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The Forest Service celebrated it's Centennial Anniversary on July 1, 2005. In the late 1890s Congress set aside selected forests and grasslands for the protection of watersheds for communities and so that the land would be managed in perpetuity for multiple uses. One of the methods used to accomplish this work is to identify specific projects that will benefit the ecology of the land and meet the needs of the people living nearby, or utilizing it for recreation or livelihood.
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 Dixie 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 project area contains ponderosa pine and mixed conifer stands that are infected with dwarf mistletoe. The removal of approximately 331 trees infected with mistletoe will help promote a healthier regeneration of the understory.
Designate motorized use on a 2.8-mile route from Alton, UT to Robinson Canyon Trailhead; construct 2 miles of non-motorized Grand View Trail. This project has been canceled as it has been included in the Powell Travel Management Project,#44203.
The Dixie National Forest is analyzing a proposal from Arcadian Infracom, Inc. (Arcadian), for the installation of a fiber optic cable (communication line) and related facilities on approximately 683 linear feet of National Forest System Lands.
Proposed Project Description: approximately 2,988 acres in the Dixie National Forest-Cedar City Ranger District would receive vegetation treatments to improve forest health, reduce the threat of insect disease, and reduce fire threat and risk.
Analysis for continued wild horse management in southern Utah lands administered by USDI Bureau of Land Management and USDA Forest Service-Dixie National Forest. BLM NEPA completed. Dixie National Forest NEPA to be started under new NEPA in 2016.
The project will treat vegetation within riparian areas in the Birch Creek sub-watershed by removing pinyon, juniper, and, as needed, other conifer species. The project also includes placement and operation of a bat watering trough.
The Powell Ranger District of the Dixie National Forest proposes a vegetation management project on the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah. (see additional information below under 'Other Project Information'.
In the summer of 2017 the Brian Head fire burned more than 71,000 acres of private, state, and federal land. This project focuses on rehabilitation for the burned area and areas immediately adjacent.
This project will strive to improve public health and safety and natural resource conditions impacted by the Brian Head fire while continuing to promote multiple use management.
Request from Utah Department of Transportation to use mineral materials as shouldering material to flatten steep slopes along Utah State Highway 18. Material has been requested for use from the California Hollow Minerals Material Pit.
The project will analyze authorizing livestock grazing on 663 acres in Castle Valley consistent with the Dixie National Forest Land and Resources Management Plan (LRMP) and subsequent land management designations made in 2020.
Proposal to issue Cedar City a FRTA easement for a transportation corridor across National Forest System (NFS) lands and issue all other appurtenant special use permits for construction of the road and other uses within the easement corridor.
This project proposes pinyon and juniper removal designed specifically to maintain and/or improve vegetative resilience, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce the risk of high intensity and high severity wildfires to public and firefighters.
The Utah Department of Transportation is proposing to improve the non-potable water system at the UDOT Cedar Mountain station. The station is located near the intersection of SR-14 and SR-143.
Treat a 52.5-acre parcel adjacent to the Upper Valley Landscape Improvement Project using the same treatment prescription analyzed in the Upper Valley Landscape Improvement Environmental Assessment.
A Special Use Permit to Citation Oil for the maintenance and operation of an oil pipeline and telephone line across National Forest System Lands is expired and needs to be analyzed for the purpose of issuing a new Special Use Permit.
Improve an existing water development in one pasture within the East Pinto Allotment. The existing water development would be improved by extending the Cottonwood Spring pipeline and adding a stockwater trough in an advantageous location.
Re-route Forest Service Route (FSR) 30343 in two different locations. Re-route intersection of FSR 30343 and FSR 30009 due to inadequate sight distance. Re-route around the riparian area to decrease sediment into streams and create road stability.
The purpose of this project is to improve wildlife habitat by increasing livestock distribution on the Coyote Hollow allotment. There is a need to add & bury eight miles of water pipeline and a solar pump through the Pacer and Antimony Creek pastures
The purpose of this project is 1.reissue a previously authorized special use permit for a spring development with a new term to a new owner; and 2.reissue a previously authorized special use permit for a fiber optic line right of way to a new owner.
The UDOT operates a transportation storage and maintenance facility on lands administered by the Dixie National Forest. Current permit is up for re-issuance. The UDOT is requesting permission to build two Snow Cat storage buildings.
