Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
10/01/2024 to 12/31/2024
Cibola 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, Cibola National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Cibola National Forest,  BLACK KETTLE NG RANGER DISTRICT (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Cibola National Forest,  Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Cibola National Forest,  Magdalena Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Cibola National Forest,  Mount Taylor Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Cibola National Forest,  Mountainair Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Cibola National Forest,  Sandia 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
 - Land management planning  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 06/21/2024
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 12/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		01/2025 Jennifer McRae
202-791-8488
SM.FS.NFSWONGA@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.
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Cibola National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Mineral Withdrawal of Zuni Fleabane Habitat
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  Cancelled  N/A  N/A Andrea Chavez
5053463818
Andrea.Chavez@usda.gov 
Description: Withdraw from mineral entry about 1,000 acres of habitat in 4 areas to facilitate recovery of the federally threatened Zuni fleabane (Erigeron rhizomatous).
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=37526
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District, Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - T1N, R11W, portions of sections 4, 9 and 10; T2N, R11W, portion of section 36; T1N, R10W, portions of sections 3 and 4. 4 areas in the Datil Mountains and Sawtooth Mountains.
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Cibola National Forest,   BLACK KETTLE NG RANGER DISTRICT (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Northfork Electrical Coop, Inc., Powerline CE
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Tom Smeltzer
580-497-2143
thomas.smeltzer@usda.gov 
Description: Reissue special use permit for rural electrification administration for existing above ground powerlines.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=54831
Location: UNIT - Black Kettle National Grassland. STATE - Oklahoma. COUNTY - Roger Mills. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Unit-Black Kettle Ranger District State- OK .
Tecolote Energy, LLC, Pipeline CE
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Tom Smeltzer
580-497-2143
thomas.smeltzer@usda.gov 
Description: Reissue special use authorization for an existing natural gas pipeline.g
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=54830
Location: UNIT - Black Kettle National Grassland. STATE - Oklahoma. COUNTY - Roger Mills. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Crosses BKNG units 46, 54, & 63.
Western Farmers Electrical Coop, Inc, Powerline CE
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Tom Smeltzer
580-497-2143
thomas.smeltzer@usda.gov 
Description: Reissue special use permit for rural electrification administration for existing above ground powerlines.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=54832
Location: UNIT - Black Kettle National Grassland. STATE - Oklahoma. COUNTY - Roger Mills. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Unit-Black Kettle Ranger District State- OK .
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Cibola National Forest,   Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Kiowa and Rita Blanca Vegetation Management
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/10/2021
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 10/2024  		Expected:03/2025
  		04/2025 Kristen Warren
575-374-9652
kristen.warren@usda.gov 
Description: We propose to manage vegetation to improve wildlife habitat, reduce fuels, and restore shortgrass prairie, pinyon-juniper, and sand sage vegetation habitats using different vegetation management activities including Rx burning, thinning, and more.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61818
Location: UNIT - Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. STATE - New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas. COUNTY - Cimarron, Dallam, Colfax, Harding, Mora, Union. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The proposed action includes the entire Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands except areas which are covered by the Northern NM Riparian, Aquatic, and Wetland Restoration Project NEPA (USFS 2021).
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Cibola National Forest,   Magdalena Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Magdalena Mountain Restoration
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Fuels management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 11/2024  		Expected:03/2025  04/2025 Gennaro Falco
575-829-3535
gennaro.falco@usda.gov 
Description: This project purpose is to enhance wildlife habitat by reintroducing fire as a natural process, to reduce fuels in areas at high risk of catastrophic wildfire and to build fuel breaks in strategic locations for fire fighter safety.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65740
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Socorro. LEGAL - T2S R3W, T2S R4W, T3S R4W, T4S R2W, T4S R3W, T4S R4W, T5S R3W, & T5S R4W; New Mexico Principal Meridian. Magdalena Mountain Range of the Cibola National Forest and Grasslands.
New Mexico Tech Magdalena Ride Observatory- Turbo Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/12/2024  		Expected:10/2024
  		10/2024 Tina Cason
575-854-2281
tina.cason@usda.gov 
Description: proposal to install (4) concrete 10' x 21' pads within a 15' x 180' area adjacent to the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer (MROI). Each pad will support (2) automated telescopes on 30" pillars that will extend 6' below the pad surface.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66775
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Socorro. LEGAL - T. 4S., R. 3W., Section 7, NMPM. Proposal falls within the existing special use authorization boundary for the Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Socorro County, New Mexico.
