Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
04/01/2025 to 06/30/2025
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

           *UPDATED* 		- Land management planning  Cancelled  N/A  N/A 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
CPW Sheep Creek Fishing Access
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/10/2025  		Expected:07/2025
  		08/2025 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: It is proposed to authorize under special use permit Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) improvements for a fishing access to the Conejos River at the Sheep Creek subdivision. The improvements occupy approximately 0.89 acres.
Location: UNIT - Conejos Peak Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Conejos. LEGAL - 0.89 acres in the S1/2 of Sec. 22, T. 33 N., R. 6 E., NMPM, Conejos County, Colorado. Between the Sheep Creek subdivision and Hwy 17 about 1.75 miles west of Aspen Glade campground.
Notch Vegetation Management Project
CE
 - 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

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management
- Facility management 		 Completed  Actual: 01/06/2025  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

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management 		 Cancelled  N/A  N/A 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.
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.
Santa Maria Access
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/10/2025  		Expected:05/2025
  		05/2025 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: It is proposed to authorize the use of various non-system motorized routes used by the Santa Maria Reservoir Company for maintenance and operation of their water systems or access to private property.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67509
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - Secs. 7, 8 & 17, T. 41 N., R. 2 W. NMPM, Mineral County, Colorado. Various motorized access route along the Santa Maria Reservoir supply line and the Santa Maria Reservoir dam.
Santa Maria Boulder Creek Waterline
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/10/2025  		Expected:03/2025
  		03/2025 Andrew Peterson
719-852-6206
andrew.peterson@usda.gov 
Description: It is proposed to authorize an existing water diversion, spring box, and approximately 1,150 feet of buried waterline. The system is in place and there is not a proposal to increase the scope or intensity.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67510
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - 0.26 acres in the SE/14 of Sec. 8, T. 41 N., R. 2 W., NMPM, Mineral County, Colorado. Located near where NFS Road 509 enters private property above Santa Maria Reservoir.
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.
Wolf Creek Ski Area Base Upgrades
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management
- Facility management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/07/2025  		Expected:06/2025
  		06/2025 Patrick Moran
719-852-6286
patrick.j.moran@usda.gov 
Description: Removal of the Boarder Dome and construction of a new Boarder Building (2140 sq ft), construction of a deck plaza area (7250 sq ft) which connects the Ski Lodge to the rental facility and expanding the size of the Ski Lodge (5320 sq ft).
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67635
Location: UNIT - Divide Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - Township 37 North, Range 2 East, Sections 5 and 8. Wolf Creek Ski Area at Wolf Creek Pass, CO. West of Del Norte CO and South Fork CO along Highway 160.
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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
Willow Creek Watershed In-Stream Restoration
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/24/2025  		Expected:04/2025
  		06/2025 Amber Lidell
541-365-7038
alidell@fs.fed.us 
Description: Install low tech process-based restoration structures in Willow Creek, Wilcox Creek and Copper Gulch on the Saguache Ranger District. The project occurs in MA 1, MA 1.1a, and MA 5.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/riogrande/?project=67832
Location: UNIT - Saguache Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Saguache. LEGAL - T.43N., R.12E., Sections 9 & 10, New Mexico Prime Meridian. T.43N., R.12E., Sections 9 & 10, New Mexico Prime Meridian. Southwest of Crestone, Colorado.
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