Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) 04/01/2015 to 06/30/2015 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. Location: On Hold 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 In Progress: Notice of Initiation 03/04/2014 Est. Comment Period Public Notice 05/2015 Expected:10/2015 10/2015 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: 04/02/2015 08:56 pm MT 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 11 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 Gila National Forest Melvin Burton - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Expected:07/2015 08/2015 575-536-2250 - Forest products Notice of Initiation 10/18/2013 mburton@fs.fed.us - Vegetation management Est. Comment Period Public (other than forest products) Notice 04/2015 - 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 Project Contact - Watershed management Developing Proposal Est. Scoping Start 05/2015 Expected:07/2015 08/2015 CE 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 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 On Hold CE N/A N/A John Baumberger (575) 388-8238 jbaumberger@fs.fed.us Description: Special use permit authorizing access to private land Location: 04/02/2015 08:56 pm MT 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 11 Gila National Forest Project Name Gila National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact R3 - Southwestern Region Black Range Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Jerry Monzingo 575-388-8221 jmonzingo@fs.fed.us Restoration of Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout in the Animas Creek Watershed - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants EA Description: Contribute to conservation of Rio Grande cutthroat trout by restoring it to approximately 30 miles of interconnected stream habitat in the Las Animas Creek watershed. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43312 Location: South Fork Allotment Completed Actual: 01/20/2015 03/2015 UNIT - Black Range Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Sierra. LEGAL - Not Applicable. In the Animas Creek Watershed in the southern portion of the Black Range. - Grazing management EA In Progress: Notice of Initiation 03/05/2015 Est. Comment Period Public Notice 07/2015 Expected:12/2015 01/2016 Sean Brown 575-894-6677 seanbrown@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: Gila National Forest UNIT - Black Range Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Sierra. LEGAL - T.11S, r. 9W., section 32. 15 miles west of Winston New Mexico. 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 05/2015 Expected:07/2015 CE 09/2015 John Baumberger 575-388-8238 jbaumberger@fs.fed.us 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: 04/02/2015 08:56 pm MT 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. Page 3 of 11 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) Dry Creek, Sacaton, and Holt Gulch Allotments - Grazing management Developing Proposal Est. Notice of Initiation 08/2015 Expected:09/2016 Project Contact 10/2016 EA Kendall Brown 575-539-2481 kbrown03@fs.fed.us Description: Authorize livestock grazing on allotment with appropriate measures to meet resource objectives Location: San Francisco River rechannelization EA - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants On Hold 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 UNIT - Glenwood Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron, Grant. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Southeast of Glenwood, New Mexico. N/A Debbie Cress 928-467-3220 dcress@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 Debbie Cress 575-539-2481 dcress@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: Vigil Springs Wetland Restoration and Riparian Habitat Improvement Project 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. - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants - Watershed management In Progress: Scoping Start 01/26/2015 Expected:03/2015 CE *NEW LISTING* 04/02/2015 08:56 pm MT Jenny Natharius 575-539-2481 jennymnatharius@fs.fed .us Description: Restoration of wetland and riparian habitat associated with springs. Location: Gila National Forest 06/2015 UNIT - Glenwood Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - T 11S, R21W, Section 2 and 3. Project area is located 5.4 miles west of Alma, New Mexico. Quemado Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Page 4 of 11 R3 - Southwestern Region Gila National Forest Project Name Gila National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R3 - Southwestern Region Quemado Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Construction of the Verizon Wireless Cellular Communications Facility on San Francisco Divide Mtn. CE *NEW LISTING* - Special use management CE Actual: 03/06/2015 06/2015 John Baumberger 575-388-8238 jbaumberger@fs.fed.us Description: Construction of a cellular telecommunication facility for communication coverage of an area not currently served by this use. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45051 Location: Spring Canyon / Hay Canyon Pipeline Completed Project Contact UNIT - Quemado Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - NE1/4 NE1/4 NE1/4 Section 27, T.6 S., R.20 W., NMPM. San Francisco Divide Communications Site. - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants - Grazing management - Watershed management On Hold N/A N/A Lindsay Smythe 575-773-4678 lindsaysmythe@fs.fed.u s Description: Install pipeline from overflow water system from the Spring Canyon Subdivision to provide water for wildlife and livestock in the Middle and West pastures of Agua Fria Allotment. Location: Zirkle & Darnell Special Use Road Access UNIT - Quemado Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - Township 1 South, Range 17 West, sections 2, 3, & 11. Project is located 6 miles west of the village of Quemado, NM within Catron County. - Special use management Developing Proposal Est. Scoping Start 05/2015 Expected:06/2015 CE 07/2015 Emily Irwin 505-842-3281 eirwin@fs.fed.us Description: The Zirkles would like to acquire NFSR #4184M as their private land access road to their private property. Evaluate access needs across existing road 4184M or 4011L; private property through Zirkle; or road construction to access Darnell property. Location: Gila National Forest 04/02/2015 08:56 pm MT UNIT - Quemado Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - S1/2 NW1/4, S1/2 NE1/4 Section 3, T. 3 S., R.. 16 W., NMPM. Private lLand Access to the 40 acre parcel located where Lyles Camp Spring is located at. The road is currently numbered NFSR #4184M. Reserve Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Page 5 of 11 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) Burro Forest Restoration Project EA Catron County (Reserve) Airport Project Contact - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Completed Actual: 03/11/2015 05/2015 - Forest products - Vegetation management (other than forest