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Final Comment Letter
DNA for the Blue Water Allotment Mesquite Treatment
The proposed action consists of an aerial treatment (0.11 lb. a.e. per acre aminopyralid, 0.5 lb. a.e. per acre Clopyralid, 0.5 lb. a.e. per acre Triclopyr, all rates are the maximum and are not to be exceeded) within the Blue Water Allotment 64045. The treatment consists of decreasing canopy cover within high densities of mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa or P. jugans) vegetation allowing native grasses and other vegetation to occur for wildlife and livestock purposes.
La Cueva, Horseshoe Springs, Sulfur Springs - Cuba SWCD Hazardous Fuels Removal
The Entity will implement 115 acres of hazardous fuels reduction cost-share projects along the wildland-urban interface (WUI) of the Jemez Mountains in Sandoval County, New Mexico. This will include the Highway 485, Highway 4, Highway 126, Highway 550, and Highway 96 corridors. The Entity will assist private and non-federal public landowners by hiring local, qualified contractors to thin trees to densities consistent with United States Forest Service (USFS) and Forestry Division prescriptions. These densities are 40-60 sq. ft. of basal area (BA) in piñon-juniper woodlands and 60-80 sq. ft. of BA in ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests.. This project will be available to private and non-federal public landowners located in forested areas within the Cuba Soil & Water Conservation District (CSWCD) boundary (see Map 1).
This project area includes a variety of elevations supporting several vegetation types. These vegetation types are piñon-juniper, ponderosa pine, and mixed conifer. All forest types tend to be overstocked especially where thinning has not occurred recently.
The project's intent is to hire local thinning contractors from throughout the CSWCD service area whenever possible.
The objective of all project activities is to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and improve overall forest health. This project will benefit surrounding communities by reducing fuels on the landscape which will lower the risk of catastrophic wildfire and create a safer forest. This will reduce the chance of large-scale erosion events caused by forest fire which will protect the Jemez River watershed.
The Entity shall conduct thinning with the following considerations:
The acres to be treated, and forest management practices employed on each parcel of land, shall be determined in conjunction with the Forestry Division and will be specified in a property specific Practice Plan. Proposed projects shall have pre-treatment data collected on all sites prior to thinning. Forest management practices shall be based on site specific conditions, landowner objectives, forest health, and fire prevention. Treatments shall mimic historical ponderosa, piñon/juniper, and mixed conifer stand conditions. Remaining trees shall be left in variable sized groups to create a heterogenous forest structure. Thinning shall meet forest density standards of 40-60 sq. ft. of basal area (BA) in piñon-juniper woodlands and 60-80 sq. ft. of BA in ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests. These forest density standards can be exceeded if the project still meets fuels reduction objectives and there is an ecological reason for higher stand densities (ex. higher BA due to the retention of large diameter trees). If projects exceed the basal area standard, a justification must be provided in the practice plan or in the final inspection report.
The prescriptions that shall be implemented include:
1) Special considerations for all forest types:
A. Avoid cutting trees (live or dead) with nests in them.
B. A=Avoid cutting down trees (live or dead) with signs of cavity nesting activity.
C. Retain roost trees and trees with cavities when possible.
D. Retain large diameter standing dead trees (≥ 14 inches DBH) when possible.
E. For projects with high numbers of standing dead trees (snags), snags shall be removed to reduce fire risk and future surface fuel loading. Leave 2-5 snags per acre for habitat benefit. Prioritize leaving larger and older snags.
F. Do not cut any oak unless necessary for personal safety.
G. A group of trees must be at least three trees or more.
H. Where masticating operations are used, 70% percent of the mulched material shall be less than three inches in diameter and no longer than three feet in length. Mulch depth shall not be over five inches deep in any circumstance. No masticated material shall be allowed around the boles of leave trees. The masticator shall make no vertical pass longer than 75 feet up or down a slope.
I. Where chipping operations are used, all slash shall be chipped to an average of two inches or less with no single depth of chips greater than six inches.
J. Lop and scatter shall only be used when topography and access prevent equipment access and dragging of slash. Slash shall be cut to 2-3-foot lengths and spread to a layer less than 18" in height. Lopped material shall be spread in openings whenever possible. Leave gaps between scattered material to create breaks in fuel continuity.
