Projects Archive

The vegetation treatments include commercial harvesting, pre-burn slashing, and prescribed burning. This project proposes 2.3 miles of road reconstruction and 4.3 miles of temporary road construction. All temporary roads would be obliterated

This project represents an ongoing effort by the Region 1 forests Minerals and Geology Abandoned Mine Lands Program to address the physical safety hazards presented by mine openings on Forest System Lands.

This project is to plant ponderosa pine seedlings at a 12'x12' spacing (~303 trees per acre) across identified units, with the exception of the roadside fuel break which will be planted at a lighter density.

Backfilling hazardous mine opening features using waste material and native materials surrounding the features.

Whitebark pine seedlings will be planted at 12x12 spacing in the spring of 2023.

Planting approximately 230 acres of lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, and western larch in areas that have not regenerated to desired species and stocking densities after the 2015 Sucker Creek Fire.

3 Rivers to replace outdated copper cables in Neihart with fiber optic cables to bring high-speed internet to rural residents. Construction will occur in two phases, beginning mid-2024 and ending by Summer 2025, using minimally disruptive techniques.

*Cancelled - Duplicate Project in the Database* Amend special use permit to install fiber optics to Showdown Ski Area. 3 Rivers would place fiber cable from an existing fiber optic vault at the intersection of Forest Service Rd 3328 and Hwy 89.

Construct a fence around the Riparian area in the 4 mile meadows to keep cattle out of the riparian area and allow the area to recover and improve in condition.

This project would continue the implementation of the ongoing Region 1 effort to address the physical safety hazards presented by hazardous mine openings on the NFS lands by removing old structure and mitigating openings by backfilling or grating.

To close or render "safe", features inventoried and identified as hazardous located on the Lewis and Clark National Forest (LCNF) include: open adits, shafts, stopes, subsidence features, trenches, and dilapidated structures.

The implementation actions described within this proposal represent an ongoing effort by the Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Program to address the physical safety hazards presented by hazardous mine openings.

40th Helicopter Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, will conduct helicopter landings and alternate insertion/extraction (AIE) hovers within USFS lands in order to further aircrew training. This is a renewal of a previous permit, which expired Dec 31 2020.

Less than half a mile of Forest Service Road 293 will be rerouted to mitigate safety concerns caused by flooding and Lincoln Telephone's buried fiber optic line will be rerouted to accommodate the rerouted road.

Issue a private road special use permit to Jody Anest authorizing access to his private property in the Big Snowy Mountains. Currently on hold.

Arrastra Trail #482 is a popular trail for accessing the Scapegoat Wilderness for both hikers and stock parties. The proposed reroute would move the trail from the valley bottom to the sidehill for a approx. 0.25 miles.

The goal of this project is to provide access to private land parcels that are surrounded almost entirely by NFS lands.

A project to stabilize/convert and relocate routes identified in The Rocky Mountain Ranger District Travel Management Plan, Record of Decision for Badger-Two Medicine, March, 2009

Repair two existing spring developments and construct 6 new spring developments to provide water to livestock in the Bald Hills and Tenderfoot grazing allotments.

As part of the ongoing effort to address physical safety hazards associated with abandoned hazardous mine claims the Helena - Lewis and Clark National Forest is proposing an additional 8 features to be addressed.

The current trail is steep in sections and is impacted by year-round erosion. The trail reroute will improve user safety by keeping the grades at a constant 5 to 10 percent and reduce the need for constructed drainage features.

The Helena Ranger District in partnership with NorthWest Energy and MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks proposes to restore a section of lower Beaver Creek, which lacks floodplain connectivity, habitat complexity and a functioning riparian area.

Construct approximately 700 feet of fence that will act as boundary fence for BLM allotment and Forest Service "On-Off" Allotment management.

Use of prescribed fire and mechanical fuels treatments to remove dead and diseased trees and ladder fuels to improve forest health, promote surface fire, retain mature fire-resistant trees, and protect homes and developments in the Benchmark area.

Use of prescribed fire and vegetation treatments to break up continuous fuels, improve forest health, promote surface fire, retain mature fire-resistant trees, and protect homes and developments in the Benchmark Area.

This waterline project will attach and extend approximately 150 feet to the private property boundary in Section 27. The proponent will use an excavator to dig a trench approximately 4-6 feet in depth, approximately 1-2 feet wide.

Issue new private road special use permit to landowner. Use will involve construction of a creek crossing over Castle Creek and construction of a road to access Bentz property in the Castle Mountains.

The goals of this project are: restore/enhance aspen stand health along the south side of the Big Snowy Mountains, restore aspen stands to their previous larger size, maintain meadows, and improve the diversity of wildlife habitat.

Project would continue the mining related activities at the Bigler Mine site and would begin excavation of a prospect trench to expose an inferred gold-bearing mineralized vein at the Snowbank Mine site for a term of 10 years.

