Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA)
10/01/2014 to 12/31/2014
Tonto 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, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)
CAMP TATIYEE LAND
EXCHANGE - 0100 #5004
- Land acquisition
EIS
In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register
03/25/2010
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal
Register 09/2014
Expected:05/2015
05/2015
Randall Chavez
928-368-2106
rchavez02@fs.fed.us
Description: Exchange of private parcels in the A-S, Coronado, Prescott, & Tonto NFs for Federal lands in Pinetop-Lakeside
(T9N, R22E). Would provide land for children's camps currently under spec. use permit & result in consolid. of
isolated parcels on Forests.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=5004
Location:
Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic
River Comprehensive River
Management Plan
UNIT - Bradshaw Ranger District, Lakeside Ranger District, Mesa Ranger District, Sierra Vista Ranger District.
STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Navajo. LEGAL - T9N, R22E, sec.16, G&SRBM. Along State Highway SR260
within existing Pinetop-Lakeside town limits.
- Regulations, Directives,
Orders
EA
In Progress:
Notice of Initiation 03/29/2011
Est. Comment Period Public
Notice 04/2015
Expected:08/2015
10/2015
Charlotte Minor
928-635-8271
cminor@fs.fed.us
Description: Creation of a Comprehensive River Management Plan for Fossil Creek as described in the Wild and Scenic Rivers
Act. The project is on both the Coconino National Forest and the Tonto National Forest.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=27457
Location:
UNIT - Payson Ranger District, Red Rock Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila, Yavapai. LEGAL
- Not Applicable. Fossil Creek (Wild and Scenic River Portions) - Red Rock District of the Coconino National
Forest and Payson Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest.
Tonto National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
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R3 - Southwestern Region
Tonto National Forest
Project Name
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R3 - Southwestern Region
Tonto National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
Bighorn Sheep Population
Management Project
EA
- Land management planning
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Special use management
In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice
08/01/2014
Est. Objection Period Legal
Notice 09/2014
Project Contact
Expected:11/2014
11/2014
Nathan Yorgason
602-225-5200
commentssouthwesterntonto@fs.fed.us
Description: Authorize the use of helicopters by the Arizona Game and Fish Department to capture, release, translocate,
monitor populations, and conduct research of bighorn sheep on the Tonto National FOrest, including wilderness
areas.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44049
Location:
Tonto National Forest
Motorized Travel Management
UNIT - Tonto National Forest All Units. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila, Maricopa, Pinal, Yavapai. LEGAL Not Applicable. Tonto National Forest, including the Mazatzal, Hells Gate, Four Peaks, Salt River Canyon, and
Superstition Wilderness Areas.
- Recreation management
- Road management
EIS
In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register
07/03/2014
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal
Register 03/2015
Expected:06/2015
09/2015
Marianne Thomas
602-225-5213
commentssouthwesternTMRTonto@fs.fed.us
Description: The Tonto National Forest is in the process of implementing the Travel Management Rule which calls for
establishing a system of roads, trails, and areas designated for motorized vehicle use and determining suitable
locations for dispersed camping.
Web Link: http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/fs-usda-pop.php?project=28967
Location:
UNIT - Tonto National Forest All Units. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila, Maricopa, Pinal, Yavapai. LEGAL Not Applicable. Tonto National Forest.
Tonto National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
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R3 - Southwestern Region
Tonto National Forest
Project Name
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
Project Contact
R3 - Southwestern Region
Tonto National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
Celeste Kinsey
602-225-5248
ckinsey@fs.fed.us
Resolution Baseline
Hydrological &
Geotechnical Data Gathering
Activities
- Minerals and Geology
EA
Description: Resolution Copper Mining, LLC proposes to collect hydrologic, geochemical and geotechnical data in order to
provide baseline information on these aspects of the environment over an area being considered for a potential
tailings storage site.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44494
Location:
Salt River Allotments
Vegetative Management EIS
EIS
10/01/2014 08:48 am MT
Expected:11/2015
12/2015
UNIT - Globe Ranger District, Mesa Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Pinal. LEGAL - T1S,R11E
in portions of Sections 13, 23-27 and 35-36; T1S,R12E in portions of Sections 19, 20 and 28-33; T2S,R11E in
portions of Sections 1 and 2; and T2S, R12E in portions of Section 6. The project is proposed on the Mesa and
Globe Ranger Districts in Pinal County, Arizona, approximately 6 miles north and west of the Town of Superior.
