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Forest Service
U.S.D.A.U.S. Department of Agriculture
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
Effective beginning 06/04/2025: This website, and all linked websites under the control of the agency is under review and content may change.
Keep track of the many projects planned or happening now on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The forest projects listed below are projects that we are currently analyzing or have recently analyzed under the NEPA process. After completing the analysis of the effects of a project, the Forest Service then implements the project over a period of months or years. The project pages include information such as location, project milestones, project documents, meeting notices, links to public comment/objection and more. For older projects, see the project archive.
Projects that are "In Progress" may have an opportunity for public input. Please contact the appropriate forest office for more information. If you are looking for a project that is not listed below, please contact the GMUG Supervisors Office at 970-874-6600.
Background:
As part of carrying out the mission of the Forest Service, agency resource specialists develop environmental analysis and documentation for projects on National Forest System lands, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and agency direction. A Citizen’s Guide to NEPA is available from the CEQ for more information about what NEPA is and how the NEPA process works.
Note: Not all projects may appear on the map. See the list below for a more complete list.
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Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
The Forest Service follows NEPA regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Under this rule, Forest Service officials determine which proposed projects are shared for public input.
The agency no longer issues a schedule of proposed actions (SOPA) report. Below is the current list of proposed projects available for review—your opportunity to learn more, share feedback, and stay engaged in decisions that shape the future of our public lands.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has applied for a special use permit amendment for installation of a new SNOTEL site at Alta Lakes. NRCS has an existing forestwide permit that covers multiple sites.
Norwood Ranger District proposes to continue site improvements at the Alta Lakes Recreation Area. The project area includes Alta Lakes, Gold King Basin, Wild Boy Lake, and the Alta Lakes Road (FDR 632).
Reconstruct the Blue Lakes Trailhead to contain and maximize orderly parking, and to replace and relocate the current toilet to accommodate increased use.
Provide comprehensive management of visitors in the Blue Lakes area on the Ouray Ranger District and focus on reducing visitor impacts using a variety of adaptive management mechanisms. Proposed activities vary by zone. A permit system is proposed.
Crested Butte Mtn Resort is proposing six wireless towers (nodes), interconnected by fiber to provide improved wireless service to staff and visitors within the ski area.
Authorize DMEA to replace an existing segment of buried powerline around the Mesa Point Towers com site with new power & fiber lines and replace existing overhead powerline at Island Lake with buried power & fiber lines within largely disturbed area.
Authorize DMEA to replace an existing segment of buried powerline around the Mesa Point Towers com site with new power & fiber lines and replace existing overhead powerline at Island Lake with buried power & fiber lines within largely disturbed area.
Private landowner is requesting a permit for use, operation and maintenance of less than 100 feet of existing road that crosses National Forest land between Waunita Pass Road (County Road 763) and private land.
Project proposes physically closing six abandoned, inactive mine features which pose the greatest physical hazard to the public on National Forest System lands on the Gunnison Ranger District and eight features on private land in cooperation with Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety.
Authorize construction, operation and maintenance of a new approximately 1,295 foot water transmission main for the Grand Mesa Metropolitan District No. 2 water system to treat the water from two new off-forest wells.
The GVRD is proposing a district wide habitat improvement and fuels reduction project utilizing broadcast burning and supporting mechanized treatments. About 15,800 acres will be identified and burned annually.
Include snowplowing in permit for year-round access on NFSR 871.2a to private property. This activity has previously been permitted on a seasonal basis.
Gunnison Ranger District is proposing to reopen and possibly expand the Kebler Pit to provide rock and aggregate materials for projects. The pit is located outside the Thompson Divide Withdrawal Area. The project includes 4.9 acres of max disturbance
Leon Lake Ditch and Reservoir Company has proposed to install a sand filter toe drain in compliance with state dam safety requests to minimize seepage through the dam. This will require the company to bring in sand and fill on existing road.
Mountain Studies Institute will characterize, quantify, and track the ecohydrology of the fens, wetlands, and streams in the Ironton and Crystal Reservoir area to determine resistance or sensitivity to being submerged and exposed to the atmosphere.
