Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2011 to 03/31/2011
Cibola National Forest

This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.
Report Contents (click to jump to a section) :
-  Projects Occurring Nationwide
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Cibola National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Cibola National Forest,  Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Cibola National Forest,  Magdalena Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Cibola National Forest,  Mount Taylor Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Cibola National Forest,  Mountainair Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R3 - Southwestern Region, Cibola National Forest,  Sandia Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

Projects Occurring Nationwide  

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Land Management Planning Rule
EIS
 - Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 12/18/2009
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 12/2010  		Expected:11/2011
  		12/2011 Larry Hayden
202-205-1559
lhayden@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Department of Agriculture proposes to promulgate a new planning rule, which will set out the process for development, revision, and amendment of National Forest System land management plans.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/planningrule
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. Agency-wide Rule.
Nationwide Aerial Application of Fire Retardant on National Forest System Lands.
EIS
 - Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 08/27/2010
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 01/2011  		Expected:12/2011
  		01/2012 Glen Stein
208-869-5405
gstein@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Forest Service will prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement for the continued nationwide aerial application of fire retardant on National Forest System lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/retardant/index.html
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. Nationwide.
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Cibola National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Isleta CFRP Collaborative Landscape Scale Restoration Project
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Fuels management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 02/2011  		Expected:07/2011  10/2011 Ian Fox
505-346-3814
ifox@fs.fed.us 
Description: Reduce hazardous fuels and restore ecosystem structure, composition, and function using thinning and prescribed burning on about 12,600 acres across multiple ownerships (national forest, Chilili land grant, Dept of Defense, and Pueblo of Isleta).
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District, Mountainair Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo, Torrance. Manzanita Mountains south of Tijeras, NM and Manzano Mountains west of Chilili, NM on the Sandia and Mountainair RDs, the Dept of Defense Withdrawal Area, Chilili Land Grant and Pueblo of Isleta.
Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek NGs Revised Land & Resource Management Plan
EIS
 - Land management planning  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 01/15/2010
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 03/2011  		Expected:11/2011
  		01/2012 Champe Green
505-346-3889
champegreen@fs.fed.us 
Description: Revise plan direction from the 1985 Cibola National Forest LRMP and develop a new land and resource management plan for the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola/plan-revision/cibola/plan-revision/
Location: UNIT - Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands, Black Kettle National Grassland. STATE - New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas. COUNTY - Cimarron, Roger Mills, Dallam, Gray, Hemphill, Colfax, Harding, Mora, Union. Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands in New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma.
Noxious and Invasive Plant Treatment Project
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management 		 Completed  Actual: 10/07/2010  11/2010 Rick Newmon
505-346-3831
rnewmon@fs.fed.us 
Description: The proposal provides for treating invasive plants using an integrated management approach incorporating adaptive management, which will allow for treatment of newly discovered plant infestations that are likely to occur over time
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=28642
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District, Magdalena Ranger District, Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands, Mountainair Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas. COUNTY - Cimarron, Dallam, Catron, Cibola, Harding, Lincoln, McKinley, Mora, Sandoval, Socorro, Torrance, Union. Kiowa/Rita Blanca National Grasslands, Mountainair Ranger District, Magdalena Ranger District and Mt. Taylor Ranger District.
USAF Training Area
EA
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/26/2010
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 01/2011  		Expected:03/2011
  		04/2011 Donald Hall
505-346-3835
dlhall@fs.fed.us 
Description: Military training area permit on Mountainair, Magdalena, and Sandia Ranger Districts
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=5375
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District, Sandia Ranger District, Mountainair Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo, Socorro, Torrance. LEGAL - Specific areas on each district. Mountainair, Magdalena, and Sandia Ranger Districts.
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Cibola National Forest,   Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Bryon and Barbara F. Kenney Water Pipeline
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/04/2010  		Expected:02/2011
  		02/2011 Donald Hall
505-346-3835
dlhall@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal to issue a Special Use Permit for construction, operation, and maintenance of a 10-inch water pipeline from an agricultural well on private land across about 1/2-mile of federal land to a private parcel.
Location: UNIT - Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. STATE - Oklahoma. COUNTY - Cimarron. LEGAL - T. 27 N., R.1E., Section 19. About 12 miles north of Texline, Texas.