Andrea Wages
- Grazing management
In Progress:
Expected:09/2015
10/2015
928-402-6222
- Vegetation management
DEIS NOA in Federal Register
comments(other than forest products)
02/22/2013
southwestern-tonto- Fuels management
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal
tonto-basin@fs.fed.us
- Watershed management
Register 06/2015
Description: The Tonto National Forest will prepare and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve
ecological conditions within the project area usig tools such as fire and grazing management and to authorize
continued livestock grazing.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=36074
Location:
Tonto National Forest
In Progress:
Notice of Initiation 05/24/2014
Est. Comment Period Public
Notice 02/2015
UNIT - Globe Ranger District, Tonto Basin Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - Not
Applicable. Southwestern Region 3, Tonto National Forest, Globe and Tonto Basin ranger districts along the Salt
River corridor.
Cave Creek Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
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R3 - Southwestern Region
Tonto National Forest
Project Name
Tonto National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R3 - Southwestern Region
Cave Creek Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Bartlett Lake Marina Permit
Reissuance
- Special use management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/15/2014
Expected:10/2014
Jason Scow
480-610-3331
jscow@fs.fed.us
12/2014
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Description: The purpose of this project is to reissue the Special Use Term Permit for Bartlett Lake Marina.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45251
Location:
Red Creek, Six Bar, and
Skeleton Ridge Grazing
EA
Project Contact
UNIT - Cave Creek Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Maricopa. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Bartlett
Lake, just off Bartlett Dam Road, 11 air miles east from the Cave Creek Ranger District Office at 40202 N. Cave
Creek Road Scottsdale, AZ.
- Grazing management
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice
06/21/2013
Est. Objection Period Legal
Notice 12/2014
Expected:03/2015
04/2015
Jeffrey Sturla
480-595-3331
commentssouthwestern-tontocave-creek@fs.fed.us
Description: To improve ecological conditions within three grazing allotments using tools such as adaptive grazing and wildlife
habitat improvement and by maintaining or replacing aging structural range improvements such as fences, water
developmements.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=40700
Location:
UNIT - Cave Creek Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila, Yavapai. LEGAL - The Verde River
flows through approximately 30 miles of the allotments. Southern portion of allotments are approximately 20 miles
north and northeast of Cave Creek, AZ. Cave Creek Ranger District along the Verde River.
Tonto National Forest
Globe Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
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R3 - Southwestern Region
Tonto National Forest
Project Name
Tonto National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R3 - Southwestern Region
Globe Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Activities Connected to the
Pinto Valley Mine
- Minerals and Geology
EA
In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice
08/27/2010
Est. Objection Period Legal
Notice 12/2015
Expected:03/2016
Project Contact
04/2016
Celeste Kinsey
602-225-5248
ckinsey@fs.fed.us
Description: The proposed action is a consolidated authorization to extend previously authorized and/or ongoing activities and
uses on National Forest System lands, and limited expansion of existing surface uses for ancillary operations.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=33272
Location:
BCE Copper Springs
Exploratory Drilling & Road
Maintenance
UNIT - Globe Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - T1N, R13E, S 1, 2, 14, 23, 24, &
25. T1N, R14E, S 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, & 32. T1S, R14E, S 4 & 5. T2N, R13E, S 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 34, &
35. The Pinto Valley Mine is located approximately three miles north of US Highway 60 on Pinto Valley Road
(Forest Road 287), and approximately six miles west of Miami, Gila County, Arizona.
- Minerals and Geology
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 08/2014
Expected:01/2015
02/2015
CE
Walter Johnson
928-402-6200
commentssouthwestern-tontoglobe@fs.fed.us
Description: Short term use exploratory drilling.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44943
Location:
Pinaladera WUI Fuels
Management
EA
UNIT - Globe Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - T. 1 S., R. 15 E., Sections
3,4,5,8,9 &10. south of Globe, Near Solitude Gulch and Deep Canyon.
