Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA)
01/01/2016 to 03/31/2016
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.
Project Name
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
Greater Sage-grouse
Management Direction Beaverhead-Deerlodge
National Forest
EIS
*UPDATED*
- Land management planning
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
Glen Stein
801-625-5281
gstein@fs.fed.us
In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register
12/05/2015
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal
Register 02/2016
Expected:02/2016
02/2016
Jan Bowey
406-842-5432
jbowey@fs.fed.us
Description: Preparation of a supplemental analysis for the Corrected FEIS for revision of the Beaverhead and Deerlodge
Forest Plans into the 2009 BDNF Forest Plan, in response to an August 27, 2015 Order from the U.S. District
Court for the District of Montana.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47722
Location:
UNIT - Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Beaverhead, Deer
Lodge, Gallatin, Granite, Jefferson, Madison, Powell, Silver Bow. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Entire BeaverheadDeerlodge National Forest, southwestern Montana.
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
01/01/2016 05:43 am MT
09/2015
UNIT - Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Beaverhead, Deer
Lodge. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.
- Land management planning
EIS
*UPDATED*
Actual: 09/16/2015
Description: The purpose of this project is to prepare environmental impact statements (EISs) and supplemental environmental
impact statements to incorporate greater sage-grouse conservation measures into Bureau of Land Management
land use plans and Forest Plans.
Web Link: http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/sagegrouse/eastern.html
Location:
Supplemental EIS - BDNF Land
& Resource Management Plan
to comply with District of Mont
Court Order
Completed
Project Contact
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R1 - Northern Region
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Project Name
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
NCRS SNOTEL Sites
Conversion Project
- Special use management
On Hold
Project Contact
N/A
N/A
CE
Patty Bates
406-683-3979
pbates@fs.fed.us
Description: Amend the terms of an existing permit under a National Memorandum of Understanding, to allow the Natural
Resources Conservation Service to automate 5 existing hydrometerological data collection sites with solar
powered data collection equipment
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44472
Location:
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Boulder Lowlands Vegetation
CE
*UPDATED*
Bruce Higgins
- Forest products
Completed
Actual: 11/13/2015
11/2015
406-777-7427
- Vegetation management
bdhiggins@fs.fed.us
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
Description: The purpose of the project is to increase the resiliency of the area to insect and disease infestations and reduce
the risk of wildfire to local communities and surrounding lands (federal, state and private).
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47023
UNIT - Butte Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Jefferson. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project area
is located between Butte and Boulder, Montana in Jefferson County (T4N, R7W, Sections 3, 4, 5, 9 and 10; T5N,
R7W, Sections 16, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34 and 35).
- Minerals and Geology
Completed
EA
*UPDATED*
Actual: 10/09/2015
10/2015
MaryBeth Marks
406-587-6709
mmarks@fs.fed.us
Description: Butte Highlands JV, LLC of Butte, Montana has submitted a Plan of Operations (POO) to use National Forest
System roads for activities that are incidental to their mining operations on private land.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=35069
Location:
01/01/2016 05:43 am MT
R1 - Northern Region
Butte Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Location:
Butte Highland Mine Haul Road
UNIT - Wise River Ranger District, Madison Ranger District, Wisdom Ranger District, Dillon Ranger District.
STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Beaverhead, Madison. LEGAL - T12S, R12W, Sec 19; T6S, R17W, Sec 29;
T3S, R11W, Sec 7; T1S, R 12W, Sec 11; T11S, R4W, Sec 18. Lima-Tendoy, Big Hole, Pioneer and Gravelly
Landscapes, see scoping letter for Management Areas.
UNIT - Butte Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Silver Bow. LEGAL - Township 1 North, Range 8
West, section 20. Approximately 8 miles west along Forest Service road #84 (Highland Road) to the National
Forest boundary.
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Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Project Name
Project Purpose
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
Project Contact
R1 - Northern Region
Butte Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Jocelyn Dodge
406-494-0246
jdodge@fs.fed.us
Ditch Saddle Trail #4143
Maintenance and Construction
Project
- Recreation management
CE
Description: Project proposed to reduce steep sections of trail and address public safety concerns and reduce sedimentation in
a fish key watershed by moving the trail away from the stream. The replaced sections of original tread would be
obliterated.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46479
*UPDATED*
Location:
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Birch-Willow-Lost
EIS
Completed
Actual: 07/29/2015
04/2016
UNIT - Butte Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Silver Bow. LEGAL - T2N,R10W, Section 36 and
T3N,R10W, Sections PB42 and 43; 9, 10
. Northeast Fleecer Management Area in the Upper Clark Fork Landscape.
R1 - Northern Region
Dillon Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Alex Dunn
- Vegetation management
On Hold
N/A
N/A
406-683-3864
(other than forest products)
adunn@fs.fed.us
- Watershed management
Description: Vegetation management treatments to meet Forest Plan desired conditions including removing encroaching
conifers in Sagebrush, Aspen, Mountain Mahogany, thinning Douglas-fir, daylighting Whitebark Pine.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=35859
Location:
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
UNIT - Dillon Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Beaverhead. Birch, Upper Willow, Lower Willow,
and Lost Creek Sub-Watersheds in the East Face Management Area of the Pioneer Landscape.
