Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2022 to 03/31/2022
San Juan 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, San Juan National Forest,  Columbine Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, San Juan National Forest,  Mancos/Dolores Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, San Juan National Forest,  Pagosa 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.
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San Juan National Forest,   Columbine 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
Fisheries - Big Bend Fish Barriers
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/15/2021  		Expected:10/2021
  		10/2022 Clayton Kampf
970-385-1220
ckampf@fs.fed.us 
Description: Create 2 barriers to non-native fish in Big Bend Crk. Construct by hand within 1/2 mile from the confluence with Hermosa Crk using spruce logs. Barriers to be approx 6 feet high. Will provide 1.5 miles additional habitat for San Juan Cutthroat Trout
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59355
Location: UNIT - Columbine Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - La Plata. LEGAL - T 38 N, R 10 W, Section 10. Big Bend Creek just upstream of confluence with Hermosa Creek.
Forest Health - Southern HDs Landscape Restoration Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 10/30/2021  		Expected:01/2022
  		05/2022 James Simino
970-884-2512
james.simino@usda.gov 
Description: Vegetation treatment to restore the area (about 34,000 acres) to more natural conditions. Treatments could include prescribed fire, tree thinning, small commercial wood sales, fuelwood gathering, mowing, and targeted grazing.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58742
Location: UNIT - Columbine Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Archuleta, La Plata. LEGAL - Township 35N, Range 6W, sections 34-36; Township 34N, Range 6W, sections 1-3, 10, 11, 20-36, 1U-5U, 7U-11U, 13U-18U; Township 34N, Range 5W, sections 7, 18-24, 26-35, 7U, 9U, and 13U%u201318U. HD Mountains south of Highway 160, east of Bayfield, CO.
Minerals - Petrox Northern Extension Pipeline and Horizontal Drilling Project
EA
 - Minerals and Geology
- Special use management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Walter Brown
970-385-1372
wabrown@fs.fed.us 
Description: Construction of a pipeline on FS, state, and private lands; construction of 1 new gas well pad and access road on FS land; and re-completion of 2 existing gas wells located on FS. The wells would be drilled with horizontal drilling techniques.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=53825
Location: UNIT - Columbine Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Archuleta. LEGAL - T34&35N R5&6W. Pipeline route runs from Lange Canyon to Fosset Gulch, 8 miles east of Bayfield.
Recreation - Purgatory Resort Ice Creek Pod Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Special use management
- Facility management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 10/27/2021  		Expected:12/2021
  		12/2021 Noel Ludwig
303-275-5164
noel.ludwig@usda.gov 
Description: Constructing new quad ski lift and four new ski runs. Rerouting of snowmobile access trail. Would require 2.5 acres of ground disturbance and 25.9 acres of tree removal.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57877
Location: UNIT - Columbine Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - La Plata. LEGAL - NW1/4 of SE1/4 of T39N, R9W, New Mexico Baseline. Project area is in East Fork Hermosa Creek watershed, on back side of Purgatory Resort, within existing SUP area.
Special Uses - Gloge Property USFS Access Road
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Lewis Sovocool
970-884-1433
lsovocool@fs.fed.us 
Description: Grant a special use permit for construction of dirt driveway across Forest Service lands to access a residential property.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60292
Location: UNIT - Columbine Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - La Plata. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Located on the southern slope of Shaefer Mountain. The proposed driveway would be accessed by Bear Creek Road, approximately 3 miles east of County Road 501.
Special Uses - Shelton's Spring Special Use Permit
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/02/2021  		Expected:11/2021
  		11/2021 Lewis Sovocool
970-884-1433
lsovocool@fs.fed.us 
Description: Issue a 30-year FLPMA permit for the use and maintenance of existing spring and pipe facilities on NFS land.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60198
Location: UNIT - Columbine Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Archuleta. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Approx. 1.25 miles east of Fosset Gulch Road (FSR 613), south of Hwy 160.
Special Uses - True Creek Motorized Trail Access
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/19/2021  		Expected:11/2021
  		11/2021 Lewis Sovocool
970-884-1433
lsovocool@fs.fed.us 
Description: Authorize motorized trail access, via FLPMA Private Trail Permit, to an isolated private parcel.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60139
Location: UNIT - Columbine Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - La Plata. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Southwest of Lemon Reservoir near the Aspen Trails subdivision.
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San Juan National Forest,   Mancos/Dolores 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
Forest Health - Fox Den Salvage
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 Completed  Actual: 11/15/2021  01/2022 David Casey
970-882-6830
david.casey2@usda.gov 
Description: Salvage of downed trees to prevent potential Spruce Bark Beetle outbreak as result of no action and recovery of loss value of downed timber.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60662
Location: UNIT - Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Montezuma. LEGAL - Sections 16, 17, 19, 23, 29 T 39 N, R 12W NMPM. Taylor Mesa, in the vicinity of Forest Service Roads 545 and 547.
Forest Health - Salter Vegetation Management Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products  Completed  Actual: 11/18/2021  01/2022 David Casey
970-882-6830
djcasey@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposed ponderosa pine vegetation management actions including tree cutting, tree planting and activity fuel burning covering approximately 35,000 acres.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57671
Location: UNIT - Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Dolores, Montezuma. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The proposed project area is located generally north and northeast of Dolores, CO in the Salter and Boggy Draw areas.
