Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA)
10/01/2015 to 12/31/2015
Kootenai 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)
FNF Plan Revision & NCDE
GBCS Amendment to the Lolo,
Helena, Lewis & Clark,and
Kootenai NFs
- Land management planning
EIS
In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register
03/06/2015
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal
Register 02/2016
Expected:06/2017
07/2017
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:
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).
Kootenai National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
Kootenai Forest-Wide Young
Growth Vegetation
Management Project
EIS
*NEW LISTING*
Ruth Wooding
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress:
Expected:10/2016
02/2017
406-329-3572
- Forest products
NOI in Federal Register
rwooding@fs.fed.us
- Vegetation management
07/21/2015
(other than forest products)
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal
- Fuels management
Register 08/2015
Description: Vegetation management via precommercial and commercial harvest, & burning of activity fuels only within
previously managed, second growth stands across the Forest. The project is part of the Montana Governor's
Forest in Focus Initiative.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47372
Location:
10/01/2015 04:22 am MT
R1 - Northern Region
UNIT - Kootenai National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln, Sanders. LEGAL - Not
Applicable. National Forest System Lands across the Kootenai National Forest.
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Kootenai National Forest
Project Name
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Kootenai National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
Rock Creek Mine Project
- Minerals and Geology
EIS
In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register
09/13/2011
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal
Register 06/2015
Project Contact
Expected:04/2016
04/2016
Michael Huffine
406-293-6211
mshuffine@fs.fed.us
Description: The Rock Creek Mine is a proposal for a copper/silver mine under the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness in Sanders
County Montana on the Kootenai National Forest. The proposal includes an associated mill, tailings storage
facility and a waste water treatme
Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kootenai/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=stelprdb5327758
Location:
Kootenai National Forest
R1 - Northern Region
Cabinet Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Dry Creek Sediment Reduction
EA
UNIT - Kootenai National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - T. 26 N., R. 32
W., Section: 3, 10, 15, 21,22, 27,28,29,32,and 33. Approximately 3 miles East of Noxon, Montana in the Rock
Creek Drainage.
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/26/2015
Est. Comment Period Public
Notice 12/2015
Expected:05/2016
06/2016
Craig Neesvig
406-827-0734
cneesvig@fs.fed.us
Description: rehabilitation of deteriorating road system which is currently closed to all public motorized use, and prevent future
mass wasting, sediment delivery and erosion from the road system to Dry Creek and related minor tributaries.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46995
Location:
10/01/2015 04:22 am MT
UNIT - Cabinet Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL T28N;R33W;S30;T28N;R33W;S24,25,36; Sanders County, PMM. Dry Creek, a tributary to the Bull River.
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Kootenai National Forest
Project Name
Kootenai National Forest
Helwick Timber Sale
EA
Project Purpose
Decision
Expected
Implementation
Project Contact
R1 - Northern Region
Cabinet Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Mark Wiedeman
10/2015
- Recreation management
In Progress:
Expected:09/2015
406-827-0753
- Forest products
Scoping Start 12/23/2014
mwiedeman@fs.fed.us
- Fuels management
Est. Comment Period Public
- Road management
Notice 08/2015
Description: Includes 23 timber harvest units with treatments including commercial timber harvest on approximately 655 acres,
which includes regeneration harvests (345 acres), and intermediate treatments (310 acres). Two harvest units
would exceed 40 acres.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45765
Location:
Vermilion River Restoration
Planning Status
UNIT - Cabinet Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - S1- 12,15-21, 29, 30 ;
T22N; R31W; S33,36; T23N; R31W; S24, 25; T22N; R32W; S6; T22N; R30W; PMM, Sanders County, Montana.
Beaver Creek drainage.
- Watershed management
On Hold
N/A
N/A
EA
Craig Neesvig
406-827-0734
cneesvig@fs.fed.us
Description: stream habitat restoration program proposed for 9 specific reaches on the Vermilion River over a 10 yr period
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=31702
Location:
Kootenai National Forest
Galton
EIS
10/01/2015 04:22 am MT
UNIT - Cabinet Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - S31-33; T25N; R29W; and
S1-4, T24N; R30W; Sanders County; PMM. Vermilion River reaches approx. 3.6 miles in an area beginning ~0.5
miles below Vermilion Falls and downstream to about Lyons Gulch.
R1 - Northern Region
Fortine Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Recreation management
On Hold
- Forest products
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
- Road management
Description: Travel planning, prescribed fire, urban interface
N/A
N/A
Ron Komac
406-296-2536 x7130
rkomac@fs.fed.us
Web Link:
http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=26647
Location:
UNIT - Fortine Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - all or parts of T34, 35, 36, 37
N and R 24, 25, 26W. Galton Range - east of the Tobacco Valley, Lincoln County, Montana.