Create a plan that will provide for a variety of motorized and non-motorized winter recreation opportunities.

This is for non-winter motorized use to provide a manageable system of designated public motorized and non-motorized access routes and areas.

Thinning to remove primarily Douglas-fir encroachment to promote the existing ponderosa pine across the project area. This proposal also includes prescribed burning for wildlife habitat maintenance, stand improvement and to reduce fuel loadings.

Re-entered into the PALS database and published in the Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) report as the 2012 Blankenship Vegetation Project

Exploration drilling operations and geophysical surveys would be conducted to reinforce and build upon geologic mapping and geophysical survey information collected during previous investigation of the project area.

Reissuance of outfitter and guide permits within the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.

Reissuance of existing outfitter and guide permits in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.

The Boulder-Baldy Project would treat approximately 6,043 acres of vegetation using a combination of intermediate and regeneration harvest methods. Site preparation burning would be use in some units treated with regeneration harvest methods.

Great Falls Rotary Club is proposing to replace all 9 of the existing cabins over the next 3 years. Beginning in 2015 proposed to replace 2-3 cabins followed by 2-3 each following year until completed. Replacement cabins will be constructed on site.

Install a water development covered under the Middleman project in the drainage off of Bowmans and FS road 138.

A right-of-way 4 ft in width and approximately 1548 feet in length for use and maintenance of an irrigation ditch and headgates on Daniels Creek for irrigation of private land.

This restoration project has various silvicultural and prescribed burning treatments on approximately 22,00 acres, requiring road reconstruction and temporary road construction. There are no new permanent system roads proposed with this project.

Charter Communications operates a communication facility on Highwood Baldy located within a designated communication site. The lease issued to Charter will expire 12/31/2015. This proposal is to issue a new lease to replace the expiring lease.

The City of Helena proposed an increase right of way width from 7.5 feet to 100 feet on either side of the flume structure to reduce risk to wildfire and tree strikes. All other permit authorizations remain the same

City of Helena to replace 6 concrete water intake structures in the Ten Mile Creek drainage, 3 are on National Forest. Structures would be replaced 1-2 at a time, using temporary dams and channels to keep water flowing and maintain drinking water.

Issue two new special use road permits to replace permits that will soon expire. The permits authorize use and maintenance of private roads to access inholdings on the Belt Creek Ranger District.

The Helena Ranger District continues to implement the Divide Travel Plan by proposing to re-configure and improve the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) in 3 locations, existing roads 136-D1 and 1802-B2, and CDNST haul route re-route.

The purpose of this project is to reduce impacts to natural resources by partnering with the Big Blackfoot Chapter of Trout Unlimited to relocate 1.09 miles of the Copper Creek Road to an upslope location beginning at mile post 8.

This project is proposing to treat aspen and whitebark pine in the Snow/Talon fire burn scar.

James T and Holly Croff are exchanging road right-of-way easements with the Forest Service. The Forest Service will acquire access across Croff land on Frenchies Coulee Rd #6579. Croff will be granted across NFS lands on Lone Tree Boundary Rd #6578.

Project to reroute portions of Trail #619 to reduce resource impacts and construct a connection to Trail #628 for ATV use as identified in the Little Belts, Castles and North Harlf Crazy Mtns. Travel Plan Record of Decision(2007)

Replanting of White Bark Pine in a fire rehab area.

This project has 2 decisions because a portion of this project required Secretary of Agriculture redelegation of authority. Reconstruction of 16 miles of road to address resource and safety needs.

To extend an existing water pipeline system to improve livestock grazing distribution on Forest Service lands. The pipeline included 0.7 miles of high density polyethylene pipe and one fiberglass stock tank. The pipe will be installed above ground.

The proposal is to conduct survey and design in 2017 and contract reconstruction/rerouting in 2017-2018. It is anticipated that approx. 2.5 miles of the existing 4 mile trail will require rerouting and approx. 1.5 miles will require reconditioning.

New special use proposal for ingress and egress to private property parcel.

We are proposing to construct a water development during the summer of 2016 to improve the condition of the natural spring.

Continue to authorize livestock grazing on the Deep Creek, Grassy Mountain, Dry Creek, and Timber cattle and horse (C&H) grazing allotments.

2Bs Environmental Inc. to investigate a potential mineral deposit and extract minerals on NFS lands. Sections will be excavated in sequence, with material processing occurring off-site. Disturbed land will be restored through reshaping and reseeding.

Travel management analysis for summer and winter motorized use; to provide a manageable system of designated public motorized routes and areas.

A sweet smelling toilet will be installed at a dispersed campsite at the junction of Divide Road and Williams Mountain Road. The Forest Service is partnering with Kings Hill Grooming Association to complete the project.

Rerouting two sections of two trails so that they no longer fall across private property.

