Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA)
01/01/2015 to 03/31/2015
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
R1 - Northern Region
Kootenai National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
Forest Plan Revision
- Land management planning
EIS
In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice
09/27/2013
Project Contact
Expected:01/2015
01/2015
Leslie McDougall
406-283-7659
lmcdougall@fs.fed.us
Description: Revision of Forest Plan management direction.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/kipz
Location:
Illi Allen Peak Access
CE
UNIT - Kootenai National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln, Sanders. LEGAL - All NFS
lands within the forest boundary. Kootenai National Forest.
- Special use management
- Road management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/23/2012
Expected:12/2014
01/2015
Bonnie Geber
406-283-7502
bjgeber@fs.fed.us
Description: Access to private land on Allen Peak over approximately 5.3 miles of NFS road #2301.
Location:
Rock Creek Mine Project
UNIT - Kootenai National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - NFS road #2301
in following sections: Section 36, T26N, R30W, Section 31, T26N, R29W, Section 6, T25N, R29W, & Section 1,
T25N, R30W. Libby Ranger District.
- Minerals and Geology
EIS
In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register
09/13/2011
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal
Register 11/2014
Expected:04/2015
05/2015
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.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=34999
Location:
Kootenai National Forest
01/01/2015 05:50 am MT
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.
Cabinet 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
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Cabinet Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Chicago Ridge Meteorlogical
Station Installation
- Facility management
Completed
Actual: 08/22/2014
Project Contact
10/2014
CE
Craig Neesvig
406-827-0734
cneesvig@fs.fed.us
Description: installation of a new meteorological monitoring station in the Chicago ridge area on the Cabinet Ranger District
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44151
Location:
Helwick Timber Sale
EA
*NEW LISTING*
Mark Wiedeman
- Recreation management
Developing Proposal
Expected:07/2015
09/2015
406-827-0753
- Forest products
Est. Notice of Initiation 12/2014
mwiedeman@fs.fed.us
- Fuels management
- Road management
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:
Permit Authorization for
Niemier Water Diversion and
Conveyance System
UNIT - Cabinet Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - SW1/4; SE1/4; SE1/4; S27,
T27N, R32W; PMM; Sanders County. Chicago Ridge area, on the Cabinet Ranger District.
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.
- Special use management
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2014
CE
*NEW LISTING*
12/2014
Katelyn Miller
406-827-0717
katelynpmiller@fs.fed.u
s
Description: authorization for special use permit allowing use and maintenance of water system on and across NFS land for
private water use for domestic and irrigation applications.
Location:
01/01/2015 05:50 am MT
Expected:11/2014
UNIT - Cabinet Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - NW1/4NW1/4, Sec. 22,
T26N, R34W, Sanders County, PMM. The existing Niemier water system is located in the Deer Creek drainage
approximately 4 miles south of Heron, Montana.
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Kootenai National Forest
Project Name
Kootenai National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Cabinet Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Vermilion River Restoration
- Watershed management
On Hold
N/A
Project Contact
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
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)
Galton
EIS
Mud Creek Equestrian Outfitter
and Guide Permit
- 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.
- Special use management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/16/2014
CE
Expected:11/2014
12/2014
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:
01/01/2015 05:50 am MT
UNIT - Fortine Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T 35N R 26 W Sections 3, 10,
11. Mud Creek Area.
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Kootenai National Forest
Project Name
Kootenai National Forest
North End Outfitter & Guide
Special Use Permits
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Fortine Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Recreation management
On Hold
N/A
Project Contact
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:
Kootenai National Forest
Clay Banks HFRA
EA
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.
