Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
07/01/2025 to 09/30/2025
El Yunque 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
-  R8 - Southern Region, El Yunque National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)

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.
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El Yunque National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R8 - Southern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Collaborative Aquatic Landscape Restoration on Rios Espiritu Santo, Mameyes, and Sabana
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Watershed management
- Road management
- Environmental Justice 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 05/2025  		Expected:08/2025  08/2025 Ricardo Santiago Garcia
787-888-5663
ricardo.santiagogarcia@usda.gov 
Description: Watershed restoration activities to improve road stream crossings for fish passage and improve drinking water quality in the rivers and streams in El Yunque and neighboring lands to the ocean.
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/elyunque/projects/63671
Location: UNIT - El Yunque National Forest All Units. STATE - Puerto Rico. COUNTY - Canovanas, Carolina, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Watersheds of Rio Espiritu Santo, Rio Mameyes and Rio Sabana.
EYNF-Special Uses-Reissuance of existing organizational campground authorization
CE
 - Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 05/2022
This project has changed to a CE that does not require a written decision document and will be removed from the SOPA.  		Expected:06/2022  06/2022 Myrna Tirado
787-888-5617
myrna.tirado@usda.gov 
Description: To issue a Special Use permit for Elisa Colberg Girl Scout Camp to replace an existing or expired authorization. This new authorization will be for the maximum tenure of 20 years.
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/elyunque/projects/57270
Location: UNIT - El Yunque National Forest All Units. STATE - Puerto Rico. COUNTY - Rio Grande. LEGAL - Not Applicable. From PR 186-PR 963 (KM 21.9); Jimenez Ward, Rio Grande, PR. The facilities comprehends 17 cabins with capacity for 126 campers plus staff. Additional amenities include swimming pool among others.
FSR12 Palo Hueco Road Repairs/maintenance
CE
 - Road management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/16/2011
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 06/2011  		Expected:08/2011
  		09/2011 Manuel Ortiz
787-888-5669
mortiz@fs.fed.us 
Description: Repair and maintain one mile of FSR12. Work includes clearing roadside, vegetation, cleaning/replacing culverts, installing drainage dips, grading/resurfacing traveled way and signing
Location: UNIT - El Yunque National Forest All Units. STATE - Puerto Rico. COUNTY - Ceiba, Luquillo, Naguabo, Rio Grande. Project starts at int. of FSR12 wotj PR 186 at km 17.7 in the municipality pf Rio Grande, P.R.
Improvements to the La Mina Recreation Area Water System
CE
 - Facility management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 04/2023  		Expected:06/2023  08/2023 Eugene Whatley
803-725-8855
eugene.whatley@usda.gov 
Description: For La Mina Recreation Area, improve the current water system to distribute potable water to recreation sites.
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/elyunque/projects/64035
Location: UNIT - El Yunque National Forest All Units. STATE - Puerto Rico. COUNTY - Rio Grande. LEGAL - Not Applicable. La Mina Recreation Area is located on PR Hwy 191 and includes the sites Sierra Palma, Palo Colorado, to Yokahu Tower.
Issuance of a new permit for installation and maintenance of underground power line to East Peak.
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/06/2019  		Expected:11/2019
  		11/2019 Pedro Rios
787-888-5655
pedro.rios@usda.gov 
Description:  The FS will issue a special use permit for installation and maintenance of an underground power line along the FSR 27 within the East Peak prism to replace an existing above ground power line that was damaged during recent hurricanes in 2017.
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/elyunque/projects/57132
Location: UNIT - El Yunque National Forest All Units. STATE - Puerto Rico. COUNTY - Rio Grande. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Forest Service Road 27 and a segment of PR 930 along the East Peak area.
Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 05/2024  		Expected:06/2024  06/2024 Ricardo Santiago Garcia
787-888-5663
ricardo.santiagogarcia@usda.gov 
Description: Improve the habitat of the endangered tree Eugenia haematocarpa by removing non-native vegetation and planting 150 trees.
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/elyunque/projects/64049
Location: UNIT - El Yunque National Forest All Units. STATE - Puerto Rico. COUNTY - Rio Grande. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Three sites: Zarzal within FWS Aviary (PR 9966), Sabana Recreation Area (Naguabo) and Juan Diego (PR 191).
Repair of El Portal Visitor Center
CE
 - Facility management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/08/2019  		Expected:05/2020
  		06/2020 Pedro Rios
787-888-5655
pedro.rios@usda.gov 
Description: This project intends to fully restore the El Portal Visitor Center's main and support buildings and parking.
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/elyunque/projects/57195
Location: UNIT - El Yunque National Forest All Units. STATE - Puerto Rico. COUNTY - Rio Grande. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Rio Grande, Bo Barcelona, Puerto Rico, El Yunque National Forest, Management Area 1.
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