Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
04/01/2011 to 06/30/2011
Ashley 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
-  Projects Occurring in more than one Region (excluding Nationwide)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Ashley National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Ashley National Forest,  Duchesne/Roosevelt Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Ashley National Forest,  Flaming Gorge Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Ashley National Forest,  Vernal Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

Projects Occurring Nationwide  

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Gypsy Moth Management in the United States: A Cooperative Approach
EIS

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/19/2008
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/2011  		Expected:10/2011
  		10/2011 Noel Schneeberger
610-557-4121
nschneeberger@fs.fed.us 
Description: The USDA Forest Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service are analyzing a range of strategies for controlling gypsy moth damage to forests and trees in the United States.
Web Link:  http://www.na.fs.fed.us/wv/eis/
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. Nationwide.
Land Management Planning Rule
EIS
 - Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/25/2011
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 11/2011  		Expected:12/2011
  		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 05/2011  		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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Projects Occurring in more than one Region (excluding Nationwide)  

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Western Area Power Administration Right-of-Way Maintenance and Reauthorization Project
EIS
 - Special use management  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 04/08/2010
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 03/2011  		Expected:11/2011
  		12/2011 David Loomis
303-275-5008
dloomis@fs.fed.us 
Description: Update vegetation management activities along 278 miles of transmission lines located on NFS lands in Colorado, Nebraska, and Utah. These activities are intended to protect the transmission lines by managing for stable, low growth vegetation.
Location: UNIT - Ashley National Forest All Units, Grand Valley Ranger District, Norwood Ranger District, Yampa Ranger District, Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, Pine Ridge Ranger District, Sulphur Ranger District, East Zone/Dillon Ranger District, Paonia Ranger District, Boulder Ranger District, West Zone/Sopris Ranger District, Canyon Lakes Ranger District, Salida Ranger District, Gunnison Ranger District, Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. STATE - Colorado, Nebraska, Utah. COUNTY - Chaffee, Delta, Dolores, Eagle, Grand, Gunnison, Jackson, Lake, La Plata, Larimer, Mesa, Montrose, Routt, Saguache, San Juan, Dawes, Daggett, Uintah. Linear transmission lines located in Colorado, Utah, and Nebraska.
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Ashley National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Ashley National Forest Noxious Weed Management Supplement
EA
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 09/02/2010  		Expected:03/2011
  		05/2011 Donald Catron
435-781-5268
rcatron@fs.fed.us 
Description: Continue to implement the Forest Noxious Weeds Management Program by reviewing the 1994 Forest Noxious Weeds Management EA, supplement the analysis and update the Decision Notice/ FONSI.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=33529
Location: UNIT - Ashley National Forest All Units. STATE - Utah, Wyoming. COUNTY - Daggett, Duchesne, Summit, Uintah, Sweetwater. LEGAL - All lands administered by the Ashley National Forest. Ashley National Forest.
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Ashley National Forest,   Duchesne/Roosevelt Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
High Uintas Wilderness Colorado River Cutthroat Trout Habitat Enhancement
EIS
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 07/06/2010
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 06/2011  		Expected:06/2011
  		08/2011 Ronald Brunson
435-781-5202
rbrunson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Cooperative project with UDWR to restore and enhance CRCT populations within the High Uintas wilderness through the use of piscicide rotenone to remove non-native fish from selected streams and lakes. CRCT would be reintroduced following treatment.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=31640
Location: UNIT - Roosevelt Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Duchesne. High Uintas Wilderness Area Roosevelt Ranger District, Duchesne Ranger District.
Rock Creek Fuels Reduction
EA
 - Fuels management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/22/2009
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 02/2011  		Expected:02/2011