K-43 Mountain Plover Habitat Improvement Prescribed Burn
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/10/2008  		Expected:01/2011
  		03/2011 Richard Hanson
575-374-9652
rahanson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Prescribe burn approximately 1,200 acres of shortgrass prairie in March, prior to plover migration, to improve quality of mountain plover nesting and foraging habitat.
Location: UNIT - Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Union. LEGAL - Section 1, T. 26 N., R. 36 E. ; Section 6, T. 26 N., R. 37 E. Kiowa NG Range Unit 43.
K-84, K-87, K-91E Woodland Prescribed Burn and Thinning Projects
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/16/2006
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 05/2011  		Expected:07/2011
  		09/2011 Mike Atkinson
575-374-9652
matkinson@fs.fed.us 
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: UNIT - Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Harding. Kiowa National Grassland, Unit K-84, K-87, and K-91 East about 8 miles northwest of Roy, NM.
Kiowa K-85 Thin and Prescribe Burn
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 03/2011  		Expected:09/2011  01/2012 Justin Thompson
575-374-9652
justinthompson@fs.fed.us 
Description:  Mechanically thin and utilize prescribed fire to improve wildlife habitat and watershed and to reduce fuel loadings.
Location: 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.
Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands Travel Management Project
EA
 - Road management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/26/2010
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 01/2011  		Expected:03/2011
  		04/2011 John Baumchen
505-374-9652
jbaumchen@fs.fed.us 
Description: Designate the motorized transportation system on the district to comply with the Travel Management Rule. NEPA decision for route travel and subsequent production of a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) that shows roads and trails open to motorized use.
Location: UNIT - Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. STATE - New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas. COUNTY - Cimarron, Dallam, Colfax, Harding, Mora, Union. The Kiowa and Rita Blanca NG units in New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma.
North Vercere Prescribe Burn
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 04/2011  		Expected:09/2011  01/2012 Justin Thompson
575-374-9652
justinthompson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Utilize prescribed fire to improve wildlife habitat and watershed condition and to reduce fuel loading.
Location: UNIT - Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Mora. LEGAL - T 21 N, R 24 E, Section 21. 1 Mile southwest of Mills Canyon Lower Campground.
Sugarloaf Mountain Communication Site
CE
 - Land management planning
- Special use management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/11/2008  		Expected:02/2011
  		02/2011 John Baumchen
505-374-9652
jbaumchen@fs.fed.us 
Description: Sugarloaf Mountain has been a radio repeater site for Forest Service Use only. The proposal would establish a new location (less than 5 acres) about 200 yards from the existing site and allow other Government users to occupy the site.
Location: UNIT - Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Harding. LEGAL - A portion of Sections 23 and 26, Township 23 North, Range 27 East, NMPM; Harding County New Mexico. Kiowa National Grassland, northeastern corner of Harding County, New Mexico, less than 5 acres in size.
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Cibola National Forest,   Magdalena Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Davenport Canyon Forest Restoration Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/13/2009  		Expected:12/2011
  		03/2012 Susan Schuhardt
505-854-2281
sschuhardt@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal to restore forest structure and composition on about 1,250 acres. About 250 acres would be thinned and the entire 1,250 acres prescribe burned to reduce forest density, restore fire-resilient stand structure and improve habitat.
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - T1N, R10W, Sections 19, 29, 30, and 31. T1N, R11W, Sections 24, 25, and 36. Davenport Canyon area about 10 miles northwest of Datil, NM.
Deer Claim Uranium Exploration Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Minerals and Geology  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2011  		Expected:06/2011  07/2011 Calvin Parson
505-346-3836
cparson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Up to 25 historic drill holes will be reentered and electrically logged to confirm historic data.
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - T2N, R10W, Sections 28 and 29. Approximately 15.5 Miles North-Northwest of Datil, NM.
Durfee/Bolander Restoration Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/27/2009  		Expected:06/2012
  		10/2012 Dave Heft
505-854-2281
dheft@fs.fed.us 
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.
Location: 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.
East Monticello Grazing Authorization
EA
 - Grazing management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Tina Cason
575-854-2281
tcason@fs.fed.us 
Description: Livestock grazing authorization and related management activities.
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Sierra, Socorro. East Monticello allotment about 5 miles north of Monticello, NM in the San Mateo Mountains.
Magdalena 2nd Entry Burns
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/10/2006  		Expected:01/2011
Actual: 04/20/2010  		04/2011 Dave Heft
575-854-2281
dheft@fs.fed.us 
Description: Prescribed burn 5 previously treated burn blocks (Corn Canyon, Baney/Fisher, Chavez/Whitecap, San Juan/Longspring, East Red/North Canyons) using higher intensity fire treatments.
