Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2024 to 03/31/2024
Ashley 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
-  Projects Occurring in more than one Region (excluding Nationwide)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Ashley National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Ashley National Forest,  DUCHESNE RANGER DISTRICT (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Ashley National Forest,  Flaming Gorge Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Ashley National Forest,  Vernal 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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Projects Occurring in more than one Region (excluding Nationwide)  

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Amendments to Land Management Plans Regarding Sage-grouse Conservation
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Land management planning
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 08/02/2019  		Expected:12/2020
  		01/2021 John Shivik
801-625-5667
john.shivik@usda.gov 
Description: The Forest Service is considering amending its land management plans to address new and evolving issues arising since implementing sage-grouse plans in 2015. This project is in cooperation with the USDI Bureau of Land Management.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52904
Location: UNIT - Ashley National Forest All Units, Boise National Forest All Units, Bridger-Teton National Forest All Units, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest All Units, Dixie National Forest All Units, Fishlake National Forest All Units, Salmon-Challis National Forest All Units, Sawtooth National Forest All Units, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest All Units, Manti-La Sal National Forest All Units, Caribou-Targhee National Forest All Units, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache All Units. STATE - Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming. COUNTY - Jackson, Moffat, Routt, Adams, Blaine, Bonneville, Camas, Caribou, Cassia, Elmore, Fremont, Madison, Churchill, Clark, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lincoln, Nye, Pershing, Washoe, White Pine, Beaver, Box Elder, Cache, Carbon, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Emery, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Juab, Kane, Millard, Morgan, Piute, Rich, Salt Lake, San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Summit, Tooele, Uintah, Utah, Wasatch, Washington, Wayne, Weber, Platte, Sublette, Teton, Weston, Albany, Campbell, Carbon, Converse, Crook, Laramie, Lincoln, Natrona, Niobrara. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Sagebrush lands in National Forests of Nevada, Utah, southern Idaho, southwest Montana, southwest & south-central Wyoming and northern Colorado.
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R4 - Intermountain Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
High Uintas Wilderness Domestic Sheep Analysis Project (Ashley and UWC National Forests)
EIS
 - Grazing management  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 06/21/2019
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/2022  		Expected:03/2023
  		03/2023 Paul Cowley
801-999-2177
pcowley@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project will evaluate the effects of continued domestic sheep grazing in the High Uintas Wilderness (HUW). There are 10 sheep allotments located on the north and south slopes of HUW and are located in both the Ashley and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NFs.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=44503
Location: UNIT - Roosevelt Ranger District, Duchesne Ranger District, Evanston-Mountain View RD. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Duchesne, Summit. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project is located in the High Uintas Wilderness in both Duchesne and Summit counties. The project is located northeast of Duchesne, UT and southwest of Manila, UT.
Soapstone Calcite Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 10/11/2023  		Expected:05/2024
  		06/2024 David Herron
435-781-5218
david.herron@usda.gov 
Description: Proposal to construct approximately 1 mile of new access road, across the Ashley NF and UWC NF, and then begin small-scale hardrock mining operations for decorative calcite on the Ashley NF, near the headwaters of Iron Mine Creek.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61969
Location: UNIT - Duchesne Ranger District, Heber-Kamas Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Duchesne. LEGAL - T2N R9W Sec 19 of Uintah Meridian, and T3N R9E Sec 18 of Salt Lake Meridian. Headwaters of Iron Mine Creek, on the north side of the creek.
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Ashley National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Ashley NF Forest-wide Prescribed Fire Restoration Project
EA
 - Fuels management  In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 09/27/2023  		Expected:03/2024
  		03/2024 Lars Christensen
435-781-5126
lars.christensen@usda.gov 
Description: The proposed project would authorize prescribed burns across the Forest up to 24,000 acres/year. Treatment boundaries would be designed to meet objectives and move areas toward desired conditions. Wilderness, RNAs, private land, & alpine excluded.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61581
Location: UNIT - Ashley National Forest All Units. STATE - Utah, Wyoming. COUNTY - Daggett, Duchesne, Summit, Uintah, Utah, Wasatch, Sweetwater. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The proposed project area includes approximately 940,000 acres of National Forest System lands across the Ashley National Forest.
Ashley National Forest - Forest Plan Revision
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Land management planning  In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 04/19/2023
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 01/2024  		Expected:01/2024
  		01/2024 Anastasia Allen
406-270-9241
anastasia.allen@usda.gov 
Description: The Ashley National Forest is currently revising the Forest Plan. The Ashley's existing Forest Plan is from 1986 and needs to be updated to reflect current natural resource conditions.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=49606
Location: UNIT - Ashley National Forest All Units. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Daggett, Duchesne, Summit, Uintah. LEGAL - Not Applicable. This project will involve the entire Ashley National Forest.
Ashley National Forest Aspen Restoration Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management 		 Completed  Actual: 10/02/2023  10/2023 Kristy Groves
435-781-5203
kristy.groves@usda.gov 
Description: This is a programmatic evaluation of the restoration of aspen stands on the Ashley NF outside of Wilderness.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57075
Location: UNIT - Ashley National Forest All Units. STATE - Utah, Wyoming. COUNTY - Daggett, Duchesne, Summit, Uintah, Wasatch, Sweetwater. LEGAL - All Ashley National Forest lands outside of wilderness. All aspens stands on the Ashley National Forest outside of wilderness.
