Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
07/01/2023 to 09/30/2023
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, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  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

           *UPDATED* 		- Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/11/2022
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 07/2023  		Expected:07/2023
  		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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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

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Special area management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/01/2016
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 09/2023  		Expected:06/2024
  		06/2024 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.
Northern Arizona Wildlife Overpasses
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Land ownership management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 07/2023  		Expected:11/2023  06/2024 Mark Bellis
9285273460
mark.bellis@usda.gov 
Description: Construction of three highway overpasses to allow wildlife passage. Two overpasses will be on Interstate 17 and One will be on Interstate 40 in northern Arizona.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64375
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District, Flagstaff Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - Not Applicable. One overpass will be located south of the Newman Park exit on I-17 and one would be located just south of the Kachina Village exit on I-17. The third overpass would be west of Parks, AZ on I-40.
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, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Kaibab NF Trail System Update 2022
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Climate Change Adaptation 		 Completed  Actual: 04/12/2023  04/2023 Marcos Roybal
928-635-8331
marcos.roybal@usda.gov 
Description: To support sustainable rec mgmt, decommission several non-motorized trails that are inconsistent with climate conditions (ski trails), do not align with current recreation management (mountain bike trails overlaid on roads), or receive little use.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63193
Location: UNIT - Kaibab National Forest All Units. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Various locations on the Kaibab National Forest as shown on the project maps.
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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

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  Completed  Actual: 05/22/2023  05/2023 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.
Prairie Dog Plague Prevention
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/19/2023  		Expected:06/2023
  		06/2023 Travis Largent
(928) 635-5600
travis.largent@usda.gov 
Description: Application of Delta Dust insecticide on Gunnison's Prairie Dog Burrows and placement of flea and tick-specific edible insecticide pellets on the South Zone of the Kaibab National Forest to reduce the occurrence of the plague.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63915
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District, Tusayan Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Mapped prairie dog colonies on the South Zone of the Kaibab National Forest, focusing on prairie dog colonies in the Government Prairie and Garland Prairie areas, east of the City of Williams.
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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
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:02/2024
  		05/2024 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 Bison Infrastructure Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Special use management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/02/2022
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 07/2023  		Expected:12/2023
  		12/2023 Marcos Roybal
928-635-8331
marcos.roybal@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.
Kaibab Lodge Resort Cabin Construction SUP Amendment
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management
- Facility management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/30/2023  		Expected:07/2023
  		07/2023 David Vincelette
928-643-8143
david.vincelette@usda.gov 
Description: Construct fourteen new cabins within existing trailer spaces. Cabins will be prefabricated, except for foootings. Each will be a 1-bedroom w/ 1 sleeping-loft. Cabins may be utilized for employee housing or as resort guest units.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64414
Location: UNIT - North Kaibab Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - Township 35 North, Range 2 East, Section 24, Gila and Salt River Baseline & meridian. (Coconino County, Arizona). North Kaibab Ranger District. The Kaibab Lodge recreation resort area is located approximately 55 miles south-southeast of Fredonia, Arizona via Highways US 89-A and AZ-67.
Mangum Fire Emergency Actions / Hazard Tree Removal Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Special area management
- Grazing management
- Fuels management
- Road management 		 Completed  Actual: 05/25/2023  06/2023 David Vincelette
928-643-8143
david.vincelette@usda.gov 
Description: Targeted removal of hazard trees along approximately 2 miles of highway ROW, 17 miles of FS Roads, 10 miles of trails, 55 miles of range allotment & pasture/boundary fence-lines, and around developed water features on approximately 3,000 acres.
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 hwy-89A, FS roads, trails, fence lines & waters in moderate/sever burn area.
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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
FSR 307 and 310 and Grandview Trailhead Reconstruction
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/30/2023  		Expected:08/2023
  		09/2023 Raymond Holt
928-527-3524
raymond.holt@usda.gov 
Description: Expand and better delineate the parking area at the Grandview Trailhead, which provides access to the Arizona Trail and areas around the Grandview Lookout Tower. The new parking lot would contain approximately 8 parking spaces.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64386
Location: UNIT - Tusayan Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Forest Service Roads 307 and 310, across from the Grandview Lookout Tower, east of the Town of Tusayan, AZ.
Tusayan Community Trails Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/21/2022  		Expected:06/2023
  		07/2023 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:05/2023
  		06/2023 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 roads and the Transwestern Pipeline corridors including approximately 32.3 miles 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.
Beacon Hill Fire Detection Camera
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Research and Development  Completed  Actual: 04/24/2023  05/2023 James Burton
928-635-5600
james.w.burton@usda.gov 
Description: Installation of a fire detection tower with automated camera. The tower will be approximately 46 feet tall with a 4 foot by 4 foot concrete base buried at a depth of 6 feet.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62462
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Township 22 N, Range 3 E, Section 27. Approximately 8 miles east of the City of Williams, AZ, south of Interstate 40, north east of the community of Sherwood Forest Estates.
Big Spring Rehabilitation
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management
- Climate Change Adaptation 		 Cancelled  N/A  N/A Clairisse Loucks
928-635-5609
Clairisse.Loucks@usda.gov 
Description: Removal of non-functioning metal pipes and downed barbed wires and then re-fence the source to maintain the integrity of the spring and vegetation.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63343
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - S33 T21N R3E. The spring is located in the Davenport Hill USGS Quad, just southeast of Williams, AZ and south of Dogtown Lake.
Drake Bill Williams Pozzolan Exploration
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/24/2023  		Expected:02/2024
  		02/2024 Clairisse Loucks
9286355600
Clairisse.Loucks@usda.gov 
Description: Drake Cement has submitted a draft Plan of Operations to explore for pozzolan by digging 8 trenches south of the City of Williams at the eastern base of Bill Williams Mtn near Perkinsville Rd. Level of NEPA analysis to be determined after scoping.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63591
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - Not Applicable. South of the City of Williams, AZ at the eastern base of Bill Williams Mountain near Perkinsville Road.
Keyhole Sink Trail Extension and Trailhead
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/19/2023  		Expected:06/2023
  		07/2023 Kevin Lehto
928-635-5662
kevin.lehto@usda.gov 
Description: The parking lot for the Keyhole Sink Trail is located at Oak Hill, which is closed for logging activities. This project proposes to re-route the trail to a new parking area and install a standard toilet building.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63905
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - Not Applicable. T 22N, R 3E, Sec 30 Keyhole sink.
Pittman Valley Work Center Office Replacement
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Facility management  Completed  Actual: 04/11/2023  05/2024 Marcos Roybal
928-635-8331
marcos.roybal@usda.gov 
Description: Construct new work center (approx. 5,000 sq. ft.) and associated parking, vehicle turn-around area, and septic system adjacent to the existing facilities at Pittman Valley Work Center. Existing office/pilot ready room would be demolished.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63834
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - T22N R3E Sec. 22. At the Pittman Valley Work Center (aka Greenbase) approximately 1 mile north of I-40 off of County Road 74.
Railroad Tank Dam Land Exchange
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Land ownership management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Marcos Roybal
928-635-8331
marcos.roybal@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

           *UPDATED* 		- Grazing management  Cancelled  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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