Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2021 to 03/31/2021
Prescott 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, Prescott National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Prescott National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Prescott National Forest,  Bradshaw Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Prescott National Forest,  Chino Valley Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Prescott National Forest,  Verde 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  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/13/2018
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 11/2021  		Expected:12/2021
  		12/2021 Nancy Rusho
202-731-9196
nancy.rusho@usda.gov 
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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R3 - Southwestern Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
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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Prescott 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
Forest-wide Hunting Priority Use Outfitter-Guide Permits
CE
 - Recreation management
- Special use management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 06/2019  		Expected:08/2019  09/2019 Jeffrey Gilmore
928-567-1120
jlgilmore@fs.fed.us 
Description: Issuance of up to five priority use outfitter-guide permits for big game hunting on the Prescott National Forest.
Location: UNIT - Prescott National Forest All Units. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Forest-wide.
Stock Tank Non-native Aquatic Species Management
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/31/2020  		Expected:01/2021
  		02/2021 Albert Sillas
928-567-1124
asillas@fs.fed.us 
Description: This proposal would allow for the application of approved piscicides to remove non-native aquatic species in earthen stock tanks and isolated aquatic habitats where native aquatic species occur in the same watershed on the Prescott National Forest.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58540
Location: UNIT - Prescott National Forest All Units. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Forest-wide.
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Prescott National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Abandoned Mine Closures (PNF)
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Heritage resource management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Minerals and Geology 		 Completed  Actual: 01/17/2020  02/2020 Frances Alvarado
928-443-8014
frances.alvarado@usda.gov 
Description: Proposal to remediate up to inactive and abandoned mine workings that pose threats to human and wildlife safety within the Bradshaw and Verde Ranger Districts.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56582
Location: UNIT - Bradshaw Ranger District, Verde Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - T11N, R1E, Sec.36; T12N, R1E, Sec 17; T13N, R2E, Sec. 2; T14N, R3E, Secs. 20, 22, 28, 31; T14N, R2.5E, Sec. 25; T 12.5N, R2W, Secs. 25 & 33; T 13N, R2W, Sec. 35. T11N, R1E, Sec.36; T12N, R1E, Sec 17; T13N, R2E, Sec. 2; T14N, R3E, Secs. 20, 22, 28, 31; T14N, R2.5E, Sec. 25; T 12.5N, R2W, Secs. 25 & 33; T 13N, R2W, Sec. 35.
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Prescott National Forest,   Bradshaw 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 Pole Replacement (WA574508) with Trench (17')
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/11/2020  		Expected:12/2020
  		01/2021 Matthew Georgeff
541-782-5335
mjgeorgeff@fs.fed.us 
Description: APS proposes the use heavy equipment to remove/replace a substandard utility pole with an upgraded pole in APS ROW.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59276
Location: UNIT - Bradshaw Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Groom Creek: South Senator Hwy, turn west on E. Friendly Pines Rd., turn north on South Claim Jumper Trail (private residential driveway) which is the project site.
Blue Bell/Wolf Creek Allotments Range NEPA
EA
 - Grazing management  On Hold  N/A  N/A John Kava
928-777-2200
johnakava@fs.fed.us 
Description: An analysis to determine whether to re-authorize grazing on the Blue Bell/Wolf Creek Allotment.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=53264
Location: UNIT - Bradshaw Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Blue Bell and Wolf Creek grazing allotments.
Greater Prescott Trails Mid-Term Projects #2
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 10/15/2020  11/2020 Susan Johnson
928-443-8075
sajohnson@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project will analyze and evaluate the existing and proposed motorized trail system for the Greater Prescott Trails Plan project area focusing primarily on the Seven Mile Gulch area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=53205
Location: UNIT - Bradshaw Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Greater Prescott Basin with a primary focus on Seven Mile Gulch area.
