Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) 10/01/2015 to 12/31/2015 Lolo 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 Expected:04/2015 04/2015 Debbie Mucklow 406-758-6464 dmucklow@fs.fed.us 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 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: 10/01/2015 04:22 am MT 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). Page 1 of 10 Lolo National Forest Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact R1 - Northern Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide) Lookout Pass Ski Area Expansion Third-Party EIS - Recreation management - Special use management EIS In Progress: NOI in Federal Register 04/04/2014 Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 11/2015 Expected:11/2016 06/2017 Jason Kirchner 208-765-7211 jdkirchner@fs.fed.us Description: Proposal by Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area to expand its special use permit to upgrade and develop new lifts, ski terrain, parking, access roads, and guest service facilities. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43757 Location: UNIT - Fernan Ranger District, Lolo National Forest All Units. STATE - Idaho, Montana. COUNTY - Shoshone, Mineral. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area on Montana-Idaho Border, approximately 12 miles east of Wallace, Idaho. R1 - Northern Region Lolo National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide) Yellowstone Pipe Line Pipe Abandonment - Special use management EA In Progress: Notice of Initiation 11/22/2013 Est. Comment Period Public Notice 04/2015 Expected:07/2015 08/2015 Victoria Burkhardt 406-626-5402 vburkhardt@fs.fed.us Description: Removal of and/or abandonment-in-place of approximately 9,693 feet of out-of-service pipeline located on three separate sites within Missoula and Sanders Counties on the Missoula and Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger Districts Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43167 Location: Lolo National Forest 10/01/2015 04:22 am MT UNIT - Missoula Ranger District, Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY Missoula, Sanders. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Site 1: NW of Missoula in OKeefe Creek (Missoula County); Site 2: 6.5 miles west of Plains (Sanders County); Site 3: islands in the Clark Fork River east of Thompson Falls (Sanders County). Missoula Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Page 2 of 10 R1 - Northern Region Lolo National Forest Project Name Lolo National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R1 - Northern Region Missoula Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Lolo Creek Large Wood Debris CE - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants - Watershed management In Progress: Scoping Start 07/07/2014 Expected:05/2015 Project Contact 05/2015 Aubree Benson 406-329-3950 aubreebenson@fs.fed.u s Description: This project would utilize large hazard trees cut after the 2013 Lolo Complex Fire to construct large woody debris structures on Lolo Creek to enhance aquatic habitat and improve stream and floodplain health. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44941 Location: Marshall Woods Restoration Project EA UNIT - Missoula Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Missoula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Lolo Creek, along US Hwy 12 approximately 12 miles west of Lolo, MT. Tami Paulsen - Recreation management In Progress: Expected:11/2015 11/2015 406-329-3731 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants comments-northern- Forest products lolo- Vegetation management missoula@fs.fed.us (other than forest products) - Fuels management - Watershed management - Road management Description: Integrated resource management including vegetation and watershed restoration, fuels reduction, public education, and recreation enhancements. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=31552 Location: UNIT - Missoula Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Missoula. LEGAL - T13N, R18W, Sec. 4-8, 18,19; T13N, R19W, Sec.1, 2, 11-14, 22-24; T14N, R18W, Sec. 18-20, 2-34; T14N, R19W, Sec. 13, 23-26, 35, 36 PM MT. The 13,000 acre analysis area is approx. 