products) - Fuels management - Watershed management Description: Thinning of Pinyon-Juniper, Ponderosa Pine, and Mixed Conifer. Grassland restoration. Carolyn Koury 575-388-8378 ckoury@fs.fed.us Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=184 Location: UNIT - Reserve Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - T7S,-8S, R16W-17W. 25 Miles SE of Reserve. - Special use management On Hold N/A N/A CE 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 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 08/2015 Expected:10/2015 CE 12/2015 John Baumberger 575-388-8238 jbaumberger@fs.fed.us 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: 04/02/2015 08:56 pm MT 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. Page 6 of 11 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) Cruzville Thinning CE Laura Vallejos - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Developing Proposal Expected:11/2015 01/2016 575-533-6231 - Forest products Est. Scoping Start 07/2015 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: Dark Canyon and Long Canyon Allotment EA 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. - Grazing management EA In Progress: Comment Period Public Notice 03/25/2015 Expected:09/2015 10/2015 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 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) Developing Proposal Est. Scoping Start 10/2015 Expected:01/2016 02/2016 CE Laura Vallejos 575-533-6231 lvallejos@fs.fed.us Description: Non-commercial thinning to improve growth of ponderosa pine seedlings/saplings. Location: 04/02/2015 08:56 pm MT 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. Page 7 of 11 Gila National Forest Project Name Gila National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact R3 - Southwestern Region Reserve Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) John Baumberger WNMTC Installation and Use of - Special use management 10/2015 Developing Proposal Expected:08/2015 a Fibre Optic Telephone Line 575-388-8238 Est. Scoping Start 07/2015 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. Location: Gila National Forest 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. R3 - Southwestern Region Silver City Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Aven Associates, LLC Plan of Operations July 2014 - Minerals and Geology Developing Proposal Est. Scoping Start 10/2014 Expected:10/2014 12/2014 CE John Baumberger 575-388-8238 jbaumberger@fs.fed.us Description: Mineral investigation on 2 identified mining claims in the Burro Mountains. Work includes leveling of a drill pad, drilling two separate holes each to an approximate 2000' depth, construction of 2 mud pits for drilling fluids and 2 pits for cuttings. Location: Collection of Baseline Geotechnical Data along the Gila River for Potential Project Feasibility CE *NEW LISTING* - Special use management Completed Actual: 02/20/2015 02/2015 John Baumberger 575-388-8238 jbaumberger@fs.fed.us Description: At the identified site locations, the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission has proposed to conduct a geophysical investigation of the depth and structure of the bedrock for a proposed future water project, along the Gila River. Location: 04/02/2015 08:56 pm MT UNIT - Silver City Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Grant. LEGAL - NE1/4 NE1/4 Section 20 & SW1/4 NW1/4 Section 21, T.20 S., R.16 W., NMPM. Along Gold Gulch in the Burro Mountains. UNIT - Silver City Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Grant. LEGAL - SW1/4SW1/4SE1/4 Section 6, T.15 S., R.16 W., NMPM. and SE1/4NE1/4NW1/4 Section 28, T.14 S., R.16 W., NMPM. Location #1 adjacent to Spur Canyon (tributary to the Gila River) and Location #2 adjacent to the Gila River, upstream from the Spur Canyon site. Page 8 of 11 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) Elias Road Association Private Land Access - Special use management On Hold N/A Project Contact N/A CE 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 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 CE Developing Proposal Est. Scoping Start 06/2015 Expected:08/2015 01/2016 Antonio Ybarra 575-388-8460 aybarra@fs.fed.us Description: The project would consist of Prescribed burning 3,386 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: Frank Shaft - Shamrock, Plan of Operation UNIT - Silver City Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Grant. LEGAL - Township 17s Range 13w sections 1, 11, 12, 13, 14 and portions of 23 and 24. Project is located eight miles northeast of Silver City within the Fort Bayard Game Preserve. - Minerals and Geology In Progress: Scoping Start 05/05/2010 Expected:06/2015 07/2015 CE John Baumberger (575) 388-8238 jbaumberger@fs.fed.us Description: Cleaning out to Frank Shaft and removal of the stockpiled earth on the Shamrock #1 & #2 by the Operator Louis Osmer. Location: UNIT - Silver City Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Grant. LEGAL - Section 22, T.19 S., R. 16 W., NMPM. within the Shamrock #1 & #2 LMCs. The Frank Shaft on the Shamrock #1 & #2 LMCs within the Burro Mountains. 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: 04/02/2015 08:56 pm MT In Progress: Scoping Start 07/02/2002 Expected:06/2015 07/2015 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,. Page 9 of 11 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 Gila Valley Powerlines - Special use management CE In Progress: Scoping Start 06/28/2007 Expected:06/2015 Project Contact 07/2015 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: White Signal / Ferguson Mountain Range NEPA UNIT - Silver City Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Grant. LEGAL - various townships. various locations in the Gila Valley area. - Grazing management EA In Progress: Comment Period Public Notice 09/26/2014 Expected:09/2015 10/2015 Michael Head 505-388-8422 mhead@fs.fed.us Description: Authorize grazing on White Signal / Ferguson Mountain Range Allotments Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44259 Location: Gila National Forest UNIT - Silver City Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Grant. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Burro Mountains. R3 - Southwestern Region Wilderness Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Fish Barrier Maintenance - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Completed CE Actual: 12/26/2014 06/2015 Jerry Monzingo 575-388-8221 jmonzingo@fs.fed.us Description: Repair and maintenance to 2 existing fish barriers located in McKnight Canyon and West Fork Gila River Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44706 Location: 04/02/2015 08:56 pm MT UNIT - Wilderness Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron, Grant. LEGAL - Not Applicable. McKnight site is located at T15S R11W Sec 1 and West Fork Gila site is located at T12S R16W Sec 12. Page 10 of 11 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. 04/02/2015 08:56 pm MT Page 11 of 11 Gila National Forest