Mineral - Alianza Minerals Limited Twin Canyon Exploration Drilling Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/15/2021  		Expected:12/2021
  		05/2022 Walter Brown
970-385-1372
walter.brown@usda.gov 
Description: Alianza Minerals Limited (Alianza)has submitted a preliminary Plan of Operations to explore its Twin Canyon property in the Caviness Mountain area for locatable minerals through a limited exploratory drilling program.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60254
Location: UNIT - Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Montezuma. LEGAL - T36N, R12W, Sections 13, 14, 23, 24. T36N, R12W, Sections 13, 14, 23, 24.
Recreation - Barlow Creek Parking Lot Expansion
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 10/26/2021  11/2021 Thomas Rice
970-882-6829
thomasbrice@fs.fed.us 
Description: The SJNF proposes to expand the existing approximately 0.44 acre parking lot at Barlow Creek through the addition of approximately 0.58 acres of parking area on the Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. Signage and interpretive panels would be installed.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60673
Location: UNIT - Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Dolores. LEGAL - Sec 32 T41N R10W NMPM. The proposed project area is located approximately 6 miles north of Rico, CO, at the junction of State Highway 145 and Forest Service Road 578.
Recreation - Rico Trails Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 11/17/2021
01/08/2021  		06/2022 Thomas Rice
970-882-6829
thomasbrice@fs.fed.us 
Description: Analysis of proposed trails, reroutes and improvements to the Spring Creek, Ryman, Rio Grande Southern and Circle trails
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56748
Location: UNIT - Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Dolores. LEGAL - Not Applicable. In the vicinity of Rico, CO.
Special Uses - Bradley Family Trust Spring Box and Waterline Request
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 12/15/2021  12/2021 Mary Kusnir
520-749-7709
mary.kusnir@usda.gov 
Description: Harry W. Bradley passed away and his water transmission line and spring box authorization is nontransferable; therefore a new authorization is requested for Bradley family Trust. The water line will need significant work to get it back up and running
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60997
Location: UNIT - Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Montezuma. LEGAL - T. 38 N., R. 12 W. Section 5. Near Bryon Spring.
Special Uses - Carter Ditch Transfer - Englehart to Gardner & Roundtree
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/05/2021  		Expected:11/2021
  		12/2021 Mary Kusnir
520-749-7709
mary.kusnir@usda.gov 
Description: This project would transfer the Carter Ditch Easement (DOL505402) from Cordy Englehart to Gloria Gardner and Alice Roundtree for agriculture irrigation or livestock water system use.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61023
Location: UNIT - Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Montezuma. LEGAL - Sec. 1, T. 38 N., R. 14 W. Near Stoner Ranger Station off the Dolores River.
Special Uses - Donaldson Family Spring Box Transfer
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 12/2021  		Expected:05/2022  05/2022 Mary Kusnir
520-749-7709
mary.kusnir@usda.gov 
Description: This project would transfer the Cordalis Spring Special Use Permit from Connie Donaldson to Jimmy Donaldson and Deborah Klein. This project is solely administrative in nature and does not include any ground disturbance or other physical work.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61312
Location: UNIT - Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Montezuma. LEGAL - Sec. 25, T35N, R14W. West Dolores River near Stoner Mesa.
Special Uses - Hansen Road Access Request
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/03/2021  		Expected:11/2021
  		12/2021 Mary Kusnir
520-749-7709
mary.kusnir@usda.gov 
Description: Jared and Karen Hansen are requesting road access to private inholding located on the House Creek Wildlife Easement. The road would be approximately 729 feet long and up to 30 feet wide.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61024
Location: UNIT - Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Montezuma. LEGAL - T38N, R15W, Section 21. House Creek Road/McPhee Reservoir area.
Special Uses - Kremen Ditch Re-Authorization
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/26/2021  		Expected:11/2021
  		12/2021 Mary Kusnir
520-749-7709
mary.kusnir@usda.gov 
Description: The Kremen Ditch (0.9 miles) provides irrigation water to private property in the Starvation Gulch drainage, within the Cherry Creek watershed. The proposed re-authorization does not change any operating conditions for the ditch and right of way.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60992
Location: UNIT - Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - La Plata. LEGAL - T36N, R12W, Section 35. Near Starvation Creek and FSR 568.
Special Uses - Reddert Ranch, LLC Road Access Request
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 12/15/2021  12/2021 Mary Kusnir
520-749-7709
mary.kusnir@usda.gov 
Description: Request for a new Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) Road Authorization to access a well site on private land.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60998
Location: UNIT - Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Montezuma. LEGAL - T37N, R13W, Section 33. Chicken Creek Area.
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San Juan National Forest,   Pagosa 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
Lands - Valle Seco 2019 Land Exchange
EA
 - Land ownership management
- Land acquisition 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 09/24/2021  		Expected:01/2022
  		02/2022 Rebecca Smith
970-264-1521
rebecca.smith@usda.gov 
Description: The Forest Service proposes to exchange approximately 452 acres of SJNF lands in ten Federal parcels for approximately 880 acres of one non-Federal parcel of land adjacent to NFS land managed by the SJNF.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57154
Location: UNIT - Pagosa Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Archuleta. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Pagosa Ranger District: Ten parcels of federal lands totaling approximately 452 acres and one parcel of non-federal land totaling approximately 880 acres. Refer to maps provided on SJNF website.
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