Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) 07/01/2014 to 09/30/2014 Cibola National Forest This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact. Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R3 - Southwestern Region Cibola National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide) Mountainair and Sandia Ranger - Watershed management Districts Road Decommissioning EA In Progress: Notice of Initiation 12/03/2013 Est. Comment Period Public Notice 08/2014 Project Contact Expected:12/2014 01/2015 Richard Graves 505-346-3846 rlgraves@fs.fed.us Description: A proposal to decommission 90 miles of roads/routes to reduce erosion, soil compaction and sedimentation, which would result in enhancing water quality and wildlife habitat. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=38071 Location: USAF Training Area UNIT - Sandia Ranger District, Mountainair Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo, Torrance. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Upper Tijeras watershed on Sandia RD and Tajique watershed on Mountainair RD. - Special use management EA In Progress: Comment Period Public Notice 07/21/2013 Est. Objection Period Legal Notice 08/2014 Expected:11/2014 01/2015 Cheryl Prewitt 505-346-3820 cprewitt@fs.fed.us Description: Military training area permit on Mountainair, Mount Taylor, Magdalena, and Sandia Ranger Districts Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=5375 Location: Cibola National Forest 07/01/2014 02:44 am MT UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District, Magdalena Ranger District, Sandia Ranger District, Mountainair Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo, Cibola, Socorro, Torrance. LEGAL - Specific areas on each district. Mountainair, Magdalena, and Sandia Ranger Districts. Black Kettle National Grassland (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Page 1 of 10 R3 - Southwestern Region Cibola National Forest Project Name Cibola National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R3 - Southwestern Region Black Kettle National Grassland (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Apache Unit 30 Gas and Oil Well - Minerals and Geology Completed Actual: 05/09/2014 Project Contact 06/2014 CE Curtis Youngman 580-497-2143 cyoungman@fs.fed.us Description: Proposal to develop federal minerals lease, including construction of a well pad, 100-foot long road to the well pad, and installation of a 400-foot long gas pipeline. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44057 Location: Gas Pipeline - Unit 66 UNIT - Black Kettle National Grassland. STATE - Oklahoma. COUNTY - Roger Mills. LEGAL - T14N, R25W, section6, IM. The project would be located about 4 miles north of Reydon, OK. - Minerals and Geology Completed Actual: 04/15/2014 06/2014 CE Curtis Youngman 580-497-2143 cyoungman@fs.fed.us Description: Proposal to install a natural gas gathering pipeline in a 50 foot by 1,455 foot corridor. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43668 Location: Rush Creek 3D Seismic Survey UNIT - Black Kettle National Grassland. STATE - Oklahoma. COUNTY - Roger Mills. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Approximately 8 miles west of Cheyenne, OK in Unit 66 of Black Kettle National Grassland. - Minerals and Geology Completed Actual: 04/03/2014 06/2014 CE Curtis Youngman 580-497-2143 cyoungman@fs.fed.us Description: Proposal to conduct seismic survey with vibrosis trucks on 11,284 acres of Black Kettle National Grassland. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43238 Location: Unit 105 Water Line and Tank UNIT - Black Kettle National Grassland. STATE - Oklahoma. COUNTY - Roger Mills. LEGAL - T15N, R26W; T14N, R26W; T15N, R25W; T14N, R25W; and T13N, R25W. Grasslands units in the western third of Roger Mills County, Oklahoma. - Grazing management CE In Progress: Scoping Start 02/27/2014 Expected:08/2014 09/2014 Chuck Milner 580-497-2143 cmilner@fs.fed.us Description: Proposal to install new water line and water tank for domestic livestock. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43840 Location: 07/01/2014 02:44 am MT UNIT - Black Kettle National Grassland. STATE - Oklahoma. COUNTY - Roger Mills. LEGAL - Sec. 13, T13N, Range 23W, Indian Meridian. Unit 105 is located about 4 miles east of Cheyenne, OK. Page 2 of 10 Cibola National Forest Project Name Cibola National Forest District) Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R3 - Southwestern Region Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Carrizo Creek Mountain Plover Prescribe Burn - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Scoping Start 12/09/2011 Expected:10/2014 Project Contact 11/2014 CE Richard Hanson 575-374-9652 rahanson@fs.fed.us Description: Prescibe burning approximately 300 acres to improve mountain plover nesting habitat. Burn needs to occur in the months of Feb or March prior to mountain plover migration. Location: K-84, K-87, K-91E Woodland Prescribed Burn and Thinning Projects EA Mike Atkinson - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Expected:02/2015 03/2015 575-374-9652 - Vegetation management Notice of Initiation 09/16/2006 matkinson@fs.fed.us (other than forest products) Est. Comment Period Public - Watershed management Notice 10/2014 Description: Mechanically cut juniper and conduct a prescribed burn to treat encroaching juniper and pinyon pine in the woodland ecosystem adjacent to the Canadian River canyon. Location: Kiowa K-85 Thin and Prescribe Burn CE UNIT - Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Harding. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Kiowa National Grassland, Unit K-84, K-87, and K-91 East about 8 miles northwest of Roy, NM. Mike Atkinson - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Developing Proposal Expected:10/2014 11/2014 575-347-9652 - Vegetation management Est. Scoping Start 08/2014 matkinson@fs.fed.us (other than forest products) - Fuels management - Watershed management Description: Mechanically thin and utilize prescribed fire to improve wildlife habitat and watershed and to reduce fuel loadings. Location: Playa Lakes Restoration UNIT - Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Union. LEGAL - T 24N R35E Sec.15. Unit K-21 North. UNIT - Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Harding. LEGAL - T 21 N, R 25 E, Sections 22, 26, 27, & 35. 3 Miles south of Mills, NM. - Watershed management Completed CE Actual: 04/09/2014 08/2014 Angela Safranek 575-374-9652 asafranek@fs.fed.us Description: Proposal to repair seven playa basins by filling in pits which were dug in the 1970%u2019s. The piles of soil which remain from the original pitting will be placed back in each borrow pit using a bulldozer. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43860 Location: 07/01/2014 02:44 am MT UNIT - Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Harding, Union. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Six of the playa lakes are located from 5-18 miles north and east of Roy, NM. One of the playa lakes is located about 8 miles northeast of Clayton, NM. Page 3 of 10 Cibola National Forest Project Name Cibola National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R3 - Southwestern Region Magdalena Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Baldy Allotment Grazing Authorization - Grazing management EA In Progress: Notice of Initiation 10/25/2011 Est. Comment Period Public Notice 09/2014 Expected:02/2015 Project Contact 03/2015 Dennis Aldridge 505-854-2281 daldridge@fs.fed.us Description: Livestock grazing authorization and related management activities. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37209 Location: Chavez/Whitecap 2nd Entry Prescribe Burn UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Socorro. LEGAL - T3S, R3W, S. 14-17, 19-36 and T4S, R3W, S.1-23, 25-35. 10 miles southeast of Magdalena, NM. - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants - Fuels management In Progress: Scoping Start 05/10/2006 Expected:09/2014 10/2014 CE Manuel Martinez 505-287-4924 mrmartinez@fs.fed.us Description: Proposal to prescribe burn previously treated area using higher intensity fire treatments. Location: Corn Canyon 2nd Entry Prescribe Burn UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron, Socorro. LEGAL - Not Applicable. . - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants - Fuels management In Progress: Scoping Start 05/10/2006 Expected:09/2014 10/2014 CE Manuel Martinez 505-287-4924 mrmartinez@fs.fed.us Description: Proposal to prescribe burn previously treated area using higher intensity fire treatments. Location: Durfee/Bolander Restoration Project EA Dennis Aldridge - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Expected:02/2015 03/2015 505-854-2281 - Vegetation management Notice of Initiation 10/27/2009 daldridge@fs.fed.us (other than forest products) Est. Comment Period Public - Watershed management Notice 10/2014 Description: Project on approximately 14,000 acres to restore more natural vegetative conditions and reintroduce fire into fire adapted ecosystem. Thin dense stands with hand and mechanical tools, construct small watershed structures, and prescribe burn. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=29486 Location: 07/01/2014 02:44 am MT UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron, Socorro. LEGAL - Not Applicable. . UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Socorro. LEGAL - T4S, R6W, Secs. 18,19, T4S, R7W, Secs. 8-11, 13-30, 32-36, T5S, R7W, Secs. 1-4, 10-12, T4S, R8W, Secs. 23-26. Approximately 20 miles southwest of Magdalena in northwest portion of San Mateo Mountains. Page 4 of 10 Cibola National Forest Project Name Cibola National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R3 - Southwestern Region Magdalena Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) East Red/North Canyon 2nd Entry Prescribe Burn - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants - Fuels management In Progress: Scoping Start 05/10/2006 Expected:09/2014 Project Contact 10/2014 CE Manuel Martinez 505-287-4924 mrmartinez@fs.fed.us Description: Proposal to prescribe burn a previously treated area using higher intensity fire treatments. Location: Magdalena Travel Management Project UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron, Socorro. LEGAL - Not Applicable. . - Road management EA In Progress: Comment Period Public Notice 11/22/2013 Est. Objection Period Legal Notice 08/2014 Expected:11/2014 12/2014 Clifford Nicoll 505-346-3833 cnicoll@fs.fed.us Description: Proposal to designate the motorized transportation system on the district to comply with the Travel Management Rule. End product will be a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) that shows roads and trails open to motorized use. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=34153 Location: Mineral Withdrawal of Zuni Fleabane Habitat UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron, Socorro. LEGAL - Not Applicable. District-wide where existing motorized use is not consistent with the Travel Management Rule. - Minerals and Geology EA In Progress: Notice of Initiation 01/10/2012 Est. Comment Period Public Notice 10/2014 Expected:01/2015 02/2015 Cheryl Prewitt 505-346-3820 cprewitt@fs.fed.us Description: Withdraw from mineral entry about 1,000 acres of habitat in 4 areas to facilitate recovery of the federally threatened Zuni fleabane (Erigeron rhizomatous). Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37526 Location: 07/01/2014 02:44 am MT UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - T1N, R11W, portions of sections 4, 9 and 10; T2N, R11W, portion of section 36; T1N, R10W, portions of sections 3 and 4. 4 areas in the Datil Mountains and Sawtooth Mountains. Page 5 of 10 Cibola National Forest Project Name Cibola National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R3 - Southwestern Region Magdalena Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) San Juan/Long Spring 2nd Entry Prescribe Burn - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants - Fuels management In Progress: Scoping Start 05/10/2006 Expected:10/2014 Project Contact 11/2014 CE Manuel Martinez 505-287-4924 mrmartinez@fs.fed.us Description: Proposal to prescribe burn a previously treated area using higher intensity fire treatments. Location: Cibola National Forest Black Mesa Thinning and Prescribe Burning CE R3 - Southwestern Region Mount Taylor Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Consuelo Zamora - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Expected:09/2014 10/2014 505-287-8833 - Vegetation management Scoping Start 03/13/2013 czamora@fs.fed.us (other than forest products) Description: Proposal to improve wildlife habitat within 40,000 acres of ponderosa pine, mountain meadow, and pinyon-juniper forest communities through thinning and prescribe burning. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=40796 Location: Eric #1 Project UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron, Socorro. LEGAL - Not Applicable. . UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - McKinley, Sandoval. LEGAL - T15N, R5W, sects. 20-36; T15N, R4W, sects. 19, 20, 31, & 32; T14N, R4W, sect. 6. About 35 miles northeast of Grants, NM. - Minerals and Geology CE In Progress: Scoping Start 01/09/2012 Expected:10/2014 11/2014 Matt Reidy 505-287-8833 mreidy@fs.fed.us Description: Mineral exploration consisting of drilling up to 2 drill holes from 2 drill pads (75 ft. X 150 ft.); accessing sites by existing roads and overland travel. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37787 Location: 07/01/2014 02:44 am MT UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Cibola. LEGAL - T12N, R9W, section 10. North of Grants, NM off of Forest Road 450F. Page 6 of 10 Cibola National Forest Project Name Cibola National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R3 - Southwestern Region Mount Taylor Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Laramide Resources Mine Development - La Jara Mesa - Minerals and Geology EIS In Progress: DEIS NOA in Federal Register 05/18/2012 Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 04/2015 Expected:06/2015 Project Contact 08/2015 Diane Tafoya 505-346-3809 dtafoya@fs.fed.us Description: Laramide Resourcess proposes to tunnel two inclined adits from under the west edge of La Jara Mesa to remove 40,000 tons of uranium ore for testing and to begin development of a production mine. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=25654 Location: Roca Honda LLC Project Exploration and Mine Development UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Cibola. LEGAL - T12N, R9W, Sections 11, 12, 14, and 15. La Jara Mesa north of Grants, NM. - Minerals and Geology EIS In Progress: DEIS NOA in Federal Register 03/15/2013 Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 07/2015 Expected:10/2015 11/2015 Diane Tafoya 505-346-3809 dtafoya@fs.fed.us Description: Proposal to develop and conduct underground uranium mining operations on Roca Honda Resources LLC mining claims on and near Jesus Mesa with a surface disturbance area of 183 acres. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=18431 Location: Uranium Exploration Drilling UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - McKinley. LEGAL - T. 13N., R 8W., Sections 9 and 10. Approximately 3 miles northwest of San Mateo, New Mexico. - Minerals and Geology EIS In Progress: NOI in Federal Register 12/08/2011 Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 12/2014 Expected:07/2015 08/2015 Diane Tafoya 505-346-3809 dtafoya@fs.fed.us Description: Proposal to approve multiple Plans of Operations for exploratory drilling to determine the extent of uranium deposits in several areas on the mesas surrounding Mt. Taylor. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=33948 Location: 07/01/2014 02:44 am MT UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Cibola, McKinley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Several locations including San Mateo Mesa and La Jara Mesa northeast of Grants, NM. Page 7 of 10 Cibola National Forest Project Name Cibola National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R3 - Southwestern Region Mount Taylor Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Zuni Mountain Trails Project EA - Recreation management - Watershed management - Road management In Progress: Notice of Initiation 12/12/2012 Est. Comment Period Public Notice 09/2014 Expected:02/2015 Project Contact 03/2015 Matt Reidy 505-287-8833 mreidy@fs.fed.us Description: Closure and decomissioning of eoads within the Zuni Mountains using various methods. Designation of mountain bike and hiking trails in the Zuni Mountains. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=40355 Location: Cibola National Forest UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Cibola, McKinley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Several locations within the Zuni Mountains portion of the Mt. Taylor Ranger District. R3 - Southwestern Region Mountainair Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Largo Trick Tank Replacement - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants CE Developing Proposal Est. Scoping Start 08/2014 Expected:10/2014 11/2014 Zachary Parsons 505-281-3304 zparsons@fs.fed.us Description: Improve habitat for wildlife by replacing fiberglass trick tank with steel umbrella type. Location: West Turkey Cone Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project UNIT - Mountainair Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Torrance. LEGAL - T7N, R6E, section 8. New Mexico , Torrance County New Mexico, about 6 miles west of Chilili New Mexico. - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Scoping Start 04/24/2013 Expected:08/2014 CE 09/2014 Zachary Parsons 505-281-3304 zparsons@fs.fed.us Description: Improve habitat for wildlife through the replacement of water catchment structure and relocate to a more suitable site for use by wildlife. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=39815 Location: Cibola National Forest 07/01/2014 02:44 am MT UNIT - Mountainair Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. About 13 miles west of Corona, New Mexico. Sandia Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Page 8 of 10 R3 - Southwestern Region Cibola National Forest Project Name Cibola National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R3 - Southwestern Region Sandia Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Cedro Landscape Restoration Project EA Aaron Johnson - Vegetation management In Progress: Expected:12/2014 01/2015 505-281-3304 ext. 127 (other than forest products) Notice of Initiation 04/09/2013 aaronjohnson@fs.fed.u - Fuels management Est. Comment Period Public s - Watershed management Notice 07/2014 Description: Proposal to improve forest health through thinning, mastication, prescribe burning, and treatment of non-native invasive plant species, well as trail relocation and limiting mountain biking and horse back riding to existing trails. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41910 Location: Placitas Area Trails Project EA Project Contact UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo. LEGAL - T9N, R5 & 6E, sections 6, 19, 24, 25, 36; T10N, R5 & 6E, sections 2,5-8, 11-13, 18-20, 23-26,29-32, 35 & 36 NMPM. 2 miles south and east of Tijeras, NM. - Recreation management - Watershed management In Progress: Notice of Initiation 05/28/2013 Est. Comment Period Public Notice 11/2014 Expected:03/2015 05/2015 Kerry Wood 505-281-3304 ext. 107 kwood@fs.fed.us Description: Proposal to construct & reconstruct trails; rehabilitate some trails & roads; prohibit cross-country travel, camping, and campfires; and amend the Forest Plan to allow fence installation in Bernalillo NRA. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=42175 Location: Sulphur Forest Restoration Project EA Natalie Heberling - Vegetation management Completed Actual: 06/29/2014 07/2014 505-346-3887 (other than forest products) nheberling@fs.fed.us - Fuels management Description: Restoration of vegetation and wildlife habitat condition. Also hazardous fuels reduction including mechanical thinning, hand piling, and prescribed burning that will reduce the potential for crown fires Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=40535 Location: 07/01/2014 02:44 am MT UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Sandoval. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Approximately 3 miles east of I-25 and south of NM-165. UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Torrance. LEGAL - Township 11 North, Range 5 East, all or portions of Sections 22-23, 26-27 and 34. Forest boundary in Sulphur Canyon area. Page 9 of 10 Cibola National Forest Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact. 07/01/2014 02:44 am MT Page 10 of 10 Cibola National Forest