Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA)
07/01/2014 to 09/30/2014
Lincoln 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
Lincoln National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
Integrated Non-native Invasive
and Native Invasive Plant
Project
EIS
Sabrina Flores
- Recreation management
On Hold
N/A
N/A
575-434-7200
- Heritage resource
sflores@fs.fed.us
management
- Special area management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
Description: The forest will be developing a proposal to manage the existence of non-native invasive and native invasive plants
within the Lincoln National Forest's boundaries. Adaptive management would be incorporated into the analysis.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=31150
Location:
Lincoln National Forest
UNIT - Lincoln National Forest All Units. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Eddy, Lincoln, Otero. All
management areas within the Lincoln National Forest.
R3 - Southwestern Region
Guadalupe Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Last Chance Trail 226 Reroute
Project Contact
- Recreation management
On Hold
N/A
CE
N/A
Dennis Brockman
575-885-4181
dennisbrockman@fs.fed
.us
Description: Reroute approximately 1/4 mile of trail out of floodplain.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41025
Location:
07/01/2014 02:47 am MT
UNIT - Guadalupe Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Eddy. LEGAL - Township 23 south;
Range 22 east; Section 32. Last Chance Trail 226; approximately 3.0 miles from trailhead located on Forest
Service Road 276.
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Lincoln National Forest
Project Name
Lincoln National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R3 - Southwestern Region
Guadalupe Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
New Campground Construction - Recreation management
On Hold
N/A
Project Contact
N/A
EA
Dennis Brockman
575-885-4181
dennisbrockman@fs.fed
.us
Description: Construction of campground on south side of State route 137 directly across from the Queen Forest Service
administration site.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=34819
Location:
Sargent Grazing Allotment
UNIT - Guadalupe Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Eddy. LEGAL - Township 26 South,
Range 22 East, Section 22. South side of State route 137 directly across from the Queen Forest Service
administration site.
- Grazing management
EA
In Progress:
Notice of Initiation 05/17/2012
Est. Comment Period Public
Notice 08/2014
Expected:10/2014
10/2014
Mark Sando
575-885-7414
msando@fs.fed.us
Description: Environmental analysis for the continuation of grazing authorization.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=5617
Location:
Sitting Bull Falls New Host Site
UNIT - Guadalupe Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Chaves, Otero. LEGAL - Not
Applicable. Northeastern portion of the Guadalupe Ranger District , Northwest of Carlsbad, NM.
- Recreation management
On Hold
EA
N/A
N/A
Dennis Brockman
575-885-4181
dennisbrockman@fs.fed
.us
Description: Construction of new host site at Sitting Bull Falls Campground day use area along road leading into parking lot
behind closed gate.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=34821
Location:
07/01/2014 02:47 am MT
UNIT - Guadalupe Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Eddy. LEGAL - Township 24 South,
Range 22 East, Section 22. Sitting Bull Falls Campground.
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Lincoln National Forest
Project Name
Lincoln National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R3 - Southwestern Region
Guadalupe Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Sitting Bull Falls New Trail
Construction
- Recreation management
On Hold
N/A
Project Contact
N/A
CE
Dennis Brockman
575-885-4181
dennisbrockman@fs.fed
.us
Description: New non-motorized trail would be constructed to connect Trail 215 to Trail 68 to create another loop in the existing
Stack loop trail system.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=34820
Location:
UNIT - Guadalupe Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Eddy. LEGAL - Township 24 South,
Range 22 East, Section 4. Sitting Bull Falls Campground area.
Larry Paul
575-885-4181
lpaul@fs.fed.us
Sitting Bull Falls Recreation
Area Walkway Relocation
Project
- Recreation management
CE
Description: September 2014 monsoonal flood event resulted in closure of Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area. There is concern
with safety of the hikers using the current walkway.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43725
Location:
Lincoln National Forest
Chippeway Park Water
Association Fence
Completed
Actual: 05/22/2014
08/2014
UNIT - Guadalupe Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Eddy. LEGAL - Township 24 South,
Range 22 East, Section 3. Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area walkway to viewing decks for the falls.