K. Lop and scatter of wood can attract bark beetle and green slash can serve as a breeding ground for them. When implementing lop and scatter forests affected by bark beetle, take care to lop material to 2-foot lengths and spread material in openings and in a thin layer (< 12"). Material needs to be spread in a way that allows it to dry out as quickly as possible. Lop and scatter shall not occur between April 15th and October 15th if bark beetles are active.
L. Chipped, masticated, or lopped material shall not be banked against or touch the boles of leave trees.
M. Trees for removal shall be selected by choosing dead trees first followed by mistletoe-infested trees, insect infested trees, and trees that are lacking vigor. A variety of size classes by species must always be left to promote stand diversity.
N. Thin to emulate natural disturbance regimes (wildfire, drought, windthrow, etc.) which create a heterogenous forest structure characterized by individual trees, groups, and openings. Emulate naturally occurring variations in stand density based on topography (ex. higher tree densities in drainages and lower tree densities on south facing slopes). This method shall create the desired basal area without creating a uniform stand. Do not thin to any crown spacing guidelines.
O. All stumps that are left shall be half the diameter of the tree or six inches, whichever is less.
P. In piñon/juniper and ponderosa pine forest types, do not cut any Douglas fir, white fir, or spruce that may be present. Leave these species for stand diversity.
Q. Douglas fir, white fir and spruce shall only be cut in mixed-conifer forest types. The post-treatment species composition in mixed-conifer stands should contain an equal proportion of species as were present prior to treatments. There should be a diversity of size classes by species.
R. Do not cut any invasive trees species, such as Tree of Heaven, unless stumps can be sprayed with herbicide within 15-minutes of cutting.
S. In areas showing signs of erosion, spread chipped material to hold soil in place.
T. Do not cut trees or spread slash in arroyo bottoms.
U. On slopes of 10% or greater or in areas showing signs of erosion, the boles of trees can be contour felled for erosion control. The boles shall be placed in a way to prevent their movement by using stumps, rocks, or other obstructions.
V. Do not cut trees that are growing within the large rocks or boulders. Leave these areas as a group.
W. After thinning work has been completed, masticated material or chips shall be used to cover resulting access paths made by equipment during the project. Mulch depths in any road or travel path shall not exceed six inches. Repair of travel paths and roads must pass final inspection.
2) Piñon/juniper stands with the occasional (one to five trees per acre) ponderosa pine:
A. Thin piñon/juniper leaving variable sized groups of trees. Post-thinning stand structure shall have openings, groups of trees, and individual trees. Retained piñon/juniper groups shall have a variety of species and size classes. Avoid overcutting just one size class. Instead, leave a diversity of size classes for each species. Leave the same mix of piñon/juniper that was present prior to cutting. Do not remove any one species more heavily.
B. Groups shall fill a circle of at least 20-80 feet across. The groups shall be a variety of shapes and sizes and must always be separated with clearings.
C. Remove piñon and juniper from within 25-feet of the drip line of ponderosa pines greater than 25-feet in height. Remove piñon and juniper from within 25-feet of the drip lines of any large diameter or tall piñon or juniper standing well above the average canopy.
D. Remove all piñon and juniper trees within large oak motts. An oak mott is a stand of oak with multiple stems larger than six inches in diameter and eight feet or more in height.
E. If piñon ips (Ips confusus) begins to cause significant damage, limit thinning or slash treatments in piñon/juniper forest types between April 15th and October 15th .
3) Ponderosa pine stands with an understory of piñon/juniper:
A. Cut the ponderosa pine to create a heterogenous forest structure. Leave trees in variable sized groups. The groups shall have a variety of size classes. Avoid overcutting just one size class. Instead, leave a diversity of size classes for each species.
B. Groups shall fill a circle of at least 20-80 feet across. The groups shall be a variety of shapes and sizes and must always be separated with clearings. Small trees that create ladder fuels within the groups shall be removed. If tree canopies are touching, or nearly touching, those trees are considered as a group. Spacing can exist between the trunks of the trees in a group.
