Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
07/01/2022 to 09/30/2022
Kaibab 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, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest,  North Kaibab Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest,  Tusayan Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest,  Williams 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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R3 - Southwestern Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Arizona National Scenic Trail Comprehensive Plan
EA
 - Recreation management
- Special area management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/01/2016
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 05/2022  		Expected:04/2023
  		05/2023 Joseph David
(559) 920-4995
joseph.david@usda.gov 
Description: The comprehensive plan will establish the administrative objectives, policies, processes, and management guidelines necessary to fulfill the legislative requirements for national scenic trails under the National Trails System Act.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=49535
Location: UNIT - Coronado National Forest All Units, Kaibab National Forest All Units, Coconino National Forest All Units, Tonto National Forest All Units. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Arizona National Scenic Trail goes from the Coronado National Monument to the Utah Border at Vermillion Cliffs- 800 miles south to north across the State of Arizona.
Prescott College Academic Outfitter and Guide Priority Use (2015-2025)
CE
 - Recreation management
- Special use management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Julie Rowe
928-203-7516
jrowe@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Forest Service proposes to authorize Prescott College to conduct academic field courses year-round across forests in Arizona including adventure education, biology, human ecology, natural history, physical geography, & field ecology.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=47407
Location: UNIT - Coronado National Forest All Units, Kaibab National Forest All Units, Prescott National Forest All Units, Tonto Basin Ranger District, Coconino National Forest All Units, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests All Units. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Activities take place in a variety of locations throughout the forest.
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Kaibab National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Aquatic Invasive Species Monitoring and Removal Efforts
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/23/2022  		Expected:09/2022
  		10/2022 Travis Largent
928-635-5631
travis.largent@usda.gov 
Description: Remove non-native and invasive aquatic species (e.g. green sunfish, crayfish, waterdogs) and focusing on exotic American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) to conserve populations of northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens) and other native aquatic species.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62409
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District, Tusayan Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Starting on the southeast region of the Williams RD, south of I-40 and east of Perkinsville Rd, in waters extending to the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness boundary, but ultimately may extend zone-wide.
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Kaibab National Forest,   North Kaibab Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Arizona National Scenic Trail Reroute (Mangum Fire)
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 05/09/2022  05/2022 David Vincelette
928-643-8143
david.vincelette@usda.gov 
Description: Build approximately two-point-eight (2.8) miles of new single-track trail to replace a narrow canyon section of trail that was burned over in the Mangum Fire (2020) and washed away.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61619
Location: UNIT - North Kaibab Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - T40N R2E Section 35 and T39N R2E Section 02, Gila and Salt River Baseline & Meridian, Coconino County, AZ. Project area is north of HWY 89A between FS Road 247 and the AZ Trail with Government Reservoir being the northern end and the southern end being 0.2 miles W/SW of Ponderosa Trick Tank near FS RD 249.
Burnt Corral Vegetation Management Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Land management planning
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 03/25/2020  		Expected:03/2023
  		03/2023 David Vincelette
928-643-8143
david.vincelette@usda.gov 
Description: The purposes of the Burnt Corral project is to improve forest health and vigor, while improving habitat conditions which are more resilient to change in the event of wildfire and/or other climatic condition changes. Project = 28,090 acres.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=44236
Location: UNIT - North Kaibab Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - Planning stage - General Description: Townships 35 - 37 North, Ranges 1 West to 1 East, Gila and Salt River Baseline & Meridian, (Coconino County, Arizona). The Burnt Corral project area lies in the southwest portion of the Kaibab Plateau (i.e., south-southwest of Lookout Canyon and FS Road 22) on the North Kaibab Ranger District, Kaibab National Forest.
