Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
04/01/2022 to 06/30/2022
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.
Nationwide Aerial Application of Fire Retardant on National Forest System Land.
EIS

           *UPDATED*
- Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 08/08/2020
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/2022 
Expected:06/2022
 
07/2022 Laura Conway
406-802-4317
laura.conway@usda.gov 
Description: Programmatic Supplemental EIS for the Nationwide Aerial Application of Fire Retardant on National Forest System Land.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60450
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The direction in the SEIS will apply to use of aerially delivered fire retardant on all National Forest System land. .
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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
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

           *UPDATED*
- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/11/2009 
Expected:09/2023
 
09/2023 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
ahpeterson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Multiple private property 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.
Jasper Snow Plowing Permit
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Special use management
- Road management 
In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/25/2018 
Expected:09/2022
 
09/2022 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: Snowplowing on National Forest System Road 250 to the town of Jasper, CO.
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos, Rio Grande. LEGAL - Not Applicable. NFS Road 250 up the Alamosa River Canyon to the town of Jasper, CO.
Sheepshead Enterprises, LLC Access.
CE

           *UPDATED*
- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/03/2010 
Expected:09/2023
 
09/2023 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

           *UPDATED*
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 
In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 02/18/2022 
Expected:05/2022
 
06/2022 Judith 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.
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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
Alberta Park Reservoir Reauthorization
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 03/07/2022  03/2022 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: It is proposed to reauthorized CPW's Alberta Park Reservoir under a new special use permit.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - 37.72 acres in the NE1/4 of Sec. 9 & the NW1/4 of Sec. 10, T. 37 N., R. 2 E., NMPM, Mineral County, Colorado. Pass Creek below Wolf Creek Ski Area.
Big Meadows Reservoir Reauthorization
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 03/07/2022  03/2022 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: It is proposed to reauthorize CPW's Big Meadows Reservoir under a new special use authorization.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - 120 acres, more or less, in Sec. 18, T. 38 N., R. 2 E., NMPM, Mineral County, Colorado. Big Meadows.
Hish Access
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Special use management  Cancelled  N/A  N/A Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: It's proposed to authorize under special use authorization the motorized use of a non-system route for the purpose of accessing private property. The route crosses three miles of NFS lands and a 24 feet wide ROW would encompass 8.73 acres.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Saguache. LEGAL - 8.73 acres, more or less, in Secs. 29, 32 & 33, T. 41 N., R. 5 E., NMPM, Saguache County, Colorado. Access route leaves NFSR 660 and accesses property east of Twin Mountains.
Hwy 160 Fiber Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 01/25/2022  01/2022 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: Placing fiber optic and electric lines in Hwy 160 from the tunnel to Wolf Creek Pass. Project involves approximately 9.3 miles of highway and a ten feet wide right-of-way would encompass 11.27 acres, more or less.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - 11.27 acres in Secs. 9, 16, 21, 28 & 33, T. 38 N., R. 2 E. and Secs. 4, 5 & 6, T. 37 N., R. 2 E., NMPM, Mineral County, Colorado (all within the Hwy 160 right-of-way). Hwy 160 from the tunnel to Wolf Creek Pass.
MCH and Verbenone application in suitable timber base and developed recreation sites
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Forest products  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/07/2022 
Expected:03/2022
 
04/2022 Kevin Duda
719-657-6037
kevin.duda@usda.gov 
Description: The purpose is to improve stand conditions by reducing the likelihood of attack from Douglas-fir beetles and pine beetles. Bark beetles can cause tree mortality counter to timber production objectives and detrimental for visitor safety.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande, Saguache. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Douglas-fir stands within the designated timber base, primarily around South Fork CO; developed campgrounds in Douglas-fir and Ponderosa district-wide.
Rito Hondo Reservoir Reauthorization
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/29/2022 
Expected:04/2022
 
04/2022 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: It is proposed to reauthorize Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Rito Hondo Reservoir.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Hinsdale. LEGAL - 40.74 acres in Secs. 15 & 22, T. 42 N., R. 3 W., NMPM, Hinsdale County, Colorado. Along Forest System Road 513 west of Creede, Colorado.
Road Canyon Reservoirs Reauthorization
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/29/2022 
Expected:04/2022
 