C. Remove piñon/juniper from within 15-feet of the drip line of ponderosa pine and large diameter or very tall piñon or juniper standing within or above the average canopy of ponderosa pine.
D. Retain piñon and juniper trees that do not create vertical and horizontal fuel continuity. Large diameter or tall piñon and juniper trees shall be retained.
E. Remove all piñon and juniper trees within large oak motts in the unit. An oak mott is a stand of oak with multiple stems larger than six inches in diameter and at least eight feet in height.
4) Ponderosa pine stands (mature or immature):
A. Cut the mature ponderosa pine to leave groups and create openings. In even-aged Ponderosa pine stands, increase spacing between trees and introduce openings into the canopy. Leave a variety of size classes whenever possible. Avoid overcutting one size class. Instead, leave a diversity of size classes for each species. Always retain the oldest and largest size classes of ponderosa pine.
B. Cut immature ponderosa into groups. Leave all seedling and sapling ponderosa that are already in groups of less than five feet in diameter. Protect the youngest age classes of ponderosa pine seedlings from damage caused by machinery.
C. Ponderosa pine groups shall fill a circle of at least 20-80 feet across. The groups shall be a variety of shapes and sizes but must always be separated with clearings.
5) Meadow Restoration Areas:
A. Cut all piñon and juniper within the identified meadow perimeter.
B. Cut all ponderosa pine except majestic ponderosa pine greater than 16 inches in diameter and greater than 25-feet in height.
C. Avoid creating new roads of any kind in restored meadows.
6)
If masticated material or chips are not used to cover roads, then hand constructed water bars shall be required on access roads where the grade is from 0 to 5% at intervals of 150 feet, where the grade is from 5% to 10% at intervals of 130 feet, where the grade is from 10% to 15% at intervals of 75 feet, and where the grade is from 15% to 40% at intervals of 50 feet.
The Entity will implement 115 acres of hazardous fuels reduction cost-share projects along the wildland-urban interface (WUI) of the Jemez Mountains in Sandoval County, New Mexico. This will include the Highway 485, Highway 4, Highway 126, Highway 550, and Highway 96 corridors. The Entity will assist private and non-federal public landowners by hiring local, qualified contractors to thin trees to densities consistent with United States Forest Service (USFS) and Forestry Division prescriptions. These densities are 40-60 sq. ft. of basal area (BA) in piñon-juniper woodlands and 60-80 sq. ft. of BA in ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests.. This project will be available to private and non-federal public landowners located in forested areas within the Cuba Soil & Water Conservation District (CSWCD) boundary (see Map 1).
This project area includes a variety of elevations supporting several vegetation types. These vegetation types are piñon-juniper, ponderosa pine, and mixed conifer. All forest types tend to be overstocked especially where thinning has not occurred recently.
The project's intent is to hire local thinning contractors from throughout the CSWCD service area whenever possible.
The objective of all project activities is to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and improve overall forest health. This project will benefit surrounding communities by reducing fuels on the landscape which will lower the risk of catastrophic wildfire and create a safer forest. This will reduce the chance of large-scale erosion events caused by forest fire which will protect the Jemez River watershed.
The Entity shall conduct thinning with the following considerations:
The acres to be treated, and forest management practices employed on each parcel of land, shall be determined in conjunction with the Forestry Division and will be specified in a property specific Practice Plan. Proposed projects shall have pre-treatment data collected on all sites prior to thinning. Forest management practices shall be based on site specific conditions, landowner objectives, forest health, and fire prevention. Treatments shall mimic historical ponderosa, piñon/juniper, and mixed conifer stand conditions. Remaining trees shall be left in variable sized groups to create a heterogenous forest structure. Thinning shall meet forest density standards of 40-60 sq. ft. of basal area (BA) in piñon-juniper woodlands and 60-80 sq. ft. of BA in ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests. These forest density standards can be exceeded if the project still meets fuels reduction objectives and there is an ecological reason for higher stand densities (ex. higher BA due to the retention of large diameter trees). If projects exceed the basal area standard, a justification must be provided in the practice plan or in the final inspection report.