  		04/2011 Jerry Strebel
435-781-5212
jstrebel@fs.fed.us 
Description: to reduce fuels in forests (primarily Ponderosa Pine stands), brush-grass communities, and aspen-conifer vegetation types to provide additional protection to values at risk in the Rock Creek Drainage
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=30356
Location: UNIT - Duchesne Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Duchesne. LEGAL - T2N, R7W, Sec 25. Roosevelt and Duchesne Ranger District of the Ashley National Forest.
South Unit Oil and Gas Development
EIS
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/26/2010
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 07/2011  		Expected:09/2011
  		11/2011 David Herron
435-781-5218
daherron@fs.fed.us 
Description: Berry Petroleum is proposing to drill up to 400 oil and gas wells on the South Unit of the Ashley National Forest at the northern portion of the South Unit, roughly between Antelope and Sowers Canyons.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/ashley/projects/berry_south_og/bsummary.shtml
Location: UNIT - Duchesne Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Duchesne. Northern portion of the South Unit, roughly between Antelope and Sowers Canyons.
Vantage Drilling Proposal 2008
EA
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 12/15/2009  		Expected:05/2011
  		07/2011 David Herron
435-781-5218
daherron@fs.fed.us 
Description: Vantage Energy proposes drilling 8 exploratory oil and gas wells within the South Unit of the Ashley National Forest. Some access roads will need upgraded, and successful sites will need added upgrades.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=26608
Location: UNIT - Duchesne Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Duchesne. LEGAL - Portions of Townships T6S R6W, T6S R5W, T6S R4W, T6S R3W, T7S R5W, and T7S. D34 South Unit, from Wildhorse Ridge eastwards to Gilsonite Ridge.
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Ashley National Forest,   Flaming Gorge Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Bighorn Sheep Habitat Improvement Project
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  On Hold  N/A  N/A Amy Torres
435-781-5177
astorres@fs.fed.us 
Description: To improve bighorn sheep forage and lambing habitat in areas along Flaming Gorge Reservoir, expected to improve sight distances of bighorn sheep to detect predators. Project would use prescribed fire to remove encroaching conifers (mostly juniper).
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/ashley/projects/bighorn/sheepsummary.shtml
Location: UNIT - Flaming Gorge Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Daggett. LEGAL - . The project analysis area lies approximately 30 miles north of Vernal Utah, in Daggett County. Above the Flaming Gorge Reservoir from Bears Tusk on the west to Gold Point.
Flaming Gorge Multiple Special Use Permits
CE
 - Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2010  		Expected:11/2010  05/2011 Donald Kranendonk
435-781-5245
dkranendonk@fs.fed.us 
Description: Buckboard Marina permit renewal; Cedar Springs Marina Permit renewal:Lucerne Marina concession Stand; Sheep Creek Irrigation Co. permit renewal; Spirit Lake Resort Permit renewal; Jon Tinker Fanily Trust permit renewal; Qwest Corp permit renewal
Location: UNIT - Flaming Gorge Ranger District. STATE - Utah, Wyoming. COUNTY - Daggett, Sweetwater. Flaming Gorge Ranger District, Utah and Wyoming.
Flaming Gorge Ponderosa Pine Maintenance and Fuels Reduction (EA)
EA
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2010  		Expected:12/2010  06/2011 Donald Catron
435-781-5268
rcatron@fs.fed.us 
Description: Maintain or move Ponderosa Pine vegetation types to a condition similar to historical conditions and to improve the visual quality of key areas. Primary tool to accomplish this would be a continuing or an initial low intensity/high frequency fire
Web Link:  http://www.fed.us/re/ashley/projects/
Location: UNIT - Flaming Gorge Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Daggett. Flaming Gorge Ranger District, including portions of the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, STATE – Utah,.
North Flank Vegetation Management Project
EA
 - Fuels management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 05/14/2008  		Expected:11/2010
  		04/2011 Kris Rutledge
435-781-5196
krutledge@fs.fed.us 
Description: Treatments within North Flank area to capture the value of dead trees, to improve forest age class and species diversity, to improve forest health and vigor, to promote and maintain aspen and to reduce forest fuels.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/ashley/projects/n_flank/nfsummary.shtml
Location: UNIT - Flaming Gorge Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Daggett, Summit. LEGAL - Flaming Gorge Ranger District. Northwest portion of the Ashley National Forest that generally includes the Cow Hollow, Carter Military, Lodgepole Creek and Sols Canyon areas.
State Line Cove Vault Restroom
EA