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
On Hold
N/A
N/A
Louis Sandoval
928-402-6200
commentssouthwestern-tontoglobe@fs.fed.us
Description: Fuels reduction on approximately 83,558 acres south of Globe. Area includes the Pinal Mountain Recreation Area.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=3775
Location:
10/01/2014 08:48 am MT
UNIT - Globe Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - T. 1-2 S., R. 13-16 E., GSRM.
Pinal Mountains south of Globe and east of Devil's Canyon.
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Tonto National Forest
Project Name
Tonto National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R3 - Southwestern Region
Globe Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Plan of Operations for Imerys
Perlite Mine
- Minerals and Geology
EA
In Progress:
Notice of Initiation 12/03/2013
Est. Comment Period Public
Notice 12/2014
Expected:06/2015
Project Contact
07/2015
Lee Ann Atkinson
928-402-6281
leeannatkinson@fs.fed.
us
Description: Consolidates previous Plan of Operation and Special Use Permit authorizations, including continued operation of
existing sedimentation basin; Use of segments of Forest Roads 229, 989, and 2403 for hauling; and mining at two
unpatented claims.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41543
Location:
Superior Wildlife Water
Catchments
UNIT - Globe Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Pinal. LEGAL - Township 2 South, Range 12
East, Sections 4 and 9. Superior, Arizona.
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 11/2014
Expected:12/2014
02/2015
CE
Craig Woods
928-402-6260
clwoods@fs.fed.us
Description: Reconstruct two wildlife water catchments in Sonoran Desert to increase water availability for local wildlife during
dry periods. Updated materials and design will increase water storage and wildlife access, and decrease
maintenance costs.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=35136
Location:
Tonto National Forest
UNIT - Globe Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Pinal. LEGAL - No. 556 = Township 3S, Range
12E, Section 25 and No. 557 = T 1S, R 12E, S 33, Gila and Salt River Meridian. N33d 18.003',W111d 08.290' and
N33d 13.553', W111d 03.939'. Four miles south and 1 mile west of the town of Superior, Arizona.
R3 - Southwestern Region
Mesa Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Material Source 8763, Fish
Creek Borrow Site Spec Use
Permit reissue (updated to Min
Sale Contr)
- Minerals and Geology
- Special use management
On Hold
CE
N/A
N/A
Daniel Bray
480-610-3339
commentssouthwestern-tontomesa@fs.fed.us
Description: Reissuance of Special Use Permit for ADOT to continue use of roadway maintenance material pit on Tonto NF.
Location:
10/01/2014 08:48 am MT
UNIT - Mesa Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Maricopa. LEGAL - n/a. 12 miles east of Tortilla
Flat, AZ; accessed via SR88 (Apache Trail) at MP 227.
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Tonto National Forest
Project Name
Tonto National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R3 - Southwestern Region
Mesa Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Saguaro Lake Marina Permit
Reissuance
- Special use management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/15/2014
Expected:10/2014
Jason Scow
480-610-3331
jscow@fs.fed.us
12/2014
CE
Description: The purpose of this project is to reissue the Special Use Term Permit for Saguaro Lake Marina.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45250
*NEW LISTING*
Location:
Tonto National Forest
Project Contact
UNIT - Mesa Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Maricopa. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Saguaro Lake,
just off Bush Highway, 10 air miles from Mesa, AZ.
R3 - Southwestern Region
Payson Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Little Green Valley Complex
Allotment Management Plan
- Grazing management
EA
In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice
02/01/2013
Est. Objection Period Legal
Notice 09/2014
Expected:12/2014
02/2015
Angela Elam
928.474.7901
commentssouthwestern-tontopayson@fs.fed.us
Description: Update Allotment Management Plan for an active grazing allotment.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=36642
Location:
Payson RD OHV Management
Planning
UNIT - Payson Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - Not Applicable. East of SR 87 to
Tonto Creek, north and south of SR 260.
- Recreation management
EA
In Progress:
Notice of Initiation 03/28/2014
Est. Comment Period Public
Notice 10/2014
Expected:05/2015
06/2015
Brian Sweatland
928-474-7900
commentssouthwestern-tontopayson@fs.fed.us
Description: This projects seek to do the following: Develop OHV staging areas across Payson, prohibit camping within 200' of
streams unless designated, and designate an OHV specific campground.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43717
Location:
Tonto National Forest
10/01/2014 08:48 am MT
UNIT - Payson Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Payson Ranger
District.