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Kootenai National Forest
Project Name
Kootenai National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Fortine Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Mud Creek Equestrian Outfitter
and Guide Permit
- Special use management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/16/2014
Expected:11/2014
Project Contact
12/2014
CE
Marcy Goheen
406-882-4451
mgoheen@fs.fed.us
Description: Request for additional (100 days)equestrian use (horseback rides) for an existing special use outfitter and guide
permit.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44481
Location:
North End Outfitter & Guide
Special Use Permits
UNIT - Fortine Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T 35N R 26 W Sections 3, 10,
11. Mud Creek Area.
- Recreation management
On Hold
N/A
N/A
CE
Marcy Butts
406-882-4451 x8341
mbutts@fs.fed.us
Description: Provide Outfitter and Guide services to the public, both consumptive and non-consumptive.
Location:
Ten Lakes Travel Management
UNIT - Fortine Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T37N, R24-29W; T36N,
R24-30W; T35N, R24-31W; T34N, R24-31W; T33N, R24-31W; T33N, R24-31W; T32N, R25-28, 30W; T31N,
R26W. North End Outfitter & Guide Special Use Permits.
- Recreation management
EA
In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice
04/14/2015
Expected:11/2015
12/2015
Moira McKelvey
406-296-2536
mmckelvey@fs.fed.us
Description: Proposed activities include designation of over-snow motorized use areas and non-winter trail management.
Additional information available at
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kootenai/landmanagement/projects/?cid=stelprd3841289
Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kootenai/landmanagement/projects/?cid=stelprd3841289.
Location:
Kootenai National Forest
10/01/2015 04:22 am MT
UNIT - Fortine Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project
area is located North and East of Eureka, Montana.
Libby Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
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R1 - Northern Region
Kootenai National Forest
Project Name
Kootenai National Forest
Bayrak FDR access
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Libby Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Special use management
CE
In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/05/2013
Expected:03/2016
Project Contact
04/2016
Bonnie Geber
406-283-7502
bjgeber@fs.fed.us
Description: Grant access to a private parcel in the Barron Creek area through the issuance of a FRTA permit. The permit
would include an Operations & Maintenance Plan for use of Forest Development Road #228.
Location:
Clay Banks HFRA
EA
UNIT - Libby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Libby Ranger
District.
- Forest products
- Fuels management
Cancelled
N/A
N/A
Denise Beck
406-293-7773 x7504
dmbeck@fs.fed.us
Description: This project is designed to reduce fire hazard within the WUI in the Clay Banks area, northeast of Libby, MT.
Location:
Coyote Improvement
EA
UNIT - Libby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T30N, R31W, SAections 1, 2,
11, 12, 13, 14, 24. Libby Ranger District.
- Forest products
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
On Hold
N/A
N/A
Seth Cole
479-667-2191
ext.2165
secole@fs.fed.us
Description: Harvest of approximately 240 acres to increase stand resilency to Mountain Pine Beetles.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41715
Location:
10/01/2015 04:22 am MT
UNIT - Libby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T27N, R30W, Sections 13, 18.
Libby Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest.
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Kootenai National Forest
Project Name
Kootenai National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Libby Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Flower Creek
EIS
Denise Beck
- Forest products
In Progress:
Expected:12/2015
02/2016
406-293-7773 x7504
- Vegetation management
DEIS NOA in Federal Register
dmbeck@fs.fed.us
(other than forest products)
06/03/2009
- Fuels management
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal
- Watershed management
Register 11/2015
- Road management
Description: This project includes fuel and vegetation management through commercial timber harvest, pre-commercial
thinning and fuel grinding. Also includes 1.81 miles of road storage, 1 mile of temporary road construction, and
0.23 miles of trail construction.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=29532
Location:
Good Medicine Placer
modification
Project Contact
UNIT - Libby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T30N, R31W, Sections 3, 4, 5,
15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 29 and 30; T30N, R32W, Sections 3, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29,
30, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 PMM, Lincoln County, MT. Flower Creek watershed, 3 air miles south of Libby, Montana.
- Minerals and Geology
In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/01/2012
Expected:03/2016
04/2016
CE
Bonnie Geber
406-283-7502
bjgeber@fs.fed.us
Description: A modification to the existing Plan of Operations on the Good Medicine Placer claim. Expanding project area to
300 feet x 200 feet and including onsite processing.
Location:
Libby District 2015 Special Use
renewals
UNIT - Libby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - Section 12, T27N, R31N, PMM.
Libby Ranger District.
- Special use management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/09/2015
Expected:11/2015
11/2015
CE
Bonnie Geber
406-283-7502
bjgeber@fs.fed.us
Description: Renewal of five existing special use authorizations which will expire in 2015 - no changes proposed. Includes
authorizations for four private access roads and one waterline.
Location:
Libby Shooting Range
expansion
UNIT - Libby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Libby Ranger
District, KNF.
