Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2024 to 03/31/2024
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
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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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 01/2024  		Expected:09/2024
  		09/2024 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 Crossings
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Land ownership management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/14/2023  		Expected:05/2024
  		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.
Yavapai-Apache Nation Land Exchange
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Land management planning
- Land ownership management
- Land acquisition 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 12/27/2023  		Expected:05/2024
  		05/2024 Christopher Welker
928-443-8072
Christopher.Welker@usda.gov 
Description: The Prescott National Forest is proposing a land exchange between the Prescott, Coconino, Kaibab, and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests and the Yavapai-Apache Nation (YAN). More information at https://yavapai-apache.org/land-exchange/
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63848
Location: UNIT - Kaibab National Forest All Units, Prescott National Forest All Units, Coconino National Forest All Units, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests All Units. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Apache, Coconino, Navajo, Yavapai. LEGAL - Not Applicable. 4788 acres of YAN land will transfer to the Prescott, Coconino, Kaibab, and A-S Forests while 3,179 acres of Prescott and Coconino land will transfer to YAN near Camp Verde, AZ.
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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
Seismic Research
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Research and Development  On Hold  N/A  N/A Sean Murphy
928-527-8225
sean.murphy@usda.gov 
Description: University of Arizona is requesting to do seismology fieldwork to model the distribution of magma beneath the San Francisco Volcanic Field in northern Arizona.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64883
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District, Tusayan Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - Not Applicable. 200 nodal seismometers will be placed across the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts. The two boreholes will be placed .
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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
 - 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:
Objection Period Legal Notice 11/30/2023  		Expected:03/2024
  		04/2024 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.
SCUTA Telecommunications - Fredonia to Jacob Lake, AZ Fiber Optics Installation Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management
- Facility management
- Road management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2023  		Expected:10/2023  12/2023 David Vincelette
928-643-8143
david.vincelette@usda.gov 
Description: Installation of fiber-optic cable from Fredonia to Jacob Lake, AZ along FS Roads 22, 462, 461, and U.S. Hwy. 89-A. The network will benefit 24 residences, a farm, several businesses, and state and federal agencies who own or manage land in this area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64884
Location: UNIT - North Kaibab Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - Beginning pt. = NE1/4, NE1/4 Section 28, T41N, R2W, Gilia-Salt River Baseline & Meridian (G&SRB&M); then SE 28-miles SE, then 15 miles E-NE to the end in the SW1/4, NW1/4, Sec. 32, T39N, R2W, G&SRB&M. From Fredonia, AZ south-southeast along FS Roads 22 to FS Road 462; FS Road 462 east to FS Road 461; FS Road 461 East to US Hwy 89-A; US Hwy 89-A north to Jacob Lake, AZ, then north to ADOT facility.
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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
Tusayan Community Trails Project
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/21/2022  		Expected:10/2023
  		11/2023 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
APS Deer Farm Road New Service Connection
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/09/2023  		Expected:01/2024
  		01/2024 Sean Murphy
928-527-8225
sean.murphy@usda.gov 
Description: APS is requesting to dig a 12-foot trench along Old Route 66 to place a new utility run that will connect to the new DW Tower, LLC communication site on private land. Currently, the site is not connected to electrical services.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64870
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - T 22 N, R 2 E, Sec. 30. Located less than a quarter of a mile east of Circle Pines KOA along Old Route 66 in Williams, Arizona.
APS Parks Substation Monopole
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/09/2023  		Expected:01/2024
  		01/2024 Sean Murphy
928-527-8225
sean.murphy@usda.gov 
Description: APS is requesting to install a monopole tower within an established substation to provide greater range and reliability for emergency and standard communications to the Parks community.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64872
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - T 22 N, R 4 E, Sec. 22. Located approximately half a mile north of Old Route 66 on North Spring Valley Road in Parks, Arizona.
AT&T Tree Clearing Project
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/09/2023  		Expected:01/2024
  		01/2024 Sean Murphy
928-527-8225
sean.murphy@usda.gov 
Description: AT&T needs a clear microwave path to connect from the existing American Tower to their facility on Elden Mountain. They are requesting to thin trees taller than 40 feet east of American Tower to clear a 40-foot wide path between the two points.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64864
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - T 20 N, R 2 E, Sec. 12. American Tower is located on top of Summit Mountain within the Williams Ranger District.
Arcadian Fiber Optic Line, Ash Fork to Flagstaff
CE
 - 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.
BFT Flagstaff LLC Driveway
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/09/2023  		Expected:01/2024
  		01/2024 Sean Murphy
928-527-8225
sean.murphy@usda.gov 
Description: Issue a special use permit to BFT Flagstaff LLC to construct a driveway to provide access to private property across National Forest System lands. The driveway would be approximately 75 feet in length and 20 feet wide.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64878
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - T 22 N, R 5 E, Sec. 33. Located approximately a mile east of Parks, Arizona along Interstate 40.
Cooper Ranch Road Permit
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/13/2023  		Expected:01/2024
  		01/2024 Sean Murphy
928-527-8225
sean.murphy@usda.gov 
Description: A property owner is applying for legal access across National Forest System lands to their private property.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64904
Location: UNIT - Williams Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Coconino. LEGAL - T 22 N, R 1 W, Sec. 30. Cooper Ranch Road is located east of Cataract Lake in Williams, AZ.
Drake Bill Williams Pozzolan Exploration
EA
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/24/2023
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 02/2024  		Expected:08/2024
  		10/2024 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.
Railroad Tank Dam Land Exchange
CE
 - 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.
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