Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
07/01/2024 to 09/30/2024
Dixie 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, Dixie National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Dixie National Forest,  Cedar City Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Dixie National Forest,  Escalante Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Dixie National Forest,  Pine Valley 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

           *UPDATED* 		- Land management planning  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 06/21/2024
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 12/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		01/2025 Jennifer McRae
202-791-8488
SM.FS.NFSWONGA@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.
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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
 - 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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Dixie 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
Dixie National Forest Prescribed Fire Landscape Resiliency Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 08/25/2023  		Expected:06/2024
  		06/2024 Keith Adams
435-865-3776
keith.r.adams@usda.gov 
Description: Dixie NF is proposing a forest-wide prescribed fire project to reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire, increase resilience of existing vegetation groups and improve ecological function in native vegetation communities and wildlife habitats.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60970
Location: UNIT - Dixie National Forest All Units. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Garfield, Iron, Kane, Washington. LEGAL - Not Applicable. This Decision could be applied throughout the Dixie National Forest with the exception of designated Wilderness and Research Natural Areas.
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Dixie National Forest,   Cedar City Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Brian Head Resort Expansion project
EIS

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management
- Special area management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. NOI in Federal Register 11/2024  		Expected:02/2026  06/2027 Matthew Loscalzo

Matthew.Loscalzo@usda.gov 
Description: Brian Head Resort is proposing terrain and ski area improvements within and adjacent to their current special use permit (SUP) on the Dixie National Forest. The plan includes adding an additional 1,570 acres to their Special Use Permit boundary.
Location: UNIT - Cedar City Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Iron. LEGAL - Not Applicable. In, and adjacent to Brian Head Ski Resort which surrounds the Town of Brian Head in Iron County, Utah.
Cedar City Ranger District Mineral Pits project
EA
 - Minerals and Geology  On Hold  N/A  N/A Vaughn Thacker
719-852-5941
vaughn.thacker@usda.gov 
Description: This project would open 3 new mineral pits, authorize/reauthorize 10 existing pits (expanding 6), and close/reclaim 16 pits across the Cedar City Ranger District to facilitate sources of minerals for project work over the next 15-20 years.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64758
Location: UNIT - Cedar City Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Garfield, Iron, Kane. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Multiple locations across the Cedar City Ranger District.
Dry Camp Resource Protection Road Re-Route
EA
 - Watershed management
- Road management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 06/2023  		Expected:12/2023  07/2024 Vaughn Thacker
435-865-3739
vaughn.thacker@usda.gov 
Description: The forest service is proposing to reroute the Dry Camp - Houston Mountain Road (FSR 30051). The project would decommission3.5 miles of existing road prism across meadow areas with sensitive soils and reconstruct 4.75 miles of new road.
Location: UNIT - Cedar City Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Garfield. LEGAL - T37S R8W Sections 22, 23, 28, 34, 35 T38S R8W Sections 1, 2 12 T38S R7W Section 7 . Dry Camp - Houston Mountain Road (FSR 30051). Northwest of Duck Creek Village in Iron, Garfield, and Kane County Utah.
Haycock Peak- Cooper Knolls Insect and Disease Management project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/26/2024  		Expected:09/2024
  		07/2025 Michael Golden
435-865-3722
michael.golden@usda.gov 
Description: The proposed project would improve forest health and resiliency across 2,937 acres by removing mistetoe infected, as well as insect infested, trees and thinning overstocked stands using sanitation harvest, commercial thinning, and prescribed fire.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66038
Location: UNIT - Cedar City Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Iron. LEGAL - T35S R6W Sections 19, 20, 29, 30, 31, 32 T35S R7W Sections 25, 34, and 35 T36S R7W Sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 . The Cooper Knoll and Haycock Peak area in Garfield County, Utah. Approximately, 0.4 miles east of Panguitch Lake.
South Central Utah Telephone Association (SCUTA) Panguitch Lake North project
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/07/2023  		Expected:04/2024
  		05/2024 Michael Golden
435-865-3221
michael.golden@usda.gov 
Description: The project would bury 1.7 miles of single, non-electric fiber optic cable in duct conduits in a 10 foot (2.1 acres) Right of Way and 15 foot (3.1 acres) construction Right of Way, 1.2 acres and 1.7 acres of which are on Forest Service lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65109
Location: UNIT - Cedar City Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Kane. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Township 35S Range 7W Sections 32 and 33 and Township 36S Range 7W Section 6.
Uinta Flat Designated Dispersed Camping Phase 2
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 07/2024  		Expected:10/2024  05/2025 Michael Golden
435-865-3221
michael.golden@usda.gov 
Description: Project would authorize creation of 26 additional designated dispersed camp sites, 0.16 miles of system roads, and 4 vault toilet/kiosk/fee tube areas within the 2011 Decision project area. Project would also authorize closing 22 existing sites.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65864
