Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2025 to 03/31/2025
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, Rio Grande National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  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
Land Management Plan Direction for Old-Growth Forest Conditions Across the National Forest System
EIS
 - Land management planning  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 06/21/2024
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 12/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		01/2025 Jennifer McRae
202-791-8488
SM.FS.NFSWONGA@usda.gov 
Description: Amend all land management plans for units of the National Forest System to include consistent direction to conserve and steward existing and recruit future old-growth forest conditions and to monitor their condition across planning areas of NFS.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65356
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. LEGAL - Not Applicable. National Forests and Grasslands (128 units).
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.
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Rio Grande National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R2 - Rocky Mountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Rio Grande National Forest Over Snow Travel Management Project
EIS
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 05/01/2024
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 10/2026  		Expected:12/2026
  		01/2027 Judith Perez
719-872-4008
Judith.Perez@usda.gov 
Description: The Rio Grande National Forest proposes to designate National Forest System roads, trails and areas for motorized over snow vehicle use for all three Ranger Districts.
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/riogrande/?project=65529
Location: UNIT - Rio Grande National Forest All Units. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Alamosa, Archuleta, Conejos, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande, Saguache, San Juan. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Rio Grande National Forest including the Conejos Peak, Divide, and Saguache Ranger Districts.
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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
Bighorn Trick Tank
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Grazing management  Completed  Actual: 05/28/2020  10/2020 Kelly Garcia
719-274-6317
kgarcia@fs.fed.us 
Description: Reconstruction of an existing water development to collect rain and snow melt and store the water in two, 10,000 gallon underground steel storage tanks. A new pipeline extension and tire tanks will also be part of the project.
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - Not Applicable. On the Cumbres C&H Allotment.
Burnt Creek LLC Access
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Cancelled  N/A  N/A Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: A right-of-way approximately 4,900 feet in length and 24 feet in width encompassing 2.70 acres, more or less, in Secs. 20 & 29, T. 37 N., R. 5 E., NMPM, Rio Grande County, Colorado, for the purpose of accessing private property.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66069
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - A right-of-way approximately 4,900 feet in length and 24 feet in width encompassing 2.70 acres, more or less, in Secs. 20 & 29, T. 37 N., R. 5 E., NMPM, Rio Grande County, Colorado. Private inholding is located approximately one mile north of Jasper, CO. Burnt Creek runs through the middle of the property.
Cumbres Cow Camp Spring Extension
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management 		 Completed  Actual: 06/10/2020  06/2020 Kelly Garcia
719-274-6317
kelly.garcia@usda.gov 
Description: This project will be the re-development of a spring, installation of a spring box, exclosure fence around the spring, pipeline and a series of three tanks.
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - T32N, R6E, NW1/4 NE1/4, Sec.14. Cumbres allotment near the Cumbres Cow Camp site, Conejos Peak Ranger District, Rio Grande National Forest. T32N, R6E, NW1/4 NE1/4, Sec.14.
Fondren Access
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 10/07/2024  10/2024 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: It is proposed that the agency consider an application for the use of non-system roads for the purpose of accessing private property. The need is the applicants right to adequate access. If approved, the use would be authorized by special use permit.
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - There are three routes; 90, 390 and 1300 ft in length. A right-of-way 1,780 ft in length and 24 feet in width would encompass 0.98 acres in Secs. 4 & 5, T36N, R4E, NMPM, Conejos County. Roads are located off of NFSR 250 in the upper Alamosa River drainage just downstream from Stunner Campground.
Notch Vegetation Management Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/13/2024  		Expected:03/2025
  		08/2025 Vincent DuPont
719-274-8971
vincent.dupont@usda.gov 
Description: The purpose of this project is to implement regulated timber harvesting and sanitation-salvage timber harvesting to utilize commercially valuable hardwood and softwood species within the project analysis area and would decrease vegetation density.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67278
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - T.33 N., R.5 E., portions of section 28, 33, and 34, and T.34 N., R.5 E. portions of Sections 1-4, 11 and 12, New Mexico Principal Meridian. Conejos Peak Ranger district, of the Rio Grande National Forest. The analysis area is centered approximately one mile southwest of the community of Horca, Colorado.
Trujillo Meadows Campground Perimeter Fence
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management
- Facility management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/02/2024  		Expected:10/2024
  		07/2025 Jeremiah Martinez
719-274-8971
jeremiah.martinez@usda.gov 
Description: The Forest will install a wildlife safe perimeter fence to assist with cattle grazing management at the Trujillo Meadows Campground. The length of the fence will be 0.33 miles. The fence will be laid down when cattle grazing is finished.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66701
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - Secs. 5 & 6, T32N, R5E, N.M.P.M. Trujillo Meadows Campground, Cumbres Summit Area.
