Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
07/01/2022 to 09/30/2022
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  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
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
Arizona Dept. of Transportation I-17 highway corridor Intelligent Transportation System fiber optics
CE
 - Special use management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/10/2020  		Expected:08/2022
  		09/2022 Christopher Welker
928-443-8072
Christopher.Welker@usda.gov 
Description: ADOT collocation of State-owned/operated fiber optic facilities within the existing State of Arizona interstate highway #17 (I-17) corridor from Sunset Point to Flagstaff, AZ meant to support Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) improvements.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61170
Location: UNIT - Prescott National Forest All Units. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - Not Applicable. PNF Forestwide for ADOT state and interstate highway corridor rights-of-ways.
Forest-wide Hunting Priority Use Outfitter-Guide Permits
CE
 - Recreation management
- Special use management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A 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.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=55252
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
Arcadian Infracom 1, LLC (Arcadian)fiber optic facilities collocation within established roads RoWs
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/07/2022  		Expected:05/2022
  		05/2022 Christopher Welker
928-443-8072
Christopher.Welker@usda.gov 
Description: Construction/collocation of fiber optic facilities and appurtenant infrastructure within existing established road rights-of-ways located on the Prescott National Forest, Bradshaw and Chino Valley Districts.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60769
Location: UNIT - Chino Valley Ranger District, Bradshaw Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - Prescott N.F., Bradshaw and Chino Valley Ranger Districts. Prescott N.F., Bradshaw and Chino Valley Ranger Districts.
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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
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/11/2020  		Expected:10/2021
  		11/2021 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.
Draconis Energy Project, LLC and 7x Energy, Inc. 500 kV electric transmission line
EA

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 06/2022  		Expected:10/2022  11/2022 Christopher Welker
928-443-8072
Christopher.Welker@usda.gov 
Description: Issuance of a Special Use Permit (SUP) to Draconis Energy Project, LLC (Draconis) for access to areas of the Prescott National Forest, Bradshaw and Chino Ranger District (PNF, BRD/CRD) to support electric transmission line construction.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62358
Location: UNIT - Bradshaw Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - N1/2 Section 22 and NW1/4 Section 23, T. 16 N., R. 1 E, G&SRM, Yavapai County, Arizona. N1/2 Section 22 and NW1/4 Section 23, T. 16 N., R. 1 E, G&SRM, Yavapai County, Arizona.
Greater Prescott Trails Plan - Bean Peaks MTB Trails.
CE
 - Recreation management
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/14/2022  		Expected:09/2022
  		01/2023 Jason Williams
928-777-2220
jason.a.williams@usda.gov 
Description: Construct Forest Service trails by designing sections of trail that follow the natural contour of the terrain and use reversals in grade (undulating the trail surface) to achieve drainage for water.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61751
Location: UNIT - Bradshaw Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - T13N, R2W Sections 15, 16, 21, 22 and 28. T13N, R2W Sections 15, 16, 21, 22 and 28.
Jack's Project
EA
 - Minerals and Geology  On Hold  N/A  N/A 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.
Orme Ranch, Inc. Federal Land Policy and Management Act Easement for NFSR 9650K
CE
 - Special use management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/20/2021  		Expected:08/2022
  		09/2022 Christopher Welker
928-443-8072
Christopher.Welker@usda.gov 
Description: This action is for issuance of a Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) private driveway easement to Orme Ranch, Inc. to access private lands and subsequent long-term operation and maintenance responsibility for NFSR 9650K
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60811
Location: UNIT - Bradshaw Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - SE1/4 SW1/4 Section 20, T. 12 N., R. 3 E, G&SRM, Yavapai County, Arizona. SE1/4 SW1/4 Section 20, T. 12 N., R. 3 E, G&SRM, Verde Ranger District, Prescott National Forest, Yavapai County, Arizona.
Pine Creek Mining River Bend Placer Project
EA
 - 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.
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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
Upper Verde Wild and Scenic Suitability Study
EA
 - Special area management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/11/2022  		Expected:01/2023
  		02/2023 Jason Williams
928-777-2220
jason.a.williams@usda.gov 
Description: The Prescott National Forest will be conducting a wild and scenic rivers suitability study for 37 miles of the Upper Verde River in the Prescott and Coconino National Forests.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61191
Location: UNIT - Chino Valley Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The river segments being studied are the 37 miles generally west and north of Clarkdale, Arizona and east of Chino Valley, Arizona.
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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  On Hold  N/A  N/A 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.
Prescott N.F. Arizona Dept. of Public Safety Comminucations Site Rebuild Mingus Mtn. and "Squaw Pk."
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/10/2022  		Expected:08/2022
  		09/2022 Christopher Welker
928-443-8072
Christopher.Welker@usda.gov 
Description: AZ DPS proposal to rebuild their existing telecommunications facilities located on both Mingus Mtn. and "Squaw Peak" and subsequent amendment to the AZ DPS leasees for both AZ DPS communications sites on the Prescott National Forest, Verde RD.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61768
Location: UNIT - Verde Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - Mingus Mtn. SE1/4 Sec. 2, T. 15 N., R. 2 E., and "Squaw Pk." SE1/4 Sec. 36, T. 13 N., R. 4 E., G&SRM, Yavapai County, Arizona. Mingus Mtn. SE1/4 Sec. 2, T. 15 N., R. 2 E., and "Squaw Pk." SE1/4 Sec. 36, T. 13 N., R. 4 E., G&SRM, Yavapai County, Arizona.
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.
Verde Recreation Action Plan
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 06/29/2022  		Expected:12/2022
  		01/2023 Thomas Palmer
928-567-1114
thomas.palmer@usda.gov 
Description: Verde Recreation Action Plan (VRAP) is a multifaceted plan to provide sustainable recreation opportunities and address natural resource and public health and safety concerns.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61156
Location: UNIT - Verde Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Yavapai. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Verde Ranger District.
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