The Communication Sites are located throughout Dixie National Forest.They include existing Communication Site Designations, Site Plans and inspection records, Site NEPA, and follow National and Forest Plan goals and directives.
Dixie National Forest Outfitter Guide Special Use Priority Permits. Issuance of priority permits to outfitter guides that have previously operated on the DNF.
Dixie NF is proposing a forest-wide prescribed fire project to reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire, increase resilience of existing vegetation groups and improve ecological function in native vegetation communities and wildlife habitats.
These lines provide electrical service to businesses, residences, Washington County and Forest Service facilities. Re-issue and response to the application from Dixie Power would allow for the continuation of service.
Water rights, water usage, and water diversion has decreased the amount of available water for wildlife on the landscape. This project is to develop water sources on the Forest to provide for wildlife use and improve habitat suitability.
Kane County, Utah submitted an application for Townsite Act conveyance, dated June 2, 2015 for approximately 69 acres. The main purpose is to acquire and expand the existing Forest Service sewer lagoons for the Kane County Water Conservancy District.
The purpose of this project is to maintain and enhance the status of Bonneville Cutthroat Trout through the construction of six permanent and three temporary fish barriers in various locations within the East Fork Sevier River drainage.
The Escalante and Powell ranger districts propose to analyze the expansion and development of mineral material pits to respond to mineral material needs of the Forest for the next 15-20 years. The project is consistent with 36 CFR 2850.2 and .3(2).
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.
Escalante Outfitters has requested a Special Use Permit to conduct guided fishing activities on the Dixie and Fishlake National Forests in Garfield and Wayne Counties. They have been operating on an annual basis since 2007.
The purpose of this project is to continue to authorize livestock grazing in a manner that will continue to meet or satisfactorily move Dixie National Forest resources toward desired condition and meet Forest Plan objectives.
The DNF, Powell and Escalante Ranger Districts received a request from Escape Adventures, Inc. to continue their guiding activities and to install four (4) non-permanent huts.
Renew an expired 20-year permit with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate a mode-s calibration performance monitor system and modify the permit to allow the FAA to attach an additional 6' antenna to the existing antenna tower.
Garkane Energy proposes to install up to 13600 feet of single-phase 7200-volt underground power line with a 20 foot easement to a depth of 42 inches along Forest Road 132. This proposal includes removing 14650 feet of existing overhead power line.
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.
The Grass Creek Watershed was selected as a project area for NFMA analysis due to its departure from a healthy functioning ecosystem. Analysis will focus on fire restoration, fuels reduction, aspen regeneration, and biodiversity.
An exchange of three right-of-way segments between the Forest Service and M and M Revocable Trust. The owners have two private inholdings surrounded by FS land and their desire is to acquire access.
The proposed project would improve forest health and resiliency across 2,937 acres by removing mistetoe infected, as well as insect infested, trees and thinning overstocked stands using sanitation harvest, commercial thinning, and prescribed fire.
Salvage of merchantable dead Ponderosa Pine, Fir and Spruce that were burnt in wildfire. Salvage areas are in close proximity of the roadway and may pose a safety hazard. They also have economic value before they succumb to insect and disease.
The Forest Service proposes to issue a special use permit to Holmstead Ranch, LLC for an existing water collection infrastructure and improvements to meet state culinary water standards.
Proposed Project Description: approximately 3,000 acres in the Dixie National Forest-Escalante Ranger District would receive vegetation treatments to improve forest health, reduce the threat of insect disease, and reduce fire threat and risk.
The main purpose of this project would be to reduce the susceptibility of healthy ponderosa pine stands to bark beetle infestation. A secondary purpose would be to improve VSS composition by moving towards an un-even aged system creating VSS1 stands.
The Indian Hollow Road Reroute project proposes to reroute Forest Service Route 30085 from the Indian Hollow stream and riparian area to an existing roadbed that is currently closed. A damaged bridge would be replaced at the new road location.
Construction of effective stream crossings at three locations on Indian Hollow Road. Structures may include bridge, culvert or other variations necessary to protect fisheries and riparian vegetation.
Commercial and non-commercial thinning to reduce stand densities, provide for a more balance age-class distribution, and perpetuate aspen presences, within the spruce/fir dominated forest.
This project proposes to address forest health at both the stand and landscape level to maintain and enhance ecosystem function, watershed characteristics, visual aesthetics, recreational and implementation of the motorized travel plan.
