Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
04/01/2021 to 06/30/2021
Rio Grande National Forest

This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.
Report Contents (click to jump to a section) :
-  Projects Occurring Nationwide
-  R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)
-  R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, Rio Grande National Forest,  Conejos Peak Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, Rio Grande National Forest,  Divide Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, Rio Grande National Forest,  Saguache Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

Projects Occurring Nationwide  

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Gypsy Moth Management in the United States: A Cooperative Approach
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  Completed  Actual: 11/28/2012  01/2013 Susan Ellsworth
775-355-5313
susanellsworth@fs.fed.us 
Description: The USDA Forest Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service are analyzing a range of strategies for controlling gypsy moth damage to forests and trees in the United States.
Web Link:  http://www.na.fs.fed.us/wv/eis/
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Nationwide.
Locatable Mining Rule - 36 CFR 228, subpart A.
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 09/13/2018
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 03/2021  		Expected:12/2021
  		12/2021 Sarah Shoemaker
907-586-7886
sarahshoemaker@fs.fed.us 
Description: The U.S. Department of Agriculture proposes revisions to its regulations at 36 CFR 228, Subpart A governing locatable minerals operations on National Forest System lands.A draft EIS & proposed rule should be available for review/comment in late 2020
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57214
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. LEGAL - Not Applicable. These regulations apply to all NFS lands open to mineral entry under the US mining laws. More Information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/geology/minerals/locatable-minerals/current-revisions.
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R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Xcel Energy Transmission and Distribution Authorization; Operation and Maintenance Plan Project
CE
 - Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 12/2020  		Expected:03/2021  05/2021 Matthew Custer
720-822-4321
mscuster@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Forest Service proposes to reauthorize approximately 293 miles of existing electric transmission line and 196 miles of electric distribution line; develop and implement a standardized O&M Plan for routine maintenance and vegetation management.
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District, Saguache Ranger District, Pawnee Ranger District, Clear Creek Ranger District, Sulphur Ranger District, South Park Ranger District, West Zone/Rifle Ranger District, East Zone/Dillon Ranger District, Boulder Ranger District, East Zone/Holy Cross Ranger District, West Zone/Sopris Ranger District, Leadville Ranger District, East Zone/Eagle Ranger District, Salida Ranger District, Pikes Peak Ranger District, Gunnison Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Boulder, Chaffee, Clear Creek, Conejos, Eagle, Fremont, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Gunnison, Jefferson, Lake, Park, Rio Grande, Saguache, Summit, Weld. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project located on applicable Xcel transmission and distribution lines on National Forests and Grasslands in Colorado,.
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Rio Grande National Forest,   Conejos Peak Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R2 - Rocky Mountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Belmarez Access
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/10/2020  		Expected:10/2020
  		10/2020 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
ahpeterson@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Belmarez family proposes legal motorized access to private property by using an existing driveway across NFS lands. From NFS road 103, the route crosses 240 feet of NFS land. A 24 feet wide right-of-way would encompass 0.13 acres.
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - 0.13 acres in the SE1/4 of Sec. 10, T. 32 N., R. 7 E., NMPM, Conejos County, Colorado. Private property south of Magote, Colorado near the Bighorn Corral.
Clinton Access
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/09/2019  		Expected:10/2022
  		10/2022 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
ahpeterson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Mr. Clinton has proposed motorized access to his private property using a non-system road across National Forest System lands. The route is approximately 2,800 feet in length and 24 feet in width encompassing 1.54 acres.
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - 1.54 acres, more or less, in Sec. 24, T. 36 N., R. 4 E. & Sec. 26, T. 36 N., R. 4.5 E., NMPM, Conejos County, Colorado. Access to private property in Robinson Gulch approximately two miles east of Platoro, CO.
Iron Creek Access
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/11/2009  		Expected:09/2021
  		09/2021 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
ahpeterson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Multiple owners have requested legal motorized access on the non-system road along Iron Creek in the vicinity of Prospect Mountain
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - A right-of-way approximately 6,700 feet in length and 24 feet in width encompassing 3.69 acres, more or less, in Secs. 1 & 12, T. 36 N., R. 3 E.; Sec. 7, T. 36 N., R. 4 E., NMPM, Conejos County, CO. The Iron Creek road leaves NFSR 380 and travels up Iron Creek east of Sheepshead Mountain.
Mogote - Forest Service Administrative Horse Pasture Fence Construction
CE
 - Facility management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/13/2014  		Expected:11/2020
  		04/2021 Andrea Jones
719-274-8971
amjones@fs.fed.us 
Description: 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.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=43736
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - T33N, R7E, NE1/4 NW1/4, Sec.33. West of Mogote Campground.
