - T 24N R35E Sec.15 Unit K-21 North
Harding County Mineral Material Special Use
CE

   *NEW LISTING*
- Special use management Analysis Completed Expected: 04/2013
Actual: 04/19/2013
05/2013 John Baumchen
575-374-9652
jbaumchen@fs.fed.us
Description: Proposal to issue a special use permit to Harding County to allow the removal of caliche from an existing pit in K-95.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41952
Location: UNIT - Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Harding. LEGAL - T22N, R25E, SE1/4, Section 27, NMPM K-95, on the the Kiowa National Grassland.
K-84, K-87, K-91E Woodland Prescribed Burn and Thinning Projects
EA
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress
Scoping Start
09/16/2006
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
03/2013
Expected: 04/2013 05/2013 Mike Atkinson
575-374-9652
matkinson@fs.fed.us
Description: Mechanically cut juniper and conduct a prescribed burn to treat encroaching juniper and pinyon pine in the woodland ecosystem adjacent to the Canadian River canyon.
Location: UNIT - Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Harding. Kiowa National Grassland, Unit K-84, K-87, and K-91 East about 8 miles northwest of Roy, NM
Kiowa K-85 Thin and Prescribe Burn
CE
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management
- Fuels management
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start
06/2013
Expected: 08/2013 09/2013 Mike Atkinson
575-347-9652
matkinson@fs.fed.us
Description: Mechanically thin and utilize prescribed fire to improve wildlife habitat and watershed and to reduce fuel loadings.
Location: UNIT - Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Harding. LEGAL - T 21 N, R 25 E, Sections 22, 26, 27, & 35 3 Miles south of Mills, NM
Cibola National Forest , Magdalena Ranger District R3 - Southwestern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Baldy Allotment Grazing Authorization
EA
- Grazing management In Progress
Scoping Start
10/25/2011
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
05/2013
Expected: 07/2013 09/2013 Dennis Aldridge
505-854-2281
daldridge@fs.fed.us
Description: Livestock grazing authorization and related management activities.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37209
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Socorro. LEGAL - T3S, R3W, S. 14-17, 19-36 and T4S, R3W, S.1-23, 25-35 10 miles southeast of Magdalena, NM
Deer Claim Uranium Exploration Project
CE
- Minerals and Geology In Progress
215 Comment Period Legal Notice
05/16/2012
Expected: 04/2013 05/2013 Diane Tafoya
505-346-3809
dtafoya@fs.fed.us
Description: Up to 50 historic drill holes will be reentered and electrically logged to confirm historic data.
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - T2N, R10W, Sections 28 and 29 Approximately 15.5 Miles North-Northwest of Datil, NM
Divide Mineral Exploration Project
CE
- Minerals and Geology Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start
06/2013
Expected: 11/2013 12/2013 Diane Tafoya
505-346-3809
dtafoya@fs.fed.us
Description: Drill 4 holes approximately 400 feet deep to explore for vanadium and uranium mineralization.
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - Township 2 North, Range 10 West, Section 28 Approximately 15.5 miles north of Datil, NM
Down Dip Project
CE
- Minerals and Geology Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start
03/2013
Expected: 06/2013 07/2013 Diane Tafoya
505-346-3809
dtafoya@fs.fed.us
Description: Drill 6 mineral exploration holes from 6 thirty by fifty foot drill pads; accessing sites by overland travel.
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - Township 2 North, Range 10 West Sections 29 and 32 Approximately 15 miles North West of Datil, NM.
Durfee/Bolander Restoration Project
EA
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
In Progress
Scoping Start
10/27/2009
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
05/2013
Expected: 06/2013 07/2013 Dennis Aldridge
505-854-2281
daldridge@fs.fed.us
Description: Project on approximately 14,000 acres to restore more natural vegetative conditions and reintroduce fire into fire adapted ecosystem. Thin dense stands with hand and mechanical tools, construct small watershed structures, and prescribe burn.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=29486
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Socorro. LEGAL - T4S, R6W, Secs. 18,19, T4S, R7W, Secs. 8-11, 13-30, 32-36, T5S, R7W, Secs. 1-4, 10-12, T4S, R8W, Secs. 23-26 Approximately 20 miles southwest of Magdalena in northwest portion of San Mateo Mountains.