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron, Socorro. District wide.
Magdalena Travel Management Project
EA

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Road management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/22/2010
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 01/2011  		Expected:03/2011
  		04/2011 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.
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron, Socorro. District-wide where existing motorized use is not consistent with the Travel Management Rule.
Penasco/Steel Hill Grazing Allotment Authorizations
EA
 - Grazing management  Completed  Actual: 10/06/2010
10/06/2010  		11/2010 Tina Cason
575-854-2281
tcason@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal to reauthorize grazing on the Penasco and Steel Hill grazing allotments.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=31346
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Sierra, Socorro. Penasco allotment, approx. 42 miles south of Magdalena, NM and Steel Hill allotments about 36 miles south of Magdalena, NM. in the San Mateo Mountains.
Red Basin LLC Uranium Exploration Drilling - Baca Project
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  Completed  Actual: 11/16/2010  01/2011 Diane Tafoya
505-346-3809
dtafoya@fs.fed.us 
Description: Red Basin LLC plans to drill up to 60 holes 300-feet deep to confirm the presence of a uranium ore body
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - T2N, R10W, Secs 20 and 30. Five miles west of the Datil Mountain range and approximately 9 miles north of State Highway 60 on Forest Road 6.
Remuda Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Minerals and Geology  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2011  		Expected:06/2011  07/2011 Calvin Parson
505-346-3836
cparson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Exploration for Vanadium and Uranium mineralization - drill up to 4 holes an estimated 400 feet deep.
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - T2N, R10W, Section 36. Approximately 14.5 miles north of Datil, NM.
Webster Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Minerals and Geology  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2011  		Expected:06/2011  07/2011 Calvin Parson
505-346-3836
cparson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Exploration for Vanadium and Uranium mineralization - drill up to 7 holes an estimated 400 ft deep.
Location: UNIT - Magdalena Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Catron. LEGAL - T2N, R10W, Section 33. Approximately 15 miles north-northwest of Datil, NM.
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Cibola National Forest,   Mount Taylor Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Designation of Rinconada Communications Site
EIS
 - Special use management  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 07/10/2009
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 01/2011  		Expected:01/2011
  		05/2011 Donald Hall
505-346-3835
dlhall@fs.fed.us 
Description: Designation of a high power communication site
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=18460
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - McKinley. LEGAL - T11N, R7W, Section 17. Approximately 1/2-mile south of Microwave Ridge.
East La Jara Thinning and Pinon-Juniper Restoration
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2011  		Expected:09/2011  10/2011 Matt Reidy
(05) 287-8833
mreidy@fs.fed.us 
Description: Thinning and prescribed burning to reduce tree density and re-establish pinyon-juniper and mixed pinyon-juniper/Ponderosa pine savannas and woodlands. Cut material will be available for forest products, primarily fuelwood.
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Cibola. LEGAL - T12N, R8W, Sections 10,15,16,20-22. La Jara Mesa, on Mt. Taylor, west of Buckhorn Spring, north of FR93, east of Cerro Colorado, south of El Rito Canyon.
Laramide Resources Mine Development - La Jara Mesa
EIS
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 05/13/2009
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 03/2011  		Expected:08/2011
  		10/2011 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/project_content.php?project=25654
Location: 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.
McKinley County Easement - Forest Roads 191 and 191D
EIS
 - Special use management  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 04/02/2010
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/2011  		Expected:03/2011
  		06/2011 Consuelo Zamora
505-287-8833
czamora@fs.fed.us 
Description: Issue an easement to McKinley County and authorize upgrade from single lane dirt road to double lane gravel road for access to an existing subdivision and a new subdivision authorized by the county.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=25656
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - McKinley. LEGAL - T13N, R16W, Sections 9, 16, and 21. Forest Road 191D about 10 miles south of Ft. Wingate near McGaffey Lake.
Mount Taylor Travel Management Project
EA
 - Road management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 08/13/2010  		Expected:01/2011
  		03/2011 Arnold Wilson
505-287-8833
awilson01@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.
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Cibola, McKinley. District-wide where existing motorized use is not consistent with the Travel Management Rule.
