Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2022 to 03/31/2022
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
Locatable Mining Rule - 36 CFR 228, subpart A.
EIS
 - Regulations, Directives, Orders  On Hold  N/A  N/A 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.
Back To Top

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,.
Back To Top

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

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 11/04/2021  12/2021 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

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 12/14/2021  09/2022 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.
Conejos Water Conservancy District Weather Station Reauth
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/22/2021  		Expected:09/2022
  		09/2022 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: The reauthorization of five weather stations operated and maintained by the Conejos Water Conservancy District. Two of the sites are in the South San Juan Wilderness and require review.
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - SE1/4 Sec. 24, T. 36 N., R. 3 E.; SW1/4 Sec. 34, T. 36 N., R. 4 E.; NE1/4 Sec. 35, T. 35 N., R. 3 E.; NE1/4 Sec. 14, T. 34 N., R. 4 E.; NW1/4 Sec. 29, T. 33 N., R. 5 E., NMPM, Conejos County, CO. Five sites on the Conejos Peak District in and around the South San Juan Wilderness.
Iron Creek Access
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/11/2009  		Expected:09/2022
  		09/2022 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.
Rito Hondo, LLC Access Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 10/28/2021  12/2021 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:09/2022
  		09/2022 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, 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 Sec. 2, T. 36 N., R. 3 E., NMPM, Conejos County, Colorado. Approximately five miles northwest of Platoro, Colorado.
Trail Gulch Vegetation Management Project
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 06/12/2021  		Expected:05/2022
  		06/2022 Judi Perez
719-852-6240
judi.perez@usda.gov 
Description: The Conejos Peak Ranger District is proposing to treat up to 13,200 acres of the 51,460-acre project area. The Conejos Peak Ranger District has identified a need to improve overall forest health in the project area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60258
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - T.33N., R.5E.; T.33N., R.6E.; T.33N., R.7E.; T.32N., R.4E.; T.32N., R.5E.; T.32N., R.6E.; and T.32N., R.7E., New Mexico Prime Meridian. Conejos Peak RD Generally, south of highway 17,south to NM/CO border, west to Cumbres Pass, east to Fox Creek then south along the RGNF boundary, generally 10.38 miles west of Antonito, CO.
Back To Top

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
Alpha Agape Driveway Reauth
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 10/21/2021  10/2021 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: Alpha Agape, Inc. has applied for a special use permit for legal motorized access to private property. The existing route leaves NFSR 520 and is approximately 135 feet in length and 30 feet in width encompassing 0.09 acres.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Hinsdale. LEGAL - 0.09 acres, more or less, in the NW? of Sec. 31, T. 41 N., R. 4 W., NMPM, Hinsdale County, Colorado. Lost Trail Ranch approximately one mile west of Rio Grande Reservoir.
CDPHE Comm Site Reauthorization
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 10/22/2021  11/2021 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: CDPHE holds a special use permit (SUP) to occupy the FS shelter at the Grayback Communications Site. Their interest in maintaining comm equipment is to serve operations at the Summitville Mine. Their auth has expired and they wish to reauthorize.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Rio Grande. LEGAL - Grayback Communications Site in Sec. 9, T. 37 N., R. 4 E., NMPM, Rio Grande County, Colorado. Grayback Communications Site about four miles northwest of Jasper, Colorado.
Getz Driveway Reissuance
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 12/09/2021  12/2021 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: Property served by a FLPMA private road permit has been sold. It is proposed to issue a new permit to the new owners.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Hinsdale. LEGAL - Approximately 0.09 acres in the NW1/4 of Sec. 31, T. 41 N., R. 4 W., NMPM, Hinsdale County, Colorado. Entrance to Lost Trail Ranch off of NFS Road 520.
Stokes Waterline Special Use Authorization Reissuance
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 12/08/2021  12/2021 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: The property served by a FLPMA water transmission line special use permit has changed ownership. It is proposed to reissue a new authorization to the new owners.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - 0.18 acres, more or less, in the NW1/4 of Sec. 28, T. 41 N., R. 1 W., NMPM, Mineral County, Colorado. Near Middle Creek Road (NFSR 523) about a mile south of the Marshall Park Campground.
Tucker Ponds Snowmobile Parking Lot expansion
CE
 - Recreation management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/01/2021  		Expected:05/2021
  		10/2021 Martha Williamson
719.657.6007
martha.williamson@usda.gov 
Description: The purpose of this project is to expand the existing Tucker Ponds winter parking area by 0.8ac in order to alleviate congestion at the US160 chain station. This project is in cooperation with CSP, CDOT, Mineral County, and snowmobile clubs.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Intersection of NFSR 390 and US 160, approximately 13 miles west of South Fork, CO.
Wray Easement Transfer
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 11/15/2021  11/2021 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: The Wray's hold a FLPMA road easement for access to private property in Mineral County, Colorado. They've conveyed the property to the Johnsons' and it is proposed to transfer the easement for the remainder of its term.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - A right-of-way 550 feet in length and 30 feet in width encompassing 0.38 acres, more or less, in Sec. 26, T. 42 N., R. 1 W., NMPM, Mineral County, Colorado. Approximately 1 mile northwest of Creede, Colorado off of National Forest System Road 504.1B.
Back To Top

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
Buffalo Pass Timber Stand Improvement and Fuels Reduction
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Fuels management  Completed  Actual: 05/21/2012  07/2012 Sidney Hall
719-852-6205
shall@fs.fed.us 
Description: Thin understory trees and prescribe burn to reduce natural and activity fuels and improve forest health. Note: THIS PROJECT WAS FORMERLY TITLED BUFFALO PASS FUELS REDUCTION PROJECT, BUT HAS BEEN RE-NAMED TO BETTER REFLECT PROJECT OBJECTIVES.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=6231
Location: UNIT - Saguache Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Saguache. LEGAL - T45N, R4E, Sec. 2,3,4,9,10,11,14,15,16,21,22,23; T.46 N, R 4 E., Sec 33, 34. West of Saguache, Colorado, near the Buffalo Pass Campground area.
Terburg Access
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 11/30/2021  12/2021 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
ahpeterson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Mr. Terburg is proposing to use 5300 feet of seasonally closed national forest system road for the purpose of accessing private property. Also being proposed is limited, infrequent ATV use of 1850 of national forest system trail for the same purpose.
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.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.