Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) 04/01/2016 to 06/30/2016 Flathead 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 Project Contact R1 - Northern Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide) Bob Marshall Wilderness Outfitter and Guide Permit Reissuance - Recreation management - Special use management CE Description: Reissuance of existing outfitter and guide permits in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44827 Location: FNF Plan Revision & NCDE GBCS Amendment to the Lolo, Helena, Lewis & Clark,and Kootenai NFs *UPDATED* 04/01/2016 04:07 am MT 04/2015 Debbie Mucklow 406-758-6464 dmucklow@fs.fed.us In Progress: NOI in Federal Register 03/06/2015 Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 04/2016 Expected:12/2017 12/2017 Joseph Krueger 406-758-5243 jkrueger@fs.fed.us Description: The Flathead NF is revising their forest plan and preparing an amendment providing relevant direction from the NCDE Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy into the forest plans for the Lolo, Helena, Kootenai, and Lewis & Clark National Forests. Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/flathead/fpr Location: Flathead National Forest Expected:04/2015 UNIT - Swan Lake Ranger District, Hungry Horse Ranger District, Lincoln Ranger District, Rocky Mountain Ranger District, Seeley Lake Ranger District, Spotted Bear Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY Flathead, Glacier, Lewis and Clark, Missoula, Pondera, Powell, Teton. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. - Land management planning EIS In Progress: Scoping Start 03/29/2014 UNIT - Kootenai National Forest All Units, Lewis And Clark National Forest All Units, Flathead National Forest All Units, Helena National Forest All Units, Lolo National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Flathead, Glacier, Granite, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Pondera, Powell, Sanders, Teton. LEGAL Not Applicable. Flathead National Forest; portions of the Lolo, Kootenai, Helena, and Lewis & Clark NF found in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (grizzly bears). Glacier View Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Page 1 of 8 R1 - Northern Region Flathead National Forest Project Name Flathead National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R1 - Northern Region Glacier View Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Big Creek Log Jam Removal - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants CE *NEW LISTING* In Progress: Scoping Start 03/16/2016 Expected:04/2016 05/2016 FEC Line Install Canyon Groomer Shed UNIT - Glacier View Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Flathead. LEGAL - Not Applicable. 2 miles below the Skookoleel Bridge on Big Creek in sect. 25, T33N, R21W. - Special use management Completed Actual: 02/26/2016 03/2016 CE *UPDATED* Red Meadow Reciprocal Road Easement UNIT - Glacier View Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Flathead. LEGAL - Section 9, T31N, R20 W. Near Groomer shed on Canyon Creek Road approx. 6 miles north of Columbia Falls, MT along County road 486 (North Fork Road). - Special use management Developing Proposal Est. Scoping Start 01/2016 Expected:04/2016 CE 05/2016 Len Newton 406-758-5335 lnewton01@fs.fed.us Description: Proposal to grant a nonexclusive perpetual easement for use of an existing road (known locally as East Red Meadow Drive) for legal easement access into private lands. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44783 Location: 04/01/2016 04:07 am MT Sadie Wehunt 406-758-5364 sadieawehunt@fs.fed.u s Description: Extend a primary single phase 7,200 volt underground distribution line to serve the groomer shed at the snowmobile parking lot on Canyon Creek Rd. Roughly 1000' to the east FEC maintains a line parallel to the North Fork Rd and wishes to extend. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48093 Location: Flathead National Forest Pat VanEimeren 406-387-3863 pvaneimeren@fs.fed.us Description: Open a log jam that has formed in Big Creek to provide upstream passage for bull trout to historic spawning reaches. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=49008 Location: *UPDATED* Project Contact UNIT - Glacier View Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Flathead. LEGAL - Over and across the following described lands in the County of Flathead, State of Montana, S1/2 SE1/4, S. 6, NE1/4 NE1/4 S. 7 and NW1/4 NW1/4, S. 8, T. 35 N., R. 21 W. This road is East of the North Fork Road, directly across from FS Rd 155, (the Red Meadows Road) and crosses the southern edge of public lands in Section 6 (T. 35 N., R. 21 W. P.M.,M). Hungry Horse Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Page 2 of 8 R1 - Northern Region Flathead National Forest Project Name Flathead National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R1 - Northern Region Hungry Horse Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Patrol Ridge Radio Repeater Relocation - Facility management On Hold N/A CE Project Contact N/A Eric Proctor 406-758-5270 eproctor@fs.fed.us Description: Proposal to relocate the existing Patrol Ridge radio repeater from its existing site to approximately 1 mile southwest along Patrol Ridge to a better location for radio communication coverage. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44782 Location: Flathead National Forest Betty Baptiste EA Spotted Bear Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) R1 - Northern Region Sarah Canepa - Recreation management In Progress: Expected:08/2016 09/2016 406-295-7426 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Scoping Start 10/05/2012 scanepa@fs.fed.us - Forest products Est. Comment Period Public - Vegetation management Notice 03/2016 (other than forest products) - Road management Description: A project to increase forest productivity/diversity/health; provide forest products; manage/improve wildlife habitat & security; improve fish passage; improve recreation/safety values in recreation sites; & improve scenic views along Road 38. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=40128 Location: 04/01/2016 04:07 am MT UNIT - Hungry Horse Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Flathead. LEGAL - T28N, R14W, SE 1/4 Section 14. Located west of Granite Creek in the Skyland-Challenge area, approximately 4 miles in on FS Rd 1651 from the junction of FS Rd 569 and FS Rd 1651 on NFS land 300 ft outside the Great Bear Wilderness. UNIT - Spotted Bear Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Flathead. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area is located on the east side of Hungry Horse Reservoir, bounded to the north by Paint Creek, to the south by South Dry Parks Creek and to the east by the Great Bear Wilderness boundary. Page 3 of 8 Flathead National Forest Project Name Flathead National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Spotted Bear Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Expected Implementation Project Contact R1 - Northern Region Matthew Shaffer Trail Creek Fire Salvage Project - Land management planning Developing Proposal Expected:01/2017 01/2017 406-758-3508 Recreation management Est. Scoping Start 01/2016 EA matthewshaffer@fs.fed. Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants *NEW LISTING* us - Forest products - Vegetation management (other than forest products) - Watershed management - Road management Description: A project to recover merchantable wood fiber, reforest desired tree and shrub species, prevent the creation of a fish barrier, improve public safety; this project also includes site specific amendment. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48619 Location: Flathead National Forest Beaver Creek Landscape Restoration Project EA *UPDATED* Swan Lake Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) R1 - Northern Region Sarah Canepa - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Expected:06/2016 07/2016 406-837-7510 - Forest products Comment Period Public Notice scanepa@fs.fed.us - Vegetation management 12/23/2015 (other than forest products) - Fuels management - Watershed management - Road management Description: Project will reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire and reduce fuels; improve habitat for wildlife; improve forest health; improve watershed conditions; remediate invasions of exotic species; and provide wood products. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43968 Location: 04/01/2016 04:07 am MT UNIT - Spotted Bear Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Flathead. