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The Projects page shows current and proposed projects on the San Juan National Forest for watershed restoration, habitat improvement, recreation sites, timber sales, roads, and more. Projects on the San Juan 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.
Metallic Minerals La Plata Project
Metallic Minerals has a planned mineral exploration project in the La Plata Mountains. They currently have an approved Plan of Operations for limited exploration that was authorized following public comment under a Categorical Exclusion on January 5, 2023. To date, Metallic Minerals has not started mineral exploration on any of the sites authorized under the decision. In 2026 Metallic Minerals submitted a draft amendment, reducing the number of drill pads and adjusting plan operations. Per 7 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1b.9(r), U.S. Forest Service resource specialists are currently reevaluating the 2023 Categorical Exclusion Decision Memo to determine whether correction, revision, or supplementation is required.
Note: Not all projects may appear on the map. See the list below for a more complete list.
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San Juan National Forest
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.
Relocation of a pasture boundary fence to better distribute cattle and improve vegetation resources. Project actions involve construction of 0.25 miles of fence in a new location, and removal of 0.4 miles of existing fence.
Construct a new non-motorized trail segment that bypasses a rocky step section of trail, and designate a second route that is used but is not part of the Forest Service trail system
The Pagosa Ranger District is proposing to improve vigor and forest health through commercial and non-commercial thinning, and fuels treatments. Pinyon Public link here: https://usfs-public.box.com/s/nmox04grwmcplsz93gqbwlmh3xw7cw2k
Proposal to supplement the Dolores Prescribed Fire Pine Ecosystem EA to include the ability to construct control lines using bladed equipment and masticators.
Vegetation management, including timber and fuels reduction treatments, to address concerns about forest health and fuel loading throughout the 2,796 acre project area.
Process application for exploratory core sampling to determine mineral potential in the area. ~14 drill sites located in Bedrock Creek (La Plata Canyon, Columbine RD) and headwaters of East Mancos River (Dolores RD). Some sites accessed by helicopter
Special Use Road Permit DOL644 will establish access to a private land inholding off of Forest Service Road 556. The access road has been in use for many years, and the new permit will bring the access road into compliance and to Forest Service standards.
Delineate designated dispersed overnight camping sites in Navajo Basin and execute an emergency closure order to dispersed camping outside of these areas.
Clearnetworx proposes to install fiber optic communications line between Dolores and Mancos. Approximately 882 linear feet would be installed on National Forest System lands.
Empire Electric Association has an existing, buried electrical line crossing the Dolores River that is at risk of washing out due to erosion. They propose to construct a replacement overhead line, which will require installation of 2 wood poles.
Issuance of a new private road special use permit for the purpose of accessing a private inholding. The road will be 7.95 miles long and will follow the previous alignment of the old Forest Road 245A.
Issue permit for upgrade of approximately 4190 feet of existing overhead 7.2 kV electric distribution power line on NFS land in the Mayday area of La Plata Canyo, including line replacement and pole additions and replacements.
La Plata Electric Association LPEA is proposing to rebuild the 34 mile long Bayfield to Pagosa 69 kV transmission line between Bayfield and Pagosa Springs and upgrade the line capacity to 115 kV.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) proposes to enclose the Leavensworth Ditch in corrugated metal pipe. CPW owns all water and ditch rights associated with the Leavensworth Ditch.
Removal of hazardous vegetation to the operation of the powerline. Removal of vegetation would reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire on federal lands and adjacent at-risk communities.