Per the 2007 Travel Management decision an ATV trail was identified to be potentially constructed in the Dry Pole Canyon Area which would provide access trail 475.

This project seeks to reduce timber cover along the NE side of the of the Dry Pole drainage by hand slashing and lopping small conifers (<5" dbh) to reduce competition for moisture and to increase the availabity of browse and forb species.

Purpose of this project is to reduce the impacts of dispersed recreation on the riparian area at and near the Dry Pole Road # 6392 ford crossing.

The Townsend Ranger District is proposing to treat 250 acres of National Forest System Lands affected by the Woods Creek fire using a combination of salvage harvest, sanitation thinning harvest and reforestation actions.

Placer exploration proposal which would utilize tracked equipment to complete a series of excavations with the intent of identifying "pay zones" and/or exposing shallow bedrock surfaces for subsequent screening for potential locatable mineral deposit

Due to heritage concerns we re-consulted on a past placer mining project.

Kirk and Cathy Eakin have a portion of their Garage and driveway on NFS lands. The area of the permit is directly off of Rimini Road. No authority exists to perform suitable land adjustment and no known survey error exists.

Convert Ear Mountain Cabin into a Forest Service Cabin Rental

The proposal is to test the resistance of 3-year old whitebark pine seedlings from multiple seed zones for seed transfer, cold hardiness and drought tolerance.

The proposed action is the reclamation of the 0.02 acre Elk gravel pit obliteration. Any mineral materials stored on site will be moved to the Tollgate gravel pit. Reclamation and obliteration methods will include scarifcation/ripping.

The purpose of the Elk Smith Project is to address fuel accumulation and continuity in the project area.

To make or render "safe", two abandoned mine sites.

Drill a 150' deep well and pipelines to feed stock tanks.

The proposal is to build 1.5 miles of barbed wire fence on the hillside of the Elliston Creek Road. The purpose and need for the fence is to better manage the riparian conditions in Elliston Creek for bull trout.

Use of mechanical (commercial and non-commerical) thinning and prescribed burning to reduce hazardous fuel in the Wildland-Urban Interface.

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.

This proposal will improve the water access and fencing on the Ray Creek, North fork, and Deep Creek/Grassy Mountain Allotments while protecting riparian areas until a new allotment plan is approved.

Trailhead development and campground and river access at the newly acquired Falls Creek addition.

MT DOT will install a new Roadway Weather Information Station (RWIS) along Hwy 279 (Flesher Pass Rd) for road data and public information. The RWIS will be powered by a new aerial power line from an existing Northwestern Energy powerline corridor.

authorization for the use and maintenance of a water transmission line to transport water from National Forest to private land for livestock watering.

Remove dead, dying and structurally unsound trees 2 tree-lengths around recreation and administrative sites. Trees that do not pose a safety hazard to the public or create a risk to damaging the infrastructure for a site will be retained.

GCM Services, Inc. has held a special use permit on the Lewis & Clark NF since 1992. The last permit, issued in 2008, has expired. They have applied for a new special use permit to authorize cultural resource surveys on projects yet to be defined.

Reissue a term Special Use Permit for snowmobile club grooming shed and related facility. No changes or ground disturbing activities are proposed

The Forest Service was a cooperating agency, assisting the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in that Agency's geothermal leasing analysis and decision. The BLM issued a record of decision on 12/17/2008.

Authorization to construct a transmission line within an existing utitlity corridor on the Rocky Mountain Ranger District. This is part of the Gibson Dam Hydroelectric project licensed by FERC in January 2012.

Rehabilitation of a low-head dam to maintain a consistent water level and ensure the structural integrity of the dam.

Issue a new permit to replace an expired permit for operation and maintenance of electric transmission lines.

Proposed 2024 Plan of Operations for valuable mineral activities on National Forest land in the Washington Creek drainage. Operator to utilize a mini-excavator to expose bedrock in an 80 foot by 80 foot area of interest. Access via existing roads.

The Helena National Forest would like to host the whitebark pine cycle 5 performance test plantation on the Lincoln Ranger District (15 to 20 acres). The intent of the tests is to evaluate white pine blister rust resistance, seed zones, and cold.

Forest Service is proposing to issue two special use road permits to two landowners in the Grasshopper area of the Castle Mountains. The purpose for this proposal is to allow access to private inholdings.

The goal of this project is to relocate trail 717 around the Grasshopper Campground in order to eliminate stock and off highway vehicles (OHVs) from accessing the trail through the developed campground site.

Installation of a new radio repeater site in the Big Snowy Mountains.

The US Air Force in the lead agency working on an EIS that has activities on the National Forest to improve to existing launch facilities and upgrades to fiber optic lines. Documents available at: www.gbsdeis.com

This project will establish a Douglas-fir Realized Gain pine test plantation to evaluate the gains obtained from tree improvement by comparing the performance of Douglas-fir trees from different forests and geographic locations.

