Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA)
04/01/2014 to 06/30/2014
Helena National Forest
This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.
Project Name
Helena National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Helena Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
City of Helena Permit Change
and Reissuance
- Special use management
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 11/2013
Expected:01/2014
Project Contact
01/2014
CE
Heather Degeest
406-449-5490
comments-northernhelenahelena@fs.fed.us
Description: The City of Helena proposed an increase right of way width from 7.5 feet to 100 feet on either side of the flume
structure to reduce risk to wildfire and tree strikes. All other permit authorizations remain the same
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=42061
Location:
Divide Travel Plan
UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The
proposal applies to upper Tenmile southwest of Helena, MT.
- Road management
EIS
In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register
09/08/2011
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal
Register 03/2014
Expected:01/2015
06/2015
Jaime Tompkins
406-449-5201
comments-northernhelena@fs.fed.us
Description: Travel management analysis for summer and winter motorized use; to provide a manageable system of
designated public motorized routes and areas consistent with 36 CFR 261.13. A programmatic Forest Plan
amendment for elk hiding coverage is included.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=24091
Location:
Helena Lion's Club
Organization (Sunshine) Camp
Permit Reissuance
UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark, Powell. LEGAL - Not
Applicable. Ten Mile drainage, Little Blackfoot drainage, and area towards Meyers Hill.
- Recreation management
- Special use management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/28/2014
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Expected:03/2014
03/2014
Gabe Witham
406-449-5490
comments-northernhelenahelena@fs.fed.us
Description: The goal of this project is to ¬¬re-issue a 20 year permit authorizing the YMCA to continue using the
Lion%u2019s Club Organization Camp
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43606
Location:
04/01/2014 04:42 am MT
UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Powell. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Road #227
Little Black Foot River drainage.
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Helena National Forest
Project Name
Helena National Forest
Holiday Private Access
EA
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
Project Contact
R1 - Northern Region
Helena Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Mark Hunting
- Recreation management
On Hold
N/A
N/A
406-495-3912
- Special use management
mhunting@fs.fed.us
- Road management
Description: Special use application requesting access to private land. An exchange of reciprocal easements is possible,
depending on alternative selected.
Location:
UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Powell. LEGAL - T 8 N, R 6 W, Sec. 6. Little
Blackfoot River/Telegraph Creek.
Lewis and Clark County Hedges - Special use management
Mtn. Communications Use
On Hold
N/A
N/A
CE
Mark Hunting
406-495-3912
mhunting@fs.fed.us
Description: Special use application for long-term occupancy of site on Hedges Mtn. for communications use.
Location:
Murfitt Radio Special Use
Permit Reissuance
UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T 11 N, R 1 E, Sec.
6. Hedges Mtn.
- Special use management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/30/2013
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Expected:02/2014
03/2014
Mark Hunting
406-449-5201
comments-northernhelenahelena@fs.fed.us
Description: This HAM radio use based on Hogback Mountain was orginally authorized in 1992 and conveyed to the current
holder upon the death of the previous holder.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43610
Location:
04/01/2014 04:42 am MT
UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable.
Hogback Mountain Communications Site, Hogback Lookout.
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Helena National Forest
Project Name
Helena National Forest
Project Purpose
Decision
Expected
Implementation
- Recreation management
- Watershed management
- Road management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/20/2013
Expected:01/2014
Project Contact
R1 - Northern Region
Helena Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
North Elkhorns Restoration
Project
CE
Planning Status
07/2014
Autumn Coleman
406-449-5490
comments-northernhelenahelena@fs.fed.us
Description: The goals of this project are to reduce resource damage and unsafe activities occurring along roadways and
trailheads in the North Elkhorns Mountains
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43397
Location:
PPSR Private Access
CE
UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Jefferson. LEGAL - The legal description for
this project is Township 9 North Range 2 West, Township 8 North Range 2 West and 3 West. The project area
extends north from the Middle Fork of Warm Springs Creek (FS Road 4016) to the Forest Boundary and east to
the Crystal Creek trailhead on Forest Road 4017.
- Recreation management
On Hold
N/A
- Special use management
- Road management
Description: Special use application requesting access to private land.
Location:
Scott Johnson
406-495-3795
sbjohnson@fs.fed.us
UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Jefferson. LEGAL - T8N, R2W, Sec.2. Elkhorn
Mountains.
