Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
10/01/2022 to 12/31/2022
Carson 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
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Carson National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Carson National Forest,  Camino Real Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Carson National Forest,  Jicarilla Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Carson National Forest,  Questa Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Carson National Forest,  Tres Piedras 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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Carson National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Carson National Forest Revision of Land and Resource Management Plan
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Land management planning  Completed  Actual: 07/08/2022  08/2022 Peter Rich
575-758-6277
peter.rich@usda.gov 
Description: Revision of the 1986 Carson National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan to update plan direction
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=47966
Location: UNIT - Carson National Forest All Units. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Colfax, Mora, Rio Arriba, Taos. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Carson National Forest.
Expired Special Use Permit Re-issuance
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.  		  09/2022 Raul Hurtado
575-758-6344
raul.e.hurtado@usda.gov 
Description: To provide important services to the communities we serve, the Carson National Forest has identified 22 expired or expiring special use authorizations for review and re-authorization.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62411
Location: UNIT - Carson National Forest All Units. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Colfax, Rio Arriba, San Juan, Taos. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Authorizations occur across the Carson NF on all Ranger Districts.
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Carson National Forest,   Camino Real Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Access Route and Maintenance for Encinal and La Sierra Acequia Users
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Raul Hurtado
575-758-6344
raul.e.hurtado@usda.gov 
Description: This project will be for the authorization of an access route for the acequia group. The access route will be approximately .5 miles in length with the sole purpose of having an authorized route on file for getting to and from the headgate(s).
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61535
Location: UNIT - Camino Real Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Mora. LEGAL - T21N., R14E., Sections 16 and 17. The project will take place on the Camino Real Ranger District at the headgate of the acequia and stretch 0.5 miles to improve the access for users during irrigation season.
McGaffey Forest and Rio Grande del Rancho Watershed Restoration
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/24/2018
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 09/2022  		Expected:03/2023
  		04/2023 Gabriel Romero
575-587-2255
gabriel.romero@usda.gov 
Description: Part of Taos Valley Watershed Coalition's Landscape Restoration Strategy, the project proposes to re-establish fire-adapted forests, reduce the threat of severe effects from wildfire, provide wood products to communities, and improve wildlife habitat
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52579
Location: UNIT - Camino Real Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Taos. LEGAL - T23N R12E sections 1, 11-14, &23-24; T23N R13E sections 2-11, 14-23, & 26-29; T24N R12E sections 13, 24-45, & 36; and T24N R13E sections 8-9 & 16-36; NMPM. Located on both side of Highway 518, from the National Forest boundary on the north to US. Hill on the south and from Miranda Arroyo on the west to Bear Wallow Ridge and Maestas Ridge on the east.
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Carson National Forest,   Jicarilla Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Jicarilla Ranger District Toilet Decommissioning and Removal.
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Facility management 		 Completed  Actual: 07/07/2022  07/2022 Jon Miller
505-632-2956x77240
jon.miller@usda.gov 
Description: The Jicarilla RD proposes to decommission and remove the Buzzard Park, Cedar Springs, and Gasbuggy vault toilets. The toilets current condition are unsafe for public use and they show signs of structural compromise and insect/rodent infestation.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62394
Location: UNIT - Jicarilla Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Rio Arriba. LEGAL - Buzzard Park Campground toilet-Sec. 23, Township 30N, Range 4W: Cedar Springs Campground toilet- Sec. 9, Township 28N, Range 4W: Gasbuggy Interpretive Site toilet-Sec. 36, Township 29N, Range 4W. The toilet facilities are located at the Buzzard Park Campground, Cedar Springs Campground, and Gasbuggy Interpretive Site.
Jicarilla Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Fuels management
- Watershed management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Cynthia Campbell
505-632-2956
cynthia.campbell@usda.gov 
Description: The Jicarilla RD is proposing to treat, mechanically or with prescribed fire approximately 33,292 acres of predominately Ponderosa pine to restore healthy timber stands, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce fire danger.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=54490
Location: UNIT - Jicarilla Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Rio Arriba. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Carson National Forest, Jicarilla Ranger District. Proposed project is spread throughout the district within Ponderosa pine ecosystems.
Williams Four Corners, LLC (WFC) Special Use Authorization, Oil and Gas Pipeline
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Jon Miller
505-632-2956x77240
jon.miller@usda.gov 
Description: The Forest Service is proposing to approve an application for a special use authorization, submitted by WFC. The special use authorization would allow WFC to operate and maintain an existing natural gas pipeline and associated infrastructure system.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=41925
Location: UNIT - Jicarilla Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Rio Arriba. LEGAL - Township (T) 27 N, Range (R) 4 W; T28N, R4W; T29N, R4W; T29N, R5W; T30N, R4W; T30N, R5W; T31N, R4W; T31N, R5W; and T32N, R5W. Jicarilla Ranger District.
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Carson National Forest,   Questa Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Ponil Creek Watershed Collaborative Landscape Restoration
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A George Long
575-586-0520
george.long@usda.gov 
Description: Landscape restoration on up to 64,528 acres in Colfax County, in order to promote conditions that are resilient to uncharacteristic disturbances from wildfire, insects, disease, and climatic variability.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52158
Location: UNIT - Questa Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Colfax. LEGAL - T28N R16E 1-4, 9-11, 15-16; R17E: 2-6, 9-11, 14-15; T29N R16E: 1-4, 10-15, 21-29, 32-36; R17E: 1-24, 26-35; R18E: 4-9, 18-19; T30N R16E: 2-3, 9-11, 14-16, 21-28, 33-36; R17E: 19-23, 25-36; R18E: 31-32. Project would occur on 58,954 acres of NFS lands on the eastern half of the Valle Vidal, and on 5,574 acres of the Elliot Barker Wildlife Area, administered by NM Department of Game & Fish.
Taos Ski Valley Gondola and Other Improvements
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Special use management 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 04/07/2022  		Expected:05/2023
  		05/2023 Paul Schilke
575-779-6907
paul.schilke@usda.gov 
Description: Taos Ski Valley proposes a new gondola, on-mountain restaurant, water storage, booster station, snowmaking pipe, Nordic and snowshoe trails, a hiking trail and a support facility. Replacing Lifts 2, 8, and a relocated Whistlestop Cafe are proposed.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61390
Location: UNIT - Questa Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Taos. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico.
Town of Red River Water System and Sewer Line Installation for Tall Pines
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Raul Hurtado
575-758-6344
raul.e.hurtado@usda.gov 
Description: The proposed improvements consist of new water and sewer lines. It will connect to residents that currently have private wells and septic systems to the Town of Red River's utilities.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61538
Location: UNIT - Questa Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Taos. LEGAL - T28N., R15E., Sections 6 and 7. The project will take place on the Questa Ranger District in the Town of Red River.
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Carson National Forest,   Tres Piedras Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Forest Service Rd 556 Easement and Road Realignment
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Road management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/11/2022  		Expected:09/2022
  		10/2022 Angie Krall
719-852-6242
angela.krall@usda.gov 
Description: The Carson NF will be acquiring an donated easement across private property and will realign a short road segment off of the existing FR 556 connecting to a new road segment across private property.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62685
Location: UNIT - Tres Piedras Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Rio Arriba, Taos. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Includes 0.71 miles of donated easement and road realignment within Township 24N, Range 9E, Section 33.
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