R1 - Northern Region
Libby Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Forest products
- Fuels management
In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice
11/21/2011
Est. Objection Period Legal
Notice 05/2015
Expected:10/2015
01/2016
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)
In Progress:
Notice of Initiation 11/12/2013
Est. Comment Period Public
Notice 07/2015
Expected:12/2015
02/2016
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:
01/01/2015 05:50 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
East Reservoir
EIS
Project Purpose
EIS
Expected
Implementation
Project Contact
R1 - Northern Region
Denise Beck
- Vegetation management
Completed
Actual: 10/27/2014
02/2015
406-293-7773 x7504
(other than forest products)
10/27/2014
dmbeck@fs.fed.us
- Fuels management
Description: Project includes vegetation managment through commercial timber harvest, precommercial thinning and
prescribed burning. It also includes trail access management changes, fuel treatment areas, road storage and
dispersed recreation site improvement.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=34594
UNIT - Libby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Libby Ranger
District, Kootenai National Forest.
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:
01/01/2015 05:50 am MT
Decision
Libby Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Location:
Flower Creek
Planning Status
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.
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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)
Montanore Project
- Minerals and Geology
EIS
In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register
07/13/2011
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal
Register 10/2014
Expected:02/2015
Project Contact
03/2015
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.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=11743
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
N/A
CE
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:
Kootenai National Forest
01/01/2015 05:50 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.
Rexford 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
Abayance Bay Marina and
Campground Improvements
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Rexford Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Special use management
Completed
Actual: 12/04/2014
01/2015
CE
*NEW LISTING*
UNIT - Rexford Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T36N, R28W, NE1/4 SW1/4
Section 11. Abayance Bay Marina and Campground, Lake Koocanusa.
Completed
CE
EIS
01/2015
Ed Sedler
406-295-7456
esedler@fs.fed.us
UNIT - Three Rivers Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - Section 16, T32N,
R34W; PMM. Adjacent to the year-round open Southside Road, NFSR #4402, and private property.
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:
01/01/2015 05:50 am MT
Actual: 12/18/2014
Description: Project responds to the need to salvage timber blown over in a wind event in July 2014. Removal of this material
would provide timber to the local economy and prevent insect and disease activity in surrounding timber stands.
Location:
Lower Yaak, O'Brien, Sheep
Project
R1 - Northern Region
Three Rivers Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Down South Blowdown Salvage - Forest products
*NEW LISTING*
Sandi Mason
406-283-7787, Fridays
406-296-2536
smason@fs.fed.us
Description: Improvements to the existing Abayance Bay Marina and Campground, currently operating under a special use
permit.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45594
Location:
Kootenai National Forest
Project Contact
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.
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Kootenai National Forest
Project Name
Kootenai National Forest
Yaak Air Force Base NSFl
Parcel Conveyance
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Three Rivers Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Land ownership management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/14/2007
Expected:06/2015
Project Contact
07/2015
CE
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:
Yaak Highside Blowdown
Salvage
UNIT - Three Rivers Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - SW1/4 Section 35,
T36N, R32W, PMM; Lincoln County, MT. NE of Yaak, MT.
- Forest products
In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/30/2014
Expected:01/2015
01/2015
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Description: Project responds to the need to salvage timber blown over in a wind event in July 2014. Removal of this material
would provide timber to the local economy and prevent insect and disease activity in surrounding timber stands.
Location:
Yaak River Campground
Blowdown Salvage
UNIT - Three Rivers Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - Section 5, T32N,
R34W, PMM. Along the portion of NFSR #4607A that is open year-round, above Hwy 2 at the bottom of the Yaak
Hill, West of Troy, MT.
- Forest products
In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/30/2014
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Ed Sedler
406-295-7456
esedler@fs.fed.us
Expected:01/2015
01/2015
Ed Sedler
406-295-7456
esedler@fs.fed.us
Description: Project responds to the need to salvage timber blown over in a wind event in July 2014. Removal of this material
would provide timber to the local economy and prevent insect and disease activity in surrounding timber stands.
Location:
UNIT - Three Rivers Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - Section 5 and 8, T32N,
R34W; PMM. Yaak River Campground along Highway 2, west of Troy, MT.
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.
01/01/2015 05:50 am MT
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Kootenai National Forest