Roca Honda LLC Project - Exploration and Mine Development
EIS
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 11/24/2010
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 04/2011  		Expected:09/2011
  		10/2011 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/project_content.php?project=18431
Location: 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.
Uranium Exploration Drilling
EIS
 - Minerals and Geology  Developing Proposal
Est. NOI in Federal Register 01/2011  		Expected:02/2012  04/2012 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.
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Cibola, McKinley. Several locations including San Mateo Mesa and La Jara Mesa northeast of Grants, NM.
Zuni Bluehead Sucker Habitat Improvement
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/14/2010  		Expected:03/2011
  		05/2011 Consuelo Zamora
505-287-8833
czamora@fs.fed.us 
Description: Pool restoration, installation of sediment control structures, and other actions to improve habitat for the Zuni bluehead sucker in Agua Remora. Will require about 3/4-mile of low standard road construction for administrative access.
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Cibola. LEGAL - T 13N, R 16W, sec 25 and 26. Page Quad, Zuni Mountains.
Zuni Mountain Abandoned Mine Land Remediation
EA

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Minerals and Geology  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2011  		Expected:06/2011  07/2011 Calvin Parson
505-346-3836
cparson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Physical closures of 49 abandoned mine features within the Zuni mountains using various methods, i.e. polyurethane foam, backfilling, fencing and or bat-friendly grates to provide for the safety of the general public.
Location: UNIT - Mount Taylor Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Cibola. Several locations within the Zuni Mountains portion of the Mt. Taylor Ranger District.
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Cibola National Forest,   Mountainair Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Espinoso and Barranco Vegetation Management Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 09/13/2007  		Expected:02/2011
  		04/2011 Karen Lessard
505-847-2990
klessard@fs.fed.us 
Description: Improve habitat diversity, reduce fuels and provide forest products through the use of prescribed burning and thinning. About 1000 acres of thinning along Forest Roads 205, 275, and 422 and about 2,500 acres of prescribed burning.
Location: UNIT - Mountainair Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Torrance. LEGAL - T4N, R5E, and Sections 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27 & 28. In the southern Manzano Mountains about 10 miles northwest of Mountainair.
M&E Exploratory Drilling Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Minerals and Geology  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2011  		Expected:07/2011  08/2011 Calvin Parson
505-346-3836
cparson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Drill 3 exploratory holes from 1 drill pad and extract drill chip samples for chemical assay of rare earth minerals.
Location: UNIT - Mountainair Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T1S, R11E, section 27. Approximately 11 miles SW from Corona, NM within the Gallinas Mountains.
Outlaw #2 and #3 Mineral Exploration Project
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/15/2010  		Expected:01/2011
  		02/2011 Calvin Parson
505-346-3836
cparson@fs.fed.us 
Description: A proposal to approve a mineral plan of operations to allow exploratory drilling and core sample removal to confirm the presence of rare earth minerals. A total of 3 drill pads with 9 drill holes would be approved.
Location: UNIT - Mountainair Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T1S, R11E, sections 23 and 24. About 9 to 10 miles southwest of Corona, New Mexico.
Outlaw Project - Exploratory Drilling for Rare Earth Elements
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/19/2010  		Expected:01/2011
  		02/2011 Calvin Parson
505-346-3836
cparson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Drilling 5 holes about 400 feet deep to determine that the geologic structure of the area contains rare earth mineralization that may be of economic interest. Access will be from Forest Road 99.
Location: UNIT - Mountainair Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. About 10 miles southwest of Corona, New Mexico in the Red Cloud Canyon area.
Red Canyon CFRP
EA
 - Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2011  		Expected:08/2011  10/2011 Karen Lessard
505-847-2990
klessard@fs.fed.us 
Description: Hazardous fuels reduction and watershed improvement project, including mechanical thinning, hand piling, broadcast and pile burning on about 500 acres adjacent to private land to protect the Manzano Land Grant community and water supply.
Location: UNIT - Mountainair Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Torrance. LEGAL - Township 4 North, Range 5 East, all or portions of Sections 23, 26 and 36. West of the Manzano Land Grant Community, north of Forest Road 253 along the common boundary with the west side of the McKinley property.
Vista Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Minerals and Geology  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2011  		Expected:07/2011  08/2011 Calvin Parson
505-346-3836
cparson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Drill 3 holes from 1 drill pad and extract core samples for chemical assay of rare earth minerals.
Location: UNIT - Mountainair Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T1S, R11E, section 14. Approximately 9.5 miles SW from Corona, NM within the Gallinas Mountains.