House Rock Wildlife Area (HRWA) Bison Management Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Land management planning
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Land ownership management
- Special use management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/02/2022
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 06/2022  		Expected:10/2022
  		10/2022 David Vincelette
928-643-8100
david.vincelette@usda.gov 
Description: Construct a new wildlife water in the northwest portion of the HRWA, and rebuild/re-establish, construct and install approximately 12 miles of existing and new pasture fence-line (including associated cattle-guards) within the HRWA.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58903
Location: UNIT - North Kaibab Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - Townships 35 and 36 North, Ranges 4 and 5 East, Gila and Salt River Baseline and Meridian (Coconino County, AZ). The House Rock Wildlife Area (HRWA) is located within the southeast corner of the Kaibab National Forest - North Kaibab Ranger District (east of Saddle Mtn. Wilderness Area) in SW House Rock Valley.
Mangum Fire Emergency Actions / Hazard Tree Removal Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Special area management
- Grazing management
- Fuels management
- Road management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 07/2022  		Expected:07/2022  07/2022 David Vincelette
928-643-8143
david.vincelette@usda.gov 
Description: Targeted removal of hazard trees along approximately 2.5 miles of highway right-of-way, 40 miles of Forest Service (FS) roads, 10 miles of trails, and 55 miles of fence lines in the Mangum Fire burn area on the NKRD.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60762
Location: UNIT - North Kaibab Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - T37N, R1E & 1W; T38N, R1-2E & 1W; T39N, R1-3E; and T40N, R1-3E, Gila and Salt River Baseline & Meridian; Coconino County, Arizona. Location is about 30 miles south/southeast of Fredonia, AZ on Nat. Forest System lands. Project area = buffer areas along highway 89A, FS roads, trails, and fence lines in moderate/sever burn area.
T-Mobile Generator Upgrade Project (Crown Castle Tower at Cooper Ridge)
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management
- Facility management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/29/2022  		Expected:07/2022
  		07/2022 David Vincelette
928-643-8143
david.vincelette@usda.gov 
Description: The Proposed Action (PA) is to install upgraded equipment at the existing Crown Castle tower at the Cooper Ridge communications site. Removal of existing generator and propane tank, and replacement with new generator and propane tank.
Location: UNIT - North Kaibab Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Latitude 36.737375, Longitude -112.21319445 (NAD83); Elevation: 7,824 ft. AMSL.
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Kaibab National Forest,   Tusayan Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Grandview Lookout Cabin Adaptive Reuse to Cabin Rental
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Facility management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/01/2021  		Expected:08/2022
  		09/2022 Jeremy Haines
928-635-8367
jeremy.haines@usda.gov 
Description: Work to prepare Grandview Lookout Cabin for use as a cabin rental. Activities include roof and paint hazmat abatement, solar panel installation, a new gravel path to the existing vault toilet, greywater system installation, and other upgrades.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60854
Location: UNIT - Tusayan Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - T30N, R4E, Section 27, Gila and Salt River Meridian. Adjacent to Grandview Lookout Tower off of Forest Road 310.
Highway 64 Widening, Ten-X Campground
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Road management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/27/2022  		Expected:07/2022
  		08/2022 Clairisse Loucks
928-635-8365
Clairisse.Loucks@usda.gov 
Description: Widen the west side of Hwy 64 by approximately 12 feet north and south of the entrance to Ten-X Campground to add an acceleration lane to the south and turning lane to the north. Total project length would be approximately 3,600 ft in length.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61836
Location: UNIT - Tusayan Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - T29N, R2E, Sec. 1 and T30N, R2E, Sec. 36, Gila and Salt River Meridian. Approximately 1.25 miles south of the Town of Tusayan north and south of the entrance to Ten-X Campground.
Tusayan Community Trails Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 08/2022  		Expected:11/2022  01/2023 Kevin Lehto
928-635-5662
kevin.lehto@usda.gov 
Description: The Town of Tusayan has proposed construction of approx. 12.5 mi of new foot and bike trails and trailhead facilities to augment and link existing trails in the Tusayan area, providing safe and sustainable trail routes for visitors and residents.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60893
Location: UNIT - Tusayan Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Several locations in and around the town of Tusayan on Kaibab National Forest lands.
