Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA)
07/01/2014 to 09/30/2014
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:06/2014
07/2014
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:06/2014
07/2014
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
07/01/2014 02:30 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)
20-Odd ATV Trail
- Recreation management
CE
In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/06/2011
Expected:04/2014
Project Contact
06/2014
Gary Kedish
406-827-3533
gkedish@fs.fed.us
Description: Construct a new access spur to circumnavigate a washed out area on a popular local trail system for motorized
use.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=35948
Location:
Black Peak Trail and Trailhead
Project
UNIT - Cabinet Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - S7; T24N: R30W; and S12;
T24N; R31W; PMM Sanders County. From Vermilion River road at approx. MM4, to the Roe Gulch and 20-Odd
road system.
- Recreation management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/26/2013
Expected:06/2014
06/2014
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Description: Trail head relocation, rehabilitation of existing motorized trail, reroute (new construction)of trail to motorized
standards (for vehicles less than 50 inches width - ATV).
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=42077
Location:
CarlE2/TQ Mining Plan of
Operations
UNIT - Cabinet Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - Section 24; T24N; R32W;
PMM; Sanders County. Near Hope Valley Road, approx. 2.5 miles west of Trout Creek, Montana.
- Minerals and Geology
In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/29/2013
Expected:05/2014
05/2014
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Katelyn Petteys
406-827-0717
kmpetteys@fs.fed.us
Description: Approval of small mining Plan of Operations and permitting
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44260
Location:
Chicago Ridge Meteorlogical
Station Installation
Joel Sather
406-827-0720
jsather@fs.fed.us
UNIT - Cabinet Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - section 8, T24N, R30W,
Sanders County, Montana, PMM. Vermilion River drainage - Cabinet Ranger District.
- Facility management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/07/2014
CE
Expected:04/2014
06/2014
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:
07/01/2014 02:30 am MT
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.
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Kootenai National Forest
Project Name
Kootenai National Forest
Minton Trout
EA
Project Purpose
Decision
Expected
Implementation
Project Contact
R1 - Northern Region
Cabinet Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Alan Osborn
08/2014
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress:
Expected:07/2014
406-446-2103
- Forest products
Objection Period Legal Notice
aosborn@fs.fed.us
- Vegetation management
04/03/2014
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
Description: Harvest of merchantable timber (commercial) on 545 acres. Approx. 8100 acres of natural fuels burning for forage
enhancement. All log yarding in these proposed units would be accomplished with skyline and tractor based
systems.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=38284
Location:
Vermilion River Restoration
Planning Status
UNIT - Cabinet Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - S1- 4, 9- 16; T23N; R33W;
S3- 10, 15- 18; T23N; R32W; S22-28, 33- 36; T24N; R33W; S13-15, 19-24, 26-35; T24N; R31W; S18; PMM,
Sanders County, Montana. Trout Creek and Minton Creek drainages.
- 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
07/01/2014 02:30 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
In Progress:
- Forest products
NOI in Federal Register
- Vegetation management
03/08/2010
(other than forest products)
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal
- Road management
Register 05/2014
Description: Travel planning, prescribed fire, urban interface
Expected:09/2014
10/2014
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:07/2014
07/2014
CE
*NEW LISTING*
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
Project Contact
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:
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
Expected:09/2014
12/2014
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:
07/01/2014 02:30 am MT
UNIT - Libby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T30N, R31W, SAections 1, 2,
11, 12, 13, 14, 24. Libby Ranger District.
Page
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Kootenai National Forest
Project Name
Kootenai National Forest
Coyote Improvement
EA
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Libby Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Forest products
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/12/2013
Est. Objection Period Legal
Notice 09/2014
Expected:01/2015
Project Contact
04/2015
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:
East Reservoir
EIS
Denise Beck
- Vegetation management
In Progress:
Expected:07/2014
09/2014
406-293-7773 x7504
(other than forest products)
Objection Period Legal Notice
dmbeck@fs.fed.us
- Fuels management
03/21/2014
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
Location:
Flower Creek
EIS
UNIT - Libby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Libby Ranger
District, Kootenai National Forest.
Denise Beck
- Forest products
In Progress:
Expected:02/2015
06/2015
406-293-7773 x7504
- Vegetation management
DEIS NOA in Federal Register
dmbeck@fs.fed.us
(other than forest products)
06/03/2009
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- 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:
07/01/2014 02:30 am MT
UNIT - Libby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - T27N, R30W, Sections 13, 18.
Libby Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest.
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 05/2014
Expected:09/2014
06/2015
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
N/A
CE
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:
Sheldon Communication Site Cell tower
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.
- Special use management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/16/2013
CE
*NEW LISTING*
05/2014
Bonnie Geber
406-283-7502
bjgeber@fs.fed.us
Description: Additional telecommunication tower and facilities at an existing communications site. Upgrade of underground
power within existing utility ROW.
Location:
07/01/2014 02:30 am MT
Expected:05/2014
UNIT - Libby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - SE1/4 Section 14, SE1/4 NE1/4
NW1/4 Section 23, T31N, R31W, PMM. Libby District, Kootenai National Forest.
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Kootenai National Forest
Project Name
Kootenai National Forest
Black Diamond Mine Road
Access and Exploration
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R1 - Northern Region
Three Rivers Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Minerals and Geology
Completed
Actual: 04/10/2014
Project Contact
06/2014
CE
Bonnie Geber
406-283-7502
bjgeber@fs.fed.us
Description: Access and exploration of existing mine portal. Bulk sample removal of material for testing offsite.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=39441
Location:
Buckhorn Project
EIS
Patricia Shira
- Forest products
In Progress:
Expected:08/2014
08/2014
406-295-7439
- Vegetation management
Objection Period Legal Notice
pshira@fs.fed.us
(other than forest products)
04/18/2014
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
Description: Vegetation management, prescribed burning, and watershed restoration work in the Buckhorn Planning Subunit in
the Yaak River drainage
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41167
Location:
Yaak Air Force Base NSFl
Parcel Conveyance
UNIT - Three Rivers Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lincoln. LEGAL - Section 2, T33N,
R34W, PM. Three Rivers Ranger District.
UNIT - Three Rivers Ranger District. STATE - Idaho, Montana. COUNTY - Boundary, Lincoln. LEGAL Townships 35 and 36 North, Ranges 34 and 33 West, Lincoln County, Montana and Township 64 North and
Range 3 East, Boundary County, Idaho. The Project Area is located approximately 27 miles north of Troy,
Montana, in the Yaak River Valley.
- Land ownership management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/14/2007
CE
Expected:06/2014
06/2014
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:
07/01/2014 02:30 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.
07/01/2014 02:30 am MT
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Kootenai National Forest