51 acres of commercial salvage harvest along NFSR 267 to Mirror Lake Campground. Hazard tree and fuels mitigation treatment in 10 acres surrounding the campground. 61 total acres proposed for treatment in heavy windthrow. No temp road construction.
Monarch Mountain is proposing to expand its special use permit boundary by approximately 377 acres to develop 139 acres of new terrain. The ski area also proposes a new 2700 foot long chairlift, a warming hut, restroom, and access road.
The GMUG National Forests, in partnership with Trout Unlimited, is proposing to realign two sections of existing NFSR 254.1A totaling 0.64 miles out of the stream channel, dam outlet, and wet areas to upland dry areas that minimize erosion and sedimentation potential.
Realign 300ft of NFSR 956 to allow access to 3 private properties. The road will maintain as a open, ML-2 road with a width of 12ft and the new section length ~300ft.
The Gunnison Ranger District is proposing to continue to authorize domestic livestock grazing on the North Butte, Lost Canyon-Silver Springs, Meridian, Snodgrass (vacant allotment) and Spring Creek Allotments.
Forest and Colorado DRMS propose to close 11 inactive mine openings along National Forest System Road (NFSR) #853-Campbird Road, NFSR #855.1A-Portland Road, NFSR #871-Dexter Creek Road, NFSR #857-Cow Creek Road, and South Pinecrest Drive in Ouray.
Treat ~25,450 acres using prescribed fire and mechanical treatments within mountain shrub oak and pinyon juniper communities to improve habitat quality for elk and deer on winter range throughout the Paonia Ranger District with CPW, NWTF and BLM.
Replace West End chairlift, conduct associated grading and tree clearing, relocate existing ski patrol yurt, construct new ski run with access road and utilities.
Conduct mountain bike shuttles to 3 designated locations (Mesa Top, Shirt Tail Point, Wild Rose)on the Grand Mesa National Forest. Supports trail opportunities on the Palisade Plunge Trail. Season is trail official opening to September 30.
Project proposes physically closing five abandoned, inactive mine features which pose the greatest physical hazard to the public on National Forest System (NFS) lands on the Gunnison Ranger District in partnership with Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety's six additional sites.
Amend current permit (OUR520)to include permit modifications as a result of repairs made to their water facility located on NFS lands and permit existing access.
Landscape scale Vegetation Management on South Uncompahgre Plateau and Naturita Division to actively and adaptively improve forest health and resiliency and reduce the buildup of hazardous fuels.
The area near Stockdale Point, south of Norwood, CO has been experiencing a bark beetle outbreak resulting in large scale mortality in the local ponderosa pine stands. Project would harvest beetle-killed and infested trees and reduce basal area.
Construct 11 miles of non-motorized trail and rehabilitate approximately 4.7 miles of trail (includes portions of NFST 5421, 5420 and 5505) in the Telluride vicinity.
Construct 11 miles of non-motorized trail and rehabilitate approximately 4.7 miles of trail (includes portions of NFST 5421, 5420 and 5505) in the Telluride vicinity.
A suite of projects is proposed as identified in Telluride Ski Resort's (TSR) 2017 Master Development Plan (MDP) and subsequent 2023 & 2024 MDP Amendments within TSRs 2019s existing operational boundary.
A suite of projects is proposed as identified in Telluride Ski Resort's (TSR) 2017 Master Development Plan (MDP) and subsequent 2023 & 2024 MDP Amendments within TSRs 2019s existing operational boundary.
Various infrastructure improvements at the existing administrative site, Terry Town to address employee health and safety and proper storage for flammable and hazardous materials. Improvements include water, sewer, parking and building infrastructure
Authorize construction activities for the Town of Crawford to repair and replace their existing Wiley Springs headworks collection box and install valves to isolate future concerns.
The Trail Creek East ASCC Project is part of the larger Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) network in North America. The project will test different silvicultural approaches to climate change adaptation on 442 acres in Taylor Park.
Turner Ditch Company proposes to reduce salinity in Turner and Lone Cabin Ditch ditches which includes an 18.9 mile piping element on various land ownerships and a 28.3 acre habitat improvement project at Paonia's water treatment facility.