The proposal is for a small 3 person placer operation that would screen remnant tailing piles for valuable minerals. The operator would excavate and process the top 2-3' of tailing piles. The mineral would then be processed through a trommel.

This trail was identified as part of the 2007 Little Belt Mountains Travel Plan as a loop opportunity. In order to implement the Travel Plan the last 1 mile of trail will need to be converted from motorcycle to ATV accessible.

Forest Plan revision for the Helena and Lewis & Clark National Forests.

This project would address the physical safety hazards presented by hazardous mine openings (HMOs) on National Forest System (NFS) lands.

The goal of this project is to ¬¬re-issue a 20 year permit authorizing the YMCA to continue using the Lion%u2019s Club Organization Camp

Standing dead and dying trees would be felled and /or removed. Designated trees are approximately 75-175 feet (1.5 tree lengths) from the edge of the road surface or within/around the boundary of an administrative site.

Assign management area designation for land purchased in 2006 and 2011 from the Nature Conservancy.

weed management

Legal transfer of the old Helena Ranger District Building and numerous out-buildings with some retention of rights of way and land.

Construction of a permanent barb wire fence for holding purposes. Fence will be 400' x 400' total of 3.67 acres. Fence will be comprised of steel t-posts and barb wire. Fence will be located at 110.451085W, 46.730937N, in SWNE Sec 10 T11N R10E

Use of adaptive management strategies to move toward desired condition objectives in authorizing livestock grazing across the Highwood Mountains landscape area.

Open ridge tops in the Highwood Mountains provide valuable habitat and travel corridors for mountain goat, mule deer, and elk. This projects seeks to enhance and preserve these habitats and travel corridors through the removal of encroaching conifer.

Project seeks to enhance and preserve ridgetop habitats and travel corridors through the removal of encroaching conifers. Douglas fir, subalpine fir and lodgepole pine trees <8" dbh will be hand slashed and lopped. 5-needle pines will not be remove

Hogback Lookout has not been used in several years resulting in a deteriorated structure. A determination was made that Hogback Lookout is excess to Forest Service. This will include the relocation of the electrical service to a nearby radio tower.

Improve and expand radio coverage for the Helena National Forest and Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Department.

Using prescribed fire, this project restores the natural role of fire and the resultant processes. In addition to creating and maintaining natural openings and improving stand structure, burning will improve forage quality and quantity for ungulates.

The proposed project is to help restore and maintain the structure, function, composition and ecological connectivity of the forest system in order to increase resiliency to future natural disturbance events like wildfire, insects, and disease.

Permit to construct barbed wire fence approximately 1500 feet long and five feet tall in two sections on NFS land to provide a physical boundary for cattle in order to keep them in the proper grazing areas.

Salvage and sanitation harvest on 150 acres to removed trees effected by a wind event. Project requires 0.5 miles of temporary road. Temporary road is obliterated after project activities are completed.

This vegetation project would improve forest health and landscape resiliency, reduce wildfire hazards, and provide wood products to local and regional economies.

This project is to decommission and restore Indian Hill campground and will include removing all campground features as well as scarifying the road and removing the bridge. The current bridge dispersed site will be left for camping.

The Townsend District Ranger is proposing the issuance of a special use permit for a water ditch on Grassy Mountain to convey water from an unnnamed tributary of Mike Day Creek to private land. A valid water right for the use of 2.46 cfs is in place.

The permittee wants to use common placer sampling, excavation and processing methods to explore for potential placer gold deposits between Greenhorn and Montana Gulches in the Confederate Gulch vicinity of the Big Belt Mountains.

To re-issue existing special use permits for Halfmoon Ranch, K Bar L Ranch, Johannesburg Gulch Rd Association, Neimark Property Owners Association, and McDonald Rd.

The purpose of this proposal is to decommission/obliterate the roads that were identified in the Little Belt, Castle, and North Half Crazy Mountains Travel Plan FEIS. This project will also maintain or restore healthy soil and water conditions.

The purpose of this proposal is to remove/obliterate several ATV/Jeep Trails identified in the Little Belt Travel Plan as being un-needed and to be eliminated, but are still being utilized by the public.

NorthWestern Energy will rebuild 1 mile of existing powerline within their powerline right-of-way authorized under the special use permit that crosses Jimtown Road off the North East end of Canyon Ferry Lake.

Permittee would utilize subsurface core drilling techniques to explore for valuable metallic minerals (e.g., gold) associated with, and generated by emplacement mechanisms similar to, those associated with the Miller Mountain Mine Complex.

A proposal to approve a Plan of Operations for placer mining-related activities that would be conducted on National Forest System (NFS) lands (Big Belt Mtns) administered by the Townsend Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.

The Townsend Ranger District of the Helena National Forest is initiating a wildlife enhancement project in the Elkhorn Mountains

A Plan of Operations was received for common placer sampling, excavation and processing methods to explore for potential placer deposits. Operator would use a mechanized hoe, all excavations would occur in a 20 foot by 30 foot area.