- Special use management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/09/2015
CE
Expected:03/2016
04/2016
Bonnie Geber
406-283-7502
bjgeber@fs.fed.us
Description: Expansion of the existing permitted area of the Libby Shooting Range, under permit to Lincoln County. Expansion
would be for approximately 4.9 acres and would include additional enclosed shooting bays and a parking area.
Location:
10/01/2015 04:22 am MT
UNIT - Libby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - Section 7, T29N, R30W, PMM.
Libby Ranger District, KNF.
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Kootenai National Forest
Project Name
Kootenai National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Libby Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Loose Ends Precommercial
Thinning
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/17/2015
Expected:08/2015
11/2015
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Denise Beck
406-293-7773 x7504
dmbeck@fs.fed.us
Description: Precommercial thinning of 3,316 acres of young stands over the next 5 years throughout the Libby District of the
Kootenai National Forest.
Location:
Montanore Project
Project Contact
UNIT - Libby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Libby Ranger
District, Kootenai National Forest.
- Minerals and Geology
EIS
In Progress:
FEIS NOA in Federal Register
04/01/2015
Expected:07/2015
08/2015
Lynn Hagarty
406-283-7642
lhagarty@fs.fed.us
Description: The Kootenai National Forest, in conjunction with Montana's Dept. of Environmental Quality will prepare an EIS for
a proposal to permit the development of the Montanore silver/copper mine and associated power transmission line
by Mines Management Inc
Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kootenai/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=stelprdb5290833
Location:
Rainbow Lake Enhancement
CE
UNIT - Libby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln, Sanders. LEGAL - T26N, R29W, S 5, 8,
9; T27N, R29W, S 18-20, 29, 30, 32; T27, R30W, S 16-24; T28N, R30W, S19; T27N, R31W, S 1-3, 9, 11-15;
T28N, R31W, S 13-15, 23, 24, 26, 35, 36; T27N, R31W, S 29. Approximately 18 miles south of Libby, MT
adjacent to the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness.
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 12/2014
Expected:02/2015
04/2015
Denise Beck
406-293-7773 x7504
dmbeck@fs.fed.us
Description: Increase depth of Rainbow Lkae to provide winter habitat for trout, increase wetland productivity by building a dam
and re-introducing beavers, and improve existing undeveloped camping area.
Location:
Redemption Pit
UNIT - Libby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T33N, R31W, Sections 6, 7.
Libby Ranger District.
- Minerals and Geology
On Hold
CE
N/A
N/A
Bonnie Geber
406-283-7502
bjgeber@fs.fed.us
Description: Creation of a stockpile area and future gravel source for Libby District projects in the Wolf Creek area.
Location:
10/01/2015 04:22 am MT
UNIT - Libby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - SW1/4 NW1/4 Section 17,
T29N, R27W north of NFS road # 2358. Libby Ranger District.
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Kootenai National Forest
Project Name
Kootenai National Forest
Crashed Harvey
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Project Purpose
Lower Yaak, O'Brien, Sheep
Project
EIS
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
Expected
Implementation
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 08/2015
Expected:09/2015
Project Contact
R1 - Northern Region
09/2015
Pamela Cooper
406-296-2536
pcooper@fs.fed.us
Description: Salvage of windthrown trees
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47508
UNIT - Rexford Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T33N R25W West 1/2
Section 36. Harvey Creek Drainage, South of Community of Stryker.
R1 - Northern Region
Three Rivers Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Leslie McDougall
- Forest products
In Progress:
Expected:01/2016
03/2016
406-295-7431
- Vegetation management
NOI in Federal Register
lmcdougall@fs.fed.us
(other than forest products)
10/06/2014
- Fuels management
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal
- Watershed management
Register 06/2015
Description: This project includes timber harvest, hazardous fuels reduction treatments, prescribed burning, watershed
improvements, and recreation site improvements. About 52% of the project area is within the wildland urban
interface.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45254
Location:
Yaak Air Force Base NSFl
Parcel Conveyance
Decision
Rexford Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Location:
Kootenai National Forest
Planning Status
UNIT - Three Rivers Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - Townships 31, 32, 33,
34 North, Ranges 32, 33, 34 West, PMM, Lincoln County, Montana. The project area is located directly adjacent to
and northeast of Troy, Montana.
- Land ownership management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/14/2007
CE
Expected:06/2015
07/2015
Dick Harlow
406-295-4693,
dharlow@fs.fed.us
Description: The conveyance of a parcel of land that is 0.19 acres in size that is completely surrounded by a single private
landowner. To be implemented by a direct sale through the Forest Service Facilities and Realignment Act.
Location:
10/01/2015 04:22 am MT
UNIT - Three Rivers Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - SW1/4 Section 35,
T36N, R32W, PMM; Lincoln County, MT. NE of Yaak, MT.
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Kootenai 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.
10/01/2015 04:22 am MT
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Kootenai National Forest