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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 Santa Fe 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.
In 1967, the Merced de Abiquiu (Grant) installed a water collection gallery and water line on national forest system lands in order to provide water for livestock. This facility is past its designed life and the proposal is to replace it.
The Purpose of the American Park Project is to improve forest ecosystem resilience by implementing restoration treatments including, prescribed burning, thinning, treating disease infestations (dwarf mistletoe) and meadow enhancement.
This project proposes restoration activities to address erosion damage caused by log dams in Beaver Creek and the hiking/horse trail that parallels it in Porvenir Canyon.
The Santa Fe National Forest, is proposing to approve the Surface Use Plan of Operations to approve two Applications for Permits to Drill, as submitted by Benson-Montin-Greer Drilling Corp.for the drilling and operation of two oil wells.
Proposed actions are thinning and burning to create healthy and resilient ecosystems and timber stands. Thinned materials would be left for Fuelwood to local communities.
This project proposes to re-route a small portion of the Borrego Trail (#150) in order to improve trail sustainability, user safety, and improve the experience for a variety of recreation users.
A re-route of the Borrego Trail will bring the trail out of the flood zone from Aspen Ranch to the Rio Nambe Trail to provide a safe and more sustainable section of trail; the trail will be moved upslope at most 100 feet from the canyon bottom.
Authorize livestock grazing on NFS lands within the Caja del Rio Grazing Allotment. If the decision is to authorize some level of livestock grazing, then what management prescriptions will be applied.
A ten year shooting closure along the eastern boundary of the Caja del Rio to protect life and property for the public adjacent to the Forest boundary. A Closure Order has been in effect annually since 2001. A permanenet closure requires an EA.
Installation of an underground water pipeline and pump stations from West Road to Pajarito Ski Area along the ski hill road for snow making and fire response. Includes a new water tank adjacent to the existing Tank along West Road on DOE land
Canon Mutual Domestic Water Consumers and Sewage Works Association (CMDWA) seeks a 20 year renewal of their special use authorization. Additionally, the proponent requests authorization to grade the road to the tank.
The purpose and need for this project is to ensure that the forest authorizes livestock grazing in a manner that balances permitted use with capacity and maintains and/or improves range, wildlife habitat and watershed conditions across the allotments
Development of grazing management strategies on the Youngsville, Mesa del Medio, Polvedera and Chicoma Alloments on the Coyote and Espanola Ranger Districts
The project would permit construction and maintenance of a buried power line and fiber optic line in the same trench, about 3.3 miles, between Nichols Dam eastward to McClure Dam.
Designate and construct a section of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) near Cuba, NM that connects two existing portions of the CDNST trail.
The project involves thinning and prescribed fire on approximately 2100 acres of Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forested stands. Up to one mile of temproary road may be needed to access stands. Primary objectives are to restore stand structure.
The Cow Creek Riparian Habitat Restoration Project would improve water quality and fish habitat by restoring riparian areas, reducing erosion and turbidity from access points and unstable streambanks.
DOE/NNSA will operate and maintain two existing stream gages (E#252 and #253) in Water Canyon and Canon de Valle, respectively, on uSFS property above Hwy 501.
DOE/LANL proposes to use National Forest System lands to conduct paleoseismic research on the bench between Pajarito Canyon and Canyon de Valle in late summer of 2018. Access routes from State Highway 501 to the sites would also be authorized
The Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF), in partnership with the Upper
Pecos Watershed Association (UPWA), proposes restoration activities to address long-term flooding (2013)
erosion damage and recreational damage
The proposed project will improve water quality and fish habitat be restoring the river channel to a more natural condition, reducing turbidity, attenuating flow energy during future flooding, and reducing downstream water temperatures.
The Federal Highways Administration proposes to develop a trail from the Santa Fe Greenway to Diablo Canyon. It would retrace a Congressionally-designated route. This project is planned in cooperation with the FS, BLM, NPS and Santa Fe County.
Authorize livestock grazing on NFS lands within the Oso Vallecitos Grazing Allotment. If the decision is to authorize some level of livestock grazing, then the management presciptions to be applied will be analyzed
This project would replace the low water crossing on El Porvenir Creek with a new bridge to allow access to the El Porvenir Campground and private property while maintaining the natural flow regime and allowing for aquatic organism passage.
Authorize livestock grazing on NFS lands within El Publeo Grazing Allotments. Grazing will be authorized in a manner such as the landscape meets or moves toward objectives
The Abiquiu Land Grant and Espanola Ranger Dist. propose a seasonal closure of FR 31 and FR 27 where these roads cross Grant lands. The closure would last from January 1 through March 31 in order to protect resources on land grant and Forest.
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.
Gun closure on 2,500 acres on Glorieta mesa to protect public health and safety and resource degradation associated with target shooting around residential private property in the area.
Prescribed fire treatments and wildland fire use (allowing wildfires to burn in a controlled area) may be applied to 28,500 acres, Mastication and sagebrush mowing on 1,065 acres, and wildland fire use.