Mineral access proposal for use of existing routes and construction of 0.6 mile of temporary road. Access and mining exploration/ excavation activities are in accordance with laws governing locatable minerals on National Forest Land

This project will thin 7"dbh and under Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir with a preference of thinning Doug-Fir. This is a first step in returning the area to some similarities of its historical form. There would also be a reduction in ladder fuels.

The proposed project would restore approx. 100 feet of streambank along Jumping Creek; a TMDL listed stream. The project proposes to reestablish the stream to a proper stream width by building banks and stabilizing with native vegetation.

Cowels Media submitted an application to authorize an existing tower located at an existing communication site. No ground disturbing work will be required and no changes to the existing site are proposed.

This project would issue a special use permit to Kyle Perkins to allow him motorized access 2-3 times a month in the spring/summer/fall on a FS route in order to allow him to bring supplies to his private residence. No road improvements are proposed.

The District has received a plan of operation for mining related activities to remove potential ore-bearing material from existing surface piles for reprocessing at an offsite private land location.

This will reroute the trail to cross the creek and follow along the nearby hillside and connect back into the original trail. The total distance of this reroute is about 600 feet,add two 30 foot bridges, and elevate the trail over a wet area.

We are proposing to reissue new special use permits to replace expired permits for: MT Fish Wildlife and Parks; Cascade County Waste Transfer Site; Forest Green Resort Water Transmission Line; and private use of Prociv and Grassel roads.

Build a 2/3rd mile trail adjacent to the Sculpture in the Wild Park, across HWY 200 from the Lincoln Ranger District. The trail will be a figure 8 for eventual park expansion and as a groomed XC ski trail.

Removal of dead an dying trees on 160 acres. both North and South of Hwy 200. Lodgepole and Ponderosa Pine will be removed. Salvage is expected to be incidental on the south side of Hwy 200, and more widespread on the north side.

The Lincoln Ranger District has a need to reissue an existing Outfitter and Guide Permit. Mike McCormick of the Sunset Guest Ranch currently has a valid permit that expire on 06/03/2015.

The Horsefly and Black Diamond fires burned in 2019 in whitebark pine habitat up to and along the Continental Divide. Whitebark previously existed in this area. Planting is recommended to help restore and maintain whitebark pine populations.

These implementation actions are part of an ongoing effort to address Geology/Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Programs and address the physical safety hazards presented by hazardous mine openings(HMO)located on National Forest System lands.

The Little Belt Mountains Hazard Tree Removal Project proposes removal of hazardous trees along public roads and recreation and administrative facilities in the Little Belt Mountains.

Hazard trees dropped or removed on about 575 miles of priority roads for about 1 1/2 tree lengths each side. Tree not presenting a hazard would be retained. Same for selected rec & admin sites except for about 2 tree lengths.

Revision of the Travel Management Plan for all of the Little Belt Mountains, and the portions of the Castle and Crazy Mountains within the Lewis and Clark National Forest. Alternative maps are available on the web at www.fs.fed.us/r1/lewisclark

This project will mitigate resource damage and manage dispersed recreational sites per the Divide Travel Plan Record of Decision, to restrict motorized use from impacting riparian areas, and restore damage to the watershed.

Little Camas Placer operation is located adjacent to Little Camas Creek in the Big Belt Mountains. The proposed activity will take place between June 2021 and September 2021. The proposal includes sampling 1 cubic yard at 11 different sites.

Operator will be sampling 11 sites; remove 1-2 cubic yds of material, process and return sample materials to the hole and cover w/top soil. A rubber tired backhoe will be used to excavate the samples & use a wash plant capable of sampling 4-5 yds/day

Restoration of a dry site site ponerosa pine ecosystem with an emphasis on providing habitat diversity and to minimize the risk of stand replacing fire through thinning, mastication and prescribed fire to meet outlined desired future conditions.

Lost Fork Ridge whitebark pine restoration project: This area was impacted by fire; Fork Ridge fire (1300 ac), 2001 Lost Fork Fire (2338 ac), and the 2003 Ant Park fire. Competition from other species reduces the amount of natural WBP regeneration.

Lucy Park Trail 751 needs new trail construction for safety and enviormental impacts. Existing trail starts from Carpenter Creek Road on private land and runs fairly straight up the monutain side. Old trail system will be decommissioned.

Through a Quit Claim in 2005, the FS inherited ownership of the Lundborg Cabin and associated structures; outhouse and pumphouse. The original cabin dates back to around 1900, but has been completely encased in modern siding.

State of MT Aeronautics has applied for re-issuance of their special use permit to operate and maintain an historic airway beacon on the top of Mac-pass south site near Vista Point.

