Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
07/01/2022 to 09/30/2022
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, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  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.
Nationwide Aerial Application of Fire Retardant on National Forest System Land.
EIS
 - 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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San Juan National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R2 - Rocky Mountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Minerals - Metallic Minerals Exploratory Core Sampling
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 04/2022  		Expected:06/2022  07/2022 Walter Brown
970-884-2512
james.blair2@usda.gov 
Description: Process application for exploratory core sampling to determine mineral potential in the area. 22 drill sites located in Bedrock Creek (La Plata Canyon, Columbine RD) and headwaters of East Mancos River (Dolores RD). Some site accessed by helicopter.
Location: UNIT - Columbine Ranger District, Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - La Plata, Montezuma. LEGAL - T36-37N R11W. Bedrock Creek (La Plata Canyon, Columbine RD) and headwaters of East Mancos River (Dolores RD).
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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
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.
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:04/2022
  		05/2022 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  On Hold  N/A  N/A 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
Lands - Atlantic Richfield STA Case No. 2020
CE
 - Land ownership management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/14/2022  		Expected:06/2022
  		09/2022 Emma Reinemann
000-000-0000
Emma.Reinemann@usda.gov 
Description: The Forest Service proposes to convey 39.9 acres of NFS lands to Atlantic Richfield under the mineral fraction category of the Small Tracts Act.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61785
Location: UNIT - Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Dolores. LEGAL - W? of Section 25, Township 40 North, Range 11 West, New Mexico Principal Meridian (NMPM). One tract located east of the Dolores River approximately 0.2 miles north of the Rico Town Limits and include the existing settling ponds along the Dolores River to the south of the St. Louis Tunnel outlet.
Lands - McPhee Dam and Reservoir Area Land Withdrawal
EA
 - Land management planning  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 03/16/2022  		Expected:05/2022
  		05/2022 Emma Reinemann
9708826822
Emma.Reinemann@usda.gov 
Description: This EA evaluates the withdrawal, for a period of 100 years, of 953.06 acres of public lands and 309.56 acres of National Forest System lands for reserved used by Reclamation and the USFS in connection with McPhee Dam and Reservoir.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61683
Location: UNIT - Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Montezuma. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Proposed Action is located approximately ten miles north of Cortez, Colorado within Montezuma County near McPhee Dam and Reservoir.
Minerals - Alianza Minerals Limited Twin Canyon Exploration Drilling Project
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/15/2021  		Expected:02/2022
  		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.
Minerals - Beaver Rim Pit Expansion
CE
 - Road management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/31/2022  		Expected:07/2022
  		09/2022 Cody Jones
970-385-1294
cody.j.jones@usda.gov 
Description: This project would expand the Beaver Rim Pit in order to extract rock for use to upgrade the road system.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61531
Location: UNIT - Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Montezuma. LEGAL - T39N, R14W, Sec 31 and 32. South of Beaver Creek, to the southwest of the intersection of FSR 526 and FSR 527.
Recreation - Mavreeso Campground Water Well Replacement Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 05/11/2022  06/2022 Thomas Rice
970-882-6829
thomas.b.rice@usda.gov 
Description: The purpose of this project is to improve the quality of water available at Mavreeso Campground by drilling a new water well.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61555
Location: UNIT - Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Dolores. LEGAL - T39N, R13W, Section 9. West Dolores Road.
Special Uses - American Tower Communication Site Removal
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 04/22/2022  06/2022 Mary Kusnir
520-749-7709
mary.kusnir@usda.gov 
Description: American Tower proposes to remove the 120 foot tall tower and 228 square foot shelter, along with any underlying foundations and pads, from Caviness Communication Site Lot 6.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61554
Location: UNIT - Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Montezuma. LEGAL - T36N, R12W, Section 23. Caviness Mountain, north of FSR 316.
Special Uses - Carter Ditch Transfer - Englehart to Gardner & Roundtree
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed
This project has changed to a CE that does not require a written decision document and will be removed from the SOPA.  		  04/2022 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 - DiMattei Water Line Installation
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 06/24/2022  06/2022 Mary Kusnir
520-749-7709
mary.kusnir@usda.gov 
Description: The applicant is proposing to install a new water line that will cross USFS lands through an existing easement in order to bring city water to his home.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62121
Location: UNIT - Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Montezuma. LEGAL - Not Applicable. West of McPhee Reservoir.
Special Uses - Farny Road Authorization
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/10/2021  		Expected:05/2022
  		05/2022 Mary Kusnir
520-749-7709
mary.kusnir@usda.gov 
Description: This project would authorize a change an existing trail easement to a motorized access easement and transfer ownership from David and Sharon Farny to Cindy Farny.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61557
Location: UNIT - Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Montezuma. LEGAL - Sec. 23, 24, 25, & 36 of T41N, R10W. NFSR Rd # 204A and 204A.1 near Lizard Pass off Hwy 145.
Special Uses - Kremen Ditch Re-Authorization
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed
This project has changed to a CE that does not require a written decision document and will be removed from the SOPA.  		  04/2022 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.
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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
Facilities - Radio Repeater Installation on Mesa Cortado
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management
- Facility management 		 Completed  Actual: 05/17/2022  06/2022 John Godson
970-385-1292
john.godson@usda.gov 
Description: Installation of a radio repeater on Mesa Cortado. Less than 1 acre of disturbance. Minimal amounts of brush and small tree clearing expected.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61987
Location: UNIT - Pagosa Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Archuleta. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Mesa Cortado on the Pagosa Ranger District.
Lands - Valle Seco 2019 Land Exchange
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Land ownership management
- Land acquisition 		 Completed  Actual: 06/29/2022  08/2022 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.
Recreation and Forest Products - Jackson Mountain Recreation and Vegetation Management project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 08/2022  		Expected:03/2023  05/2023 Paul Blackman
307-745-2363
paul.blackman@usda.gov 
Description: Landscape level analysis of recreation and veg mgmt opportunities in the Jackson Mountain area, including consideration of mountain bike trails and associated facilities (parking areas, toilets, etc), and vegetation and fuels management opportunities
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61809
Location: UNIT - Pagosa Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Archuleta. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Jackson Mountain Area on the Pagosa Ranger District.
Special Uses - Xcel Energy Jackson Mt Valve Rebuild
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 07/2022  		Expected:07/2022  08/2022 Mark Lambert
970-385-1240
mark.b.lambert@usda.gov 
Description: Xcel Energy proposes to rebuild the valve at the intersection of Hwy 160 and Jackson Mountain Road (NFSR 037)
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61972
Location: UNIT - Pagosa Ranger District. STATE - Colorado. COUNTY - Archuleta. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Intersection of Hwy 160 and the Jackson Mountain Road (NFSR 037).
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