R3 - Southwestern Region
Sacramento Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Special use management
Completed
CE
Actual: 04/21/2014
09/2014
Heather Berman
575-682-2551
hberman@fs.fed.us
Description: Install a fence around a spring source amending the Chippeway Park Association's current authorization.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44159
Location:
07/01/2014 02:47 am MT
UNIT - Sacramento Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Otero. LEGAL - T16S, R12E, Sec. 14.
Just north of Chippeway Park subdivision on Hwy 130, approximately 7 miles east of Cloudcroft.
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Lincoln National Forest
Project Name
Lincoln National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R3 - Southwestern Region
Sacramento Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
City of Alamogordo Municipal
Water Pipeline
- Special use management
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2014
Expected:03/2015
Project Contact
05/2015
CE
Marcie Kelton
575-682-2551
marciekelton@fs.fed.us
Description: Re-issue special use permit for operation and maintenance of existing pipeline in Alamo Caballero and Golden
Canyons.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=28551
Location:
Cloudriders Snowmobile Club
Shelter
UNIT - Sacramento Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Otero. LEGAL - T16S, R10E/ T16S,
R11E/ T16S, R17S/ T16S, 10E / R17S, 10E. Alamo, Carellero, and Golden Canyons.
- Special use management
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 04/2014
Expected:08/2014
10/2014
CE
Heather Berman
575-682-2551
hberman@fs.fed.us
Description: The current authorization for the shelter will be reissued for a new term. Also, the shelter will be relocated to a new
location. The old shelter will be completely removed and new shelter will be constructed at the new location.
Location:
James Canyon Grazing
Allotment
UNIT - Sacramento Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Otero. LEGAL - T15S, R12E, Sec. 25;
T16S, R12E, Sec. 25. The current shelter is located at the end of FR 568, approximately 3 miles north of
Cloudcroft. The proposed shelter would be located 0.5 miles east of Upper Kerr Recreation Area off Sunspot Hwy.
- Grazing management
On Hold
N/A
N/A
EA
Ralph Fink
575-682-2551
rfink@fs.fed.us
Description: Environmental analysis for the continuation of grazing authorization.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=792
Location:
UNIT - Sacramento Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Otero. LEGAL - Not Applicable.
Approximately 4 miles northeast of Cloudcroft, NM.
Marcie Kelton
575-682-2551
marciekelton@fs.fed.us
Otero County Electric
Cooperative Power LineCloudcroft to Sunspot
- Special use management
CE
Description: Replace ~12 miles of overhead line with buried line (24 inches wide by 52 inches deep). Minimal trees to cut
(none over 18" diameter at breast height). Upgrade will better serve customers and provide more reliable,
economical, and safe power.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=40316
Location:
07/01/2014 02:47 am MT
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 07/2014
Expected:02/2015
03/2015
UNIT - Sacramento Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Otero. LEGAL - T16S; R12E; Sec 6, 7,
18; T16S, R11E; Sec 13, 24-26, 35, 36; T17S; R11E; Sec 2, 10, 11, 14, 15, 22, 23, 26, 27, 34. Approximately 1
mile north Cloudcroft, NM off of State Highway 6563 and along the Rim Trail (T105).
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Lincoln National Forest
Project Name
Lincoln National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R3 - Southwestern Region
Sacramento Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Scott Able, Escondido, and San - Grazing management
Andres Allotment Management
EA
In Progress:
Notice of Initiation 04/18/2008
Est. Comment Period Public
Notice 04/2014
Expected:09/2014
Project Contact
10/2014
Mark Cadwallader
(575) 682-2551
mcadwallader@fs.fed.u
s
Description: Analysis of continuation of Grazing Authorization for Scott Able, Escondido and San Andres allotments
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=22893
Location:
UNIT - Sacramento Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Otero. LEGAL - Not Applicable.
Approximately 16 miles southeast of Village of Cloudcroft.
Heather Berman
575-682-2551
hberman@fs.fed.us
Wills Canyon Trail (TR 5008)
Reroute, Maintenance, and
Reconstruction
- Recreation management
- Watershed management
CE
Description: Work 3.2 mi of TR 5008: reroute of 0.25 mi out of drainage bottom and 2.0 mi of maintenance. Reduce active
erosion and indirect effects to threatened and endangered plants; and increase user safety.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37982
Location:
Lincoln National Forest
Baca Fuelwood Area
10/2014
UNIT - Sacramento Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Otero. LEGAL - T17S; R12E; Sections
16, 17, 19-21, 29, and 30. Throughout Wills Canyon Trail (TR 5008). Reconstruction and reroute would occur on
the western half of trail.