Platoro fence extension
CE
 - Grazing management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/13/2014  		Expected:10/2020
  		04/2021 Kelly Garcia
719-274-6317
kgarcia@fs.fed.us 
Description: 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.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=43786
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - T36N, R4E, NE1/4 SE1/4, Sec.23. East of Platoro community.
Public Services Co Electric Distribution Extension
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/09/2019  		Expected:09/2021
  		09/2021 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
ahpeterson@fs.fed.us 
Description: From existing overhead terminus, the installation of approximately 600 feet of overhead line to NFSR 103, then burying the electric line for 7,300 feet in NFSR 103 and 129 for the purpose of providing service to private property.
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - A 1.81 acre right-of-way in Secs. 10 and 15, T. 32 N., R. 7 E., NMPM, Conejos County, Colorado. Electric distribution line extension in the vicinity of Bighorn Corral south of Mogote and Fox Creek, Colorado. Project is approximately 10 miles southwest of Antonito, Colorado.
Rito Hondo - Forest Service Administrative Horse Pasture Corral Construction
CE
 - Facility management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/13/2014  		Expected:10/2020
  		04/2021 Kelly Garcia
719-274-6317
kgarcia@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project will be the construction of a small horse corral within the Rito Hondo Forest Service Administrative horse pasture just north of the Bighorn Corral on FDR 103.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=43787
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - T32N, R7E, NE1/4 NW1/4, Sec.10. North of Bighorn Corral on FSR103.
Rito Hondo, LLC Access Project
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/06/2019  		Expected:09/2021
  		09/2021 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
ahpeterson@fs.fed.us 
Description: A Forest road special use permit approximately 12,750 feet in length and 16 feet in width encompassing 4.68 acres, more or less, in Secs. 10, 11 and 15, T. 32 N., R. 7 E., NMPM, Conejos County, Colorado, for the purpose of accessing private property.
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - 4.68 acres in Secs. 10, 11 and 15, T. 32 N., R. 7 E., NMPM, Conejos County, Colorado. Near the Bighorn Corral at the confluence of Rito Hondo and Bighorn Creeks south of Fox Creek and Mogote, Colorado.
Sheepshead Enterprises, LLC Access.
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/03/2010  		Expected:09/2021
  		09/2021 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
ahpeterson@fs.fed.us 
Description: A Forest Road Permit 8,000 feet in length and 24 feet in width encompassing 4.41 acres in Sec. 2 and 11, T. 36 N., R. 3 E., NMPM, Conejos County, Colorado for the use of the closed NFSRs 380.6A and 380.6H to access private property.
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - 4.41 acres in Secs. 2 & 11, T. 36 N., R. 3 E., NMPM, Conejos County, Colorado. Approximately five miles northwest of Platoro, Colorado.
Wilson Easement Transfer
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 03/04/2021  03/2021 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
ahpeterson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Recommend transfer of FLPMA private road easement to new owners of property served.
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - A right-of-way approximately 4,341 feet in length and 30 feet in width encompassing 2.99 acres, more or less, in the S1/2 of Sec. 23, T. 36 N., R. 6 E., NMPM, Conejos County, Colorado. Wilson easement across Terrace Reservoir spillway and north of Jacobs Hill.
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Rio Grande National Forest,   Divide Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R2 - Rocky Mountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Aero Marketing Electric and Fiber to Bristol Head
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/18/2020  		Expected:11/2020
  		11/2020 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
ahpeterson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Aero Marketing is proposing to lay electric and fiberoptic cable in NFS Road 532 from State Hwy 149 to the Bristol Head Communications Site.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Hinsdale, Mineral. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Starting from where NFS Road 532 leave Hwy 149 north of North Clear Creek Falls and terminating at Bristol Head.
Tewksberry trail reroute
CE
 - Recreation management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Stephen Brigham
719-657-6014
sbrigham@fs.fed.us 
Description: The proposed action is to reroute 3 sections of the Tewksberry ATV trail for a total of 1 mile. The reroutes would be constructed to ATV trail specifications with tread no wider than 50", and would reduce resource damage and soil erosion.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=49352
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Rio Grande. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Approximately seven miles south-southwest of South Fork, CO.
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Rio Grande National Forest,   Saguache Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R2 - Rocky Mountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Aero Marketing and Logistics, LLC North Pass Comm Site
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/17/2020  		Expected:11/2020
  		11/2020 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
ahpeterson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposed is a 0.5 acre communications site near North Pass consisting of a 150' tall lattice type tower, two 12' by 28' prefab concrete equipment shelters, two 500 gallon propane tanks and a 200' x 100' solar array to provide coverage for Hwy 114.