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 03/2011  		Expected:04/2011  05/2011 Mark Sprague
435-781-5246
msprague@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Forest Service, Ashley National Forest, Flaming Gorge Ranger District, is preparing an Environmental Assessment for the installation of a new vault restroom at State Line Cove.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=35377
Location: UNIT - Flaming Gorge Ranger District. STATE - Utah, Wyoming. COUNTY - Daggett, Sweetwater. LEGAL - Section 18, Township 3 north, Range 21 east, Salt Lake Meridian, Daggett County, Utah. Approximately seven miles east of Manila, Utah, and one mile northwest of Lucerne Valley Campground.
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Ashley National Forest,   Vernal Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Dry Fork Flume Trail Trailhead Project
EA
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/17/2010
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 01/2011  		Expected:03/2011
  		05/2011 Lesley Tullis
435-781-5137
ltullis@fs.fed.us 
Description: The proposal includes clearing and hardening a parking area ½ acre in size to accommodate vehicle and trailer traffic and constructing/installing a restroom facility, barriers, benches, gate, and a kiosk/information board and appropriat signing.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=32742
Location: UNIT - Vernal Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Uintah. LEGAL - SLM, T. 2 S., R. 19 E., Sec. 36, SE ¼; 40º35'55" N, 109º43'56" W, NAD83. The proposed trailhead location has historically been used as a dispersed camping area and is adkacemt tp tje F;i,e Trao; approx 1/4 mi. N. of Forest boundary.
Lodgepole Pine Timber Stand Improvement Project
CE
 - Forest products  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/31/2010  		Expected:12/2010
  		06/2011 Bryan Clark
435-781-5139
bryanclark@fs.fed.us 
Description: 2380 acres of lodgepole pine thinning designed to release crop trees for growth. This project would have the secondary benefite of reducing fuels and improving wildife habitat for certain species.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=32553
Location: UNIT - Vernal Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Uintah. Vernal Ranger District.
Red Pine Canyon and Unnamed Springs Permit Renewal
CE
 - Watershed management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Omero Torres
435-781-5124
omerotorres@fs.fed.us 
Description: Permit to grant David Bell, a current water-right holder, access to the maintenance and use of the existing spring developments.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/ashley/projects/
Location: UNIT - Vernal Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Uintah. LEGAL - Red Pine Canyon and Noname Springs. Red Pine Canyon and Noname Springs.
Vernal Ditch Bill Easement
CE
 - Land ownership management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Jerry Bird
801-236-3463
jkbird@fs.fed.us 
Description: Approve application for irrigation & stockwatering easement including operating and maintenance conditions.
Location: UNIT - Vernal Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Uintah. LEGAL - T2N, R1E, Section 18. Ralphs Canyon.
Vernal Ditch Bill Easement
CE
 - Land ownership management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Jerry Bird
801-236-3463
jkbird@fs.fed.us 
Description: Approve application for irrigation & stockwatering easement including operating and maintenance conditions.
Location: UNIT - Vernal Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Uintah. LEGAL - T5N, R1W, Sections 28, 29, 32, & 33; T4N, R18E, Protraction Block 42 Uintah Meridian and T3N, R1E, Sections 6, 7 and 8 SLM. Chepeta Lake, Moccasin Lake, Papoose Lake, Wigwam Lake, Paul Lake, Little Elk Lake, and Paradise Park Reservoir.
Vernal Ditch Bill Easement
CE
 - Land ownership management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Jerry Bird
801-236-3463
jkbird@fs.fed.us 
Description: Approve application for irrigation and stockwatering easement including operating and maintenance conditions.
Location: UNIT - Vernal Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Uintah. LEGAL - T1S, R20E, Sections 1 & 12; T1N R19E, Section 34; T1N, R19E Sections 16 & 21. Oakes Park Reservoir, Long Park Reservoir, Upper & Lower Goose Lakes and Ashley Twin Lakes.
Vernal Ditch Bill Easements
CE
 - Land ownership management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Jerry Bird
801-236-3463
jkbird@fs.fed.us 
Description: Approve application for irrigation & stockwatering easement including operating and maintenance conditions.
Location: UNIT - Vernal Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Uintah. LEGAL - T4N, R1E, Sections 28, 33, and 34, T3N, R1E, Sections 3, 10, and 15. Blanchett Park and Dry Creek.
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This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.