Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) 04/01/2016 to 06/30/2016 Gila 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 Project Contact R3 - Southwestern Region Gila National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest) John Baumberger (575) 388-8238 jbaumberger@fs.fed.us K265EI Community Access TV of Silver City and KOOT FM Repeater on Black Peak - Special use management CE Description: James S. Bumpos wants to construct and use an antenna at Black Peak for a Community Acces TV channel and an FM radio repeater on the Black Peak Communication Site. *UPDATED* Location: Cancelled N/A N/A UNIT - Gila National Forest All Units. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Grant. LEGAL - NE1/4NE1/4NW1/4 Section 23, T. 16 S., R. 13 W., NMPM. The repeater will be located at the Black Peak Communication Site. R3 - Southwestern Region Gila National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide) Arizona Interconnection Project - Special use management (AIP) Access Roads Amendment EA *UPDATED* Expected:12/2016 01/2017 John Baumberger 575-388-8238 jbaumberger@fs.fed.us Description: El Paso Electric has applied to amend their right-of-way to include permanent access to their existing authorized 345 kV transmission line to facilitate necessary transmission line maintenance activities on BLM & Forest Service lands Web Link: http://www.blm.gov/nm/epeaccess Location: 04/01/2016 04:08 am MT In Progress: Scoping Start 03/04/2014 Est. Comment Period Public Notice 06/2016 UNIT - Black Range Ranger District, Quemado Ranger District, Silver City Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron, Luna, Sierra, Socorro. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Transmission line extends from Red Hill tiein point in western New Mexico (north of Gila National Forest) to east of Luna Substation near Deming, New Mexico. Page 1 of 10 Gila National Forest Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R3 - Southwestern Region Gila National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide) Upper Mimbres Landscape Assessment EA *UPDATED* Gila National Forest Melvin Burton - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Completed Actual: 02/25/2016 03/2016 575-536-2250 - Forest products mburton@fs.fed.us - Vegetation management (other than forest products) - Fuels management - Watershed management Description: To improve watershed conditions, range improvement, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce hazardous fuels. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37200 Location: UNIT - Wilderness Ranger District, Silver City Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron, Grant. LEGAL - T-14S R-10, 11 & 12W T-15S R-10, 11 & 12 W T16S R-10, 11, & 12W. Covers non-wilderness area on the Wilderness Ranger District and a portion of the Silver City Ranger District. R3 - Southwestern Region Black Range Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Corkscrew Erosion Rehabilitation - Watershed management Cancelled N/A N/A CE *UPDATED* UNIT - Black Range Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - T. 9 S., R. 9 W, Sec. 32. NM 59 and Forest Road 4074L. - Special use management Cancelled CE *UPDATED* N/A N/A John Baumberger (575) 388-8238 jbaumberger@fs.fed.us Description: Special use permit authorizing access to private land Location: 04/01/2016 04:08 am MT Sean Brown 928-462-4300 seanbrown@fs.fed.us Description: This project will use rock gabions to rehabilitate gullies near the intersection of NM 59 and Forest Road 4074L Location: Elberus Mineral Pat. Access Road Project Contact UNIT - Black Range Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Sierra. LEGAL - T11S, R8W, S19 & 30. Blackhawk Gulch in the northern-central portion of the Black Range. Page 2 of 10 Gila National Forest Project Name Gila National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R3 - Southwestern Region Black Range Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) South Fork Allotment - Grazing management On Hold N/A N/A EA *UPDATED* Teresa Smergut 541-426-5547 tsmergut@fs.fed.us Description: Re-authorization of livestock grazing within the South Fork Allotment on the Black Range Ranger District of the Gila National Forest. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=42801 Location: Wanek Private Land Access UNIT - Black Range Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Sierra. LEGAL - T.11S, r. 9W., section 32. 15 miles west of Winston New Mexico. - Special use management CE *UPDATED* In Progress: Scoping Start 08/20/2015 Expected:05/2016 06/2016 John Baumberger 575-388-8238 jbaumberger@fs.fed.us Description: Construction and issuance of a road easement to a private piece of property in exchange for a public easement across private land along an existing road for public recreation access. Location: Gila National Forest Project Contact UNIT - Black Range Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Sierra. LEGAL - NE1/4SW1/4 SECTION 18 T.16 S., R. 8 W. South of Kingston, NM. R3 - Southwestern Region Glenwood Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Catron County Public Target Range north of Alma. NM - Special use management Developing Proposal Est. Scoping Start 07/2016 Expected:10/2016 12/2016 CE *UPDATED* Description: Re-issuance of an existing target range in the Glenwood, NM area S1/2SE1/4 Section 16, N1/2NE1/4 Section 21, T.10 S., R.20 W., NMPM Location: Dry Creek, Sacaton, and Holt Gulch Allotments Clyde King 575-388-8394 clydeking@fs.fed.us UNIT - Glenwood Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - S1/2SE1/4 Section 16, N1/2NE1/4 Section 21, T.10S., R.20W., NMPM. North of the Deep Creek Road, approx. 