The prescriptions that shall be implemented include:
1) Special considerations for all forest types:
A. Avoid cutting trees (live or dead) with nests in them.
B. A=Avoid cutting down trees (live or dead) with signs of cavity nesting activity.
C. Retain roost trees and trees with cavities when possible.
D. Retain large diameter standing dead trees (≥ 14 inches DBH) when possible.
E. For projects with high numbers of standing dead trees (snags), snags shall be removed to reduce fire risk and future surface fuel loading. Leave 2-5 snags per acre for habitat benefit. Prioritize leaving larger and older snags.
F. Do not cut any oak unless necessary for personal safety.
G. A group of trees must be at least three trees or more.
H. Where masticating operations are used, 70% percent of the mulched material shall be less than three inches in diameter and no longer than three feet in length. Mulch depth shall not be over five inches deep in any circumstance. No masticated material shall be allowed around the boles of leave trees. The masticator shall make no vertical pass longer than 75 feet up or down a slope.
I. Where chipping operations are used, all slash shall be chipped to an average of two inches or less with no single depth of chips greater than six inches.
J. Lop and scatter shall only be used when topography and access prevent equipment access and dragging of slash. Slash shall be cut to 2-3-foot lengths and spread to a layer less than 18" in height. Lopped material shall be spread in openings whenever possible. Leave gaps between scattered material to create breaks in fuel continuity.
K. Lop and scatter of wood can attract bark beetle and green slash can serve as a breeding ground for them. When implementing lop and scatter forests affected by bark beetle, take care to lop material to 2-foot lengths and spread material in openings and in a thin layer (< 12"). Material needs to be spread in a way that allows it to dry out as quickly as possible. Lop and scatter shall not occur between April 15th and October 15th if bark beetles are active.
L. Chipped, masticated, or lopped material shall not be banked against or touch the boles of leave trees.
M. Trees for removal shall be selected by choosing dead trees first followed by mistletoe-infested trees, insect infested trees, and trees that are lacking vigor. A variety of size classes by species must always be left to promote stand diversity.
N. Thin to emulate natural disturbance regimes (wildfire, drought, windthrow, etc.) which create a heterogenous forest structure characterized by individual trees, groups, and openings. Emulate naturally occurring variations in stand density based on topography (ex. higher tree densities in drainages and lower tree densities on south facing slopes). This method shall create the desired basal area without creating a uniform stand. Do not thin to any crown spacing guidelines.
O. All stumps that are left shall be half the diameter of the tree or six inches, whichever is less.
P. In piñon/juniper and ponderosa pine forest types, do not cut any Douglas fir, white fir, or spruce that may be present. Leave these species for stand diversity.
Q. Douglas fir, white fir and spruce shall only be cut in mixed-conifer forest types. The post-treatment species composition in mixed-conifer stands should contain an equal proportion of species as were present prior to treatments. There should be a diversity of size classes by species.
R. Do not cut any invasive trees species, such as Tree of Heaven, unless stumps can be sprayed with herbicide within 15-minutes of cutting.
S. In areas showing signs of erosion, spread chipped material to hold soil in place.
T. Do not cut trees or spread slash in arroyo bottoms.
U. On slopes of 10% or greater or in areas showing signs of erosion, the boles of trees can be contour felled for erosion control. The boles shall be placed in a way to prevent their movement by using stumps, rocks, or other obstructions.
V. Do not cut trees that are growing within the large rocks or boulders. Leave these areas as a group.
W. After thinning work has been completed, masticated material or chips shall be used to cover resulting access paths made by equipment during the project. Mulch depths in any road or travel path shall not exceed six inches. Repair of travel paths and roads must pass final inspection.
2) Piñon/juniper stands with the occasional (one to five trees per acre) ponderosa pine:
A. Thin piñon/juniper leaving variable sized groups of trees. Post-thinning stand structure shall have openings, groups of trees, and individual trees. Retained piñon/juniper groups shall have a variety of species and size classes. Avoid overcutting just one size class. Instead, leave a diversity of size classes for each species. Leave the same mix of piñon/juniper that was present prior to cutting. Do not remove any one species more heavily.