Highland Pines Domestic Water Improvement District Pipeline Replacement Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Chris Welker
928-443-8072
cwelker@fs.fed.us 
Description: Replacement of an existing domestic water transmission pipeline owned and operated by the Highland Pines Domestic Water Improvement District (DWID) located on Prescott National Forest System (NFS) lands under an existing FLPMA permit
Location: UNIT - Bradshaw Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - S1/2 Section 23, and NW1/4 SW1/4 Section 24, and NW1/4 and NW1/4 SW1/4 Section 26, T. 14 N., R. 3 W., G&SRM, Yavapai County, Arizona. S1/2 Section 23, and NW1/4 SW1/4 Section 24, and NW1/4 and NW1/4 SW1/4 Section 26, T. 14 N., R. 3 W., G&SRM, Yavapai County, Arizona.
Jack's Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 04/05/2020  		Expected:08/2021
  		09/2021 Zakiya Shivji
928-443-8083
zshivji@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Project would authorize mining placer deposits from approximately 11 acres for up to 20 years. Mining would be conducted with suction dredges, sluice boxes, dry washers, high bankers, metal detectors, gold pans, and hand tools
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=45642
Location: UNIT - Bradshaw Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - Sections 23, 24, 26 & 27 T. 12.5 N., R. 1 W; Sections 35 & 36, T. 13 N., R. 1 W; Section 24 T. 12 N., R. 1 W; Section 36 T. 12 N., R. 2 W; Section 29 T. 13 N., R 3 W; Section 1 T. 10 N., R. 1 E GSRM. Big Bug Creek, Eugene Gulch,Poland Creek, Crooks Canyon, Wolf Creek, and Copper Basin Wash.
Pine Creek Mining River Bend Placer Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  On Hold  N/A  N/A Frances Alvarado
928-443-8014
falvarado@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project would include gold mining operations on approximately 48 acres (10 acres in the Red Hill #2 placer mining claim (PMC) and 38 acres in the Riverbend PMC), with an additional 4 acres for processing facilities, settling ponds, and roads.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=45609
Location: UNIT - Bradshaw Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - T12N,R3W,Sec11,14,15. The proposed mining project is just south of and adjacent to the existing Gold Basin mine, south of Wilhoit along the Hassayampa River.
Ponderosa Park Road (C101) Improvement Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management
- Road management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Chris Welker
928-443-8072
cwelker@fs.fed.us 
Description: This action is for roadway realignment construction and grade reduction of a segment of the Ponderosa Park Road (C101) and related slope stabilization, erosion control, and roadway prism safety improvements under an existing FRTA easement
Location: UNIT - Bradshaw Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - E1/2 Section 20 and E1/2 NW1/4 Section 29, T. 13 N., R. 2 W., G&SR Meridian, Yavapai, County, AZ. E1/2 Section 20 and E1/2 NW1/4 Section 29, T. 13 N., R. 2 W., G&SR Meridian, Yavapai, County, AZ.
Silver Mountain Exploration Drilling
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  On Hold  N/A  N/A Zakiya Shivji
928-443-8083
zakiya.shivji@usda.gov 
Description: On September 11, 2018, Silver Mountain Mining Operations, Inc. (SMMO) submitted a proposed plan of operations (PoO) to conduct exploratory drilling operations on their mining claim. The proposed drilling will consist of 2 drilling pads where multiple
Location: UNIT - Bradshaw Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Section 8, T9N, R1W in Yavapai County, Arizona in the Bradshaw Ranger District.
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Prescott National Forest,   Chino Valley Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Drake Limestone Quarry Expansion
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  Completed  Actual: 11/18/2020  12/2020 Frances Alvarado
928-443-8014
falvarado@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Prescott National Forest is proposing to approve an amendment to Drake Cement LLCs existing Plan of Operations to allow Drake to expand their existing quarry operations on an additional 287 acres of National Forest System lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57628
Location: UNIT - Chino Valley Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - Within the SE ? of Section 31 and the SW ? of Section 32, Township 19 North, Range 1 West and in the west half of Section 5 and the east half of Section 6, Township 18 North, Range 1 West. The project area lies in the northeastern portion of the Prescott National Forest (PNF) in the Chino Valley Ranger District in the vicinity of Paulden in northeastern Yavapai County, Arizona.
