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This page includes information about National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) planning for forest management projects across the Manti-La Sal National Forest.
Environmental analysis of the proposed Little Eccles tract, a proposed addition to the Skyline Coal Mine.
Note: Not all projects may appear on map. See list below for complete list of projects with more information or documentation.
SOPA Reports
The Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) contains a list of proposed
actions for Manti-La Sal National Forest that will soon begin or are currently undergoing environmental
analysis and documentation. It provides information so that you can become
aware of and indicate your interest in specific proposals. We encourage your
early and ongoing involvement in any proposals of interest to you.
The proposed action would be to authorize soon to expire Outfitter/Guide permits to be renewed for continued Outfitter/Guide (Hunting) Operations. This permits would go into effect in August 2019 prior to the fall hunting season.
The proposed action would be to authorize the following permits to be renewed Emery County Priority Permit, issuance of a Priority Rec Event Permit to Top Notch Archery, and issuance of a permit to Asprio Wilderness Therapy.
The purpose of this project is to improve watershed health in specific locations within Bears Ears National Monument and the Monticello Ranger District of the Manti-La Sal National Forest. The need for restoration is a result of past practices.
Replacement of existing Forest Service Communication Building with a BLM Pepro Building and removal of existing Forest Service and BLM buildings. Forest Service will be relocated to new BLM building.
The purpose of the proposal is to manage livestock grazing in a manner that meets or moves towards the desired conditions defined in the 1986 Manti-La Sal National Forest Land & Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan).
This project will restore a stream crossing to it's original form, as well as provide more suitable fish and riparian habitat. We will use multiple methods to restore fish habitat, riparian vegetation, and water quality/quantity.
The Manti La-Sal NF is proposing to allow the City of Blanding Utah to replace an aging main 8 inch waterline with a new 12 inch poly pipe line and repair or replace the diversion and other needed items in their existing right-of-way.
Blanding Irrigation Company has applied for special use authorization to install an irrigation water pipeline, approximately 1.7 miles (9,157 feet) long in a permanent 23-foot right-of-way.
The goal of this project is to restore vital components of Blind Canyon Creek that have become degraded since the Pole Creek Fire in 2018. The project area is located south of Thistle, Utah, and includes an approx. 1-mile stretch of Blind Canyon.
Reduce hazard fuels within ponderosa pine stands in the Buckeye Reservoir recreation area by reducing tree and deciduous shrub densities through weeding, thinning, and prescribed burning.
Cabin Hollow Quarry is located in T12S, R5E, E1/2, Sec. 35, Salt Lake Meridian, Sanpete County, Utah, 0.54 miles from Skyline Drive by access road. Total disturbed area associated with this project will be less than 5 acres.
The Forest Service will analyze the effects of issuing a 20 year SUP for 5 existing water monitoring wells on National Forest System Lands. The SUP would include road access, parking, and the reclamation of the monitoring wells.
The Forest proposes to salvage dead Engelmann spruce trees and implement fuels reduction treatments under HFRA. About 33,500 acres of treatment proposed.
Fiber cable route serving facilities on South Levan Peak Communication Site. About 1/4 mile buried in Broad Canyon Road corridor and about 12,200 feet installed aerially on existing Rocky Mountain Power poles.
Andeavor Field Services for approximately 16 staging areas and seven access routes on National Forest System (NFS) lands. Andeavor Field Services has requested this permit to facilitate the removal of portions of the Clear Creek Pipeline.
The Moab/Monticello Ranger District, Manti-La Sal National Forest proposes to extend two existing pasture fences on the Cottonwood Allotment to improve control of livestock movement.
Upgrade existing or install new range improvements in order to improve livestock distribution and movement on the Cottonwood Allotment. This includes about Âť mile of fence with a cattle guard, 7 new stock ponds, and upgrading 3 developed springs
Emery County proposes exchanging 2.5 acres of NFS land for 7.5 acres of county land to give the County jurisdicition over the Crandall Canyon memorial established in honor of the six miners and three rescuers who died in the 2007 mine disaster.