Jefferson Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Britton Amateur Radio Repeater - Special use management
CE
In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/20/2015
Expected:03/2015
05/2015
R1 - Northern Region
Don Despain
406-846-1770
ddespain@fs.fed.us
Description: Proposal to install an amateur radio repeater adjacent to the existing equipment at the Donald R. Communication
Site, currently occupied by Quest Corporation.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46463
Location:
01/01/2016 05:43 am MT
UNIT - Jefferson Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Jefferson. LEGAL - T1N, R6W, Section 19.
Located in the Jefferson River Landscape, Pipestone Management Area.
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Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Project Name
Project Purpose
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Canyon Trail #7077
Maintenance and Construction
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
Jefferson Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Recreation management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/20/2015
Expected:03/2015
05/2015
CE
Project Contact
R1 - Northern Region
Jocelyn Dodge
406-494-0246
jdodge@fs.fed.us
Description: Relocation and construction of 1600 ft. of new trail, maintenance and tread work on restoration on 1420 ft. of
existing trail, obliteration of 1590 ft. of old trail, installation of a 30 ft. rock turnpike, and hardening of one stream
crossing.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46466
Location:
Donald R. Communication Site
SUP Renewal
UNIT - Jefferson Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Jefferson. LEGAL - T1N, R6W, Sections 15
and 22. Located in the Pipestone Management Area in the Jefferson Landscape.
- Special use management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/23/2015
Expected:11/2015
01/2016
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Description: We propose to renew special use permit DLG 401103, which expires Dec. 31, in order that Qwest
Communications dba Century Link may continue operating a microwave communication tower on the site for 20
years.
Location:
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Antelope Basin Storage Tank
Project
UNIT - Jefferson Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Silver Bow. LEGAL - T1N, R6W, Section 19.
Jefferson River Landscape, Pipestone Management Area, southeast of Butte.
Madison Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Grazing management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/23/2015
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Expected:12/2015
06/2016
R1 - Northern Region
Kevin Suzuki
406-682-4253
ksuzuki@fs.fed.us
Description: Proposal to install a water storage tank to increase the efficiency of the current stock water pipeline, converting the
majority of the pipeline to a gravity run system instead of a electric pump driven system.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48001
Location:
01/01/2016 05:43 am MT
David Sabo
208-756-5279
dsabo@fs.fed.us
UNIT - Madison Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Beaverhead. LEGAL - T13S, R2E, Sec 5.
Gravelly Landscape %u2013 Antelope Basin Management Area.
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Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Project Name
Project Purpose
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Cataract Creek - Mountain
Meadow Plan of Operations
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
Madison Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Minerals and Geology
Completed
10/2015
Actual: 09/28/2015
CE
*UPDATED*
R1 - Northern Region
Licette Hammer
406-683-3911
lhammer@fs.fed.us
Description: Mine dumps and waste rock from mine sites will be hauled to a processing site on private land. All transportation
on public land would be under permit on existing open routes on the BDNF and BLM. This project will be done in a
single field season.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46312
Location:
Crockett Lake Whitebark Pine
Demonstration
Project Contact
UNIT - Madison Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Madison. LEGAL - T 2S, R 3W Sec. 16, 21.
The Mountain Meadow, Ben Harrison and Bozeman mines are located in the Tobacco Root Landscape in the
Brown Back and Tobacco Root Peaks management areas.
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/23/2014
10/2014
Expected:08/2014
CE
Paul Roose
406-682-4253
plroose@fs.fed.us
Description: This project is intended to remove all conifers and slash (except limber pine) from the understory in identified
whitebark pine stands in order to reduce competition and increase sunlight so that the WBP reproduces fully and
faster.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=34987
Location:
Ramshorn Creek Reciprocal
Trail Access
UNIT - Madison Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Madison. LEGAL - T9S, R2W,Section 5.
Gravelly Landscape, Upper Ruby and Wigwam-Cherry Managment Areas.
- Special use management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/23/2015
12/2015
Expected:11/2015
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Description: Proposal to exchange a permit for motorized access to private land on 1320 feet of an old jeep road closed to
motorized traffic for an easement across private land for the same distance to maintain public access along the
Ramshorn Creek Trail #6016
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48000
Location:
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
01/01/2016 05:43 am MT
Kevin Suzuki
406-682-4253
ksuzuki@fs.fed.us
UNIT - Madison Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Madison. LEGAL - T4S, R3W, Sec 29.
Tobacco Root Landscape %u2013 Tobacoo Root Peaks Management Area.