Special use authorization to Macfarland White to construct and use approx. 0.6 miles of road for access to his isolated inholdings. Ground disturbance for road construction is expected to be approx. 1 acre within a 14'prism built to Forest Standards.

NorthWestern Energy will remove an aerial powerline and bury a new powerline along the north side of Highway 12, which will cross under the highway and continue on to the southern MacDonald Pass communications site and to Cromwell Dixon campground.

Installation of a livestock well, a short pipeline and two stock tank in the Dahlman Allotment (South end of the Elkhorn Mountains).

The purpose is to install a short pipeline ( -200ft) and one stock tank in the Magpie Allotment. This tank will help distribute livestock in the uplands and reduce grazing pressure on bottomlands. The headbox will be excavated and fenced.

Issue new private road special use permit to Trina Mailloux Hein. Use will involve construction of a creek crossing and reconstruction of a road to access Mailloux Hein property in the Castle Mountains.

Reducing hazardous fuels and harvest mountain pine beetle affected trees on about 2124 acres using underburning, mechanical and hand piling of materials, pile burning, and constructing fuel reduction zones, including approx. 0.5 miles of new road

Reissue of SUPs Russell: Water for grazing. Jawbone Cattle Co: three pastures. Zehntner: Water diversion line on Deadman Creek and Daisy Creek; 10 foot ROW. McBride: spring box and line to private dwelling. Castle Mountain Ranch: pasture.

Proposal is to issue a special use road permit for an existing road. The road has been in use for a number of years to access private land.

This is a duplicate entry for a project that is called Middle Fork Woodchopper Ridge Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project. Therefore, this entry will be cancelled.

Project to construct the Middle Fork ATV trail connector to provide the public with a motorized trail opportunity as outlined in the 2007 Travel Management Plan (ROD). This project will reduce identified resource impacts and improve user safety.

This project will Obliterate 2-3 miles of riparian jeep trail from Yogo Hill to Arch Coulee and relocate- some short sections of jeep trail from Arch Coulee west to private inholding that arc causing resource damage.

A project to restore and enhance winter range for elk and mule deer.

Proposed activities are designed to address the components of developing, maintaining and improving forested conditions across the landscape by improving resiliency to disturbances while improving conditions for public and firefighter safety.

The White Sulphur Springs Ranger District is proposing to use a commercial timber sale to thin and salvage dead and dying trees on approximately 160 acres.

Transatlantic Mining Corp. to conduct underground core drilling for valuable metallic mineralization from within an existing mine adit located west of Miller Mountain in upper Johnnies Gulch. No road improvement/construction or veg removal proposed.

The Forest Service and Army are involved in an interchange of lands which will transfer the land to Army ownership. Until the interchange is complete, the special use permit issued to the Army National Guard needs to be extended for operational needs

Issue a special use permit to MDOT authorizing use of the Hoover Pit in the Little Belt Mountains for gravel crushing and hot plant operations for US Highway 89 maintenance.

The proposed action is the reclamation of the 0.02 acre Elk gravel pit obliteration. Any mineral materials stored on site will be moved to the Tollgate gravel pit. Reclamation and obliteration methods will include scarifcation/ripping.

Proposal to relocate the Monument Radio Repeater from Monument Lookout Rental Cabin's attic to a new, standalone enclosure near the cabin. Relocation will allow for easier maintenance access and improved reliability of safety communication networks.

A project being developed through a collaborative process for forest restoration within a designated landscape to reduce the risk and extent of insect or disease infestations and to increase resilience of forest stands.

The project is for the exploration of minerals in the Wood Chute area on the Helena National Forest and would include the reopening/reconstruction of two existing adits. Access would be from existing routes but requires the cutting of isolated trees

This HAM radio use based on Hogback Mountain was orginally authorized in 1992 and conveyed to the current holder upon the death of the previous holder.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is requesting a permit to allow reach-scale bioassays to assess how the piscicide rotenone (liquid) would perform in different habitat and water chemistry types and to assess the deactivating agent.

This analysis identifies the visitor use capacity on National Forest System lands only, on the Nez Perce National Historic Trail to assist in the protection and management of trail resources.

The Helena Ranger District proposes to improve the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) system and restore land impacted by redundant routes in the northern Divide between Mullan Pass and the northern Greenhorn face.

The goals of this project are to reduce resource damage and unsafe activities occurring along roadways and trailheads in the North Elkhorns Mountains

Authorize pesticide use permit and use of normally prohibited activities in designated wilderness. Would allow fish treatment and stocking project by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Scapegoat Wilderness.

Northwestern Energy to construct a new aerial powerline on private property near Unionville. Project will require the utilization of a line truck, backhoe and work truck. Equipment overland travel on Forest land will be minimal.

The project would reduce fire risk by removing the existing overhead primary lines and pones and installing new underground primary conductor.

We are proposing to consolidate all electrical transmission authorizations issued to NWE across the Helena/Lewis and Clark National Forest into one master permit with one operating plan.