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Cibola National Forest,   Sandia Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R3 - Southwestern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Casa Loma Recreation Residence Permit Re-issuance
CE
 - Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2011  		Expected:05/2011  06/2011 Cid Morgan
505-281-3304
chmorgan@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal to re-issue permits for recreation residences at Casa Loma.
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo. LEGAL - T.10N., R.5E., Section 10, NMPM. Off Forest Road 189 one mile west of Cedar Crest, New Mexico.
Deadman Trail Construction
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/17/2009  		Expected:02/2011
  		03/2011 Lisa Jones
505-281-3304 ext 107
ljones@fs.fed.us 
Description: Develop a multi-use single track trail of 1.2 miles from the Deadman Recreation Site to connect with existing system trails in the Cedro area.
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo. LEGAL - T9N R6E Sec 18. Deadman Reservation Group Site, FSR 54A (off NM 337) approx. 11 mi south of I-40.
Mahogany Trail Rehabilitation
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2011  		Expected:05/2011  08/2011 Kerry Wood
505-281-3304 ext. 107
kwood@fs.fed.us 
Description: Rehabilitation of about 2.9 miles of Mahogany Trail #05602 including filling ruts, installing grade dips and other work to narrow tread to 24” from its present width of 5-7’.
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo. LEGAL - T10N, R6E, Sections 5, 8, 17. 2 miles east of Tijeras, NM.
Reroute of Survey Trail (FST 05203)
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/17/2009  		Expected:02/2011
  		04/2011 Lisa Jones
505-281-3304 ext 107
ljones@fs.fed.us 
Description: Relocate about 950 feet of the Survey Trail (FST 05203) that crosses NM Hwy 536 (Crest Highway), about 1/4-mile uphill of Ellis Trailhead. The trail would bypass the guardrail installed by NMDOT and parallel the highway to meet the existing trail.
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo. LEGAL - T11N R5E Sec 6. NM Hwy 536 at the 10,400-foot Vegetation Sign (approximately one-quarter mile uphill of Ellis Trailhead).
Sandia Abandoned Mine Land Remediation
EA

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Minerals and Geology  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2011  		Expected:06/2011  07/2011 Calvin Parson
505-346-3836
cparson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Physical closures of at least 20 abandoned mine features with various methods, i.e. polyurethane foam, backfilling, fencing and or bat-friendly grates to correct physical safety hazards associated with abandoned mines.
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo, Sandoval. Several locations within the Sandia Ranger District east of Albuquerque, NM.
Sulphur Hazardous Fuel Reduction Project
EA
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2011  		Expected:07/2011  09/2011 Cid Morgan
505-281-3304
chmorgan@fs.fed.us 
Description: Hazardous fuels reduction project including mechanical thinning, hand piling, broadcast and pile burning.
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo. LEGAL - Township 11 North, Range 5 East, all or portions of Sections 22-23, 26-27 and 34. Forest boundary in Sulphur Canyon area.
T'uf Shur Bien Land Exchange
EA
 - Land ownership management
- Land acquisition 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Cid Morgan
505-281-3304
chmorgan@fs.fed.us 
Description: Legislated land exchange with Pueblo of Sandia
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo, Sandoval. T'uf Shur Bien Trust Area, west side of Sandia Mountains.
Talking Talons Interpretive Trail
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2011  		Expected:05/2011  08/2011 Kerry Wood
505-281-3304 ext. 107
kwood@fs.fed.us 
Description: Construction of 1 mile interpretive loop hiking trail near Talking Talons Leadership Center and about 1.5 mile of non-motorized access trail from Lower Pine trailhead (will connect with Coyote Trail #05619 on other end).
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo. LEGAL - T10N, R6E, Sec 13, 18. About 2-3 miles northeast of Tijeras, NM.
Talking Talons Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/22/2010  		Expected:04/2011
  		06/2011 Ian Fox
505-346-3814
ifox@fs.fed.us 
Description: Reduce tree density to improve wildlife habitat by mechanical treatments such as mastication and/or fuelwood removal and prescribe fire on about 650 acres of overstocked pinyon-juniper forest - no trees over 16' DRC or 16" DBH will be removed.
Location: UNIT - Sandia Ranger District. STATE - New Mexico. COUNTY - Bernalillo. Directly east of Tijeras, NM and south of old Route 66.
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This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.