Pleasant Valley Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
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R3 - Southwestern Region
Tonto National Forest
Project Name
Tonto National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R3 - Southwestern Region
Pleasant Valley Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Flying V and Flying H Allotment - Grazing management
Management Plans
EA
In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice
08/13/2013
Est. Objection Period Legal
Notice 10/2014
Expected:01/2015
Project Contact
03/2015
Angela Elam
928.474.7901
commentssouthwestern-tontopleasantvalley@fs.fed.us
Description: Update and reauthorize two allotment management plans.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30274
Location:
Haigler Fuels Analysis
EA
Jason Cress
On Hold
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
N/A
N/A
928-467-3251
- Vegetation management
jcress@fs.fed.us
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
Description: Manage timber and other woody vegetation to help maintain forest health, reduce forest fuels, and improve wildlife
habitat and range conditions on approximately 43,435 acres of the Tonto National Forest.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=34507
Location:
Parallel Prescribed Burn
In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/16/2014
Expected:10/2014
12/2014
Don Nunley
928-474-7900
dnunley@fs.fed.us
Description: The project is to use prescribed fire to improve timer stands and wildlife habitat by decreasing fire intensity
potential.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45324
Location:
10/01/2014 08:48 am MT
UNIT - Pleasant Valley Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Pleasant
Valley Ranger District, Management Areas 5D, 5G, and 4F, including areas around Haigler Creek Estates.
- Fuels management
CE
*NEW LISTING*
UNIT - Pleasant Valley Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - Not Applicable. North,
East, and South of Young, AZ.
UNIT - Pleasant Valley Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Pleasant
Valley Ranger District.
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Tonto National Forest
Project Name
Tonto National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R3 - Southwestern Region
Pleasant Valley Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Pleasant Valley Northwest
Grazing Allotments Analysis
EA
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
- Watershed management
In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice
04/02/2013
Est. Objection Period Legal
Notice 05/2015
Expected:09/2015
Project Contact
10/2015
Angela Elam
928.474.7901
commentssouthwestern-tontopleasantvalley@fs.fed.us
Description: This analysis covers five grazing allotments and will address actions needed to formalize an adaptive management
livestock grazing strategy to maintain or move resources toward desired conditions in the project area as in the
Tonto NF Plan.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30075
Location:
Tonto National Forest
UNIT - Pleasant Valley Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Bar X,
Haigler Creek, Colcord Canyon, Young, and Marsh Creek grazing allotments located north and west of Young, AZ.
The project area is bisected by FR200 between State Highway 260 and Young, AZ.
R3 - Southwestern Region
Tonto Basin Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Material Source 8541, Red Bluff
Stockpile Site
- Minerals and Geology
- Special use management
On Hold
CE
N/A
N/A
David Frew
928-462-4330
commentssouthwestern-tontotonto-basin@fs.fed.us
Description: Reissuance of Special Use Permit (updated to Mineral Contract for Sale), to ADOT for use of roadway
maintenance material source and stockpile site.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=28773
Location:
10/01/2014 08:48 am MT
UNIT - Tonto Basin Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - n/a. 22 miles south of Young,
AZ; accessed via SR288 at MP 272.5.
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Tonto National Forest
Project Name
Tonto National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R3 - Southwestern Region
Tonto Basin Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Tonto Basin, 7/K, and Walnut
Allotment Management Plans
- Grazing management
EA
In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice
08/05/2014
Expected:11/2014
Project Contact
11/2014
Eric Hoskins
928-467-3236
commentssouthwestern-tontotonto-basin@fs.fed.us
Description: Update managment plans for three active grazing allotments
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=27606
Location:
UNIT - Tonto Basin Ranger District. STATE - Arizona. COUNTY - Gila. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project area
lies west, east, and south of Punkin Center, Arizona in the Mazatzal and Sierra Ancha Mts., Tonto Basin RD.
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.
10/01/2014 08:48 am MT
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Tonto National Forest