La Madera Powerline Upgrade
CE
- Special use management Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start
03/2013
Expected: 06/2013 08/2013 Cheryl Prewitt
505-346-3820
cprewitt@fs.fed.us
Description: A proposal from Sierra Electric Coop to upgrade the existing La Madera powerline (about 3,650 long) by replacing power poles and lines.
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Socorro. LEGAL - T9S, R5W, Sections 29 and 30, NMPM About 5 miles southeast of Spring Time Campground
Magdalena 2nd Entry Burns
CE
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Fuels management
In Progress
Scoping Start
05/10/2006
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
04/2013
Expected: 06/2013
Actual: 04/20/2010,
06/22/2011
08/2013 Manuel Martinez
505-287-4924
mrmartinez@fs.fed.us
Description: Prescribed burn 5 previously treated burn blocks (Corn Canyon, Baney/Fisher, Chavez/Whitecap, San Juan/Longspring, East Red/North Canyons) using higher intensity fire treatments.
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron, Socorro. District wide
Magdalena Travel Management Project
EA
- Road management In Progress
Scoping Start
07/22/2010
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
05/2013
Expected: 07/2013 09/2013 Clifford Nicoll
505-346-3833
cnicoll@fs.fed.us
Description: Proposal to designate the motorized transportation system on the district to comply with the Travel Management Rule. End product will be a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) that shows roads and trails open to motorized use.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=34153
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron, Socorro. District-wide where existing motorized use is not consistent with the Travel Management Rule
Mineral Withdrawal of Zuni Fleabane Habitat
EA
- Minerals and Geology In Progress
Scoping Start
01/10/2012
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
04/2013
Expected: 06/2013 07/2013 Cheryl Prewitt
505-346-3820
cprewitt@fs.fed.us
Description: Withdraw from mineral entry about 1,000 acres of habitat in 4 areas to facilitate recovery of the federally threatened Zuni fleabane (Erigeron rhizomatous).
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37526
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - T1N, R11W, portions of sections 4, 9 and 10; T2N, R11W, portion of section 36; T1N, R10W, portions of sections 3 and 4. 4 areas in the Datil Mountains and Sawtooth Mountains
Cibola National Forest , Mount Taylor Ranger District R3 - Southwestern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Black Mesa Thinning and Prescribe Burning
CE
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress
Scoping Start
03/13/2013
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
10/2013
Expected: 12/2013 01/2014 Consuelo Zamora
505-287-8833
czamora@fs.fed.us
Description: Proposal to improve wildlife habitat within 40,000 acres of ponderosa pine, mountain meadow, and pinyon-juniper forest communities through thinning and prescribe burning.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=40796
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - McKinley, Sandoval. LEGAL - T15N, R5W, sects. 20-36; T15N, R4W, sects. 19, 20, 31, & 32; T14N, R4W, sect. 6 About 35 miles northeast of Grants, NM
Eric #1 Project
CE
- Minerals and Geology In Progress
215 Comment Period Legal Notice
05/08/2012
Expected: 06/2013 08/2013 Matt Reidy
505-287-8833
mreidy@fs.fed.us
Description: Mineral exploration consisting of drilling up to 2 drill holes from 2 drill pads (75 ft. X 150 ft.); accessing sites by existing roads and overland travel.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37787
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Cibola. LEGAL - T12N, R9W, section 10 North of Grants, NM off of Forest Road 450F
Laramide Resources Mine Development - La Jara Mesa
EIS
- Minerals and Geology In Progress
DEIS NOA in Federal Register
05/18/2012
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register
08/2013
Expected: 10/2013 12/2013 Diane Tafoya
505-346-3809
dtafoya@fs.fed.us
Description: Laramide Resourcess proposes to tunnel two inclined adits from under the west edge of La Jara Mesa to remove 40,000 tons of uranium ore for testing and to begin development of a production mine.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=25654
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Cibola. LEGAL - T12N, R9W, Sections 11, 12, 14, and 15. La Jara Mesa north of Grants, NM
Roca Honda LLC Project - Exploration and Mine Development
EIS
- Minerals and Geology In Progress
DEIS NOA in Federal Register
03/15/2013
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register
12/2013
Expected: 02/2014 05/2014 Diane Tafoya
505-346-3809
dtafoya@fs.fed.us
Description: Proposal to develop and conduct underground uranium mining operations on Roca Honda Resources LLC mining claims on and near Jesus Mesa with a surface disturbance area of 183 acres.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=18431
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - McKinley. LEGAL - T. 13N., R 8W., Sections 9 and 10 Approximately 3 miles northwest of San Mateo, New Mexico
Uranium Exploration Drilling
EIS
- Minerals and Geology In Progress
NOI in Federal Register
12/08/2011
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register
08/2013
Expected: 12/2013 02/2014 Diane Tafoya
505-346-3809
dtafoya@fs.fed.us
Description: Proposal to approve multiple Plans of Operations for exploratory drilling to determine the extent of uranium deposits in several areas on the mesas surrounding Mt. Taylor.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=33948
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Cibola, McKinley. Several locations including San Mateo Mesa and La Jara Mesa northeast of Grants, NM.