Authorize livestock grazing on NFS lands within the Grass Mountain Grazing Allotment. Grazing will be be authorized in a manner such as the landscape meets or moves toward desired conditions and FP objectives.
The Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest is proposing to remove dead and dying trees along Forest Service roads and around developed recreation sites within the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon post-burn area.
The Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the SFNF, in cooperation with the Upper Pecos Watershed Association (UPWA), proposes restoration activities to address post-Tres Lagunas Fire2013) flooding erosion damage in Holy Ghost Canyon.
This project proposes to improve forest health/resilience in Forests near the Santa Fe Watershed. Other nearby values at risk are Hyde Memorial State Park and the subdivisions near Hyde Park Estates, as well as reduce the risk of post-fire flooding.
International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) is having a World Sumit meeting and group ride of 150-200 bicyclists over a planned course. The ride is on established Santa Fe NF Forest Trails and private land.
To approve the issuance of temporary and priority SUPs for outfitter and guides to conduct guided recreation activities related to over-snow uses, including but not limited to cross country skiing and snow shoeing.
To provide a one-year Special Use Permit to allow access for the construction of a new gate system of similar design and foot-print, and would occupy the same point-of-diversion as the existing gate(s), but constructed of steel and concrete.
Thinning of small and medium diameter trees followed by fuelwood collection, mastication of slash, and prescribed burning on approximately 660 acres. The proposed project is designed to impove forest health and resilience by reducing tree density.
Plant trees on approximately 32,000 acres over the next ten years on medium- and high-severity burned areas in the Las Conchas Fire Burn Scar. The trees will be hand planted at a rate of 75 to 300 per acre as conditions warrant.
Dredge reservoir and make repairs and modifications to the dam to bring the facility into compliance as required by the Office of the New Mexico State Engineer.
A two day downhill mountain bike race is scheduled for August 6-7. The first day would consist of 4 stages of downhill racing on Forest Service lands, with some Los Alamos County lands. See attached map. Second day would be all on private Ski area
This proposal will create--to the extent possible--a collective vision of what a trail system should be in the National Forest system lands located in Los Alamos County. This collective vision would then form a proposed action for NEPA review.
Authorize restoration of a compuerta (stream diversion flow structure) on Cow creek and the re-establishement of the Los Pueblos Altos Acequia (irrigation ditch). These structures were damaged by the torrential rains following the Vivash Fire.
Install in-stream structures such as one-rock dams and log vanes in Rio en Medio and four small tributaries that were impacted by the Medio Fire. Intent is to create conditions to reduce likelihood of head cutting, channel degradation and soil loss.
Construction of one Wildlife Trick Tank constructed of wooden fram with corregate roof. Water would be stored in 10,000 gallon metal tank and piped to wildlife friendly troughs and waterers.
Drill two wells within the Cebolla/San Antonio Allotment to provide a more reliable water source and allow the exclusion of livestock from the Rio Cebolla and San Antonio Creek riparian areas during critical times for the NM meadow jumping mouse.
Permit a precipitation monitor to determine background levels of PCB concentrations in both wet and dry atmospheric deposition on a regional basis to provide baseline knowledge of global PCBs and the potential contribution of storm water runoff.
The Santa Fe NF intends to protect and improve habitat conditions for the mouse within the San Diego and Cebolla/San Antonio Allotments in order to increase species viability. while continuing grazing on the allotments.
Special use permit for a motorcycle trials recreation events on July 31-August 2 and October 4-6, 2009 in Lake Fork Canyon. Events would include motorcycle trials competion and camping.
Issuance of a special use permit for camping and Trials motorcycle competition in Lake Fork Canyon from October 1 - October 3, 2010. This event would include up to 80 participants and 50 spectators.
A trials motorcycle competition is proposed to be held October 3 through October 5, 2008. Approximately 60-70 competitors and 60-70 spectator/organizers will participate in a trials motorcycle competition and camping in Lake Fork Canyon.
The Forest Service proposes to restore riparian, aquatic, and wetland habitat on the Carson, Cibola, and Santa Fe National Forests, and the Kiowa Grasslands in New Mexico by implementing a variety of restoration activities.
The project area contains ponderosa pine and dry and wet mixed conifer stands outside of their natural range of variability (NRV). Proposed treatments would move stands toward and/or restore stands to their NRV.
Authorize livestock grazing on NFS lands within the Oso Vallecitos Grazing Allotment. If the decision is to authorize some level of livestock grazing, then the management prescriptions to be applied will also be analyzed.
This project proposes to change stand conditions in predominantly ponderosa pine forests in the Pacheco Canyon area, adjacent to Tesuque Pueblo lands. The actions proposed to accomplish this change would be thinning and burning about 2400 acres.
To maintain an effective trail system that provides users with access to outdoor experiences and also promote visitor safety. This trail system will be developed primarily by adopting existing social trails and use of existing administrative roads.