Crandal Canyon Pipeline -General Resources 8" water pipeline carrying mine water discharge from the portals of the Crandall Canyon Mine to the western banks of Huntington Creek.
The project is focused on four cultural sites within the Bears Ears National Monument. The project will involve designating and constructing access trails and parking areas, as well as installing signage
The Sanpete District Ranger is proposing a mechanical treatment of approximately 2,806 acres of pinyon/juniper encroachment into sagebrush-steppe vegetation types to improve winter habitat for deer and elk.
Add a repeater to the Monticello Ranger District to provide better VHF radio communications for Woodenshoe and Cherry Canyons of the Dark Canyon Wilderness Area. The addition of a tower would enhance radio coverage.
PacifiCorp submitted and application for a pipeline to convey intercepted groundwater from the Portals in Rilda Canon to a permitted discharge location at the Huntington Power plant to allow for final closure and reclamation of the mine.
The BLM Utah State Office notified the MLNF that PacifiCorp applied to modify two federal leases, UTU-88554 and UTU-06039, by adding a total of 1180 acres of unleased federal lands to the existing leases.
The Manti-La Sal National Forest, Moab/Monticello Ranger District proposes to authorize Denison Mines Corp. to conduct uranium exploration activities approximately 3 miles east of La Sal. They propose to drill 12 holes approx. 600 feet deep.
The Ferron/Price RD of the Manti-La Sal NF has been approached by Emery County, the Emery County Trails Committee, and OHV groups to re-establish motorized trail access onto East Mountain via the reclaimed Des-B-Dove mine access road.
The San Juan Water Conservancy District and Blanding City are proposing to increase the size of the Dry Wash Reservoir and add a pipeline from the dam to the existing City pipeline.
The purpose of this project is to respond to special use authorization applications for East Horn Communication Site. PATTs Media Services is proposing to construct a 60-foot self-supporting tower for the purpose of hanging an FM broadcast antenna.
The East Mountain area is the only known breeding location for boreal toads on the Manti-La Sal National Forest. It has been determined that habitat work is needed to protect and improve habitat in the East Mountain area.
Construction of a section of electrical transmission line for Canyon Fuel Company, LLC. located between the Skyline Mine facility in Eccles Canyon and the Swens Canyon Ventilation facility in Swens Canyon
The Town of Emery proposed replacing its existing electronic communications facility at the Boardinghouse Ridge communications site with an upgraded facility.
Elements Traverse provides wilderness therapy to young adults through a variety of outdoor activities. And Emery County Event permits include the ATV/UTV Jamboree and Joes Valley Bouldering Festival
Emery Telcom is proposing to bury two approximately 6,200ft, HDPE conduit. Empire Electric is proposing to bury approximately 6,700ft of existing aerial powerline.
The FS will analyze Emery telecom proposal to install a fiber optic telecommunications cable and facilities to upgrade services to an existing cell tower. Approximately 6.5 miles of cable would be placed on existing powerline poles across NFS lands.
In accordance with Special Use Regulations, Forest Service review of a request to replace and bury an existing powerline and place a communication cable in the same trench.
This proposed 500 kV transmission line is designed to deliver power to Rocky Mountain Power utility costumers in Utah and the intermountain west. Generation sources are located in central Wyoming.
Build a sustainable non-motorized trail system that is easily accessible throughout most of the calendar year. There will be approx. 7.4 miles of new trail construction and 3.3 miles of previously unauthorized trails, authorized.
The Sanpete Ranger District of the Manti-La Sal National Forest proposes a Special Use Permit that will be issued to Ephraim City for the construction, operation, and maintenance of approximately 12,000 feet of 15kV buried electrical cable.
The Ferron Ranger District is proposing to make improvements or changes to the following roads: Forest Road (FR) 50043 (South Side Ferron Road) and Forest Road (FR) 50150 (Skyline Drive) at the intersection of 000008 Orangeville-Ephraim.