Location: UNIT - Saguache Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Saguache. LEGAL - 0.5 acres in the NE1/4 of Sec. 30, T46N, R4E, NMPM, Saguache County, Colorado. Near North Pass where Hwy 114 crosses the continental divide approximately 25 miles northwest of Saguache, Colorado.
Aero Marketing and Logistics, LLC South Park Comm Site
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/17/2020  		Expected:11/2020
  		11/2020 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
ahpeterson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposed is a 0.5 acre communications site near South Park consisting of a 150' tall lattice type tower, two 12' by 28' prefab concrete equipment shelters, two 500 gallon propane tanks and a 200' x 100' solar array to provide coverage for Hwy 114.
Location: UNIT - Saguache Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Saguache. LEGAL - 0.5 acres in the NE1/4 of Sec. 10, T. 44 N., R 5 E., NMPM, Saguache County, Colorado. Near South Park approximately 14 miles west of Saguache, CO, and approximately 2.5 miles south of Hwy 114.
Burnt Gulch and Major Creek AML Closures
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/01/2019  		Expected:10/2020
  		03/2021 Patrick Moran
719-852-6286
patrickjmoran@fs.fed.us 
Description: Closure of 15 mine sites that are considered physical hazards.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56313
Location: UNIT - Saguache Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Saguache. LEGAL - Not Applicable. 1 mile northeast of Crestone.
Lujan Pass Timber Management Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products  In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 02/19/2021  		Expected:06/2021
  		09/2021 Rachael Sanchez
719-657-6023
rlsanchez@fs.fed.us 
Description: The proposed project would use ground-based logging systems for commercial timber harvesting on approximately 722 acres.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56020
Location: UNIT - Saguache Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Saguache. LEGAL - New Mexico Principal Meridian, T.46 N., R.4 E., sec. 16, 17, 20, 21, 22. and 28. The analysis area is located approximately thirty miles northwest of Saguache, CO near Lujan Pass. Primary access is via National Forest System Road (NFSR) 785 or NFSRs 810 and 784.
Poncha Timber Management Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 Completed  Actual: 02/10/2021  03/2021 Rachael Sanchez
719-655-6120
rachael.sanchez@usda.gov 
Description: The sanitation units (230 acres) will harvest dead and dying Douglas fir sawtimber and non-sawtimber using ground-based harvesting systems. After commercial harvest is complete, firewood gathering commercial/personal may be allowed.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58377
Location: UNIT - Saguache Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Saguache. LEGAL - T.48N., R.8E., sec. 17, 19, 20 and 29, all in NMPM. Project is located off NFSR 878/BLM 5325 - approximately 8 miles southwest of Salida, CO and approximately 8 miles northeast of the town of Bonanza, CO.
Terburg Access
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/28/2018  		Expected:11/2020
  		11/2020 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
ahpeterson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Mr. Terburg is proposing to use 4,300 feet of seasonally closed national forest system road for the purpose of accessing private property.
Location: UNIT - Saguache Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Saguache. LEGAL - Secs. 31 & 32, T. 44 N., R. 12 E., NMPM, Saguache County, Colorado. National Forest System Road 950 along North Crestone Creek.
Ute Pass Sanitation Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 Completed  Actual: 01/11/2021  02/2022 Rachael Sanchez
719-655-6120
rachael.sanchez@usda.gov 
Description: The proposed action consists of sanitation harvest of Douglas-fir in western spruce budworm impacted stands to reduce the presence of insects and disease.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58378
Location: UNIT - Saguache Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Saguache. LEGAL - T.45N. R.7E, sec. 1 and 12; T.45N, R.8E., sec. 6, 7, 8, 17 and 18, all in NMPM. Project is located off NFSR 842, near communication tower. Approximately 6 miles north of Saguache, CO and generally in the Saguache Peak area.
Weaver Access Reauthorization
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/23/2020  		Expected:11/2020
  		11/2020 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
ahpeterson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Reauthorization of a FLPMA forest road special use permit approximately 3,750 feet in length and 14 feet in width encompassing 1.21 acres, more or less, in Secs. 7 & 18, T. 25 S., R. 73 W., 6th PM, Saguache County, Colorado.
Location: UNIT - Saguache Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Saguache. LEGAL - 1.21 acres in Secs. 7 & 18, T. 25 S., R. 73 W., 6th PM, Saguache County, Colorado. Motorized access to private property located in Pole Creek east of the Duncan townsite and about ten miles south of Crestone, CO.
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