Red Mountain Flume Chessman - Watershed management
Reservoir Project
EA
N/A
In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice
08/20/2013
Expected:02/2014
01/2015
Heather Degeest
406-449-5490
comments-northernhelenahelena@fs.fed.us
Description: Removal of hazards and fuels from along the Red Mountain Flume and around the Chessman Reservoir to reduce
the likelihood of damage to the municipal watershed infrastructure.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41571
Location:
04/01/2014 04:42 am MT
UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T.8N. R.5W. Sec. 14, 9, 11 & 12. Project is located in the Upper Tenmile Municipal Watershed about 10 air miles southwest from the
city of Helena.
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Helena National Forest
Project Name
Helena National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Helena Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Rimini Substation Project
- Special use management
Completed
Actual: 01/29/2014
Project Contact
03/2014
CE
Mark Hunting
406-449-5201
comments-northernhelenahelena@fs.fed.us
Description: This project would authorize Baxendale Fire Department to construct, maintain, and use a 3 bay fire station near
the community of Rimini. Baxendale Fire feels that the addition of a substation would decrease response times to
area emergencies.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=42658
Location:
Skelton Private Access
EA
Mark Hunting
- Recreation management
On Hold
N/A
N/A
406-495-3831
- Special use management
mhunting@fs.fed.us
- Road management
Description: Special use application requesting private access to two separate tracts of private land. An exchange of reciprocal
easements will be required, thus allowing the public access to adjacent NFS lands.
Location:
Sky Top Special Use Permit
UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable.
Project would be located directly off of Rimini Road at the old EPA waste water treatment plant.
UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T 12 N, R 1 W, Sec.
31, T 13N, R 1 E, Sec. 19. Soup Creek, Elk Ridge.
- Special use management
Completed
CE
Actual: 01/13/2014
02/2014
Mark Hunting
406-449-5201
comments-northernhelenahelena@fs.fed.us
Description: This project would authorized members and agents of the Sky Top Ranch access to private land. In 2012
ownership of the land changed from the Heller Land and Cattle Co. to the Sky Top Ranch effectively terminating
the previous authorization.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=42657
Location:
04/01/2014 04:42 am MT
UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The
road is commonly referred to as the Heller Evanson road junctions with Travis Creek road at the Travis Creek and
Buffalo Creek confluence.
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Helena National Forest
Project Name
Helena National Forest
Project Purpose
Decision
Expected
Implementation
- Forest products
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register
07/20/2012
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal
Register 01/2014
Expected:01/2015
Project Contact
R1 - Northern Region
Helena Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Telegraph Vegetation Project
EIS
Planning Status
04/2016
Sharon Scott
406-495-3943
sascott@fs.fed.us
Description: This project is designed to be responsive to mountain pine beetle outbreak by recovering economic value of dead
and dying wood, reducing hazardous fuels, promoting desireable regeneration, and maintaining diverse wildlife
habitats.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30353
Location:
Warm Springs Habitat
Enhancement Project
EIS
Jan Fauntleroy
- Vegetation management
On Hold
N/A
N/A
406-449-5201
(other than forest products)
jfauntleroy@fs.fed.us
- Fuels management
Description: Treat appx. 4500 acres to develop and/or maintain mature habitat structures where possible, address mountain
pine beetle infestation and fuel hazard, and manage the landscape and fuel loadings so that stand replacement fire
is less likely.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30351
Location:
Helena National Forest
Alice Creek Wildlife
Enhancement Project
CE
UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Jefferson. 10 miles south of Helena in the Warm
Springs drainage.
Lincoln Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
R1 - Northern Region
Pat Shanley
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress:
Expected:02/2014
09/2014
406-362-7006
- Vegetation management
Scoping Start 02/27/2011
pshanley@fs.fed.us
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
Description: This project improves big game winter range by reducing conifer encroachment within native grasslands. In
addition to creating and maintaining natural openings and improving stand structure, burning will improve forage
quality and quantity.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=34765
Location:
04/01/2014 04:42 am MT
UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Powell. LEGAL - Not Applicable. 15 miles
southwest of Helena and 5 miles south of Elliston, MT in the Little Blackfoot andTelegraph drainages.
UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T16N, R7W,
sections 10,11,14 and 15. The headwaters of Alice Creek just west and north of Lewis and Clark Pass.