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Kaibab National Forest,   Williams Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Arcadian Fiber Optic Line, Ash Fork to Flagstaff
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/14/2022  		Expected:05/2022
  		06/2022 Chelsea Muise
928-635-8275
chelsea.muise@usda.gov 
Description: Authorize installation of an underground fiber optic line between Ash Fork and Flagstaff, AZ. The line would be within existing forest road and the Transwestern Pipeline corridors. Approximately 32.3 miles of line would run on Forest Service land.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61183
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino, Yavapai. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Along Forest Roads 246U and 160 (Transwestern Pipeline Easement Road), within the Transwestern Pipeline corridor.
Babbitt Ranch Energy Center Interconnection Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/08/2022
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 08/2022  		Expected:01/2023
  		06/2023 Marcos Roybal
928-635-8331
marcos.roybal@usda.gov 
Description: Authorize installation of approximately 9 miles of above-ground fiber optic line on FS land within an existing APS right-of-way needed to provide emergency communications for the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center. NEPA will be led by Bureau of Reclamation.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61288
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - Not Applicable. NE portion of the Williams RD, east of Highway 64 and south of Highway 180. The line will follow the large powerline that enters Forest Service land near Howard Mesa and exits NW of Ebert Mtn.
FR 102C/9194W Road Use Permit
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/17/2021  		Expected:05/2022
  		06/2022 Clairisse Loucks
928-635-8365
Clairisse.Loucks@usda.gov 
Description: Authorize activities including widening, drainage improvements, resurfacing, and future maintenance/snow removal on existing forest roads 102C & 9194W to bring the roads to County zoning ordinance standards.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61185
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - T22N, R3E, Sections 35 & 36, Gila and Salt River Meridian. Near Sherwood Forest Estates, east of the City of Williams and South of Interstate 40.
Highway 89 Pronghorn Crossing Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  Completed  Actual: 05/11/2022  07/2022 Travis Largent
928-635-5631
travis.largent@usda.gov 
Description: Move approximately 1 mile of right-of-way fence on both sides of Highway 89 away from the highway by approximately 0.1 mile to facilitate pronghorn crossing. New fence would be constructed with wildlife-friendly specifications.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61681
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - T21N R2W Sections 14, 23, & 36; T20N R2W Sections 2 & 3 Gila & Salt River Meridian. Two sites on both sides of Highway 89 south of I-40 in the SW area of the Williams RD. One site is adjacent to the 89/Bullock Rd intersection and the other is just north of Meath Wash.
Pine Tree Drive Road Permit
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Road management  Completed  Actual: 05/13/2022  05/2022 Clairisse Loucks
928-635-8365
Clairisse.Loucks@usda.gov 
Description: Authorize road maintenance activities including adding surface fill to existing road prism, surface blading, brushing, and snow removal. Permit holder would be permitted to install properly sized corrugated metal pipes within current roadway prism.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61786
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - T21N, R3E, Sec. 6; T22N, R3E, Sec. 31, Gila and Salt River Meridian. Southeast of the City of Williams in the Woods Subdivision.
Railroad Tank Dam Land Exchange
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Land ownership management  Completed  Actual: 05/18/2022  11/2022 Christopher Asbjorn
928-635-8280
Christopher.Asbjorn@usda.gov 
Description: Exchange up to approx. 0.94 ac of private land for up to approx. 0.94 ac of adjacent FS land to allow construction of drainage features to mitigate flood risk posed by Railroad Tank Dam. Flood risk mitigation analyzed in separate 2017 NEPA.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61195
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - T22N, R5E, Section 32, Gila and Salt River Meridian. Approximately 3.9 miles west of the Bellemont/I-40 interchange, immediately north of I-40 in Railroad Tank Draw.
Twin Tanks Grazing Allotment Permit Amendment
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Grazing management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Joseph Dahms
928-635-5621
joseph.dahms@usda.gov 
Description: The Williams Ranger District is planning on modifying an existing grazing permit from sheep use to cattle use. This amendment applies to the Twin Tanks Allotment and is needed to prevent herd mortality due to a toxic plant on the allotment.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62150
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - Not Applicable. All or in parts of T23N, R4E, Sections 6-7, 18-19, and 30; and T23N R3E, Sections 1-18, 22-27.
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