5 mi. NW of Missoula in Missoula Co. and includes Rattlesnake Crk., Woods Gulch, Marshall Crk., and the S portion of the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area. Al Hilshey Missoula Outdoor Learning - Recreation management In Progress: Expected:05/2015 05/2015 Adventures 10 Year Special Use - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants 406-329-3970 Scoping Start 01/07/2015 Permit for Outfitting Guiding ahilshey@fs.fed.us - Special use management Re-Issuance Description: Re-issuance of a 10 year Special Use Permit for Outfitting and Guiding to provide hiking, biking, climbing, and disc CE golf services on the Missoula Ranger District. Location: 10/01/2015 04:22 am MT UNIT - Missoula Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Missoula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Blue Mountain Recreation Area, Pattee Canyon Recreation Area, Lolo Creek, and Rock Creek. Page 3 of 10 Lolo National Forest Project Name Lolo National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact R1 - Northern Region Missoula Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Al Hilshey 406-329-3970 ahilshey@fs.fed.us Missoula Parks and Recreation 2 Year Special Use Permit for Outfitting/Guiding Re-issuance - Recreation management - Special use management CE Description: Re-issuance of a 2 year Special Use Permit for Outfitting and Guiding to provide hiking, biking, and Nordic skiing services on the Missoula Ranger District. Location: Sapphire Crest Trail In Progress: Scoping Start 03/11/2015 Expected:05/2015 06/2015 UNIT - Missoula Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Missoula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Blue mountain recreation area, Pattee canyon Recreation Area, Lolo Creek, and Montana Snowbowl. - Recreation management On Hold N/A N/A CE Al Hilshey 406-329-3970 ahilshey@fs.fed.us Description: Trail construction and reconstruction to connect existing trail segments, creating a 100-mile long non-motorized trail across the Lolo, Bitterroot, and Beaverhead National Forests on the Sapphire Divide. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=32247 Location: Lolo National Forest R1 - Northern Region Ninemile Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Ninemile Thinning - Fuels management CE *NEW LISTING* Developing Proposal Est. Scoping Start 09/2015 Expected:11/2015 08/2016 Jeffrey Hayes 406-329-3851 jeffreyhayes@fs.fed.us Description: Hand thinning, hand piling, and pile burning of understory ponderosa pine and Douglas fire to reduce ladder fuels directly adjacent to private property. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47853 Location: 10/01/2015 04:22 am MT UNIT - Missoula Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Missoula. LEGAL - T12N, R19W, Sections 12,13; T12N, R18W, Sections 18, 19, 20,21,27,28 and 24; T11N, R18W, Sections 3,10,15,22,27,26 and 36 and T10N, R18 W, Section 2. Sapphire Divide. UNIT - Ninemile Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Missoula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Township 15N; Range 22 W; NW quarter of Section 6. Bordered by private property on three sides, west of Kreis Pond between Spring and Butler Creeks. Page 4 of 10 Lolo National Forest Project Name Lolo National Forest Project Purpose CE *NEW LISTING* Expected Implementation R1 - Northern Region UNIT - Ninemile Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral, Missoula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Multiple sub-drainages in the Petty Creek drainage. R1 - Northern Region Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Clark Fork North Prescribed Burn CE *NEW LISTING* Project Contact Andrew Bidwell - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Developing Proposal Expected:01/2016 08/2016 406-626-5432 - Fuels management Est. Scoping Start 10/2015 abidwell@fs.fed.us - Watershed management Description: The project would reintroduce low intensity fire to primarily southern slopes to reduce natural fuel accumulations within the wildland urban interface (WUI) and to enhance the winter range of big game species by stimulating herbaceous growth. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47852 Location: Travis Pfister - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Expected:12/2015 06/2016 406-826-4331 - Vegetation management Scoping Start 08/17/2015 tpfister@fs.fed.us (other than forest products) - Fuels management Description: Mixed severity prescribed burning on approximately 10,145 acres to improve bighorn sheep habitat, reduce fuels, and create a mosaic of stand structures within the range of historical conditions. Location: Deep Creek Road Decommissioning Decision Ninemile Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Petty Creek Big Game EMB Lolo National Forest Planning Status UNIT - Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - Not Applicable. North of the Clark Fork River between Weeksville and the mouth of the Thompson River. - Road management On Hold EA N/A N/A Carole Johnson 406-822-3911 cajohnson01@fs.fed.us Description: Decommission the the Deep Creek Road #1023 (1.2 miles) and the lower 0.5 miles of the Cataract Peak Road #2241. Location: 10/01/2015 04:22 am MT UNIT - Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - Sections 11, 15, and 16, T23N, R30W. Deep Creek Road located approximately 10 miles northwest of Thompson Falls. Page 5 of 10 Lolo National Forest Project Name Lolo National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision CE *NEW LISTING* Travis Pfister - Vegetation management In Progress: Expected:12/2015 