04/2022 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: It is proposed to reauthorize Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Road Canyon Reservoirs No. 1 and No. 2.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Hinsdale. LEGAL - 186.22 acres in Secs. 3 & 4, T. 40 N., R. 3 W.; Secs. 26, 27 & 34, T. 41 N., R. 3 W., NMPM, Hinsdale County, Colorado. Road Canyon Reservoirs along Forest System Road 520 west of Creede, Colorado.
Rowe Access Reauthorization
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 01/25/2022  01/2022 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: Private property served by a FLPMA private road special use permit has been conveyed. It is proposed to issue a new special use permit to the new owners.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Rio Grande. LEGAL - 0.04 acres in the NW1/4 of Sec. 16, T. 39 N., R. 3 E., NMPM, Rio Grande County, Colorado. Approximately three miles southwest of South Fork, CO, off of NFSR 360 near Million Reservoir.
S Lazy U Dam Maintenance
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 02/18/2022  02/2022 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: S Lazy U is proposing to accomplish maintenance on the dam associated with the S Lazy U Reservoir No. 2, specifically replacing the outlet pipe.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Hinsdale. LEGAL - 1.0 acres in the NE1/4 of Sec. 30 & NW1/4 of Sec. 29, T. 41 N., R. 3 W., NMPM, Hinsdale County, Colorado. S Lazy U Reservoir No. 2 on Crooked Creek above S Lazy U Dude Ranch off of NFSR 521.
S Lazy U Reservoir Authorization
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 03/21/2022  03/2022 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: It is proposed to authorize the use and occupancy of NFS land by S Lazy U Dude Ranch's reservoirs, the S Lazy U Dude Ranch Reservoir and the S Lazy U Dude Ranch Reservoir No. 2.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Hinsdale. LEGAL - 19.8 acres in Secs. 20, 29 & 30, T. 41 N., R. 3 W., NMPM, Hinsdale County, Colorado. S Lazy U Dude Ranch Reservoir and S Lazy U Dude Ranch Reservoir No. 2 on Crooked Creek above S Lazy U Dude Ranch off of NFSR 521.
Shaw Reservoir Feeder Ditch Reauthorization
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 03/07/2022  03/2022 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: Due to a change in ownership, it is proposed to reauthorized the Shaw Reservoir Feeder Ditch under a new special use authorization.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - 1.05 acres in Sec. 6, T. 38 N., R. 2 E., NMPM, Mineral County, Colorado. West of and delivering water to Shaw Reservoir, approximately one mile north of Big Meadows Reservoir.
Shaw Reservoir Reauthorization
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 03/07/2022  03/2022 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: Due to a change in ownership, it is proposed to reauthorize the Shaw Reservoir under a new special use authorization.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - 48.45 acres in Secs. 5 & 6, T. 38 N., R. 2 E., NMPM, Mineral County, Colorado. Shaw Reservoir approximately one mile north of Big Meadows Reservoir.
Troutvale (aka Browns) Reservoirs Reauthorization
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/29/2022 
Expected:04/2022
 
04/2022 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: It is proposed to reauthorize under special use autohorizations Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Troutvale Reservoir and Troutvale Reservoir No. 2.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Hinsdale. LEGAL - 37.86 acres in Secs. 9, 10, 15 & 16, T. 41 N., R. 3 W., NMPM, Hinsdale County, Colorado. Troutvale Reservoirs (aka Brown Lakes) along Forest System Road 515 west of Creede, Colorado.
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.
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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
Beaver Dam Analogue Installation Saguache Park
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  Completed  Actual: 10/03/2021  09/2022 William Remshardt
719-852-6228
william.remshardt@usda.gov 
Description: Beaver Dam Analogue (BDA) structures will be installed across 3 general locations to reduce soil erosion and improve riparian and fisheries habitat, where stream conditions are degraded.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60845
Location: UNIT - Saguache Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Saguache. LEGAL - T 43N R3E Sec 4,31 and T 43N R2E Sec 1. Locations include Middle Fork Saguache Creek, Middle Fork and South Fork Saguache creeks, South Fork Saguache Creek.
Cantonment Vegetation Management Project
EA

           *NEW LISTING*
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 
In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 02/11/2022 
Expected:02/2023
 
06/2023 Rachael Sanchez
719-657-6023
rachael.sanchez@usda.gov 
Description: The Rio Grande National Forest proposes to initiate multiple treatments within the Cantonment Creek and Luders Creek Drainages,including prescribed fire, salvage, precommercial thin, intermediate harvest and regeneration harvest.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61592
Location: UNIT - Saguache Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Saguache. LEGAL - New Mexico Principal Meridian, T.45N., R.4E., sec. 6-8, 16-23, 27-30 and 34; T.45N., R.3E., sec. 1, 11-15, 23-28, and 33-36; T.44N., R.3E., sec. 1-3; T.44N., R.4E., sec. 6. The analysis area is located approximately twenty-five miles west of the town of Saguache, Colorado.
Oyler Beetle Salvage
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 
In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/08/2022 
Expected:09/2022
 
09/2022 Rachael Sanchez
719-657-6023
rachael.sanchez@usda.gov 
Description: The proposed action consists of salvage harvest of approximately 250 acres of dead/dying Engelmann spruce within stands adjacent to and surrounding the Oyler parcel located on NFSR 681.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61584
Location: UNIT - Saguache Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Saguache. LEGAL - T.43N., R.4E., sections 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, NMPM. Project area is located adjacent to NFSR 681, off NFSR 675. Project borders the Oyler private property boundary.
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