Salvage of dead Engelmann spruce trees on up to 250 acres of Forest Service System lands using 1/2 miles of temporary road. Slash would be available for fuelwood or burned and tree planting would follow if needed.
The Dixie National Forest proposes to remove Pinyon and Juniper (PJ) from sage-steppe and riparian areas within Johns Valley to benefit wildlife and improve the environmental health of the area. A variety of treatments would be utilized.
The purpose of this project is to provide a designated parking area for a popular trail known as the Box. This hike is in the Pine Creek drainage of Box-Death Hollow Wilderness Area.
Burned Ponderosa Pine salvage using tractor logging and mechanical harvest equipment. Excess logs and landing slash material would be available for fuelwood or biomass product removal and burned at landings.
This project will re-issue the Mountain Meadows Massacre special use permit to Utah State Parks and Recreation and construct 4 information signs, 2 kiosks, and a vault toilet and improve the parking area at the lower site.
Protect and restore sage-steppe habitats for the benefit of the threatened Utah prairie dog and the Forest Service sensitive sage-grouse. Restore watershed conditions to facilitate improved wildlife habitat effectiveness. Reduce encroaching conifers.
The NPS and USFS propose to construct a visitor path connecting Bryce Canyon City, Bryce Canyon National Park, and the Dixie National Forest, for a total of approx. 7.3 miles. Of this total length, 0.8 miles are within the Dixie National Forest.
Salvage harvest of 3,800 acres of dead and dying Douglas-fir and other conifer. Regeneration of 177 acres of aspen. Conifer reforestation of approximately 760 acres.
Reclaim the 4.95 acre Navajo Cinder Pit. The proposed action is to re-contour the current cut slopes to a more natural slope along the base of the pit, place fill and growth medium on the surface of the re-contoured slopes, and restore vegetation
The project would occur at an administrative site currently owned by the Forest Service in downtown Cedar City, UT. Old Forest Service facilities would be taken down to provide space for a new administrative office for the Forest Service.
Improvement of existing fuelbreak around communities of Central and New Harmony, UT. Activities include removal of invading woody speies (primarily juniper),widening, seeding and construction of 12-18" fireline.
Collaborative analysis for continued wild horse management in southern Utah lands administered by USDI Bureau of Land Management and USDA Forest Service-Dixie National Forest.
The project would provide additional water resources (one guzzler and two water catchments) to improve the distribution of wild horses and increase forage availability throughout the North Hills Joint Management Area.
The purpose and need of this project is to authorize PacifiCorp dba Rocky Mountain Power a Special Use Permit for the extension of their current underground power line to provide power to the new Brian Head Resort ski lift.
Issue a Special Use Authorization to permit Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to install a seasonal 80 ft x 8 ft courtesy dock. This will provide a better and safer loading and unloading area for all boat sizes, enhancing boater/angler experience..
The purpose of this action is to issue a valid permit to the City of Panguitch for their current municipal water collection and conveyance system located on USFS lands.
This project would drill a well in the Pass Creek area to provide water to wildlife and livestock in the area. A well will replace the current spring box and be attached to existing pipelines and tanks.
This project would maintain and improve the status of the Paunsaugunt boreal toad population and other key wildlife species by increasing the availability of woody browse, such as aspen, adjacent to current, historic and potential use areas.
The Powell Ranger District proposes a project on the Paunsaugunt Plateau to perform the following vegetation treatments: commercially harvest 866 acres of mixed conifer forest, regenerate 413 acres of aspen, reforest 194 acres of wildfire impacted...
Reroute and rehabilitate approximately 522 feet of the Mill Canyon Trail #31013, using primitive minimum tools. Construct a connector trail between Whipple Trail #31025 and Canal Trail #31031.
Improvement of existing fuelbreak around community of Pine Valley, UT. Activities include removal of invading woody species (primarily juniper), widening, herbicide and seeding. Healthy Forest Restoration Act fuels treatment.
Pine Valley Irrigation Company is requesting a reissuance of their special use permit. In addition, they propose to construct a well, pump house, pipeline, and a power line.
The Pine Valley Ranger District proposes maintenance of the water table on Pinto Creek and restoration of stream channel character along 0.4 miles of Pinto Creek using standard stream restoration practices to restore stream channel morphology.
The Fishlake National Forest proposes the installation of a up to two fish passage barriers on Pleasant Creek Ditch to protect Colorado River cutthroat trout. The barriers will be constructed from boulders on site.