06/2016 406-826-4331 (other than forest products) Scoping Start 08/17/2015 tpfister@fs.fed.us - Fuels management Description: Mixed severity prescribed burning on approximately 9519 acres to reduce fuels and create a mosaic of stand structures within the range of historical conditions. Location: Thompson Falls Water Line Replacement UNIT - Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - Not Applicable. South of the Clark Fork River from Sacajawea Peak to Eddy Mountain. - Special use management Completed CE *NEW LISTING* 11/2015 Carole Johnson 406-822-3911 cajohnson01@fs.fed.us Description: The city of Thompson Falls has requested to replace approximately 3200 feet of existing buried water line that crosses National Forest System land, located immediately north of Thompson Falls. The water line is within the city's existing easement. Location: 10/01/2015 04:22 am MT Project Contact R1 - Northern Region Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Eddy Malone Prescribed Burn Lolo National Forest Expected Implementation UNIT - Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - Section 5, T21N, R29W, P.M.M. The Forest Service Thompson Falls Administrative Site located adjacent to and immediately north of Thompson Falls. Seeley Lake Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Page 6 of 10 R1 - Northern Region Lolo National Forest Project Name Lolo National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R1 - Northern Region Seeley Lake Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Center Horse Landscape Restoration Project EIS Tami Paulsen - Recreation management In Progress: Expected:03/2016 07/2017 406-329-3731 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants NOI in Federal Register tpaulsen@fs.fed.us - Forest products 07/23/2012 - Vegetation management Est. DEIS NOA in Federal (other than forest products) Register 10/2016 - Fuels management - Watershed management - Road management Description: Collaboratively developed integrated ecosystem management including restoration of fire adapted ecosystems, soil productivity, watersheds and aquatic habitat, and management of recreation opportunities and motor vehicle access. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=36806 Location: Double Arrow Subdivision Road Easement Project Contact UNIT - Seeley Lake Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Missoula, Powell. LEGAL - T16N, R11W, S 19,20,29-32; T16N, R12W, S 2,7,11-15,17-20,22-36; T16N, R13W, S 1-27; T16N, R14W S 1-5,9-15,2224,26,27; T17 R12W S18,19,30,31; T17N, R13W S 3,4,7,9-36; T17N, R14W S 12-14,23-27, 34-36. The 61,000 acre Center Horse Project area is about 14 miles north of Ovando and includes the N. FK. Cottonwood and Spring Ck drainages on the west and the McCabe ck drainage on the east. - Special area management In Progress: Scoping Start 06/10/2015 Expected:07/2015 CE 07/2015 Rachel Feigley 406-222-1892 rfeigley@fs.fed.us Description: Year-round use and maintenance on a Forest Service route to access Double Arrow Subdivision Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47116 Location: Lolo National Forest 10/01/2015 04:22 am MT UNIT - Seeley Lake Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Missoula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. In Seeley Lake, MT from MT Hwy 83 go east on Double Arrow Road to the subdivision boundary approx. 3 mi. Superior Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Page 7 of 10 R1 - Northern Region Lolo National Forest Project Name Lolo National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R1 - Northern Region Superior Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) 12 Tamarack EA *UPDATED* Patricia Partyka - Recreation management In Progress: Expected:03/2016 06/2016 406-826-4314 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Comment Period Public Notice ppartyka@fs.fed.us - Vegetation management 05/28/2015 (other than forest products) - Fuels management - Watershed management Description: Integrated forest resource project that includes vegetation management, big game winter range maintenance, watershed improvements, fuels reduction, and recreation enhancements within the 69,000-acre project area located north and west of St. Regis Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41130 Location: Haynes Private Property Access Road via Road 16960 Project Contact UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - T19N, R27W; T19N, R28W; T19N, R29W; T18N, R27W; T18N, R28W; T18N, R29W; T20N, R28W; T20N, R29W. Twelvemile Creek, Tamarack Creek, Mullan Gulch, and Boyd Mountain. - Special use management On Hold CE N/A N/A Carole Johnson 406-822-3911 cajohnson01@fs.fed.us Description: Travis and Donna Haynes have requested yearlong access to property they own in Sect. 8 & 9, T17N, R26W. Access would be through existing road 16960 which is an "A" closure. Location: Jam Cracker EA *UPDATED* Patricia Partyka - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Expected:12/2016 09/2017 406-826-4314 - Forest products Scoping Start 05/18/2015 ppartyka@fs.fed.us - Vegetation management Est. Comment Period Public (other than forest products) Notice 06/2016 - Fuels management - Road management Description: Vegetation and road management activities to improve vegetative resilience; reduce forest fuels; improve forage conditions for elk; provide wood products to contribute to local and regional economies; and maintain a sustainable transportation system. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46950 Location: 10/01/2015 04:22 am MT UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - Not Applicable. T17N, R26W, NW1/4 Sect. 9. UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral, Missoula, Sanders. LEGAL - Not Applicable. East of the Clark Fork River between the town of Superior and South Fork Nemote Creek. Page 8 of 10 Lolo National Forest Project Name Lolo National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R1 - Northern Region Superior Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Logan Public Road SUP Request for Road 7793 - Special use management On Hold Project Contact N/A N/A CE Carole Johnson 406-822-3911 cajohnson01@fs.fed.us Description: Request for a special use authorization for minor maintenance and winter snow plowing of Lower Cougar Creek Road 7793 for yearlong access to private property. Location: Mattox Water Transmission Line UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - NW 1/4, SW1/4 of Section 30: T16N, R25W; and S1/2, SE1/4 of Section 25; T16N, R26W; P.M.MT. Located 5 mi. SE of Superior, Montana in the Cougar Creek Drainage. - Special use management On Hold N/A N/A CE Carole Johnson 406-822-3911 cajohnson01@fs.fed.us Description: Special use permit request for a waterline using the following existing facilities: 1) 2' dia. by 900' of above ground black plastic pipe; 2) A water collection device consisting of a perforated plastic barrel in the stream channel Location: Rest Area Large Woody Debris CE UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - Beginning in the NW 1/4, NW 1/4, NW 1/4 of Sec. 16; through the very NE corner of Sec. 17 and ending where it enters private property in the SE 1/4, SE1/4, SE 1/4 of Sec. 8 T16N, R26W; P.M.MT. An unnamed tributary NE of Upham Creek, in the Cedar Creek drainage SE of Superior. - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants - Watershed management Cancelled N/A N/A Dustin Walters 406-329-3765 dwalters@fs.fed.us Description: Placement of large woody debris in about a 2.5 mile section of the St. Regis River. Location: Summer Trails Motorized Management UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - Sections 2, 3, 11, 12, T19N, R32W, P.M.M. St. Regis River between confluence with Hanaker Creek and Mephisto Creek. - Recreation management - Road management EA In Progress: Scoping Start 05/12/2009 Est. Comment Period Public Notice 07/2016 Expected:12/2016 07/2017 Elizabeth Kennedy 406-822-3954 ekennedy@fs.fed.us Description: Motorized recreation management including development and authorization of trails and roads for All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) use, and closure and restoration of areas damaged by unauthorized Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=28845 Location: 10/01/2015 04:22 am MT UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - T17 - 19N, R28 - 32W. West end of the Superior Ranger District from Twomile Creek to Lookout Pass Ski Area. Page 9 of 10 Lolo National Forest Project Name Lolo National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R1 - Northern Region Superior Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Tricon Deer Creek Road - Special use management On Hold N/A Project Contact N/A CE Carole Johnson 406-822-3911 cajohnson01@fs.fed.us Description: Tricon Timber is requesting access to a 40 acre parcel they own (near Haugan MT) in T19N, R29W, Sect. 31 requiring construction of approx 3100' of new rd. across FS lands. Rd would begin on UpUP Rd #4207 and follow trail 250 to the parcel. Location: Twelvemile Large Woody Debris UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - T18N, R30W, Sect 1, NE1/4 and T18N, R29W Sect 6, NW1/4, NW1/4. T18N, R30W, Sect 1, NE1/4 and T18N, R29W Sect 6, NW1/4, NW1/4. - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants - Watershed management Cancelled CE N/A N/A Dustin Walters 406-329-3765 dwalters@fs.fed.us Description: Placement of large woody debris in approximately 5 miles of Twelvemile Creek for fish habitat enhancement. Location: UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - Sections 1, 11, 12, 14, 23, and 26, T19N, R29W, P.M.M. Twelvemile Creek, north of the Cabin City Campground. 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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 Page 10 of 10 Lolo National Forest