Issue a special use communication lease to NorthWestern Energy to authorization construction, use and maintenance of a shelter, tower and propane tank to house communication equipment at the existing communication site located on Porphyry Peak.

Northwestern Energy to replace power poles, upgrade power pole equipment, relocate and add power poles along their existing powerline right-of-way between 1973 Rimini Road to the intersection of Rimini Road and Minnehaha Creek Road.

Issue new special use permits to replace expiring permits.

One thousand feet of new trail will be built to connect Trail 292 to the Little Willow Trailhead.

Proposed two-person placer operation that would screen remnant stream channel deposits for valuable minerals.

Project would include SST installation, define and repave parking area, install traffic signs, fencing, addition of picnic tables, trash recepticles and treatment of weeds.

CASTLES: Hereim Pasture S13 &23, T7N, R9E -Voldseth Pasture S13,T7N,R9E, S19 & 30,T7N,R10E - Rostad Pasture S23,T7N,R9E - IV Ranch Pasture S32,33,T9N,R9E CRAZIES: JCM Cattle Co S18,T6N,R11E BIG SNOWIES: Swanz Pasture S13, T11N,R18E

Inclusion of adjoining NFS lands for convenience pastures for ease of fencing, use of natural barriers, spring developments & water gaps and not logical to include in grazing allotment.

A project to obliterate roads not identified as needed, or adopted as part of the official transportation network, in the Rocky Mountain Ranger District Travel Management Plan, Record of Decision for Badger-Two Medicine, March, 2009.

Construct Trailhead parking area sufficient to park approximately 6 horse trailer towing units in addition to 2-4 non-towing vehicles. Construct 0.75 mile of connector trail to tie in with existing Trail #304 from the new trailhead.

The Lincoln Ranger proposes to restore a section of Poorman Creek which lacks floodplain connectivity and a properly functioning riparian area, due to channelization caused by historic placer mining activity.

Proposal is to install a short pipeline an a 350 gallon stocktank in the Poorman/Willow Allotment in order to better distribute livestock throughout the allotment and reduce grazing pressure along the bottom-lands.

Along Priest Pass Rd. (FSR 335),0.5 miles of fiber optic have been proposed to be installed on National Forest System lands.

Proposal for a lode mine which includes re-opening and securing an existing adit.

Last Chance Nordic Ski Club to expand grooming activities at the MacPass cross country ski trail system. Expansion would include grooming 2 miles of existing routes for cross country ski use, December to March, and plowing 0.5 acres of parking area.

Qwest Corporation has submitted an application for a special use permit to authorize operation and maintenance of an existing buried copper telephone line. Previous permit for this line has expired. No new construction is planned.

Private landowner is seeking vehicle access across FS land to their patended mining claim. Proposed access route would start from FS Road#692 and extend ~1600' on an existing two-track route to the private land parcel.

Reissuance of a 5 year special use permit for the Race to the Sky dogsled race. The race takes place on the Helena, Lincoln, Swan Lake, Seeley Lake, and Missoula RDs of the Helena, Flathead, and Lolo National Forests.

The Helena NF watershed group proposes to decommission non-system routes in the southern Big Belt mountain range in the vicinity of Ray Creek. This project is located on land recently acquired from the Neild Family.

Reconstruction of the turnpike along Trail #201 immediately north of the wilderness boundary. The reroute will move the trail #110 from crossing a spring in a riparian area to crossing Biggs Creek in a more rock armored location.

Permittees will move cabin off the Forest to private land. Road use permit issued afterward for private property access.

The purpose of this project is to increase the safety of the public on Lewis and Clark County Road #695. Hazard trees are proposed to be mechanically removed up to 1 1/2 tree lengths from the road.

Revision of Travel Managment Plan for the portion of the Rocky Mountains within the Rocky Mountain Ranger District.

The Lincoln Ranger District is looking to improve the trailhead at Rogers Pass in order to reduce resource impacts to Pass Creek, increase safety to motorists and CDNST users, increase the visibility of the site, and improve the visitor experience.

Proposed Plan of Operations for mining-related activities on NFS lands. Operator would utilize mechanized equipment to remove slope debris that has sloughed to the Sammy K portal and adit landing areas to ensure drainage features remain functional.

This project proposal is to restore 770 feet of Sauerkraut Creek above the historic wall structure by relocating the channel to the center of the valley and reconnecting relic and intact floodplain surfaces.

Proposal to sample for placer gold along Upper Prickly Pear Creek in the northern Elkhorn Mountains Range. Proponents would like to excavate 5 exploratory test holes using a rubber-tired backhoe and small scale wash plant system.

This project would assess stand health within aspen stands in the Sheep Creek watershed and develop a plan to restore/enhance those stands.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation will mount a stream gage, comprised of a radar stage sensor, wire weight reference stage gage, water temperature sensor, and a stream gage box, on Sheep Creek Road Bridge.