4 Miles North of Alma, NM. - Grazing management On Hold EA N/A N/A Kendall Brown 575-539-2481 kbrown03@fs.fed.us Description: Authorize livestock grazing on allotment with appropriate measures to meet resource objectives Location: 04/01/2016 04:08 am MT UNIT - Glenwood Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron, Grant. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Southeast of Glenwood, New Mexico. Page 3 of 10 Gila National Forest Project Name Gila National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R3 - Southwestern Region Glenwood Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Pueblo Park Wildlife Habitat Improvement CE *UPDATED* Vernon Lente - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Cancelled N/A N/A 575-539-2481 - Vegetation management vlente@fs.fed.us (other than forest products) Description: District proposes to treat an area around Pueblo Park, w/in Escudilla Landscape Area. Treatments may involve mechanical thinning and burning. Objective is to improve herbaceous forage for wildlife, & habitat for raptors & game birds. Location: San Francisco River rechannelization EA *UPDATED* UNIT - Glenwood Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - Within portions of the following T. 7 & 8 S and R. 20 & 21 W. The Glenwood RD proposes to treat an area around Pueblo Park, which falls within the larger Escudilla Landscape Area on the Gila and A-S National Forests. The project area includes approx. 19,000 ac. - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Cancelled N/A - Vegetation management (other than forest products) - Watershed management Description: Re-channelize 200 feet of river off private land back to forest land. Location: Silver Creek Material Area Expansion Project Contact N/A Vernon Lente 575-539-2481 vlente@fs.fed.us UNIT - Glenwood Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - Township 10 South, Range 20 West, Secton 29. Alma, New Mexico. - Road management On Hold N/A N/A EA Tracy Weber 575-388-8382 tracyweber@fs.fed.us Description: Expand the existing material removal area to approx. 20 acres. Material is used for maintenance of improvements, roads, etc. along the Bursum Road (State Highway 159) in Catron Co. Area may be used for slash burning. Location: Upper Catwalk Trail and Associated Trails Maintenance UNIT - Glenwood Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - T11s, R18w, sec 5. Bursum Road (state Hwy 159), Approximately 4-5 miles east of the town of Mogollon. - Recreation management Developing Proposal Est. Scoping Start 05/2016 CE *NEW LISTING* 07/2016 Silas Davidson 575-539-2481 sdavidson@fs.fed.us Description: Repair and maintenance of the upper portion of the Catwalk Trail and associated connecting trails, to include Gold Dust Trail (Trail #41), South Fork of Whitewater Trail (Trail # 212), and Little Whitewater Trail (Trail #214). Location: 04/01/2016 04:08 am MT Expected:07/2016 UNIT - Glenwood Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - T11S, R19W, portions of sections 5, 9, 16, 21, 22, 23. Gold Dust T#41-From Whitewater Mesa to Catwalk Trail 207; SF Whitewater#212 From Catwalk Trail#207 Trail #214 w/in Wilderness; Little Whitewater #214-From FSR 140 to Trail # 212 part w/in Wildeness. Page 4 of 10 Gila National Forest Project Name Gila National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R3 - Southwestern Region Glenwood Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Whitewater Creek Gila Trout Recovery Project - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants EA *NEW LISTING* In Progress: Scoping Start 03/01/2016 Est. Comment Period Public Notice 05/2016 Expected:04/2017 Project Contact 06/2017 Dustin Myers 575-388-8220 dustinmyers@fs.fed.us Description: Due to post-fire flooding and ash flows fish were nearly eliminated from whitewater creek and tributaries. This project would restore native fish including Gila trout, speckled dace,Sonora and desert sucker to approx 24 miles of stream Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48856 Location: Gila National Forest Luna Planning Area EIS *UPDATED* Quemado Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) 04/01/2016 04:08 am MT R3 - Southwestern Region Emily Irwin - Recreation management Developing Proposal Expected:07/2017 08/2017 505-842-3281 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Est. NOI in Federal Register eirwin@fs.fed.us - Forest products 05/2016 - Vegetation management (other than forest products) - Fuels management - Watershed management - Road management Description: Ecological restoration treatments to minimize impacts of high severity fire across the landscape & community protection; vegetation & forest health mngt; improve watershed conditions; protect & conserve wildlife habitat. Location: Gila National Forest UNIT - Glenwood Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - Not Applicable. T11S R19W Sec. 5-12. UNIT - Quemado Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - Project area extends over Townships 3S, 4S, 5S, & 6S and Ranges 19W, 20W, & 21W. Project encompasses community of Luna. Extends south of Luna to the Dry Blue; north to the district boundary; west to the stateline; and east of Centerfire Creek. Reserve Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Page 5 of 10 R3 - Southwestern Region Gila National Forest Project Name Gila National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R3 - Southwestern Region Reserve Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Catron County (Reserve) Airport - Special use management Cancelled N/A N/A CE *UPDATED* UNIT - Reserve Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - SE 1/4 Section 13, T.7 S., R. 19 W., and NW 1/4, SW 1/4 Section 18, T. 7 S., R. 20 W., NMPM. Catron County ( Reserve) Airport along NMSH #12 (adjacent to the junction of NMSH #12 and US Highway 180). - Special use management Developing Proposal Est. Scoping Start 07/2016 Expected:10/2016 CE *UPDATED* CE Clyde King 575-388-8394 clydeking@fs.fed.us UNIT - Reserve Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - SW1/4 NE1/4, NW1/4 SE1/4 Section 32, T. 6 S., R.18 W., NMPM. Adjacent to Largo Canyon and 1/2 mile northwest of the Tularosa River, approximately 2 miles northeast of Reserve, NM. Laura Vallejos - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants On Hold N/A N/A 575-533-6231 - Forest products lvallejos@fs.fed.us - Vegetation management (other than forest products) - Fuels management Description: Thinning of Pinyon-Juniper, Oak, Ponderosa Pine, and disposal of thinning slash through pile/burn and lop/scatter/burn. Location: 04/01/2016 04:08 am MT 12/2016 Description: Re-issuance of an existing target range in the Reserve, NM area. SW1/4 NE1/4, NW1/4 SE1/4 Section 32, T.6 S., R.18 W., NMPM. Location: Cruzville Thinning John Baumberger (575) 388-8238 jbaumberger@fs.fed.us Description: Construction of the following at the existing permitted airport: nine airplane hangers, taxiway, aprons, beacon, wind cone, lighting aids, higher fencing, drainage culverts, a well and water system, electrical service, septic tank, and restrooms. Location: Catron County Public Target Range - Largo Canyon Project Contact UNIT - Reserve Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - Portions of T5S R17W Sec 29-32; T5S R18W Sec 35&36; T6S R18W Sec 2-4,9-11,15-17,19-21,29-31; T6S R19W Sec 25&36. Unit Reserve Ranger District. State - New Mexico. County - Catron. Approximately 1 mile Northeast of Reserve and adjacent to the community of Cruzville along NMSH 12. Page 6 of 10 Gila National Forest Project Name Gila National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R3 - Southwestern Region Reserve Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Dark Canyon and Long Canyon Allotment EA - Grazing management Completed Actual: 01/12/2016 03/2016 EA *UPDATED* UNIT - Reserve Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Approximatley 20 miles east - north east of Reserve, NM and approximatley 11 miles east of Aragon, NM. - Vegetation management (other than forest products) Cancelled N/A N/A CE *UPDATED* Aaron Baldridge 575-533-6231 abaldridge@fs.fed.us Description: Grazing allotment managment plan for the Dark Canyon and Long Canyon Allotments. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45375 Location: Leggett Timber Stand Improvement Project Contact Laura Vallejos 575-533-6231 lvallejos@fs.fed.us Description: Non-commercial thinning to improve growth of ponderosa pine seedlings/saplings. Location: UNIT - Reserve Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - Portions of Township 7 South Range 20 West Sections 11, 13, and 14. Unit - Reserve Ranger District. State - New Mexico. County Catron. Along US Highway 180, 0.8 mile north of the intersection of US Highway 190 and NM State Highway 12. John Baumberger WNMTC Installation and Use of - Special use management 11/2016 Developing Proposal Expected:10/2016 a Fibre Optic Telephone Line 575-388-8238 Est. Scoping Start 07/2016 between Apache Creek and the jbaumberger@fs.fed.us Deaf Ranch Description: Western New Mexico Telephone Company is applying to install and use a fibre optic telephone line between the CE Telephone Company's Office west of Apache Creek, NM and the Deaf Ranch, north of Apache Creek, NM. A portion of this line crosses NFS land. *UPDATED* Location: Willow Creek Fish Barrier - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants CE *UPDATED* In Progress: Scoping Start 02/12/2016 Expected:04/2016 05/2016 Jerry Monzingo 575-388-8221 jmonzingo@fs.fed.us Description: NM Dept. of Game and Fish has proposed constructing a fish passage barrier on Willow Creek to prevent the upstream movement of nonnative trout and protect an establish Gila trout population. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48133 Location: 04/01/2016 04:08 am MT UNIT - Reserve Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - Sections 5, 28, 29, & 32, T. 5 S., R. 17 W., NMPM. Along the existing WNMTC Sp. Use Permit alignment, between Apache Creek, NM and the Deaf Ranch. UNIT - Reserve Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - Not Applicable. T10S R17W Sec. 27 near the confluence of Willow and Gilita creeks. Page 7 of 10 Gila National Forest Project Name Gila National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R3 - Southwestern Region Silver City Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Black Mesa Pinon-Juniper Treatment Project CE *NEW LISTING* Michael Head - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Completed Actual: 01/15/2016 05/2016 505-388-8422 - Vegetation management mhead@fs.fed.us (other than forest products) Description: approximately 239 acres within the Allie/Avalanche grazing allotment will treat juniper and pinon pine using mechanized equipment and hand tools, to improve wildlife habitat and provide forage for wildlife and livestock. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47195 Location: Burro Mountains AML 2015 UNIT - Silver City Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Grant. LEGAL - T16S, R11W, Sec 19, T16S, 12W, sec 24. project is approximately two miles southwest of The Wilderness District Ranger Station. - Minerals and Geology CE *UPDATED* In Progress: Scoping Start 03/11/2016 Expected:05/2016 06/2016 UNIT - Silver City Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Grant. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Throughout the Burro Mountains. - Special use management Cancelled N/A N/A CE *UPDATED* UNIT - Silver City Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Grant. LEGAL - T.17 S., R. 13 W., Section 27. Access to private property at the end of Elias Road. - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Completed CE *UPDATED* Actual: 03/25/2016 03/2016 Antonio Ybarra 575-388-8460 aybarra@fs.fed.us Description: The project would consist of Prescribed burning 3,315 acres within the Fort Bayard Game Preserve. The purpose of the burn is to improve wildlife habitat by reducing woody encroachment and stimulating grass and browse production. Location: 04/01/2016 04:08 am MT John Baumberger (575) 388-8238 jbaumberger@fs.fed.us Description: Providing an access road across NFS land to private land. Location: Fort Bayard Cameron Creek RX Antonio Ybarra 575-388-8460 aybarra@fs.fed.us Description: The purpose of the project is to reduce potential hazards to the public associated with open mines while protecting and preserving the intrinsic value of mining related features such as wildlife habitat and historic artifacts (25-30 possible sites) Location: Elias Road Association Private Land Access Project Contact UNIT - Silver City Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Grant. LEGAL - Township 17s Range 13w sections 1,3,10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and portions of 15, 23 and 24. Project is located eight miles northeast of Silver City within the Fort Bayard Game Management Area. Page 8 of 10 Gila National Forest Project Name Gila National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R3 - Southwestern Region Silver City Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) PNM Electric Transmission Powerline - Burro Mt. to Lordsburg - Special use management CE Description: Reissuance of a permit for an existing, approximately 8 -mile powerline. Location: PNM Gila Valley Powerlines On Hold N/A Project Contact N/A John Baumberger 575-388-8238 jbaumberger@fs.fed.us UNIT - Silver City Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Grant. LEGAL - S1, T22S R17W, S35, T21S R17W, S12-15, 21, 22, 28-31 T21S R16W. Southern end of the Burro Mountains, northwest of Highway 90,. - Special use management On Hold N/A N/A CE John Baumberger 575-388-8238 jbaumberger@fs.fed.us Description: Reissuance of a permit for existing power lines in various locations in the Gila Valley Location: Silver City R.D. Continental Divide Trail Improvements UNIT - Silver City Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Grant. LEGAL - various townships. various locations in the Gila Valley area. - Recreation management Developing Proposal Est. Scoping Start 04/2016 Expected:06/2016 07/2016 CE *UPDATED* Brian Martinez 575-388-8379 brianmartinez@fs.fed.u s Description: Reroute 9 segments (approx. 19 miles) of Continental Divide Trail on Silver City RD. Reroute segments that currently overlap motorized roads and trails; and reconstruct/realign segments to Trail Class 2 design and address resource concerns Location: UNIT - Silver City Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Grant, Hidalgo. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Continental Divide Trail work extends from T22S R16W through the Burro Mountains to Pinos Altos T16S R14W on Forest Service lands. Sprint Nextel Communication Facility on the Jack's Peak Communication Site - Special use management CE Description: Placement and use of communication equipment on the Jack's Peak Communication Site In Progress: Scoping Start 12/14/2015 Expected:04/2016 06/2016 John Baumberger 575-388-8238 jbaumberger@fs.fed.us *NEW LISTING* Location: 04/01/2016 04:08 am MT UNIT - Silver City Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Grant. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Located on Jack's Peak Communication Site located in the Burro Mtns in the Silver City RD. Page 9 of 10 Gila 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. 04/01/2016 04:08 am MT Page 10 of 10 Gila National Forest