The Powell Ranger District of the Dixie National Forest is proposing to revise its system of motorized roads and trails. Some of the activities are proposed in Inventoried Roadless Areas.
The project purpose is to improve riparian health, stream functioning, and upland watershed health throughout the drainages for the benefit of Bonneville cutthroat and other wildlife species requiring riparian and upland habitat.
The goal of the project is to install fencing around six riparian areas to force livestock to disperse, establish the ability to graze the fenced areas in a more controlled manner, and over time improve riparian health.
Kane County has applied for a 50ft right way within Robinson Canyon and proposes to convert the Robinson Canyon nonmotorized trail to a motorized trail limited to vehicles less than 50 inches in width.
Within the 8,062-acre Shingle Fire area, the following activitiesare proposed: salvage logging (1085 ac), soil stabilization/site prep/reforestation (6,351 ac.),
The Forest Service proposes to develop one well and a water conveyance system located on National Forest System lands to feed water troughs on approximately 43,230 acres.
Construct a new 345 kV transmission line connecting the Sigurd substation located near Richfield, UT to the Red Butte substation located near Central, UT.
South Central Communications requests a right of way permit to place fiber optic cable from Hogback to Boulder on the Dixie National Forest. The line would primarily follow an existing road corridor and be trenched underground.
South Central Communications is proposing to construct, operate and maintain a telecommunications system north of Boulder on Hwy 12. Project components include placement of fiber and installation of access vaults, needed for improved services.
Enhance the reliability of an existing fiber optic line under a special use permit to South Central Utah Telephone Association, Inc. by amending the permit to allow them to relocate and maintain the fiber optic line outside of Red Canyon Wash.
The project would bury 1.7 miles of single, non-electric fiber optic cable in duct conduits in a 10 foot (2.1 acres) Right of Way and 15 foot (3.1 acres) construction Right of Way, 1.2 acres and 1.7 acres of which are on Forest Service lands.
The purpose of the South Central Utah Telephone Association Special Use Project is to improve communication in the project area, update the Association's permit and reissue their permit for a new term.
The purpose of creating a fuel break is to increase community safety, create defensible safe space for firefighting personnel, and increase the likelihood of effective fire suppression in the event of a wildfire.
The proposed action is to issue a special use permit to Monarch Investment Company, LLC, authorizing
the operation and maintenance of the two existing water systems. No new construction would be
authorized.
Construct a 3.2 mile, four strand barbed wire fence that would restrict livestock movement between pastures, thereby maintaining more desirable and even livestock utilization rates. This will improve forage production for big-game wildlife.
Construction, operation and maintenance of a communication facility to provide more reliable communication for T-Mobile customers. Construction would occur on Big Mountain Communication Site on the Dixie National Forest, Pine Valley Ranger District.
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
Construction of upgraded transmission line from Tropic, UT to Hatch, UT. This project crosses multilple jurisdictions. The Dixie NF is the project lead.
Project would authorize creation of 26 additional designated dispersed camp sites, 0.16 miles of system roads, and 4 vault toilet/kiosk/fee tube areas within the 2011 Decision project area. Project would also authorize closing 22 existing sites.
The purpose of this project is to (1) improve forest health (2) reduce the threat of insect-induced forest mortality and to (3) increase forest wildfire resilience
Salvage of 168 acres of dead (beetle killed) spruce using tractor logging, mechanical harvest equipment and whole tree removal. Slash would be available as biomass or fuel load. Slash at landing burned through a burn plan. Replanting if needed.
In 2017 the Dixie NF signed a DN/FONSI for the Upper Valley Landscape Improvement Project. Three guzzlers were scoped and analyzed but not carried to the decision due to no cultural surveys for the guzzler locations. SHPO concurrence is now complete.
The project would use prescribed fire and mechanical and hand vegetation treatments to reduce wildfire hazard and improve forest health. It would also stabilize and restore streams and provide guzzlers for wildlife.
The purpose of this project is to improve wildlife habitat by increasing livestock distribution on the Upper Valley West Allotment. There is a need to add three miles of water pipeline to the end of the existing pipeline in Lacey Cove pasture.
There is a need to limit the grazing along a section of Antimony Creek on the Coyote Allotment in order to maintain and improve wildlife and fish habitat along Antimony Creek.