Second Entry Burns: San Juan Unit
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Fuels management 		 Completed  Actual: 08/14/2024  09/2024 David Orozco
5415638412
david.orozco@usda.gov 
Description: Conduct a second entry prescribed burn for restoration and maintenance of wildlife habitat.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57980
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Socorro. LEGAL - T8S R5W sections 1-3, 10-15, 23, 24 T8S R4W section 5-8, 17-20, 29, 30, 32. T7S R5W section 13, 14, 22-27, 34, 35, 36 T7S R4W section 17-20, 29-32. Western boundary consists of White Mule Ridge and Apache Kid Wilderness, north and east boundary is FR 86.Southern boundary consists of FR 86 following Steel Hill Peak along ridge back to Apache Kid.
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Cibola National Forest,   Mount Taylor Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
La Jara Mesa Uranium Mine
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 05/14/2009
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 07/2025  		Expected:05/2026
  		10/2026 Jenna Padilla
505-346-3840 x0
jenna.padilla@usda.gov 
Description: Laramide Resources (USA) Inc. is proposing underground mine development, operation, and reclamation over a 20-year time span for uranium. The Cibola NF will be reviewing the 2012 DEIS and release an updated DEIS for public review and comment.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=25654
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Cibola. LEGAL - 16.4 acres of northeast corner of Section 15, Township 12 North, Range 9 West, and 0.1 acre on Section 11, Township 12 North, Range 9 West. The mining claims are located on National Forest System land (Mt. Taylor Ranger District, Cibola National Forest) northeast of the town of Grants in Cibola County, New Mexico.
Recreation Facilities Decommission
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Facility management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2024  		Expected:12/2024  05/2025 Arnold Wilson
505-287-8833
arnold.wilson2@usda.gov 
Description: The Mt Taylor Ranger District proposes to decommission several developed recreation infrastructures that are no longer needed and/or exhibit safety hazard. Decommissioning projects include structures near McGaffey CG and Sawyer in the Zuni Mtns.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66028
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Cibola, McKinley. LEGAL - T13N,R16W, sec 18 T11N,R13W, sec 10, nw1/4. The project areas for the decommissioning activities are within McGaffey CG and a site near Sawer along NFSR50 on National Forest System land in McKinley and Cibola Counties.
Roca Honda LLC Project - Exploration and Mine Development
EIS
 - Minerals and Geology  On Hold  N/A  N/A Jenna Padilla
505-346-3840
jenna.padilla@usda.gov 
Description: Proposal to develop and conduct underground uranium mining operations on Roca Honda Resources LLC mining claims on and near Jesus Mesa with a surface disturbance area of 183 acres.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=18431
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - McKinley. LEGAL - T. 13N., R 8W., Sections 9 and 10. Approximately 3 miles northwest of San Mateo, New Mexico.
Timberlake Fuels Reduction
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Fuels management
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/13/2023  		Expected:01/2025
  		02/2025 Christian Larson
719-636-1602
Christian.Larson@usda.gov 
Description: To restore the ecosystem to desired conditions through timber harvest and prescribed burning while creating a fuel break around the Timber Lake Ranch community and providing access to firewood for neighboring communities.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60320
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Cibola, McKinley. LEGAL - T12N, R16W, sec 24, 25, 35, 36; T11N, R16W, sec 1, 2; T11N, R15W, sec 6, 7, 8; T12N, R15W, sec 19, 30, 31, 32. The Timberlake Project is approximately 4,650 acres dominated by of ponderosa pine forest and pinyon-juniper woodlands.
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Cibola National Forest,   Mountainair Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Central New Mexico Electric Coop Capilla Transmission Line
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/28/2024  		Expected:02/2025
  		03/2025 Christian Larson
719-636-1602
Christian.Larson@usda.gov 
Description: Proposal to convert existing aerial transmission line to sub-surface. Includes removal of 33 power poles and installation of approximately 4,224 feet of sub-surface line along the existing right-of-way adjacent to CR B067.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66777
Location: UNIT - Mountainair Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Torrance. LEGAL - T. 5N., R. 5E., Sections 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15; T. 6N., R. 5E., Section 34, NMPM. Along the existing right-of-way near CR B067, Capilla Peak Road from the NFS boundary to Capilla Peak.