Watershed and fish habitat improvement project in Peralta Canyon. Acitivities include blocking access of ATVs and vehicles to tributary stream, erecting riparian exclusion fencing, removal of conifer trees <12" in meadows, and willow planting.
The City of Santa Fe has requested that the Forest Service issue a new permit so it can continue to operate its municipal water supply system. The current permit was issued in 1995 and expired Dec. 31, 2015.
Install a new water storage tank that holds 100,000 to 150,000 gallons of water and has a foot print of approximately 500%u2019 x 500%u2019. This would be an above ground water tank with underground piping running under a non-forest road.
The project is along State Highway 4 and is needed to reduce the spread of ips bark beetles, already present in the windthrown trees to currently healthy trees.
To increase the diversity and quality of aquatic habitat for fish and invertebrates in the Rio Chama downstream from Abiquiu Dam to the vicinity of Highway 84 (near Abiquiu, NM).
Remove non-native vegetation with selective use of herbicide and plant native trees/shrubs along the Rio Grande at Buckman site. Development of a parking area, restroom and shade structures on NFS land. Parking/trailhead development on BLM land.
Authorize livestock grazing on NFS lands within the Rio de la Casa Grazing Allotment. If the decision is to authorize some level of livestock grazing, then what management prescriptions will be applied.
In cooperation with Ohkay Owinge, Espanola RD proposes to plant conifer seedlings on approximately 300 acres on National Forest sytem lands in the lower Rio del Oso drainage.
Perform various restorative actions, such as fencing, planting native vegetation, and placing large woody debris in the creek, to increase shade (and thus decrease water temperature) and promote overall riparian health.
Sandia Soaring Association--a club of hang- and para- glider enthusiasts--has requested a permit in order authorize safety and access improvements to an area they currently use. Also, road access changes call for travel management system review.
Permit to provide therapeutic and adveture based recreational experiences to children, youth, families and communities through the SF Mountain Center, an accredited 501(c)3 organization. Activities include hiking, backpacking and rock climbing.
The purpose of this project is to improve the resilience of a priority landscape to future disturbances by restoring forest and watershed health and reducing the risk for catastrophic wildfire.
Forest Plan amendment for Oil and Gas leasing stipulations on unleased lands on the portion of the Forest within the San Juan Basin and the proposed closure and decommission of specific unnecessary roads on the Cuba Ranger District.
Removal of non-native vegetation and planting of native trees and shrubs along 10 miles of the Santa Fe River resulting in improved water quality and improved wildlife habitat.
Implements certain aspects of the Pueblo de San Ildefonso Claims Settlement Act of 2005 (PL 109-286). Portions of the Act considered in this analysis include transfer of about 8,000 acres of NFS and road improvements.
Treat by thinning and using prescribed fire on appox. 7,700 acres of land around the Seven Springs Fish Hatchery to protect the hatchery from wildfire,
The project is needed to upgrade declining infrastructure, ensuring efficient operations and improve user satisfaction. The existing Chair 4 infrastructure will be replaced with Chair 1 infrastructure.
Build a new water storage tank within the Ski Santa Fe ski area to utilize the entirety of their available water right for snowmaking. This tank would be 155 ft. in diameter located above the Lower Burro and Burro Alley ski trails.
To make natural and cultural resources in the Southwest Jemez Mountains project area - about 110,000 acres -resilient to landscape-level disturbances such as wildfire
The purpose of this project is to prepare Decision Memos for FY 16 Outfitters (approximately 30) to provide professional commercial activities (i.e. big game hunting, recreation and educational activities on all ranger districts.
Issue priority use special use authorizations for Outfitter/Guide in 4 service areas: 1)Hunting; 2)Water-based (fishing, non-motorized boating); 3)rock climbing; 4)Transportation-based (hiking, motorized touring, bicycling, horseback riding).
The purpose of this project is to prepare decision memos for FY 17 outfitters (approximately 30) to provide professional, commercial activities (i.e., big game hunting, recreation, and educational activities) on all ranger districts.
A supplement to the Final EIS for Invasive Plant Control Project on the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests to disclose, review, and assess additional information.
Jemez Mountain Electric Coop, proposed to Repair and Replace numerous wooden poles, cross bars and conductor. From the boundary of Pueblo of Nambe to the Santa Fe Ski area.
Prescribed fire and prescribed natural fire (fire-use) is proposed on approximately 91,000 acres. Of that approx. 500 acres would be mechanically thinned. The project includes prescribed natural fire in the Chama River Canyon Wilderness.
An ultra running event near Santa Fe with a 50 mile, 50 Km, half Marathon, and 1 mile (up ski run) events on September 10, 2016. Events start and end at Ski Santa Fe.
The Winsor Trail (#254) is a National Recreation Trail with heavy use. This project considers three segments of trail in need of improvement for sustainability, safety, and improved user enjoyment. These areas are outside he Pecos Wilderness.
Use volunteer labor and materials to re-route three sections along the WinsorTrail #254. Re-routes will help with watershed and trail sustainability, plus provide a more enjoyable and safer experience for the various groups of users.