- Fuels management
R3 - Southwestern Region
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 07/2014
Expected:08/2014
08/2014
Daniel Ray
575-257-4095
dfray@fs.fed.us
Description: Fuel treatments in pinyon-juniper dominated woodlands, approximately 450 acres (4 units total). Prescribed fire
will be used after fuelwood harvests are complete.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44547
Location:
07/01/2014 02:47 am MT
Actual: 04/22/2014
Smokey Bear Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Completed
UNIT - Smokey Bear Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - Township 9 South,
Range 16 East, Sections 8, 9, 10, 15, and 16. West of Baca Campground, Capitan Mountains.
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Lincoln National Forest
Project Name
Lincoln National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R3 - Southwestern Region
Smokey Bear Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Cedar Creek Trail System
Improvements
- Recreation management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/16/2014
Expected:07/2014
07/2014
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Sean Donaldson
575-257-4095
sdonaldson@fs.fed.us
Description: Reconstruct sustainable hiking/biking trails along Cedar Creek. Rehabilitate user-created trails to reduce erosion
impacts.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44554
Location:
Copeland Canyon Pipeline
Project Contact
UNIT - Smokey Bear Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - Township 11 South,
Range 13 East, Section 16. Along Cedar Creek, west of the intersection of Cedar Creek Road and Mechem Drive.
- Grazing management
On Hold
N/A
N/A
CE
George Douds
575-257-4095
gdouds@fs.fed.us
Description: Construct and reconstruct approximately 3 miles of deteriorated pipeline from a perennial spring at the mouth of
Copeland Canyon to a storage tank in the middle of the Arroyo Seco Allotment.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=38564
Location:
Divide Grazing Allotment
Management
EA
El Capitan Mineral Exploration
UNIT - Smokey Bear Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - Township 7 South
and Range 17 and 18 East. The allotment lies south of Highway 246, northeast of the community of Capitan, New
Mexico.
- Grazing management
On Hold
N/A
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
Description: Environmental analysis for the continuation of authorization for livestock grazing.
N/A
Peggy Luensmann
575-257-4095
psluensmann@fs.fed.us
Web Link:
http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37789
Location:
UNIT - Smokey Bear Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T8S, R14E,
Sections 2, 3, and 9-16; T8S, R15E, Sections 4-8. The Divide Allotment is located north of Capitan, New Mexico.
- Minerals and Geology
On Hold
EA
N/A
N/A
Eric Turbeville
575-257-4095
eturbeville@fs.fed.us
Description: Test core drilling and related activities. Compliance with relevant processes and permitting requirements.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=19778
Location:
07/01/2014 02:47 am MT
UNIT - Smokey Bear Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T8S, R14E,
Sections 9-11 and 13-16. Smokey Bear Ranger District, North of Capitan NM.
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Lincoln National Forest
Project Name
Lincoln National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R3 - Southwestern Region
Smokey Bear Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Madden Wildlife Habitat
Improvement Project
CE
Larry Cordova
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
Cancelled
N/A
N/A
575-630-3007
- Vegetation management
lcordova@fs.fed.us
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
Description: Wildlife habitat improvement project. The project would reduce tree densities while providing increased understory
forage. In the pinyon-juniper there would be a 60% openings to a 40% cover ratio to optimize wildlife habitat.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=24431
Location:
Merchant Grazing Allotment
Management
Project Contact
UNIT - Smokey Bear Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T7S. R13E. Sec. 3,
4, 9, 10, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, and 28. The Patos Area, West of the Capitan Mountains.
- Grazing management
Developing Proposal
Est. Notice of Initiation 08/2014
Expected:03/2015
03/2015
EA
Peggy Luensmann
575-257-4095
psluensmann@fs.fed.us
Description: Reauthorize livestock grazing on the Merchant Allotment.
Location:
UNIT - Smokey Bear Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T. 7 S., R. 15 E.,
sections 25-28, 31-34; T. 8 S., R. 15 E., sections 3-6. Approximately 14 miles north of Capitan, New Mexico on
NM highway 246, on the north side of West Mountain in the Capitan Mountains.
