Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) 10/01/2015 to 12/31/2015 Hiawatha 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 R9 - Eastern Region Hiawatha National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide) Bass Boot EA *UPDATED* Project Contact Brenda Rebitzke - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Expected:02/2016 05/2016 906-474-6442 ext. 117 - Forest products Scoping Start 01/17/2014 brebitzke@fs.fed.us - Vegetation management Est. Comment Period Public (other than forest products) Notice 11/2015 - Fuels management - Watershed management Description: Project involves vegetation management, wildlife habitat improvement, and fuels management. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=42995 Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District, Manistique Ranger District, Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Schoolcraft, Alger, Delta. LEGAL - T 44 N, R 17 W. T 44 N, R 17 W. Cloverland Electric Cooperative - Special use management Special Use Permit Amendment EA *UPDATED* In Progress: Scoping Start 10/15/2013 Est. Comment Period Public Notice 02/2016 Expected:05/2016 06/2016 Robert West 906-643-7900 robertwest@fs.fed.us Description: Special Use Permit Amendment for the construction of three new underground lines and the adoption of a new Operation and Maintenance Plan. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=40849 Location: East Red Pine 3 EA Marjorie Allmaras - Recreation management In Progress: Expected:10/2015 10/2015 906-643-7900 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Scoping Start 07/18/2014 mallmaras@fs.fed.us - Forest products - Fuels management Description: Commercial thin 3,704 ac. of red pine. Under plant white pine on 1,205 ac. Underburn 410 ac. of red pine stands. Construct about 1.4 mi. of new roads. Reinforce 15 existing road closures. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=34243 Location: 10/01/2015 04:26 am MT UNIT - Manistique Ranger District, St. Ignace Ranger District, Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa, Delta, Mackinac. LEGAL - Not Applicable. St. Ignace, Sault Ste. Marie, and Manistique Ranger Districts. UNIT - St. Ignace Ranger District, Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa, Mackinac. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Throughout the Eastside of the Hiawatha National Forest. Page 1 of 7 Hiawatha National Forest Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R9 - Eastern Region Hiawatha National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide) Nahma Multi-Use Trail Construction - Recreation management In Progress: Scoping Start 07/15/2015 Expected:10/2015 11/2015 CE Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District, Manistique Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Delta. LEGAL - T 40 N, R 19 W, Sections 6, 7, 17, 20. From US Highway 2 (T 40 N, R 19 W, Section 6) at Nahma Junction travelling south along FH-13 to Nahma (T 40 N, R 19 W, Section 20). R9 - Eastern Region Manistique Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) 2015 Recreation Residence Improvements - Recreation management - Special use management In Progress: Scoping Start 07/16/2015 Expected:10/2015 11/2015 CE Brenda Rebitzke 906-474-6442 brebitzke@fs.fed.us Description: Recreation residence improvements to include: Crooked Lake Lot 18 porch addition, Crooked Lake Lot 2 dock addition, Sturgeon River Lot 5 power pole installation, and Steuben Lake Lot 7 dock & shed replacement, fence & dock installation. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47341 *UPDATED* Location: Hiawatha National Forest Anne Okonek 906-474-6442 ext. 119 aokonek@fs.fed.us Description: Construct approximately 3 miles of multi-use trail (both motorized and non-motorized use) between Nahma Junction and the community of Nahma to improve year-round recreational opportunities. *UPDATED* Hiawatha National Forest Project Contact UNIT - Manistique Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Schoolcraft. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Crooked Lake, Sturgeon River, and Steuben Lake. R9 - Eastern Region Munising Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Mark Bender 906-387-2512 markbender@fs.fed.us Blythefield Hills Baptist Church Youth Group Trip (Special Use Permit) - Special use management CE Description: Youth group to hike and bike on Hiawatha National Forest trails every other year under special use permit. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46786 Location: 10/01/2015 04:26 am MT Completed Actual: 07/01/2015 08/2015 UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Schoolcraft, Alger. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Valley Spur Trail, Bruno's Run Trail, Grand Island. Page 2 of 7 Hiawatha National Forest Project Name Hiawatha National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R9 - Eastern Region Munising Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Brownie Number 10 Cabin Removal - Special use management In Progress: Scoping Start 05/12/2015 Expected:11/2015 12/2015 CE *UPDATED* Eric Drake 906-428-5800 ericdrake@fs.fed.us Description: Removal by owner of a private structure and improvements from NFS lands on Grand Island and restoration of disturbed areas upon termination of recreation residence special use permit. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46626 Location: Delta County EMS Radio Repeater Install on FS Tower Project Contact UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger. LEGAL - T 47 N, R 19 W, Section 22. Grand Island, Michigan. - Special use management Completed Actual: 07/08/2015 07/2015 CE Brenda Rebitzke 906-474-6442 brebitzke@fs.fed.us Description: Delta County EMS requests to install a repeater on the Hiawatha National Forest Tie Hill tower to assist with emergency response. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46977 Location: UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger. LEGAL - Township 44 North, Range 19 West, Section 25. Township 44 North, Range 19 West, Section 25. Anne Okonek 906-474-6442 ext. 119 aokonek@fs.fed.us Dukes Snowmobile Trail - Recreation management CE Description: This project will construct and designate a new state groomed snowmobile trail that connects Trail 8 and Trail 417. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=40375 *UPDATED* Location: Moccasin Lake Lot 2 Septic Replacement Completed Actual: 09/14/2015 09/2015 UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Marquette. LEGAL - T46N R23W Section 14, 23, 27, and 35; T45N R23W Section 2. Forest Roads 2918 and 2915 in the Dukes Experimental Forest and the abandoned rail road grade north and south of M-94 near Dukes. - Special use management Completed Actual: 07/17/2015 07/2015 CE Rebecca Cain 906-387-2512 rcain@fs.fed.us Description: Permit holder would replace the failing septic system at their recreation residence. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46979 Location: 10/01/2015 04:26 am MT UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger. LEGAL - Township 44 North, Range 19 West, Section 1. Moccasin Lake Lot 2. Page 3 of 7 Hiawatha National Forest Project Name Hiawatha National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R9 - Eastern Region Munising Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Valley Spur Trailhead Improvements - Recreation management In Progress: Scoping Start 05/18/2015 Expected:10/2015 11/2015 CE Location: UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger. LEGAL - T46N R19W Section 20. Valley Spur trailhead is 8 miles southwest of Munising, MI. R9 - Eastern Region Rapid River Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Rapid River Cross Country Ski Trailhead Improvements - Recreation management In Progress: Scoping Start 07/09/2015 Expected:10/2015 11/2015 CE *UPDATED* Raco Natural Resource Management EA Anne Okonek 906-474-6442 ext. 119 aokonek@fs.fed.us Description: This project would increase the size of the existing ski trailhead parking lot and would involve installation of a storage building for trail grooming equipment. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46700 Location: Hiawatha National Forest Anne Okonek 906-474-6442 ext. 119 aokonek@fs.fed.us Description: The project consists of expansion of the parking lot at Valley Spur Trailhead, construction of a garage to house ski trail grooming equipment, installing a yurt, replacing toilet building. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=40379 *UPDATED* Hiawatha National Forest Project Contact UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Delta. LEGAL - Township 42 North, Range 21 West, Section 19. Rapid River Cross Country Ski Trailhead. R9 - Eastern Region Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants - Forest products - Fuels management In Progress: Scoping Start 06/01/2014 Est. Comment Period Public Notice 01/2016 Expected:06/2016 07/2016 Stephen Sjogren 906-643-7900x134 ssjogren@fs.fed.us Description: Manage natural resources to restore ecological conditions of a fire-dependent sand-plain. Adaptive management will be used to harvest and regenerate trees, manage fuels and improve habitat for fire-adapted species like Kirtland's warbler. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45336 Location: 10/01/2015 04:26 am MT UNIT - Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Raco Sand Plains area in north central part of the Eastern Administrative Unit of the Hiawatha National Forest. Page 4 of 7 Hiawatha National Forest Project Name Hiawatha National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R9 - Eastern Region Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Smithers RAPRA Special Use Permit Reissuance - Special use management Completed Actual: 07/09/2015 07/09/2015 Project Contact 07/2015 EA Nicole Molitor 906-428-5835 nicolegmolitor@fs.fed.u s Description: Proposed activities include reissuance of a 20-year SUP for use of the abandoned National Guard air base in Raco, Michigan (Raco Airbase). The existing permit was put in place on October 4, 1996, and expires on October 4, 2016. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45228 Location: Hiawatha National Forest UNIT - Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa. LEGAL - Township (T) 46N, Range (R) 4W, Section 26. The site is an abandoned National Guard airbase in Raco, Michigan along Highway 28, approximately 18 miles west of Sault Ste. Marie. The site has been used for vehicle testing under permit since 1972. R9 - Eastern Region St. Ignace Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) East Lake Road Reconstruction - Facility management EA In Progress: Scoping Start 06/05/2014 Est. Comment Period Public Notice 09/2015 Expected:11/2015 12/2015 Nicole Molitor 906-428-5835 nicolegmolitor@fs.fed.u s Description: The primary purpose of this project is to provide safe, more reliable access along East Lake Road while maintaining the remarkable natural features this area has to offer. The project will include culvert improvements and road reconstruction. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43475 Location: 10/01/2015 04:26 am MT UNIT - St. Ignace Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa, Mackinac. LEGAL - T42N, R4W, sections 29, 32, 20, 17, 16, 9, 10, and 3, T43N, R4W, sections 34, 27, 22, 15, 10, and 3,and T44N, R4W, sections 34, 27, and 28. The reconstruction of East Lake Road spans from Charles Moran Road in Brevort Township of Mackinac County to H40 in Trout Lake Township of Chippewa County, Michigan. Page 5 of 7 Hiawatha National Forest Project Name Hiawatha National Forest Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R9 - Eastern Region St. Ignace Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Establishment of New Lakeside Daisy Population - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Scoping Start 02/04/2014 Expected:02/2016 Project Contact 06/2016 CE Stephanie Blumer 906-643-7900 x155 sblumer@fs.fed.us Description: Propose to introduce lakeside daisy (federally threatened) plants by direct seeding, propagation and outplanting, or a combination of these methods, at several new locations on the St. Ignace Ranger District. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41817 Location: UNIT - St. Ignace Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Mackinac. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project is of a programmatic nature, and activities may be implemented in multiple areas of the St. Ignace Ranger District, Mackinac County Michigan. Little Bear Creek North Country - Recreation management In Progress: Expected:03/2016 05/2016 Trail Relocation and Boardwalk Scoping Start 03/27/2014 Removal Description: Relocate trail to a dryer location away from wetlands and remove old boardwalk. CE *UPDATED* Location: St. Martin's Point and Government Island Dispersed Recreation Improvements UNIT - St. Ignace Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa. LEGAL - T 44 R 4 sections 25,26,27, 34,35,36. North Country Trail segment near Little Bear Creek. - Recreation management EA Frances Verwiebe 906-428-5267 fverwiebe@fs.fed.us In Progress: Notice of Initiation 03/13/2014 Est. Comment Period Public Notice 09/2015 Expected:01/2016 06/2016 Lyn Hyslop 906-643-7900 lhyslop@fs.fed.us Description: Improve dispersed recreation opportunities; fix resource damage; do Outfitter and Guide needs assessment; rehabilitate unauthorized OHV trails; improve Search Bay Road (FR3436) to maintenance level (ML)3 road; close or decommission some ML1 roads. Location: 10/01/2015 04:26 am MT UNIT - St. Ignace Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa, Mackinac. LEGAL - T41N R1W sections 9 and 10; T41N R2W sections 2,3,10 and 11; T42N R2W sections 22-27 and 34-36. St.Martins Point is located by north shore of Lake Huron, east of St. Martins Bay and west of Search Bay. Government Island is nestled in the Les Cheneaux Islands near the north shore of Lake Huron. Page 6 of 7 Hiawatha 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 04:26 am MT Page 7 of 7 Hiawatha National Forest