Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2024 to 03/31/2024
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,  Canjilon 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
Land Management Plan Direction for Old-Growth Forest Conditions Across the National Forest System
EIS

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Land management planning  Developing Proposal
Est. NOI in Federal Register 12/2023  		Expected:01/2025  01/2025 Jennifer Ruyle
520-388-8351
jennifer.mcrae@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.
Nationwide Aerial Application of Fire Retardant on National Forest System Land.
EIS
 - Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/11/2022
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/2023  		Expected:09/2023
  		01/2024 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,   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
Forest Road 439 Bridge Repairs & Maintenance
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Road management  Completed  Actual: 10/24/2023  05/2024 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.
HPCC & Luna Post-Fire Recovery Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 Completed  Actual: 10/30/2023  11/2023 Gabriel Romero
575-587-2255
gabriel.romero@usda.gov 
Description: Restoration, including removal of dead, down, standing, or course woody debris within the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon and Luna fires on approximately 350,000 acres. Project will benefit local communities through commercial and personnel fuelwood.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64254
Location: UNIT - Camino Real Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Mora, Taos. LEGAL - T21N R14E and Secs 3-11, 14, 16-18, & 20-21; T22N R13E and Sec 26-27 & 25-36; T22N R14E Sects 1-2, 11-15, 22-23, 26-28, & 24-35; & T23N R13E and Secs 1-2, 11-14, 22-26, & 35. Project occurs w/in the HPCC and Luna Fire Boundaries on the Camino Real RD on the Carson NF.
McGaffey Forest and Rio Grande del Rancho Watershed Restoration
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management 		 Completed  Actual: 10/02/2023  10/2023 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.
North Boundary Trail Reroute
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 11/13/2023  12/2023 Ricardo Leon
575-758-8678
ricardo.leon@usda.gov 
Description: The Carson NF would construct this reroute with volunteers using hand tools to remove a shallow layer of soil (24" wide) to provide the trail tread, brush back encroaching vegetation and obliterate the abandoned trail segment.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65057
Location: UNIT - Camino Real Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Taos. LEGAL - T. 25 N., R. 13 E. sec. 13 W2 SE4. North of HWY 64 East, northwest of Las Petacas campground, accessed by tye Cortado trailhead on HWY 64 East.
Road Use Permit
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Cancelled  N/A  N/A 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).
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Carson National Forest,   Canjilon Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Canjilon Lakes Recreation Area Fence
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management
- Grazing management 		 Completed  Actual: 11/20/2023  12/2023 Jennifer Sublett
505-753-7331
jennifer.sublett@usda.gov 
Description: The west zone recreation shop would like to install a three mile pipe fence around the entire perimeter of the Canjilon Lakes Recreation Area. This pipe fence will more manageable in the long-run. require less maintenance in the long-run.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65059
Location: UNIT - Canjilon Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Rio Arriba. LEGAL - T 25 N, R 4 E, S: 1, 11-14, 25-26, 35-36; T 25 N R 5 E S: 2-11, 15-22, 29-32; T 26 N, R 4 E S: 1, 12-13, 24-25, 30-31; T 26 N R 5 E S: 1-7, 9-11, 14-16, 20-23, 26-36; T 27 N, R 5 E S: 33-35. Project is located around the community of Canjilon. FR 137, FR 337, FR 724, FR 559, FR 124.
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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
Williams Four Corners, LLC (WFC) Special Use Authorization, Oil and Gas Pipeline
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/08/2013  		Expected:08/2024
  		09/2024 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.
Red River Ski Area Copper Chair In-line Replacement
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/06/2023  		Expected:02/2024
  		03/2024 Paul Schilke
575-587-2255
paul.schilke@usda.gov 
Description: Red River Ski Area (RRSA) replacement of the Copper Chair ski lift. Project is within the RRSA Special Use Permit area. Two acres of ground disturbance and up to one acre of additional tree clearning will occur.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65296
Location: UNIT - Questa Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Taos. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project located within the Red River Ski Area Special Use Permit Area.
Taos Ski Valley Gondola and Other Improvements
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Special use management 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 04/20/2023  		Expected:05/2024
  		05/2024 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  Cancelled  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.
Upper Lama Road Improvement
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Road management  Completed  Actual: 11/15/2023  12/2023 Ricardo Leon
575-758-8678
ricardo.leon@usda.gov 
Description: The activities planned are to widen a section of FSR 132 to eliminate or soften a blind corner of a banked turn/ intersection. The project would require vegetation removal and cut fill of road base material to widen the road and approach to the curve
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65060
Location: UNIT - Questa Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Taos. LEGAL - Township 28 North, Range 12 East section 24. The project location is in the community of Lama on the Questa Ranger District-FSR 132.
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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
Rio de Los Pinos Campground Toilet Removal
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Facility management  Completed  Actual: 11/20/2023  01/2024 Jennifer Sublett
505-753-7331
jennifer.sublett@usda.gov 
Description: Recreation staff plan to remove the Rio de Los Pinos Campground toilets and waste with heavy equipment. Approximately one mile of FSR 284 will be impacted/improved to get equipment in and remove.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65061
Location: UNIT - Tres Piedras Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Rio Arriba. LEGAL - T31N R7E Sections 2, 3, 34, 35. Near the Rio de Los Pinos Wildlife Area and San Miguel NM. Far north part of the state of New Mexico.
T-Mobile Generator Lease at San Antonio Mountain
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 11/20/2023  01/2024 Amy Simms
575-587-2255
amy.simms@usda.gov 
Description: Installation of a 48kW generator on a 4' x 9 ' concrete pad, connected to an automatic transfer switch on an H-Frame, and installation of a 14'6" x 9' chain link fence, 6 ' tall with gate around the generator and concrete pad
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65062
Location: UNIT - Tres Piedras Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Rio Arriba. LEGAL - T. 30 N., R. 9 E., sec. 7, SW4NE4. Location is on top of San Antonio Mountain at the low-powered location.
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