Fish Creek Campground includes seven campsites with deteriorated wood plank tables and fire rings, an aging single unit vault toilet facility and inadequate parking. The purpose for this project is to address these deferred maintenance items.
The Forest Service was a cooperating agency, assisting the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in that Agency's geothermal leasing analysis and decision. The BLM issued a record of decision on 12/17/2008.
To improve accessibility to trailheads (Trans La Sa, Clark Lake, and Geyser Pass) along the Geyser Pass Road and to widen the Upper Geyser Pass Road (NFS Road 50071) from Gold Basin Junction to Geyser Pass Trailhead from 18 to 20 feet.
The Gordon Creek Watershed Restoration Project is a multiyear project with the goal of improving the aquatic function of Bob Wright and Second Water tributaries impaired by the 2012 Seeley Wildfire.
To authorize grazing on the Brumley Ridge allotment with a five unit, deferred rotation management system with a season of use from 6/06 to 10/19 for 300 head of cattle using an adaptive management strategy. Update the Allotment Mangement Plan.
BLM received application for a lease on non-leased NFS coal lands and for FS consent to the lease. BLM and FS are co-leading preparation of SEIS in cooperation with Office of Surface Mining to disclose effects of proposed lease.
The Harpole Mesa Sagebrush Restoration Project is proposed to improve winter range habitat for big game (mule deer and elk) and to reduce the continuity of vegetative fuels.
The proposed Horseshoe Quarry is located at the northern edge of Horseshoe Flat. Approximately 70,000 yd3 (in-situ bank volume) of Flagstaff Limestone is available within the proposed quarry. Resources will be used to maintain Forest projects.
The Ferron/Price Ranger District, Manti-La Sal National Forest is proposing improvement of two trailheads, perpetuating dispersed camping at these trailheads, approximately 0.5 miles of non-motorized trail and decommissioning one campsite.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has requested authorization to improve fish and aquatic species habitat within the Huntington Creek drainage in the Little Bear Canyon, Little Bear. Stream habitat was damaged by the Seeley Fire in 2012.
The operators of the Joes Valley marina are considering making changes to their current Special Use permit; including additional outbuildings, a proposed well, a 6,000 gallon drinking water tank, and a new septic tank.
Bouldering and camping at Joe's Valley have contributed to recreation resource impacts throughout the area. The purpose is to mitigate current impacts to soil and vegetation while providing quality recreation opportunities and protecting resources.
Improvement of the Joes Valley boat launch and beach area. Expand parking, replace and lengthen boat dock, maintain paved areas, install invasive species boat wash & inspection area, and replace existing vault toilet.
Emery County Water Users request easement for use & occupancy of NFS lands for the operation, maintenance, and replacement of the Emery County Project (Joes Valley Reservoir) and its improvements, fixtures and facilities.
Reduce hazard fuels and associated risk to forest resources, life, and property by mechanical thinning (logging, bullhog, and chainsaw) and prescribed burn (about 1800 acres). Blanding City municipal watershed & Boy Scout Camp permit area.
The Deer Springs Habitat Project is a mechanical mastication/thinning of pinyon-juniper and brush to improve habitat for big game and other wildlife and reduce vegetative fuels on 3700 acres.
Denison Mines submitted a Plan of Operations Amendment for four underground uranium mines, known as the La Sal Mines Complex, to the BLM and Forest Service for approval. The BLM will act as lead agency with the Forest Service as a cooperating agency
The proposal adds a hut location to San Juan Huts and Talking Mountain Yurts existing permits. While owned by San Juan Huts, this hut will be utilized by San Juan Huts during the summer months and by Talking Mountain Yurts in the winter months.
Relocate and/or expand two existing spring exclosures; protect 7 spring/seep areas and provide clean water for livestock and wildlife on the west La Sal Mountains and develop water in the Pinhook Valley to improve livestock distribution.
Prescribed burn on approximately 3250 acres of aspen, aspen/mixed conifer, and ponderosa pine forest to stimulate regeneration of aspen clones on South Mountain in the La Sals near Moab, UT
Liberty Pioneer submitted an Application to Drill and Surface Use Plan of Operation with the intent to exercise lease rights on the Federal Oil and Gas Lease #UTU-78000 and drill an exploratory well known as Skyline Unit #10-17.