B. Groups shall fill a circle of at least 20-80 feet across. The groups shall be a variety of shapes and sizes and must always be separated with clearings.
C. Remove piñon and juniper from within 25-feet of the drip line of ponderosa pines greater than 25-feet in height. Remove piñon and juniper from within 25-feet of the drip lines of any large diameter or tall piñon or juniper standing well above the average canopy.
D. Remove all piñon and juniper trees within large oak motts. An oak mott is a stand of oak with multiple stems larger than six inches in diameter and eight feet or more in height.
E. If piñon ips (Ips confusus) begins to cause significant damage, limit thinning or slash treatments in piñon/juniper forest types between April 15th and October 15th .
3) Ponderosa pine stands with an understory of piñon/juniper:
A. Cut the ponderosa pine to create a heterogenous forest structure. Leave trees in variable sized groups. The groups shall have a variety of size classes. Avoid overcutting just one size class. Instead, leave a diversity of size classes for each species.
B. Groups shall fill a circle of at least 20-80 feet across. The groups shall be a variety of shapes and sizes and must always be separated with clearings. Small trees that create ladder fuels within the groups shall be removed. If tree canopies are touching, or nearly touching, those trees are considered as a group. Spacing can exist between the trunks of the trees in a group.
C. Remove piñon/juniper from within 15-feet of the drip line of ponderosa pine and large diameter or very tall piñon or juniper standing within or above the average canopy of ponderosa pine.
D. Retain piñon and juniper trees that do not create vertical and horizontal fuel continuity. Large diameter or tall piñon and juniper trees shall be retained.
E. Remove all piñon and juniper trees within large oak motts in the unit. An oak mott is a stand of oak with multiple stems larger than six inches in diameter and at least eight feet in height.
4) Ponderosa pine stands (mature or immature):
A. Cut the mature ponderosa pine to leave groups and create openings. In even-aged Ponderosa pine stands, increase spacing between trees and introduce openings into the canopy. Leave a variety of size classes whenever possible. Avoid overcutting one size class. Instead, leave a diversity of size classes for each species. Always retain the oldest and largest size classes of ponderosa pine.
B. Cut immature ponderosa into groups. Leave all seedling and sapling ponderosa that are already in groups of less than five feet in diameter. Protect the youngest age classes of ponderosa pine seedlings from damage caused by machinery.
C. Ponderosa pine groups shall fill a circle of at least 20-80 feet across. The groups shall be a variety of shapes and sizes but must always be separated with clearings.
5) Meadow Restoration Areas:
A. Cut all piñon and juniper within the identified meadow perimeter.
B. Cut all ponderosa pine except majestic ponderosa pine greater than 16 inches in diameter and greater than 25-feet in height.
C. Avoid creating new roads of any kind in restored meadows.
6)
If masticated material or chips are not used to cover roads, then hand constructed water bars shall be required on access roads where the grade is from 0 to 5% at intervals of 150 feet, where the grade is from 5% to 10% at intervals of 130 feet, where the grade is from 10% to 15% at intervals of 75 feet, and where the grade is from 15% to 40% at intervals of 50 feet.
The Department of the Interior (Department or DOI) is partially rescinding and making necessary
targeted updates to its remaining regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA),
which were promulgated to ''supplement'' now-rescinded Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA implementing regulations. Mindful that the Supreme Court recently clarified NEPA is a ''purely procedural statute,'' DOI will henceforth maintain the remainder of its NEPA procedures-- which apply only to DOI's internal processes--in a Handbook separate from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). This interim final rule requests comments on this action and related
matters to inform DOI's decision-making.
Environmental Assessment, Environmental Impact Statement, Proposed Rulemaking, Threatened or Endangered Species
U.S. Department of Agriculture National Environmental Policy Act Interim Final Rule Request for Public Comment
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is modifying and removing some of their regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). They are voluntarily requesting comments on this action.
Environmental Assessment, Environmental Impact Statement, Proposed Rulemaking, Threatened or Endangered Species
This is a request for an analysis of species and environmental issues in this area for a series of solar sites. The sites have not been identified, but I am looking at what environmental issues there could be in the area. This project would provide energy for the local populations in the area. I am not sure what else I can provide at this time since this is just a preliminary assessment. The project will not impact the floodplain of the Rio Grande River and would utilize undeveloped or previously developed/disturbed areas.