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Approximately two miles northeast of Spotted Bear Ranger Station. UNIT - Swan Lake Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Missoula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project area is bordered by Lindbergh Lake and the Mission Mountains Wilderness to the west, the Swan River to the north, Hwy 83 to the east, and the Lolo National Forest to the south. Page 4 of 8 Flathead National Forest Project Name Flathead National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R1 - Northern Region Swan Lake Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Blacktail Road Project - Road management EA *NEW LISTING* In Progress: Scoping Start 02/01/2016 Est. Comment Period Public Notice 07/2016 Expected:11/2016 Project Contact 06/2017 Joleen Dunham 406-837-7538 jdunham@fs.fed.us Description: To stabilize and restore the Blacktail Road from the end of the Flathead County jurisdiction, milepost 3.43, to the top of Blacktail Mountain at milepost 13.87 Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48669 Location: Bug Creek Forest Health and Fuels Reduction Project EIS Matthew Shaffer - Recreation management Developing Proposal Expected:06/2017 06/2018 406-758-3508 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Est. NOI in Federal Register matthewshaffer@fs.fed. - Forest products 11/2015 us - Fuels management - Watershed management - Road management Description: This project will consider the following actions: Fuels reduction treatments, commercial timber sales, reclamation of roads, and installation and/or approval of existing mountain bike trails. Location: Chilly James Restoration Project UNIT - Swan Lake Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Flathead. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Blacktail Road in the Island Unit of the Swan Lake Ranger District near Lakeside, Montana. UNIT - Swan Lake Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Flathead. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Two miles south southeast of Bigfork Montana. - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: EA *UPDATED* 05/2016 Beth Gardner 406-837-7508 bgardner@fs.fed.us Description: Watershed restortion project to improve fish habitat in the Jim and Cold Creek Watersheds. These two watersheds contain important bull trout spawning habitat. Jim Creek is considered "impaired" by the MT DEQ. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=42508 Location: 04/01/2016 04:07 am MT Expected:04/2016 UNIT - Swan Lake Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lake, Missoula. LEGAL - Secs 4-9, 16-18 T20N R17W; Secs 1-5, 8-12, 14-16 T20N R18W; Secs 3-10, 15-22, 27-34 T21N R17W; Secs 1-4, 8-17, 2029, 32-36 T21N R18W; Secs 20-21, 28-34 T22N R17W; Sections 34-36 T22N R18W. This project is located within the Jim and Cold Creek watersheds of the Swan River valley, including smaller, unnamed watersheds between them. Page 5 of 8 Flathead National Forest Project Name Flathead National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact R1 - Northern Region Swan Lake Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Sue Tebay (406)837-7521 stebay@fs.fed.us Cold Jim Fuels Reduction and Forest Health Management Project - Forest products - Fuels management EA Description: Proposal to harvest timber and interplant on approximately 1245 acres of NFS lands. An estimated 1185 acres of this harvest activity is located within the Wildland Urban Interface. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=38024 Location: In Progress: Scoping Start 03/17/2014 Expected:11/2015 12/2015 UNIT - Swan Lake Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lake, Missoula. LEGAL - T22N, R17W Sections 21, 28, 290, 31-34; T21N, R17W Sections 3-10, 15-22, 27-33, T21N, R18W Sections 1-4, 8-17, 2029, 32-36; T20N, R18W Sections 1-5, 8-12, 14-15; T20N, R17W Sections 5-6. The project area lies in the Swan Valley, three miles northwest of the community of Condon MT. Joleen Dunham 406-837-7538 jdunham@fs.fed.us Missoula Electric Coop Line Burial Project (T21N, R17W, Section 4) - Special use management CE Description: MEC has requested to bury 660 feet of new power line across National Forest System lands to private property located in Township 21 North, Range 17 West in Section 4. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48678 *NEW LISTING* Location: Smith Creek Fish Barrier Project In Progress: Scoping Start 02/03/2016 Expected:03/2016 UNIT - Swan Lake Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lake. LEGAL - Not Applicable. T21N, R17W, Section 4; Approximately 6 miles north of Condon. - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Completed Actual: 01/26/2016 CE *UPDATED* 04/01/2016 04:07 am MT 08/2016 Beth Gardner 406-837-7508 bgardner@fs.fed.us Description: Install a fish migration barrier to reduce displacement of genetically pure or nearly pure cutthroat trout by nonnative rainbow trout in Smith Creek in the Swan Valley. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48032 Location: Flathead National Forest 07/2016 UNIT - Swan Lake Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Missoula. LEGAL - Section 29 of T21N R16W. Smith Creek near Condon, Montana on the Swan Lake District of the Flathead National Forest. Tally Lake Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Page 6 of 8 R1 - Northern Region Flathead National Forest Project Name Flathead National Forest Project Purpose CE Radnor Resource Management Project EA R1 - Northern Region UNIT - Tally Lake Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Flathead. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project is located approximately 10 miles west of Kalispell, MT. UNIT - Tally Lake Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Flathead. LEGAL - Not Applicable. This project is located immediately Northwest of Olney, MT. This is the northern border of the Tally Lake Ranger District. Matthew Shaffer - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Expected:03/2017 06/2017 406-758-3508 - Forest products Scoping Start 06/26/2015 matthewshaffer@fs.fed. - Vegetation management Est. Comment Period Public us (other than forest products) Notice 01/2016 - Fuels management - Watershed management Description: A project to Improve forest stand conditions, reduce hazardous fuels, reduce sediment and improve water quality, maintain and improve wildlife species security and habitat, and provide commercial and personal-use wood products. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47257 Location: 04/01/2016 04:07 am MT Project Contact Tamara MacKenzie - Forest products In Progress: Expected:03/2016 06/2016 406-758-3528 - Vegetation management Scoping Start 01/22/2014 tlmackenzie@fs.fed.us (other than forest products) - Fuels management Description: A project to improve forest tree structure and species composition and reduce hazardous fuels by promoting stands that are resilient to insects and disease. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43573 Location: Salish Good Resource Management Project Expected Implementation Deb Bond - Forest products In Progress: Expected:01/2016 02/2016 406-758-5318 - Vegetation management Scoping Start 12/04/2015 dbond01@fs.fed.us (other than forest products) - Fuels management Description: This project would occur in an insect and disease area designated under section 602 and 603 of the Healthy Forest Restoration Act; one objective of this project will be to reduce the risk or extent of, or increase resilience to, insect & disease. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46451 Location: *UPDATED* Decision Tally Lake Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Lost Beetle Forest Health Improvement Project CE Planning Status UNIT - Tally Lake Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Flathead, Lincoln. LEGAL - T31N R23W Sections 4-7;T31N R24W Sections 1-10,12,16-20;T31N R25W Sections 1-36;T31N R26W 1-3,10-16, 2226;T32N R23W Sections 19,29-33;T32N R24W 8,9,15-36;T32N R25W Sections 13, 19-36;T32N R25W 26,27. This project is located approximately 20 miles northwest of Whitefish, MT. Page 7 of 8 Flathead National Forest Project Name Flathead National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R1 - Northern Region Tally Lake Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Swaney Range Allotment Project - Grazing management EA In Progress: Scoping Start 12/23/2013 Est. Comment Period Public Notice 11/2015 Expected:04/2016 Project Contact 04/2016 Tamara MacKenzie 406-758-3528 tlmackenzie@fs.fed.us Description: An analysis to update the Allotment Management Plan for the Swaney Range Allotment consistent with Forest Plan goals and objetives while protecting natural resources. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43398 Location: Whitefish Municipal Watershed Fuels Reduction Project EA UNIT - Tally Lake Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Flathead. LEGAL - T31N R25W Multiple Sections, T31N R24 W Multiple Sections. The project is located in the central portion of the Tally Lake Ranger District. - Forest products Developing Proposal Expected:06/2016 - Vegetation management Est. Scoping Start 11/2015 (other than forest products) - Fuels management - Watershed management Description: A project to manage fuels within the Whitefish Municipal Watershed. 09/2016 Deb Bond 406-758-5318 dbond01@fs.fed.us Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47771 Location: UNIT - Tally Lake Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Flathead. LEGAL - T31N, R21W, Sec. 3 to 9; T31N, R22W, Sec. 1 and 12; T32N, R21W, Sec. 31 to 33. Approximately four miles north and east of Whitefish, Montana. 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This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact. 04/01/2016 04:07 am MT Page 8 of 8 Flathead National Forest