North Fork Wells of Eagle Creek - Special use management
EIS
In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register
05/25/2012
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal
Register 12/2014
Expected:03/2015
04/2015
Christina Thompson
575-257-4095
cmthompson@fs.fed.us
Description: Analysis for special use permit re-issuance associated with Municipal Water Supply for the Village of Ruidoso,
NM.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=9603
Location:
07/01/2014 02:47 am MT
UNIT - Smokey Bear Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T10S, R12E, Sec
36. North Fork of Eagle Creek.
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Lincoln National Forest
Project Name
Lincoln National Forest
Seven Cabins Road
Realignment
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R3 - Southwestern Region
Smokey Bear Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Road management
EA
In Progress:
Notice of Initiation 02/15/2012
Est. Comment Period Public
Notice 07/2014
Expected:11/2014
Project Contact
11/2014
Eric Turbeville
575-630-3051
eturbeville@fs.fed.us
Description: Aquisition of right of way road easement and construction of approx. 0.8-mile of new road to access Forest
System Road 256 and ensure legal access to the north side of the Capitan Mountains.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=36462
Location:
Ski Apache Recreation
Enhancement Phase 1
UNIT - Smokey Bear Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - Township 7 South,
Range 17 East, Section 21. North side of Capitan Mountains, FR 256.
- Special area management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/16/2014
Expected:07/2014
07/2014
CE
Sean Donaldson
575-257-4095
sdonaldson@fs.fed.us
Description: Ski Apache is proposing to install 3 connected zip lines.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44154
Location:
Ski Apache Recreation
Enhancement Phase 2
UNIT - Smokey Bear Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T. 10 S., R. 11 E.,
sec. 33, 34. Improvements would be constructed on National Forest System lands and Mescalero Apache lands.
- Special area management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/16/2014
Expected:09/2014
09/2014
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Description: Construct 2 bike trails and a ski access trail at Ski Apache ski area. These activities were scoped with Phase 1
activities. They have been separated to allow for a more thorough analysis of the trail construction.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44685
Location:
Skinner Grazing Allotment
Management
Sean Donaldson
575-257-4095
sdonaldson@fs.fed.us
UNIT - Smokey Bear Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T. 10 S., R. 11 E.,
sec. 33, 34. Improvements would be constructed on National Forest System lands and Mescalero Apache lands.
- Grazing management
Developing Proposal
Est. Notice of Initiation 07/2014
EA
Expected:02/2015
02/2015
Peggy Luensmann
575-257-4095
psluensmann@fs.fed.us
Description: Reauthorize livestock grazing on the Skinner Allotment.
Location:
07/01/2014 02:47 am MT
UNIT - Smokey Bear Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T. 9 S., R. 13 E.,
sections 35, 36; T. 8 S., R. 13 E., sections 1-2, 11-12, 13-17. Approximately 4 miles west of Capitan, New
Mexico.
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Lincoln National Forest
Project Name
Lincoln National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R3 - Southwestern Region
Smokey Bear Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Summit Communications Site
Improvements
- Special use management
Completed
Actual: 05/16/2014
06/2014
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Peggy Luensmann
575-257-4095
psluensmann@fs.fed.us
Description: Authorize construction of a new solar array and generator platform by ATT. Also authorize replacement of the
BLM/USFWS shelter and tower. A new shelter and tower would be placed in the same location or moved to closer
to their solar array.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44321
Location:
West Mountain Push Units 7-9
Project Contact
UNIT - Smokey Bear Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T 8 S., R 16 E. Sec.
15. South side of the Capitan Mountains; bordering the Capitan Wilderness.
- Fuels management
Completed
CE
Actual: 04/24/2014
09/2014
John Kennedy
575-257-4095
jkennedy@fs.fed.us
Description: Treat 1,053 acres of pinyon/juniper woodlands in the vicinity of Capitan, NM. This project will authorize stand
improvement activities to improve watershed and wildlife habitat. Treatment would be conducted mechanically and
with prescribed fire.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=42365
Location:
UNIT - Smokey Bear Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T7S, R14E,
Sections 25, 26, and 36; T8S, R14E, Sections 1, 2, and 3. near Capitan, New Mexico.
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 02:47 am MT
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Lincoln National Forest