Zuni Mountain Trails Project
EA
- Watershed management
- Road management
- Recreation management
In Progress
Scoping Start
12/12/2012
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
05/2013
Expected: 06/2013 07/2013 Matt Reidy
505-287-8833
mreidy@fs.fed.us
Description: Closure and decomissioning of eoads within the Zuni Mountains using various methods. Designation of mountain bike and hiking trails in the Zuni Mountains.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=40355
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Cibola, McKinley. Several locations within the Zuni Mountains portion of the Mt. Taylor Ranger District
Cibola National Forest , Mountainair Ranger District R3 - Southwestern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Largo Trick Tank Replacement
CE
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start
03/2013
Expected: 05/2013 06/2013 Zachary Parsons
505-281-3304
zparsons@fs.fed.us
Description: Improve habitat for wildlife by replacing fiberglass trick tank with steel umbrella type.
Location: UNIT - Mountainair Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Torrance. LEGAL - T7N, R6E, section 8 New Mexico , Torrance County New Mexico, about 6 miles west of Chilili New Mexico
West Turkey Cone Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project
CE
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start
06/2013
Expected: 10/2013 12/2013 Zachary Parsons
505-281-3304
zparsons@fs.fed.us
Description: Improve habitat for wildlife through the replacement of water catchment structure and relocate to a more suitable site for use by wildlife.
Location: UNIT - Mountainair Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. About 13 miles west of Corona, New Mexico.
Cibola National Forest , Sandia Ranger District R3 - Southwestern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Cedro Landscapce Restoration Project
EA

   *NEW LISTING*
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management
- Fuels management
In Progress
Scoping Start
04/09/2013
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
07/2013
Expected: 09/2013 12/2013 Aaron Johnson
505-281-3304 ext. 127
aaronjohnson@fs.fed.us
Description: Proposal to improve forest health through thinning, mastication, prescribe burning, and treatment of non-native invasive plant species, well as trail relocation and limiting mountain biking and horse back riding to existing trails.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41910
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo. LEGAL - T9N, R5 & 6E, sections 6, 19, 24, 25, 36; T10N, R5 & 6E, sections 2,5-8, 11-13, 18-20, 23-26,29-32, 35 & 36 NMPM 2 miles south and east of Tijeras, NM
Manzanita Mountains Trail System Improvements
CE
- Recreation management In Progress
215 Comment Period Legal Notice
02/12/2013
Expected: 03/2013 04/2013 Kerry Wood
505-281-3304 ext. 107
kwood@fs.fed.us
Description: Designation & repair of 9 miles of unauthorized trails and construction of 2 miles of trail in the Manzanita Mountains Trail System. Perform minor upgrades to Pine Flat Trailhead including closure of 0.10 miles of FS RD 54A.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41271
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo. LEGAL - T9N, R5E, Sec 13, 24-25, 36; T9N, R6E, Sec 17-20 5 miles south of Tijeras, New Mexico
Sulphur Forest Restoration Project
EA
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
In Progress
Scoping Start
01/18/2013
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
04/2013
Expected: 06/2013 07/2013 Natalie Heberling
505-346-3887
nheberling@fs.fed.us
Description: Restoration of vegetation and wildlife habitat condition. Also hazardous fuels reduction including mechanical thinning, hand piling, and prescribed burning that will reduce the potential for crown fires
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=40535
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Torrance. LEGAL - Township 11 North, Range 5 East, all or portions of Sections 22-23, 26-27 and 34. Forest boundary in Sulphur Canyon area
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This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.