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Projects
The Projects page shows current and proposed projects on the Rio Grande National Forest for watershed restoration, habitat improvement, recreation sites, timber sales, roads, and more. Projects on the Rio Grande National Forest follow guidelines under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This act was signed into law on January 1, 1970.
Each national forest and grassland are governed by a management plan in accordance with the National Forest Management Act (NFMA). These plans set management, protection, and use goals and guidelines. Monitoring conditions on a forest or grassland ensures projects are done in accordance with plan direction and determines effects that might require a change in the management plan. Scroll down to view current & recent projects.
Get Involved
To reduce costs, lessen environmental impacts, and further outreach planning information, the Rio Grande National Forest is transitioning to the use of electronic mailing lists, rather than postal mail, for all updates regarding forest management projects. Beginning in 2022, the forest will start using the GovDelivery email notification system to send updates to those interested in being involved in the planning process for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) projects on the forest.
Insert your email address into the field below to sign up for GovDelivery and take advantage of new electronic notifications! Sign up to receive forest project information directly to your email inbox. To sign up for updates or to access your subscriber preferences, please enter your contact information below and push "Submit."
Schedule of Proposed Actions
The Forest publishes a Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) four times a year - January, April, July and October. The SOPA provides project, status, and contact information for proposed projects on the forest.
View Rio Grande National Forest SOPA reports in PDF or HTM formats
Highlighted Projects
Trail Gulch Vegetation Management Project Information
Follow for more information on the Trail Gulch Vegetation Management Project on the Conejos Peak Ranger District
Nelson Tunnel / Commodore Waste Rock Superfund Site Information
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in conjunction with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the U.S. Forest Service Rio Grande National Forest (USFS), has selected an interim remedy that would reduce the likelihood of a large water release from Nelson Tunnel.
The Administrative Record containing all documents that support this decision is available on EPA’s website at: www.epa.gov/superfund/nelson-tunnel
BAER
West Fork Fire Complex - Burned Area Emergency Response
Decker Fire (2019) - Burned Area Emergency Response
Policies & Legislation
Local, regional, and national policies, agreements, and legislation guide our priorities and procedures. Many of our regulations are explained in the Code of Federal Regulations.
Projects are planned to meet objectives of special programs and policies, such as the following:
- Payments to states
- Roadless area conservation
Travel Management
Motor Vehicle Use Map
Forest Roads Analysis
Travel Analysis Process (TAP)
Wolf Creek Ski Area Master Development Plan
Master Development Plan documents.
For information concerning individual proposed projects please see "Wolf Creek Ski Area 2013/2014 Improvement Projects" below
Rio Grande National Forest Current and Recent Projects
Under Analysis
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Notch Vegetation Management Project
The purpose of this project is to implement regulated timber harvesting and sanitation-salvage timber harvesting to utilize commercially valuable hardwood and softwood species within the project analysis area and would decrease vegetation density.
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Rio Grande National Forest Over Snow Travel Management Project
The Rio Grande National Forest proposes to designate National Forest System roads, trails and areas for motorized over snow vehicle use for all three Ranger Districts.
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Santa Maria Boulder Creek Waterline
It is proposed to authorize an existing water diversion, spring box, and approximately 1,150 feet of buried waterline. The system is in place and there is not a proposal to increase the scope or intensity.
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Trujillo Meadows Campground Perimeter Fence
The Forest will install a wildlife safe perimeter fence to assist with cattle grazing management at the Trujillo Meadows Campground. The length of the fence will be 0.33 miles. The fence will be laid down when cattle grazing is finished.
Analysis Completed
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La Garita Hills Restoration Project
Management activities needed to promote forest health and resiliency, improve wildlife habitat, salvage spruce beetle killed trees, remove trees hazardous to infrastructure or public safety, manage WUI fuels, and improve watersheds
Cancelled
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Burnt Creek LLC Access
A right-of-way approximately 4,900 feet in length and 24 feet in width encompassing 2.70 acres, more or less, in Secs. 20 & 29, T. 37 N., R. 5 E., NMPM, Rio Grande County, Colorado, for the purpose of accessing private property.
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Cat Creek Cattle and Horse Allotments EA
This is an environmental assessment analyzing seven cattle and horse allotments (Cat Crk, La Jara, Hot Crk, Alamosa, Bancos, Jim Crk and Rough Crk) for the effects of continued livestock grazing and the development of allotment management plans.
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Fern Creek Spring Development and Tank
The proposal is to construct a spring box for the existing spring and pipe water to a single fiberglass tank. There is a need for a spring box that would transfer water from the spring to the watering tank via a short pipeline.
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Mogote - Forest Service Administrative Horse Pasture Fence Construction
This project will be the construction of about 1.5 miles of fence and two water gaps into the Conejos River within the Mogote Forest Service Administrative horse pasture just south of the community of Fox Creek.
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Platoro fence extension
This project will be the re-construction of ½ mile of fence and the construction of one-quarter mile of new fence construction on the east boundary of the community of Platoro.
Project Archive
Some of our older projects can be accessed in our Project Archive.