Pintler Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
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R1 - Northern Region
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Project Name
Project Purpose
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Finley Basin Minerals
Exploration Project
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Pintler Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Minerals and Geology
Completed
Actual: 11/13/2015
05/2016
EA
*UPDATED*
EIS
Steve Kelley
406-494-0222
slkelley@fs.fed.us
Description: Finley Mining Inc.proposes to drill 12 exploration holes using a track mounted drill rig that can be dismantled for
use with a helicopter. If the 4 drill sites are encouraging then up to 6 more sites maybe drilled. Roads will not be
constructed.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46001
Location:
Flint Foothills Vegetation
Management Project
Project Contact
UNIT - Pintler Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Powell. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The proposed
area of exploration is located in T7N, R12W, sections 11 and 14, in the Finley Basin area approximately 11 miles
east of Philipsburg.
- Forest products
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register
10/19/2012
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal
Register 12/2015
Expected:12/2015
01/2016
Charlene Bucha Gentry
406 859-3211
CGentry@fs.fed.us
Description: 1) Salvage dead and dying lodgepole pine
2) Commercial thin ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir
3) Use prescribed fire in low and mid-elevation mixed conifer stands to promote resiliency
4) Pre-commercial thin young stands
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=33238
Location:
UNIT - Pintler Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Granite, Powell. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Flint
Foothills and Flint Uplands Management Areas located south of Interstate 90 between Drummond and Deer
Lodge.
Patty Bates
406-683-3979
pbates@fs.fed.us
Master SUP Amendments to
bury power & phone lines
under Stony Creek Road.
- Special use management
CE
Description: The proposal would authorize NorthWest Energy & Blackfoot Telephone Co. a right-of-way approximately 1,850
feet long by 2 feet wide in order to bury electric and phone conduits for a private residence 3 feet deep in the Stony
Creek Roadbed.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48006
*NEW LISTING*
Location:
01/01/2016 05:43 am MT
In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/26/2015
Expected:11/2015
11/2015
UNIT - Pintler Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Granite. LEGAL - T7N, R16E, Sec 21. Upper
Clark Fork Landscape, Stony Management Area.
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Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Project Name
Project Purpose
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Whetstone Ridge Trail #8020
Relocation
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Pintler Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Recreation management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/17/2015
Expected:05/2015
Project Contact
06/2015
CE
David Rouse
406-859-3211
dmrouse@fs.fed.us
Description: We propose to construct 4.7 miles of new trail and obliterate 1.4 miles of the old trail tread, in order to reroute the
Whetstone Ridge Trail to resolve safety, erosion and public access concerns posed at the existing location.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46741
Location:
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Chief Joseph Cross Country
Ski Trail Hazard Tree Removal
UNIT - Pintler Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Granite. LEGAL - T4N, R16 W, Sections 4,9,29
and T4N, R17 W, Section 36. Upper Rock Creek Landscape, Sapphire Mountains Wilderness Study Area and
Ross Fork MAs in the Sapphire Inventoried Roadless Area.
R1 - Northern Region
Wisdom Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Recreation management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/23/2011
Expected:08/2014
09/2014
CE
Nathan Gassmann
406-784-2344
ngassmann@fs.fed.us
Description: Remove hazard trees over the course of 10 years, to reduce the risk posed to skiers and hikers on this trail system
(over 7000 visitors annually) by commercial means if possible. Force account or service contracts will be employed
otherwise.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=36827
Location:
UNIT - Wisdom Ranger District. STATE - Idaho, Montana. COUNTY - Lemhi, Beaverhead, Ravalli. LEGAL - T
2S, R 19W, Sections 2, 3, 35, 36,. Trail Creek Management Area, Big Hole Landscape.
Nathan Gassmann
406-784-2344
ngassmann@fs.fed.us
Chief Joseph Ski Trail
Maintenance &
Construction
- Recreation management
CE
Description: Project would re-shaping the existing road prism on the old log hauling routes used as ski trails and dig stumps on
approximately 32 kilometers of cross country ski trails and construct a connector trail between Moose and Sentinel
Meadow trails.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=36828
Location:
01/01/2016 05:43 am MT
On Hold
N/A
N/A
UNIT - Wisdom Ranger District. STATE - Idaho, Montana. COUNTY - Lemhi, Beaverhead, Ravalli. LEGAL - T
2S, R 19W, Sections 2 and 3. Trail Creek Management Area, Big Hole Landscape, a small portion of the trails
overlaps on the Bitterroot and Salmon/Challis National Forests.
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Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Project Name
Project Purpose
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
North and West Big Hole
Allotment Mangement Plans
Planning Status
Decision
Wisdom Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Grazing management
In Progress:
Expected:01/2016
EIS
*UPDATED*
Expected
Implementation
06/2016
Project Contact
R1 - Northern Region
Jessica Dhaemers
406-689-3243
jdhaemers@fs.fed.us
Description: Updating the allotment management plans for 11 grazing allotments.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37978
Location:
UNIT - Wisdom Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Beaverhead, Deer Lodge. LEGAL - Not
Applicable. On the Wisdon and Wise River Ranger Districts of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial
status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited
bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at
(202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA
is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.
01/01/2016 05:43 am MT
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Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest