Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
10/01/2023 to 12/31/2023
Tonto 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, Tonto National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Tonto National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Tonto National Forest,  Cave Creek Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Tonto National Forest,  Globe Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Tonto National Forest,  Mesa Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Tonto National Forest,  Payson Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Tonto National Forest,  Tonto Basin 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 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

           *UPDATED* 		- 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.
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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Tonto 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
Tonto National Forest Plan Revision
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Land management planning  In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 07/08/2022  		Expected:10/2023
  		11/2023 Kenna Belsky
602-225-5200
SM.FS.tontoplan@usda.gov 
Description: A collaborative effort to revise the Land and Resources Management Plan for the Tonto National Forest in Arizona
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=51592
Location: UNIT - Tonto National Forest All Units. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila, Maricopa, Pinal, Yavapai. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Tonto National Forest; Forestwide.
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Tonto National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Highway 87 & Highway 260 Multi-Communication Site project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/24/2023  		Expected:10/2023
  		11/2023 Mark McEntarffer
602-225-5239
mark.mcentarffer@usda.gov 
Description: Construction, Operation, & Maintenance of 3 new Communications sites on Hwy 87 and 1 Site on Hwy 260 to improve public and first responder communication in areas of low or no coverage.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63823
Location: UNIT - Globe Ranger District, Mesa Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila, Maricopa. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Near Hwy 87 & Hwy 260, Three locations Northeast of Mesa, AZ along Hwy 87 between Bush Hwy & Hwy 188 intersections. One location between Superior, AZ & Globe, AZ near Hwy 60.
North Zone 2019 Range Betterment Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Grazing management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Jeffrey Sturla
928-474-7900
comments-southwestern-tonto-payson@usda.gov 
Description: New water sources and handling facilities to improve livestock management
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57300
Location: UNIT - Payson Ranger District, Pleasant Valley Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Payson and Pleasant valley Ranger Districts, Tonto National Forest, Gila County, AZ.
Resolution Copper Project and Land Exchange
EIS
 - Minerals and Geology
- Land ownership management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Cory Brunsting
602-225-5279
Cory.Brunsting@usda.gov 
Description: The Tonto National Forest is preparing an environmental impact statement(EIS) to disclosure the environmental effects from: 1) a mining proposal submitted by Resolution Copper; 2)the exchange of land between Resolution Copper and United States.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=48956
Location: UNIT - Globe Ranger District, Mesa Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Pinal. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Tonto National Forest.
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Tonto National Forest,   Cave Creek Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
DW Mobile Tower Communication Facility
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/03/2023  		Expected:10/2023
  		11/2023 Mark McEntarffer
602-225-5239
mark.mcentarffer@usda.gov 
Description: Replacement of communication towers to meet EIA Standard RS-222-C.
Location: UNIT - Cave Creek Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Maricopa. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Township 06N, Range 07E, Section 28.
Devil's Hole and Telegraph Trail Road Maintenance and Reconstruction Project
CE
 - Recreation management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Jason Scow
480-610-3331
jason.scow@usda.gov 
Description: This project would repair and reconstruct roads near two popular recreation areas, Devil's Hole and Telegraph Trail. It would also include educational signs and boulder placement to protect surrounding vegetation and wildlife habitat.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56161
Location: UNIT - Cave Creek Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Devils Hole is at the eastern end of FR532 where it meets the Verde River between Bartlett and Horseshoe lakes.Telegraph Trail is where FR42 meets near North Lake Road near Bartlett Lake.
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Tonto National Forest,   Globe Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
AT&T Signal Peak Antenna Collocation onto an Existing Tower
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Mark McEntarffer
602-225-5239
mark.mcentarffer@usda.gov 
Description: Trench from APS building to AZDPS tower for the purpose of collocating antennas on AZDPS's tower.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=53812
Location: UNIT - Globe Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Sites 1 & 2 of Pinal Peak Communications site. Pinal Peak is approximately 8 miles south of the town of Globe.
Hicks-Pikes Peak Allotment Grazing Authorization
EA
 - Grazing management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Marianne Thomas
928-402-6200
comments-southwestern-tonto-globe@usda.gov 
Description: Authorization of livestock grazing on the Hicks-Pikes Peak Allotment in a manner that is consistent with the goals, objectives, and standards and guidelines of the Tonto National Forest Plan.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52246
Location: UNIT - Globe Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Hicks-Pikes Peak Allotment is located on Globe Ranger District, 8 miles north and northwest of Globe, Arizona in Gila County, adjacent to the Salt River.
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Tonto National Forest,   Mesa Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Cottonwood Spring Pipe Rail
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management
- Watershed management 		 Completed  Actual: 08/08/2023  09/2023 Kelly Araiza
480-610-3300
comments-southwestern-tonto-mesa@usda.gov 
Description: Installation of pipe rail fencing at the terminus of MT-3512 to stop motorized access to the Cottonwood Spring and adjacent creek bed.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64602
Location: UNIT - Mesa Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Maricopa. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project is located next to Motorized Trail (MT) 3512 in the Bulldog Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Permit Zone, approximately 6 air miles north from Apache Junction, AZ.
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Tonto National Forest,   Payson Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
South Green Valley Parkway Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Mark McEntarffer
602-225-5239
mark.mcentarffer@usda.gov 
Description: Providing a Right-of-way for a new road on Forest Lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58682
Location: UNIT - Payson Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Tonto NF, Payson Ranger District, Gila County, AZ.
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Tonto National Forest,   Tonto Basin Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Bathtub Corral
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Grazing management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/12/2022  		Expected:09/2023
  		10/2023 Eric Hoskins
928-467-3236
eric.hoskins@usda.gov 
Description: The purpose of this project is to add a small corral with a trigger gate that allows livestock to use the water trough at this location while in the pasture but then can be trapped in the corral and hauled out of the pasture when required.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63409
Location: UNIT - Tonto Basin Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - Not Applicable. T7N R11E Sec. 17.
Dagger, Poison Spring, Black Mesa and A-Cross Grazing Allotment Management Plans
EA
 - Grazing management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Eric Hoskins
602-225-5395
eric.hoskins@usda.gov 
Description: Authorize grazing on the Dagger, Poison Spring, Black Mesa and A-Cross Grazing Allotments.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=49896
Location: UNIT - Tonto Basin Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Tonto Basin Ranger District.
Davis Wash Closure
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Facility management  Completed  Actual: 05/10/2023  06/2023 Jason Spence
602-225-5200
jason.p.spence@usda.gov 
Description: Closure of Davis Wash Recreation Area
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64122
Location: UNIT - Tonto Basin Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Township 3N, Range 10E.
Dutch Tin Extension Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Grazing management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 09/2023  		Expected:11/2023  12/2023 Eric Hoskins
928-467-3236
eric.hoskins@usda.gov 
Description: Add additional water resources for allotment
Location: UNIT - Tonto Basin Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - T 4N, R 12E, Section 2. Dutchwomen East Grazing Allotment.
Grapevine Helipads
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Facility management  Completed  Actual: 08/25/2023  11/2023 Jeremy Plain
928-474-7977
jeremy.plain@usda.gov 
Description: Helipads adjacent to Grapevine Airstrip
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64120
Location: UNIT - Tonto Basin Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The legal location of the project is Township 4N, Range 13E, Section 32.
Greenback Fuels Treatment
CE
 - Fuels management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Andrew Nordquist
602-225-5388
andrew.nordquist@usda.gov 
Description: The primary purpose of this project is to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire to private property. This fuel break will also provide fire managers with an anchor point for future fire management or prescribed fire activities.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61310
Location: UNIT - Tonto Basin Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Greenback Fuels Treatment is located on the Tonto Basin Ranger District along FR 71, FR 236, Greenback Creek, and Oak Creek. The project area borders private property.
Holder Well and Corral Expansion Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Grazing management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2023  		Expected:11/2023  12/2023 Eric Hoskins
928-467-3236
eric.hoskins@usda.gov 
Description: A new well will be drilled to provide adequate water for livestock in an allotment.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64447
Location: UNIT - Tonto Basin Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - T 8N, R 10E, Section 3. Township 8N, Range 10E, Section 3.
SRP Pump Back Storage Project - Geotechnical Investigation Site 2
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/20/2023  		Expected:10/2023
  		11/2023 Mark McEntarffer
602-225-5239
mark.mcentarffer@usda.gov 
Description: Geotechnical investigation involving surface geophysical surveys, exploratory drilling, and excavation of test pits.
Location: UNIT - Tonto Basin Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - T04N.,R12E., Sections 31 & 32. The project is located at Alchesay Canyon, near State Routes 88 & 188, approximately 40 air miles Northeast from Mesa, AZ. The legal location of the project is Township 04N., Range 12E., Section 31 & 32.
Seventy-Six Ranch Project #2
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Grazing management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 09/2023  		Expected:10/2023  11/2023 Eric Hoskins
928-467-3236
eric.hoskins@usda.gov 
Description: New water storage tank and troughs
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64449
Location: UNIT - Tonto Basin Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - T 8N, R 10E, Sections 13, 24. Seventy-Six Ranch.
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