Lincoln County Telecommunications Site
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 08/22/2024  09/2024 Tara Carver
505-346-3852
tara.carver@usda.gov 
Description: Lincoln County are requesting to construct a new telecommunication tower at existing Lot 5 on Gallinas Peak communication site. The new construction will consist of tower, equipment shelter, generator and propane tank and possible a fence.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65742
Location: UNIT - Mountainair Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - Town 1S, Range 11E, Section 4&9 New Mexico Principal Meridian. Located off Forest Service Road 102 West of the town of Corona.
Pueblo Colorado CRMP
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Grazing management
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/07/2024  		Expected:11/2024
  		12/2024 Arlene Perea
505-847-2990
arlene.perea@usda.gov 
Description: Decrease fuel loading while improving livestock distribution on the Pueblo Colorado Allotment in the Gallinas Unit of the Mountainair RD in cooperation with NRCS through a Coordinated Resource Management Plan (CRMP). Rescoping initiated 9/3/24.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64614
Location: UNIT - Mountainair Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Torrance. LEGAL - T2N R10E S21,22,23,24,25,36 NM Prime Meridian. Located 8-10 miles due west of Cedarvale, NM. Elevations range from 6,300-6,600'.Juniper is the predominant tree species although this area was historically open savanna with little tree cover.
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Cibola National Forest,   Sandia Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
La Madera Fuels Reduction
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Amanda Rael
505-346-3817
amanda.rael@usda.gov 
Description: Fuels reduction and forest restoration project to improve ecosystem resilience of a priority landscape to future disturbances.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58885
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo. LEGAL - T11N R5E sections 3, 10-14, 22, 23, 26; T12N R6E sections 24, 26, 34, 35. Located centrally on the eastern forest boundary of the Sandia Ranger District.
North Sandia Fuels Reduction
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/03/2024  		Expected:10/2024
  		11/2024 Brittany Lewellen
505-274-4519
Brittany.Lewellen@usda.gov 
Description: This project is to improve ecosystem resilience to future disturbances by restoring forest structure and composition and reducing the risk of catastrophic fire using hand and mechanical treatments and prescribed fire. UPDATED map in Pinyon Public.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65654
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo, Sandoval. LEGAL - T12N, R5E: Sec 9, 10, 15, 16, 21, 22, 24, 27, 28, 33, and 34. T11N R5E: Sec 3, 4, 9 - 16, 22, 23, 26, 27, and 34. The project is located in Sandoval and Bernalillo counties, north of I-40, in the Sandia Mountains.
Sandia Cave Improvements Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Heritage resource management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 11/2024  		Expected:03/2025  04/2025 Sandra Coambs
505-281-3304 ext 5104
sandra.coambs@usda.gov 
Description: Sandia Cave NHL Improvements Project has been designed to help the Sandia Ranger District manage the site at a level commensurate with the current visitation demands that are increasingly impacting the safety, environment, and visitor experience.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65467
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Sandoval. LEGAL - T12N R5E Sec 22. The Sandia Cave parking lot/trailhead is located approximately 2.4 miles south of the forest boundary to the east side of NM 165. The cave is located at the end of the trail (0.5 miles).
Sandia Crest House Special Use Permit Reissuance
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Elke Schuster
505-281-3304 Ext. 5110
eschuster@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Sandia Crest House is under a current special use permit and is being transferred to a new owner. With the transfer, a new permit will be issued with a 20-year term.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58235
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo. LEGAL - Lat 35.210458,Long 106.449486 . The Sandia Crest House is located at the top of the Sandia Crest on Hwy 536 (Sandia Crest Road).
Sandia Peak Ski Area Beginner Lift (Mitey Mite) Improvement
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/25/2024  		Expected:10/2024
  		11/2024 Amanda Ginithan
505-346-3817
aginithan@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal to upgrade the existing beginner tow-bar lift to a "magic carpet" style lift. Replacement will occur within the existing lift footprint.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66776
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo. LEGAL - T. 11N., R. 5E., Section 38, NMPM. Proposal falls within the existing special use authorization boundary for the Sandia Peak Ski Area, Bernalillo County, New Mexico.
UNM KNME Tower Replacement
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Crystal Powell
505-281-3304
crystal.powell@usda.gov 
Description: KNME-TV is requesting permission to amend existing permit to remove their current tower and replace with a new 140%u2019 self-supporting tower south of their building on Sandia Crest Communication Site. No additional uses, no change to tower height.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56409
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo. LEGAL - T11N, R5E. Section 6. New location within permitted area south of UNM KNME building on Sandia Crest Communication Site.
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