Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
10/01/2011 to 12/31/2011
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
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/19/2008
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 12/2011  		Expected:01/2012
  		01/2012 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:09/2011
  		09/2011 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
Berry Petroleum 19 Directional Well
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Minerals and Geology  Completed  Actual: 06/10/2011  08/2011 David Herron
435-781-5218
daherron@fs.fed.us 
Description: Berry Petroleum Company (Berry) is proposing to drill up to 19 oil and natural gas wells from up to eight existing well pads on federal mineral leases the Company holds under the South Unit of the Ashley National Forest in Duchesne County, Utah.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=36757
Location: UNIT - Duchesne Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Duchesne. LEGAL - T6S R4W, T6S R5,W.,. South Unit Duchesne Ranger District Ashley National Forest.
High Uintas Wilderness Colorado River Cutthroat Trout Habitat Enhancement
EIS
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 07/06/2010
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/2011  		Expected:01/2012
  		08/2012 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.
Reauthoriztion of recreation livestock grazing on Grandaddy Basin, Squaw Basin and East Basin
EA
 - Grazing management  Completed  Actual: 08/03/2011
08/03/2011  		08/2011 Amber Helmus
435-738-5205
ahelmus@fs.fed.us 
Description: Reauthorize grazing on three recreational livestock grazing allotments onthe Roosevelt-Duchesne District.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=36118
Location: UNIT - Duchesne Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Duchesne. High Uinta Wilderness Area.
Rock Creek Fuels Reduction
EA
 - Fuels management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/22/2009
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 08/2011  		Expected:10/2011
  		11/2011 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 10/2011  		Expected:10/2011
  		12/2011 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/nepa/project_content.php?project=21014
Location: UNIT - Duchesne Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Duchesne. Northern portion of the South Unit, roughly between Antelope and Sowers Canyons.
Vantage 2011 Oil and Gas Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/26/2011  		Expected:08/2011
  		08/2011 David Herron
435-781-5218
daherron@fs.fed.us 
Description: The ANF proposes to permit Vantage Energy to conduct exploratory drilling and development operations for oil & gas resources within their existing leases on the South Unit of the Duchesne Dristrict.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=36753
Location: UNIT - Duchesne Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Duchesne. LEGAL - The 3 proposed wells would be located within the NW 1/4 of Section 5, near the center of Section 6, and within the SW 1/4 of Section 7, of township T6S R3W, Uintah Meridian. The existing Gilsonite 1-. The Gilsonite Ridge area of the South Unit of the Ashley National Forest.
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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  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/05/2010
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 04/2012  		Expected:06/2012
  		08/2012 David Olsen
435-781-5181
dwolsen@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/nepa/project_content.php?project=24730
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 09/2011  		Expected:12/2011  05/2012 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.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=30250
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,.
Flaming Gorge Ranger District Special Use Permit Proposals 2011
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/13/2011  		Expected:10/2011
  		10/2011 Mark Sprague
435-781-5246
msprague@fs.fed.us 
Description: Reauthorization of 9 special use permits
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=36005
Location: UNIT - Flaming Gorge Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Daggett, Summit. one permit is located in Summit County, Utah and 8 permits located in Daggett County, Utah.
State Line Cove Vault Restroom
EA
 - Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 07/25/2011  08/2011 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.
Wilkins Peak Bike Trail System Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 08/01/2011  08/2011 Donald Catron
435-781-5268
rcatron@fs.fed.us 
Description: The FG Ranger District proposed to designate a portion of a user created trail as a non-motorized bike system trail. This trail will connect to a protion of a bike trail on BLM managed lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=36746
Location: UNIT - Flaming Gorge Ranger District. STATE - Wyoming. COUNTY - Sweetwater. LEGAL - T.17 N., R10+ W., Section 6. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.
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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  Completed  Actual: 08/24/2011  08/2011 Kris Rutledge
435-781-5196
krutledge@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.
High Desert 2011 Exploratory Drilling Project
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 07/2011  		Expected:08/2011  08/2011 David Herron
435-781-5218
daherron@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Proposal is to drill 2 small exploratory drillholes for locatable minerals
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=36589
Location: UNIT - Vernal Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Uintah. One drillhole in the Dyer Mountain area, near or adjacent to Forest Service road #560, in the East ½ of section 21, T1S R21E, and a second drillhole in the Grizzly Ridge area, near or adjacent to Fore.
Julius Park Vegetation Management Project
EA

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 08/2011  		Expected:10/2012  06/2013 James McRae
435-781-5123
jmmcrae@fs.fed.us 
Description: The project includes removing some down and dead trees to capture the economic value of these trees and to reduce the hazardous fuel loading,and also manipulation of live tree species composition, stand density, and stand structures.
Location: UNIT - Vernal Ranger District. STATE - Utah. COUNTY - Uintah. LEGAL - Uintah Meridian, Township 3 North, Range 1 East, all or portions of sections 7, 8, 17, 18, 20, 28, and 29. Salt Lake Meridian, Township 2 South, Range 18 East, portions of sections 3, 4, 9, 10, 15, 1. The project is located approximately 18 miles north northwest of Lapoint, Utah and can be reached by traveling up Mosby Mountain on Forest Road Number 10104.
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 - Ashley Twin, Upper/Lower Goose Lake
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 Easement - Chepeta, Moccasin, Wigwam,Papoose Lakes
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 - White Rocks River
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 Easements - Julius Canal
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.