Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
04/01/2023 to 06/30/2023
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,  Camino Real Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Carson National Forest,  El Rito 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

           *UPDATED* 		- Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/11/2022
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 04/2023  		Expected:04/2023
  		05/2023 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. .
Back To Top

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  Cancelled  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.
Forest Road 439 Bridge Repairs & Maintenance
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Road management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/21/2023  		Expected:04/2023
  		05/2023 Jessica Barela
575-758-6200
jessica.barela@usda.gov 
Description: The Forest is seeking to repair and maintain an existing bridge on Forest Road 439. Work would include replacing surface wearing components, reshaping the approaches and installing upstream and downstream protections.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63588
Location: UNIT - Camino Real Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Taos. LEGAL - T 23 North, R 14 East, Section 17. Eight miles South of Taos, New Mexico on NM Highway 518 is FSR 439.
Holman Hill Fiber
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Cancelled  N/A  N/A Paul Schilke
575-779-6907
paul.schilke@usda.gov 
Description: La Jicarita Rural Telephone Cooperative is seeking to cross National Forest System lands to connect fiber optic lines between Mora and Taos counties. The proponent would bore a minimum of 36 inches underneath the CNF lands in three locations.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63590
Location: UNIT - Camino Real Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Mora. LEGAL - T21 North, R 14 E, sections 10, 11, 14 and 15. State Road 518 and County Road B025 (aka La Canada Road, FSR723 and Vigil Canyon Road).
McGaffey Forest and Rio Grande del Rancho Watershed Restoration
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 03/02/2023  		Expected:11/2023
  		01/2024 James Arciniega
575-758-6200
james.arciniega@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.
Road Use Permit
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/21/2023  		Expected:04/2023
  		05/2023 Ricardo Leon
575-758-8678
ricardo.leon@usda.gov 
Description: The purpose of this project is to provide safe, adequate access to private land by crossing a short section of National Forest System Land. The Forest will authorize an existing route for the proponenet, which minimizes environmental effects.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63592
Location: UNIT - Camino Real Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Taos. LEGAL - T 24 North, R 12 East Sections 12 & 13. The project is located south of Taos, NM about 2 miles South on Old State Highway 382 (Miranda Canyon Road).
Back To Top

Carson National Forest,   El Rito Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Abeyta-Trujillo Acequia Pipeline Installation and Road Permit
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/21/2023  		Expected:04/2023
  		07/2023 Jessica Barela
575-758-6200
jessica.barela@usda.gov 
Description: The Abeyta-Trujillo Acequia is proposing the reconstruction and construction of buried pipe located within and next to its permit area right of way. It also seeks to authorize a secondary access road and gate for construction and maintenance.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63589
Location: UNIT - El Rito Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Rio Arriba. LEGAL - T23 North, R5 East Section 15. This project will occur on the east side of the Chama River just down stream of Abiquiu Dam on the Abeyta/Trujillo Ditch that is accessed from the base of "Trujillo Hill" turning west off of HWY 84 just north of Abiquiu, NM.
Back To Top

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 Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Fuels management
- Watershed management 		 Cancelled  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.
Jicarilla Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/14/2022  		Expected:05/2023
  		06/2023 Cynthia Campbell
505-632-2956
cynthia.campbell@usda.gov 
Description: The purpose and need of the project is to improve and restore wildlife habitat conditions within approximately 80,000 acres to shift habitat conditions toward the Desired Conditions identified within the Carson National Forest Land Management Plan.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63183
Location: UNIT - Jicarilla Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Rio Arriba. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project is located on the Jicarilla Ranger District of the Carson National Forest in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.
Williams Four Corners, LLC (WFC) Special Use Authorization, Oil and Gas Pipeline
CE
 - 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.
Back To Top

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
Enchanted Forest Salvage Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products  Completed  Actual: 01/03/2023  01/2023 Gabriel Romero
575-587-2255
gabriel.romero@usda.gov 
Description: This project is to reduce surface fuels accumulations created by a windstorm in December of 2021, to reduce the threat of insect and disease activity in the spruce-fir habitat, and to remove hazard trees that pose safety issues in the recreation area
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63020
Location: UNIT - Questa Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Taos. LEGAL - T. 28N R. 15E sections 4-6 and T. 29N R. 15E sections 31-33. The project area is located off of Highway 38 east of Red River, NM. Forest Service Road (FSR) 448 provides access to the project area.
Horsethief Mesa Recreation Access
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Special use management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/12/2022  		Expected:04/2023
  		05/2023 Paul Schilke
5757796907
paul.schilke@usda.gov 
Description: The purpose of the Horsethief Mesa Recreation Access project is to provide public recreation access to a comprehensive network of existing and planned routes and recreation facilities on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63017
Location: UNIT - Questa Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Taos. LEGAL - Township 27N, Range 12E, Sections 8, 16 and 20. The project is located on Horsethief Mesa, west of Highway 522, south of the San Cristobal communities and north of the Arroyo Hondo Community. The project is located within the Rio Grande Watershed.
Ponil Creek Watershed Collaborative Landscape Restoration
EA
 - 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 03/09/2023  		Expected:09/2023
  		09/2023 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
 - 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.
Back To Top

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

           *UPDATED* 		- Road management  Completed  Actual: 02/02/2023  02/2023 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.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.