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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
Cattle Mountain Water Trap
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 09/2024  		Expected:10/2024  10/2024 Madison Groven
719-937-3066
Madison.Groven@usda.gov 
Description: Create a fence around a boggy water trap. Cattle and wildlife get stuck in the boggy area and perish. Fence is estimated to be 40%u2019 x 60%u2019.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Rio Grande. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Cattle Mountain Allotment South-South-West of South Fork, CO.
Divide RAC New Vault Toilet at Frisco Creek TH.
CE
 - Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 05/2024  		Expected:06/2024  06/2024 Tanner Dutton
719-655-6114
tanner.m.dutton@usda.gov 
Description: Install new vault toilet at the Middle Frisco Creek trailhead parking area.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Rio Grande. LEGAL - (376660.59 m E, 4157562.00 m N Middle Frisco Cr TH) . Frisco Creek Trail Head parking area.
Embargo Mastication
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 05/2024  		Expected:06/2024  07/2024 Kent Smith
719-655-6131
kent.smith@usda.gov 
Description: There is a need to reduce understory fuels to maintain desired conditions via mastication, consistent with the Rio Grande National Forest Land Management Plan as described in Management Area 5.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Rio Grande. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Embargo Creek area northwest of Del Norte Colorado.
Fern Creek Spring Development and Tank
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management 		 Cancelled  N/A  N/A Madison Groven
719-937-3066
Madison.Groven@usda.gov 
Description: The proposal is to construct a spring box for the existing spring and pipe water to a single fiberglass tank. There is a need for a spring box that would transfer water from the spring to the watering tank via a short pipeline.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66127
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Rio Grande. LEGAL - Sec. 27, T. 37 N., R. 5 E., NMPM. 37.422122, -106.437496. To the Southwest of Silver Mountain and the 704 Trail.
Martz Access
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Cancelled  N/A  N/A Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: It is proposed to authorize the motorized use and maintenance of an existing non-system route across NFS land for the purpose of accessing private property. The need is to satisfy the applicant's statutory right to adequate access.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Saguache. LEGAL - A right-of-way 3,200 feet in length and 24 feet in width encompassing 1.76 acres, more or less, in Sec. 14, T. 41 N., R. 4 E., NMPM, Saguache County, Colorado. Route is off the Seitz Creek Road (NFSR 644) approximately 11.5 miles northwest of Del Norte, Colorado.
RAC Vault Toilet at Poage Lake Parking Lot.
CE
 - Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 05/2024  		Expected:07/2024  07/2024 Tanner Dutton
719-655-6114
tanner.m.dutton@usda.gov 
Description: Installation of new vault toilet at Poage Lake Parking Lot
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Rio Grande. LEGAL - 355112.48 m E, 4151850.09 m N Poage Lake Parking Lot. Poage Lake Parking Lot.
West Pinos Well
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 06/2024  		Expected:07/2024  08/2024 Madison Groven
719-937-3066
Madison.Groven@usda.gov 
Description: Create a solar powered well to provide water to livestock and wildlife.
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Rio Grande. LEGAL - Not Applicable. West Pinos Allotment Southwest of Del Norte, 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
Cougar Douglas-fir Sanitation/Salvage
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  Completed  Actual: 10/24/2024  07/2025 Rachael Sanchez
719-657-6023
rachael.sanchez@usda.gov 
Description: The proposed action consists of sanitation harvest of no more than 250 acres of dead/dying, infested/currently uninfested Douglas-fir trees affected by Douglas-fir beetle and Western spruce budworm.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67096
Location: UNIT - Saguache Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Saguache. LEGAL - T.44N., R.5E., sections 1, 2, and 3, NMPM. Project area is located adjacent to NFSR 708 and NFSR 707 within the Spring Gulch area.
Horse Canyon Pipeline
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management 		 Completed  Actual: 09/21/2023  10/2023 Tristram Post
719-657-6010
tristram.post@usda.gov 
Description: This proposal is to redevelop two existing spring developments, run a pipeline to two tire tanks, storage tank and tie into the existing Continental Divide pipeline as a backup source. Grazing management and wildlife benefits are goals.
Location: UNIT - Saguache Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Saguache. LEGAL - Range 44N Township 2E Sec 16, 21 and 22 NMPM. Saguache Park %u2013 Horse Canyon FSR 597.1A.
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