FS will evaluate the Application for Permit to Drill and Surface Use Plan of Operation. The FS will analyze the environmental impacts of the proposal on non-mineral resources and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and the Manti-La Sal LRMP
The Manti-La Sal National Forest, Ferron Ranger District, proposes constructing new non-motorized mountain bike emphasis trails and expanding an existing trailhead.
Demolition of the existing warehouse using heavy equipment and replacing it with a new building approximately 10'-15' from the original location. The new building will not exceed 50'x40'. Slope gradation may be done to the north of the new building.
This project will take a phased approach to rehabilitating and restoring impairments to hydrologic function. Treatments include: in-stream structures, erosion control techniques, fencing, grazing stabilization, and others techniques.
The Manti-La Sal National Forest (Forest Service) proposes to improve priority habitat management areas (PHMA) for greater sage-grouse and big game (elk and deer) key and general winter range (KWR and GWR) & reduce wildland fire risk.
The purpose of the proposed action is to provide water on a consistent, dependable basis to benefit wildlife on the North Zone of the Manti-La Sal Forest. Water guzzler installation/repair on the San Pitch, Horn Mountain, and Order Mountain areas.
This project proposes to create two more single family campsites, improve one existing site, and increase day use parking to accomodate five more vehicles.
This project is the same as the Utah Energy Uranium Exploration Marcy Look (Project Number 32659)on this SOPA. For this reason this entry is CANCELLED.
The Town of Mayfield wants a special use permit renewed for the operation and maintenance of Olsen Canyon Spring Development and Water Transmission Line for the purpose of transporting culinary water.
Installation of a spring head box, 2500-foot pipeline, and a trough to provide water to livestock in 2 pastures (East & West McCadden) of the Gentry Allotment.
The Millers Flat Project proposed to harvest timber and perform fuels reduction treatments on 480 acres.
Closed approximately 16.8 miles of routes.
Identify 44 recreation sites for management, close 4 sites.
Restore or protect 35 acres of wetlands
The proposal will look at designating new system trails, removing system trails that are no longer needed and changing the allowable uses for some trails.
The Manti-La Sal National Forest is proposing actions to mitigate physical safety risks posed by abandoned mine features such as adits, shafts, stopes, breakdown portals, subsidence portals, unstable rock, and historical mining structures.
Arch Coal through subsidiaries Ark Land Co and Canyon Fuel Co applied for a federal coal lease modification to the Winter Quarters Federal Coal Lease UTU-67939 through the BLM to add 770 acres of federal coal reserves.
Thinning around 11 priority areas to increase the fire resiliency of the surrounding area and protect values at risk. Making up 45 total acres, thinning would be performed up to 40 meters surrounding the values at risk.
Implementing watershed restoration techniques in aquatic ecosystems on 40 sites within the Monticello Ranger District and Bears Ears National Monument, using multiple restoration and rehabilitation methods.
The project will improve forage production for big game and draw animals away from adjacent aspen treatment areas. The treatments would reduce the continuity of vegetative fuels to reduce the chances of severe wildland fire and damage to watersheds.
Construct an in-stream diversion, off-stream sediment basin (off Forest), and pipeline along Muddy Creek (On FS lands) north of the town of Emery, Utah. Add the existing Emery Canal to the Special Uses Permit. The canal has been present since 1880s.
Restore Ponderosa Pine in Nizohni Fire area (2002). Fire and/or mechanical treatments will proceed manual planting to create openings in suitable areas for planting of Ponderosa Pine, reduce vegetative fuels and diversify age and size structure.
The project addresses the health and diversity of ponderosa pine and aspen communities on North Elk Ridge through thinning and prescribed burning treatments.
Vegetation management project on the north side of the La Sal Mountains to improve forage production for big game and to reduce the continuity of fuels for wildland fire management, utilizing mechanical (bullhog) and hand (chainsaw)treatments.