Location: UNIT - Cedar City Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Garfield, Kane. LEGAL - T 38 S, R 7 W, Sections 1, 10, 11, 14, and 15, and T 37 S, R 7 W, Sections 23, 26, and 36. Approximately 2 miles east of the town of Duck Creek along Forest Service Road FS 30064 between Utah State Hwy 14 and the Mammoth Creek Road (FH50).
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Dixie National Forest,   Escalante Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Hungry Creek Vegetation Improvement Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 05/17/2024  		Expected:07/2024
  		08/2024 Terry DeLay
435-826-5401
terry.delay@usda.gov 
Description: The Hungry Creek Project would facilitate landscape-scale forest vegetation management to promote resiliency of the ecosystem while maintaining the aesthetics and character of the landscape.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60745
Location: UNIT - Escalante Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Garfield. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area encompasses the following watersheds: HUC6 Upper Pine Creek 140700050105 HUC6 Lower Pine Creek 140700050106 HUC6 Upper North Creek 140700050103 HUC6 Lower North Creek 14070005010.
Sweetwater-Griffin Top Pasture Division Fence
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 08/21/2023  		Expected:10/2023
  		10/2023 Nephi Noyes
435-826-5433
Nephi.Noyes@usda.gov 
Description: Construct a 3.2 mile, four strand barbed wire fence that would restrict livestock movement between pastures, thereby maintaining more desirable and even livestock utilization rates. This will improve forage production for big-game wildlife.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64579
Location: UNIT - Escalante Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Garfield. LEGAL - T34S, R2W, Sections 25&26 /T34S, R1W, Section 31. East of the Johns Valley road, North of South Creek and running roughly parallel to Forest Service road 133.
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Dixie National Forest,   Pine Valley Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Pine Valley Riparian Protection Road Re-Route
CE
 - Road management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 03/2024  		Expected:06/2024  08/2024 Vaughn Thacker
719-852-5941
vaughn.thacker@usda.gov 
Description: Reroute FS road 30343 and 30228, as they are parallel or within riparian habitats. Sediment is entering riparian habitats and eroding the roadways. Moving the roads away from the riparian habitats will improving road stability and riparian health.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63867
Location: UNIT - Pine Valley Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Washington. LEGAL - Not Applicable. FS road 30343 is located 1.5 miles northwest of the Town of Pinto. FS road 30228 is located south of the Forest boundary line approximately 2.8 miles southeast of the Newcastle Reservoir.
Pine Valley Well and Water Storage Tank
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/28/2024  		Expected:03/2024
  		03/2024 Hannah Schramm
435-652-3125
Hannah.Schramm@usda.gov 
Description: Pine Valley Irrigation Company is requesting a reissuance of their special use permit. In addition, they propose to construct a well, pump house, pipeline, and a power line.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65310
Location: UNIT - Pine Valley Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Washington. LEGAL - Sections 22 and 24, T. 39 S., R. 15 W., SLB&M. Close to Pine Valley Ut.
Pine Valley Wildlife Habitat and Ecological Resiliency Improvement Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 Cancelled  N/A  N/A Rhett Boswell
435=652-3101
Rhett.Boswell@usda.gov 
Description: The intent of this project is to improve habitat conditions for wildlife species associated with sagebrush and pinyon-juniper communities and to trend the existing habitat conditions to meet desired conditions established by the Forest Plan.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57110
Location: UNIT - Pine Valley Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Iron, Washington. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Approximately 181,575 acres of the Pine Valley Ranger District are under review for treatments including approximately 101,765 acres in IRA outside of wilderness areas.
Riparian Health and Resiliency Infrastructure
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management
- Watershed management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 06/2023  		Expected:08/2023  09/2023 Jennifer Green
435-865-3729
jennifer.e.green@usda.gov 
Description: Limit grazing duration in Holt Canyon, Garden and Hyatt Springs, Little Grassy, Sheep Corral, Three Oaks/Shinbone, and Magotsu Creek and associated riparian areas, by installing fences/infrastructure to enhance ecological health and function.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63660
Location: UNIT - Pine Valley Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Iron, Washington. LEGAL - Several located throughout the District, see maps. Various riparian corridors throughout the District. See attached maps.
St. George Municipal Watershed Fuel Break
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Fuels management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 06/2024  		Expected:08/2024  03/2025 Skeet Houston
435-865-3172
skeet.houston@usda.gov 
Description: The purpose of creating a fuel break is to increase community safety, create defensible safe space for firefighting personnel, and increase the likelihood of effective fire suppression in the event of a wildfire.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66369
Location: UNIT - Pine Valley Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Washington. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Forest Service Road (FSR) 033 from the private boundary north of the Blake-Gubler Trailhead south to the FSR 031 intersection and spur FSR 322.
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