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Ashley National Forest,   DUCHESNE RANGER DISTRICT (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Anthro Reentry Lop and Scatter
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/15/2023  		Expected:04/2024
  		04/2024 Robert Christensen
435-781-5232
robert.christensen@usda.gov 
Description: This project would involve reentry of approximately 7,820 acres of previously treated shrub communities with a hand crew using chainsaws to remove the encroaching conifer. Maintenance of the original treatments would likewise maintain habitat.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64553
Location: UNIT - Duchesne Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Duchesne. LEGAL - Not Applicable. This project is located on the Duchesne-Roosevelt Ranger District of the Ashley National Forest in the Anthro Mountain and Gilsonite areas.
Harmston Canyon ATV Trail
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/02/2023  		Expected:01/2024
  		06/2024 John Titre
505-388-8367
john.titre@usda.gov 
Description: This project would involve construction of a new portion of motorized trail connecting with existing roads open to all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use to create a loop trail along the Elkhorn Loop Road.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64555
Location: UNIT - Duchesne Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Duchesne. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The proposed connector trail is in the Pole Mountain area east of Uinta Canyon and would connect Forest Service Roads (FSRs) 289 and 290.
South Slope Fuels Reduction Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Fuels management  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 09/27/2023  		Expected:04/2024
  		06/2024 Emilia Sopranzi
208-507-8306
emilia.sopranzi@usda.gov 
Description: This is a Forest Service and Ute Tribe cross-boundary fuels management project to reduce the likelihood of undesirable fires, improve forest health, improve wildlife habitat, protect improvements, and increase public safety.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63421
Location: UNIT - Duchesne Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Duchesne. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area is on the south slope of the Uinta Mountains from Yellowstone Canyon to Uinta Canyon and includes both National Forest System lands and adjacent Ute Tribe lands.
Yellowstone ATV Trail
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/02/2023  		Expected:02/2024
  		06/2024 John Titre
505-388-8367
john.titre@usda.gov 
Description: The Yellowstone ATV Trail connections are currently 50 inches wide and off-highway vehicles (OHVs) greater than 50 inches are prohibited. By reconstructing the trail to 60 inches, the Yellowstone ATV Trail would be accessible to more forest visitors.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64554
Location: UNIT - Duchesne Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Duchesne. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Yellowstone ATV trail is located on the Ashley National Forest in the Yellowstone Canyon/ Petty Mountain area.
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Ashley National Forest,   Flaming Gorge Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Buckboard Marina Boundary Realignment
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 02/2024  		Expected:06/2024  06/2024 Jayson Roundy
435-781-5281
jayson.roundy@usda.gov 
Description: We are proposing to adjust the boundary of the Buckboard Marina's special use permit to remove water acreage and potentially add areas of land to the south and east.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63755
Location: UNIT - Flaming Gorge Ranger District. STATE - Wyoming. COUNTY - Sweetwater. LEGAL - Sec. 28, T. 15 N., R. 108 W., 6th principal meridian. The Buckboard Marina is approximately 22 miles south of Green River, WY off of Highway 530.
Dry Creek Trona Mine Project
EIS
 - Minerals and Geology
- Special use management 		 In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 04/28/2022
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 12/2023  		Expected:11/2024
  		11/2024 Rhett Burkman
435-781-5133
rhett.burkman@usda.gov 
Description: The BLM is considering a trona mine proposal from Pacific and Atlantic Soda Company. A portion of the proposal involves construction of a water line across the northern end of the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area on the Ashley NF.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59259
Location: UNIT - Flaming Gorge Ranger District. STATE - Wyoming. COUNTY - Sweetwater. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The water line would be located across the northern end of the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area south of Green River, WY.
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area Management Plan
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Land management planning
- Recreation management
- Special area management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 02/2024  		Expected:08/2024  08/2024 Ryan Buerkle
435-781-5204
ryan.buerkle@usda.gov 
Description: We are developing a new management plan with direction for all resources and resource uses in the Flaming Gorge NRA.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63232
Location: UNIT - Flaming Gorge Ranger District. STATE - Utah, Wyoming. COUNTY - Daggett, Sweetwater. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area is the entire Flaming Gorge NRA, which is located in Daggett County, UT and Sweetwater County, WY.
Henry's Fork Rock Art Interpretive Site
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Heritage resource management 		 Completed  Actual: 11/09/2023  11/2023 Jeffrey Rust
435-781-5156
jeffrey.rust@usda.gov 
Description: This project would involve the development of a recreation and interpretive site to provide for public education, enjoyment, and protection of the Henry's Fork prehistoric rock art site.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62395
Location: UNIT - Flaming Gorge Ranger District. STATE - Wyoming. COUNTY - Sweetwater. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Approximately 4 miles northeast of Manila, Utah near the intersection of Highway 530 and Forest Road 146 (Lucerne Road).
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Ashley National Forest,   Vernal Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Ashley Karst Timber Stand Improvement
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  Completed  Actual: 10/12/2023  07/2024 Samuel Nielsen
307-783-3970
samuel.nielsen@usda.gov 
Description: We would thin approximately 7,571 acres of young lodgepole pine stands to improve forest health, reduce the risk of undesirable wildfires, and enhance wildlife habitat.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64660
Location: UNIT - Vernal Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Uintah. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The pre-commercial thinning units are located throughout the Ashley Karst National Recreation and Geologic Area north of Vernal, Utah.
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