Construction of two water developments with associated storage structures, pipelines, and four troughs. Also construction of two livestock sorting corrals
A proposal to construct, improve, or expand parking lots and trailheads at seven locations used for parking and/or off-loading association with recreation activity in the area.
A road measuring approximately 190 feet long by 16 feet wide is proposed to be constructed from FS road 0129 to the Forest boundary for access to private property. A locked gate will be installed at the junction with FR 0129 to limited access.
PacifiCorp wants to have renewed their special use permit for the operation and maintenance of a power transmission and distribution line to the Des-Bee-Dove Mine.
The forest proposes to re-issue 2 SUPs to Rocky Mountain Power. One for the continued operation and maintenance of resource monitoring sites. And one for continued operation and maintenance of an existing overhead power line.
Reissue a special use permit to PacifiCorp for the communication site along Trough Springs Ridge Road to operate and maintain an electronic data link at the communication site.
Construct about 0.75 miles of fence that extends from the existing Lower Dorry drift fence, west to a natural rock rim barrier just south of the Pack Creek private land inholding.
Removing juniper trees and brush where needed along the fence line.
The Ferron/Price RD of the Manti-La Sal NF is proposing to construct a motorized trail in Sanpete County, Utah approximately one mile north of Potters Ponds. The trail would be about 1 mile in length. One mile of road would be closed.
Reissue Snotel and Snow Course permit for sites on all the Ranger Districts on the Manti-La Sal National Forest (Ferron/Price, Moab/Monticello and Sanpete Ranger Districts). The facilities authorized would include those currently on the sites.
Reclamation of the Pondtown Creek abandoned coal mine through removal of coal waste and concrete, recontouring, and revegetation to approximate pre-mining conditions.
The Moab Ranger District is proposing a campground with additional amenities, a day use area, and fencing in the areas already impacted by dispersed camping.
Authorization of Recreation Special Use Permits for Priority status for up to 5 years. Permittees include variety of outfitters/guide operations and recreation events on the districts.
This project will authorize the renewal of existing recreation special use permits that have or will expire. This also covers amendments to existing permits. The exact permittees are listed in the CE(available at office) and the DM (attached)
Sanpete County Sheriff Search and Rescue want a special use permit renewed to operate and maintain electronic communication equipment on the Horseshoe Electronic Comm Site for emergency services.
The project purpose is to salvage dead Engelmann spruce and treat fuels on approximately 5700 acres, using mechanical equipment and prescribed fire, construct 30 miles of temporary road and improve ingress and egress in Little Swens Canyon.
A vegetation management project to address the health, productivity and resiliency of vegetation and soil resources near Monticello, UT. The project is designed for the improvement of wildlife habitat and for fuels reduction.
Salvage dead Engelmann spruce on 205 acres to remove all merchantable Engelmann spruce 10 inches Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and greater, with the exception of wildlife snags, using ground-based systems and aerial (cable) systems.
The purpose of this project is to mitigate impact to soils, vegetation, and wetlands caused by prolonged unauthorized vehicle use from off National Forest System Road (NFSR) 52328, from Skyline Drive (NFSR 50150) and along the shoreline of Snow Lake.
The BLM and U.S. Forest Service are preparing an environmental assessment to analyze the impacts of a request by Canyon Fuel Company, LLC to modify the lease boundaries for federal coal leases UTU-84102(Greens Hollow)and U-63214(Quitchupah).
The Manti-La Sal National Forest proposes to remove invading pinyon and Utah juniper in the South Horn area to improve habitat for greater sage-grouse. Removal of PJ will emphasize retention of healthy sagebrush areas.
The Sanpete Ranger District, Manti-La Sal National Forest proposes the South Manti Big Game Summer Range Restoration Project to improve vegetation and watershed conditions related to soils, ground cover, improve forage production for big game.
The purpose of the proposal is to manage livestock grazing in a manner that meets or moves towards the desired conditions defined in the 1986 Manti-La Sal National Forest Land & Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan).