King Blvd Waterline Extension, Sandoval County, New Mexico
This projects consists of upgrading the existing water supply infrastructure by installing a new water transmission line along King blvd in Rio Rancho, NM. The U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District at the request of the City of Rio Rancho, proposes to install a new section of waterline between a newly redrilled Well 9 and an existing water system. The proposed waterline would extend from Well 9 to join existing water infrastructure at the end of King Blvd. NW. Except for a 600 meter long segment, the waterline would be installed within the beds of three existing unpaved roads (King blvd NW, Serenade St. NW and Phoenix Rd. NW). The total area of disturbance, including staging area, access routes and the installation of the new waterline would be approximately 33.4 ac. The trench of the new waterline pipe would be excavated with heavy machinery at a minimum depth of 3 ft. Construction activities related to this project would be conducted with standard earth-moving equipment, including but not limited to, backhoes, excavators, front-end loader, trenchers, compaction equipment and water trucks. Land ownership includes the City of Rio Rancho land at the existing Well 9, and as the right-of-way for the waterline expansion along King blvd. Construction is anticipated to commence around the early months of calendar-year 2026.
A general biological survey of the project area was conducted by Contractors on Feb 10th 2025. The proposed project would result in temporary minor adverse effects to vegetation within the project areas as some minor vegetation clearing would be required for construction. There are no jurisdictional wetlands within or nearby the project area; An intense (Class III) pedestrian archeological survey of the subject property was conducted on Jan 20th, 2025 by Contractor. The proposed project would result in insignificant adverse effects to cultural properties.
The purpose of the Proposed Action is to update the approved final cover design for the Large Tailings Pile
with an evapotranspiration cover and approve the use of borrow areas. Land disturbance under the Proposed Action will be in the large tailings pile, borrow areas to the north, west, and northwest of the tailings pile, and haul roads that connect the borrow areas to the tailings pile. The disturbed areas will be amended with compost and reseeded as discussed in the design report. The Proposed Action will take less than seven months to complete.
Reviewing potential project areas for potential threatened or endangered species and their habitats for potential solar devlopement.timeline is not know at this time.
reviewing project sites for potential presence/absence of T&E species and their habitat for potential solar development. timeline unknown at this time.
This is in the preliminary stages of the project. This project proposes to install a 3.5 MW electrolyzer and a 1.5 MW fuel cell and a 2-ton hydrogen gas storage capacity. A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is planned to be installed into a microgrid for more efficiency and sustainable energy distribution. This aims to provide the Picuris tribe their main source of energy. We are seeking correspondence with the USFWS as this Environmental Assessment requires concurrence for ESA Section 7
Freeport-McMoRan Chino (Chino) is proposing the development of two waste rock stockpiles adjacent to its Santa Rita open pit operations near Silver City, NM. The proposed Cloud 9 (C9) and Kessel Stockpile footprints would incorporate both private lands owned by Chino and public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management. A draft Mine Plan of Operations (MPO) and baseline studies to support environmental review and decision making were previously submitted to BLM for the C9 Stockpile. With the recent determination of the need for the Kessel Stockpile and upon further consultation with BLM, the construction of the two stockpiles will be incorporated into a single MPO amendment. The MPO amendment will be developed under a separate scope and contract. BLM is required to conduct an evaluation of the project under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This RFP assumes the BLM will require NEPA analysis at the level of an Environmental Assessment using a third-party consultant. Baseline studies for C9 have been completed to support BLM's previously planned in-house NEPA evaluation. These studies will be made available to the consultant for use in developing the NEPA evaluation for the combined C9 and Kessel Stockpile MPO modification. The target date for project completion, as signified by the predicted issuance of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is by July 1 of 2026.
Search for the Final Comment Letter for a project that technical guidance staff at New Mexico Department of Game and Fish have reviewed using the filters below. If you select multiple search terms in the "Search Terms" box, the filter will return all projects that are associated with at least one of the search terms you selected.
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