Rio Verde Ranch LWCF Acquisition with Trust for Public Land, TPL Arizona, Inc.
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Land acquisition  Completed  Actual: 04/28/2020  10/2020 Chris Welker
928-443-8072
cwelker@fs.fed.us 
Description: This action is for acquisition of a parcel of private property commonly known as the Rio Verde Ranch located on both the north and south banks of the Verde River and owned by the Trust for Public Land, dba TPL-Arizona, Inc. (TPL, seller).
Location: UNIT - Chino Valley Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - E1/2 SE1/4 Section 34 and SW1/4 and SW1/4 SE1/4 Section 35, T. 18 N., R. 1 W., Gila & Salt River Meridian, Yavapai County, Arizona. E1/2 SE1/4 Section 34 and SW1/4 and SW1/4 SE1/4 Section 35, T. 18 N., R. 1 W., Gila & Salt River Meridian, Yavapai County, Arizona.
Yavapai Ranch Reciprocal Easements Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Land ownership management  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 04/14/2017  		Expected:04/2021
  		05/2021 Chris Welker
928-443-8072
cwelker@fs.fed.us 
Description: Exchange reciprocal easements on approximately 18 mile of road.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=29905
Location: UNIT - Chino Valley Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Northwestern corner of Prescott National Forest in the.
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Prescott National Forest,   Verde Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
AAM Priority River Rafting Outfitter and Guide Special Use Permit
CE
 - Recreation management
- Special use management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Jeffrey Gilmore
928-567-1120
jlgilmore@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Prescott National Forest proposes to issue to the outfitter/guide known as AAM a 5-year priority special use permit for a river rafting outfitter guide operation on the Verde River and Verde Wild and Scenic River Segments.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=40886
Location: UNIT - Verde Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Boat launching will occur at White Bridge and Beasley Flats River access sites on the Prescott; take outs at GAP Creek, Childs and Hoseshoe reservoir on the Prescott, Coc, and Tonto.
Gila Chub Habitat Improvement Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/23/2010  		Expected:12/2019
  		01/2020 Albert Sillas
928-567-1124
asillas@fs.fed.us 
Description: Improve pool habitat by sediment removal, instream structures, exclosure fences, and removal of juniper tree encroachment in three sites.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=30425
Location: UNIT - Verde Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - T 11 N, R 4 E, sections 4, 16, 20. Near Sycamore Historic Site/Dugas area.
Interstate 17 Corridor Wireless Communications Improvements Antelope Telecommunications Site
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 02/2021  		Expected:04/2021  05/2021 Chris Welker
928-443-8072
chris.welker@usda.gov 
Description: The Antelope communications site proposal was developed as part of a wireless communications system that will improve the reliability and capacity of wireless telecommunications for the I-17 corridor.
Location: UNIT - Verde Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - Not Applicable. NW1/4 SE1/4 Section 3, T. 12 N., R. 3 E., G&SRM, Yavapai County, AZ.
Reissuance of a Water Development Special Use Permit to Frank and Wanita Melluzzo
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Chris Welker
928-443-8072
cwelker@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Prescott National Forest is proposing to reissue a 10-year special use permit for 2 water pipelines, 1 springbox, 600 gallon water tank, and cattle exclosure fence.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=39048
Location: UNIT - Verde Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - T14N, R3E, Sect17. Off Cherry road in Cherry, AZ.
Verde Adventures, Inc. Outfitter Guide Priority River Boating Outfitter and Guide Special Use Permit
CE
 - Recreation management
- Special use management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Jeffrey Gilmore
928-687-1301
jlgilmore@fs.fed.us 
Description: The PNF proposes to issue to Verde Adventures, Inc. a 10-year priority special use permit for a river boating outfitter guide operation on the Verde River.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=40889
Location: UNIT - Verde Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Boat launching and take out will occur at Skidmore, Big Notti, Black Canyon, White Bridge, Clear Creek and Beasley Flats River access sites on the PNF.
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