This project is in an area designated in accordance with section 602(b) and (c) of the Healthy Forest Restoration Act. The project would authorize prescribed burning and/or mechanical thinning on approximately 2,277 acres above Spring City, Utah.
Spring City Municipal Corporation wants a special use permit renewed to operate and maintain five spring collection areas and associated water transmission pipelines.
Sunroc has submitted a Plan of Operations for the Chicken Creek Gypsum Mine on their locatable mining claims. The Forest Service must evaluate the Plan and decide whether or not additional mitigations are needed to protect non-mineral resources.
The project proposes to use prescribed fire to maintain historical fire return intervals in Ponderosa pine veg type on 5,935 acres. Improve vegetation and watershed conditions, improve forage production and minimize uncharacteristic wildfire.
The Town of Emery proposes piping Emery Canal parallel to the existing canal into the town to improve the reliability and quality of irrigation and culinary water.
Implement structural improvements designed to harden & improve, or restore temporary structures installed during BAER work following the Trail Mountain Fire (2018). Some new structures are proposed for additional protection.
The Ferron/Price Ranger District on the Manti-La Sal NF proposes to prescribe burn approximately 4,004 acres within a 17,115 project area to regenerate aspen, improve wildlife habitat, protect watershed values, & reduce hazardous fuel conditions.
Darren Olsen (Ferron-Price District Ranger) signed the Decision Memo categorically excluding this project from documentation in an EA or EIS on April 11, 2018.
This proposed 600 kV direct current transmission line is designed to carry renewable energy (primarily wind power) from generation sources in central Wyoming to markets in in the pacific southwest
The Forest Service proposed to install up to 80 post-assisted log structures in streams within Twelve Mile Canyon to improve and restore degraded waterways and their associated habitats or riparian areas.
Develop sustainable, resource sensitive transportation routes to camping and staging areas.Contain motorized use at many dispersed campsites, modify some and close others. Provide additional camping and trail opportunities to meet user demands.
The Forest proposes to issue a 30 yr SUP to UDOT Avalanche Forecasting program for the installation of a weather station on the existing Monument Peak Communication Site to assist avalanche forecasters in the collection of data for hazard evaluation.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) has applied to amend their special use permit to inclued an addtional stream gauging location. USGS would relocate a stream gauging station off of private land 0.6 miles upstream onto National Forest System lands.
Review unauthorized uses on National Forest System Lands and evaluate the need to add them into the special-use program. Under review; 2 water pipelines and 4 access roads to private property.
The project is on an existing administrative site and will provide housing, temporary camping, and office space. The project includes construction of a bunkhouse, trailer pads, camping area, pavilion, and a Fire Operations Center.
Utah County has requested a permit to construct silt fences & rock check dam structures to protect the Eagle Landing Subdivision, downstream riparian systems, and infrastructure from flooding and sediment flow resulting from the 2018 Pole Canyon Fire
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) wants a special use permit renewed for the operation and maintenance of Shingle Mill Reservoir and dam for the purposes of maintaining a public fishery.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) has applied to amend their special use permit to make modification to the Duck for fish trap to improve the conservation and management of Colorado River cutthrough trout.
The purpose of this project is to provide a staging point for OHV use, alleviating some of the traffic congestion currently experienced at the bottom of Maple Canyon as OHV riders stage from that location.
The Monticello District proposes to approve an existing ditch and a proposed 6 inch above-ground pipe in connection with two inholdings within the forest.
The project is a Wildfire Urban Interface hazardous fuels reduction project. The purpose is to protect the Whispering Pines subdivision with a fuel break along the Forest Service boundary.
Mechanical (ground-based fecon head machinery and chainsaw) thinning with prescribed burning within the Willow Basin Wildland-Urban Interface area adjacent to private lands. Gambel oak, PJ and ponderosa pine. 1000 acres of 1725 acre project area.
Reduce the probability of a high severity wildfire that is difficult to control; and reduce the negative consequences of a fire on the soil and vegetation resources in the area.
Need: The current vegetation communities are in a condition that a