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Helena National Forest
Project Name
Helena National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Lincoln Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Baldy Mountain Sampling
- Minerals and Geology
CE
In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/19/2011
Expected:11/2013
Project Contact
11/2013
Gabe Witham
406-449-5490
gwitham@fs.fed.us
Description: The operator proposes to remove sample materials from the side of Forest road #1826. His plan is to remove
sample material for testing to a private site, then return the tested materials to the test pit.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37294
Location:
Blackfoot Travel Plan (nonwinter)
EIS
Amber Kamps
- Regulations, Directives,
In Progress:
Expected:07/2014
09/2014
406-362-7000
Orders
DEIS NOA in Federal Register
akamps@fs.fed.us
- Land management planning
01/26/2013
- Recreation management
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal
- Road management
Register 02/2014
Description: This is for non-winter motorized use to provide a manageable system of designated public motorized and nonmotorized access routes and areas that would be consistent with 36 CFR 261.13. A programmatic Forest Plan
Amendment is also included.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30899
Location:
Dalton Mountain Forest
Restoration and Fuels
Reduction Project
EIS
UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T13N, R08W,Sec
08. Poorman Creek drainage.
UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark, Powell. LEGAL - Not
Applicable. Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena National Forest, excluding the Scapegoat Wilderness.
- Forest products
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register
11/16/2011
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal
Register 09/2014
Expected:08/2015
10/2016
Jan Fauntleroy
406-449-5201
jfauntleroy@fs.fed.us
Description: This project will address stand health and related fuel hazards in an area with expanding insect infestations
(mountain pine beetle).
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37404
Location:
04/01/2014 04:42 am MT
UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Five
miles southeast of Lincoln, MT.
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Helena National Forest
Project Name
Helena National Forest
Project Purpose
CE
Expected
Implementation
Sauerkraut Creek Restoration
R1 - Northern Region
UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T13N, R10W,
section 16. In the Wasson Creek and Wilson Creek areas.
- Watershed management
CE
*NEW LISTING*
In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal
Notice 02/05/2014
Expected:05/2014
06/2014
Timothy Olson
406-495-3738
taolson@fs.fed.us
Description: This project proposal is to restore 770 feet of Sauerkraut Creek above the historic wall structure by relocating the
channel to the center of the valley and reconnecting relic and intact floodplain surfaces.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43649
Location:
Stonewall Creek Restoration
Project Contact
Jan Fauntleroy
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress:
Expected:06/2014
10/2015
406-449-5201
- Vegetation management
Scoping Start 04/08/2012
jfauntleroy@fs.fed.us
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
Description: Using prescribed fire, this project restores the role of fire and the resultant processes. In addtion to, creating and
maintaining natural openings and improving stand structure, burning will improve forage quality and quantity for
ungulates.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=34763
Location:
UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T13N, R9W, Section
8. Southwest of Lincoln adjacent to FSR 1898-D1 in the Sauerkraut Creek drainage.
- Watershed management
CE
In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal
Notice 02/05/2014
Expected:05/2014
06/2014
Timothy Olson
406-495-3738
taolson@fs.fed.us
Description: This project propoals included reclamation of approximately 4,200 feet of Stonewall Creek where past mining
activity has changed the natural stream channel and fisheries habitat.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43651
Location:
04/01/2014 04:42 am MT
Decision
Lincoln Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Helmville Face Wildlife
Enhancement Project
*NEW LISTING*
Planning Status
UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T15N, R9W, Section
27. North of Lincoln adjacent to FSR # 607-F1 in the Stonewall Creek drainage.
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Helena National Forest
Project Name
Helena National Forest
Project Purpose
Decision
Expected
Implementation
- Forest products
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register
05/06/2013
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal
Register 07/2014
Expected:12/2014
Project Contact
R1 - Northern Region
Lincoln Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Stonewall Vegetation Project
EIS
Planning Status
01/2016
Amber Kamps
406-362-7000
akamps@fs.fed.us
Description: Be responsive to mountain pine beetle outbreaks, maintain and improve viable mature habitat structure to support
big game and other wildlife, promote resiliency with a mosaic of species, reduce fire hazard and potential, and
provide timber products.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30355
Location:
Helena National Forest
Links #1, #2, and #3
UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. 6
miles northwest of Lincoln in the Lincoln Gulch drainage.
R1 - Northern Region
Townsend Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Minerals and Geology
CE
In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/17/2013
Expected:11/2013
11/2013
Kyle McGuire
406-266-3425
comments-northernhelenatownsend@fs.fed.us
Description: Proposed activities would use a suction dredge to process placer gravels in the stream channels of Confederate
and Cement Gulches as water levels allow. If water levels drop, claimant would use a sluice box to remove
concentrates.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41600
Location:
04/01/2014 04:42 am MT
UNIT - Townsend Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Broadwater. LEGAL - T10N, R3E, NE 1/4,
Section 20. Proposed activities would occur approximately nine miles up Confederate Gulch (NE from FS road
#287) at the mouth of Cement Gulch and in an unnamed gulch immediately to the east.
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Helena National Forest
Project Name
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
Project Contact
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.
04/01/2014 04:42 am MT
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Helena National Forest