This project will obliterate ~100 miles of non-system roads in the Upper Sheep and Headwaters Sheep Creek drainages to improve water quality and fish habitat.

We are proposing to decommission, using obliteration, approximately 100 miles of road as described by the Little Belt, Castle, and North Half Crazy Mountains Travel Plan ROD in the upper Sheep Creek watershed.

Project in parts of Sheep-Deadman-Harrison Cr. to obliterate/stabilize routes identified for decomissioning and to benefit wildlife/watersheds as outlined in the Little Belt Mountains Travel Mgmt Plan FEIS and Record of Decision (2007)

Showdown Ski Area%u2019s Top Rock Café is adjacent to the existing Porphyry Peak Communication Site. Showdown has been operating two way radio systems out of the Top Rock Café radio communication services in an exiting building.

This project would evaluate and look to mitigate and remove dead/dying/and other trees which pose a risk to public health and safety within the Showdown Ski area, Kings Hill Winter Recreation Parking Area and Silver Crest Cross Country Ski Area.

Implement and draw vegetation management options from the 2015 Showdown Ski Area Vegetation Management Plan that will improve long term forest health and resiliency as well as increase skier safety and use.

Proposal is to authorize construction of a 24 ft X 32 ft grooming equipment storage building adjacent to the Silver Crest Ski Area and additionally issue a long term special use for the building to reside on National Forest Lands.

Silver King Radio Repeater Shelter to be replaced with prefabricated unit on ridge 1 mile away. Shelter footprint will be approximately 10-foot by 10-foot sitting on 4 2-foot by 2-foot pads. Helicopter transport required due to no road access.

Travel planning (open/closed status, season of use, type of use).

This project will implement actions on the ground for roads that were assigned "open" or "closed" status under the 2008 South Belts Travel Plan Decision. Under this current proposal "closed" roads would be decommisioned, barriered, or put in storage.

Townsend Ranger District, Helena National Forest, is proposing to implement the South Belts Travel plan during the summer of 2011. The South Belts decision was signed on February 4, 2008.

This project will create fuel breaks in the South Fork of the Judith along Forest Service roads, trails and power line corridors in areas or units totaling approximately 2,992 acres.

The purpose of this project is to reduce impacts to natural resources by partnering with Lewis and clark and others to relocate approximately 2300 feet of the county road and phone line. This section of road delivers 0.4 tons of sediment/year.

This project would relocate .5 mile of trail onto National Forest Lands to provide continued public access to Trail 652 in keeping with the Big Snowy Mountain Access &amp; Travel Management Decision (2002).

This project would implement a portion of the Divide Travel Plan by closing and/or decommissioning up to 100 miles of non-system routes and dispersed recreation sites. This project would not include any new travel decisions.

Spring Creek Road Obliteration

Exchange of private lands for NFS lands to consolidate land ownership and to improve administration of those lands.

Installation of a pipeline (300-500 feet)and 800 gallon stock tank in the Big Buffalo Allotment in the Spruce Hills area.

After two wildfires, many competing species have hindered Whitebark pine regeneration in the project area. This project will establish a progeny test site for WBP and to select genetically superior progeny that are resistant to insects and disease.

This project propoals included reclamation of approximately 4,200 feet of Stonewall Creek where past mining activity has changed the natural stream channel and fisheries habitat.

In August 2016 a ROD was completed. Wildfires in 2017 changed conditions in the area which now requires additional analysis. The new analysis is examining about 1500 acres of vegetation treatment, including 0.9 miles of temporary road.

Be responsive to mountain pine beetle outbreaks, maintain and improve viable mature habitat structure to support big game and other wildlife, promote resiliency with a mosaic of species, reduce fire hazard and potential, and provide timber products.

The Helena Ranger District is proposing a non-motorized trail system in the North Elkhorn Mountain Range.

Improvement of existing Summit Trailhead (hardening of parking surface, improvement of drainage and signage, installation of new hitch rails). Area is approximately 3 acres.

Reissue 3 Rivers expired Special Use Permit and include installation of new buried and aerial fiber optic line. This project includes a 12' x 16' building providing phone and high speed internet service to residence in the Sun Canyon area.

Operation and Maintenance of powerlines on the Rocky Mountain and Belt Creek Ranger Districts

The purpose of the Elk Smith Project is to address fuel accumulation and continuity in the project area. The original EA for this project is project number 42680, which this analysis is supplementing.

This proposal would reroute or reconstruct trail segments currently authorized for ATV use in the 2007 Little Belt, Castle, and Crazy Mountains Record of Decision (ROD).

Issuance of easements for water storage and conveyances systems that qualify under authority of the Ditch Bill (P.L 99-545). Storage and conveyance systems are existing and in place; previously authorized by Special use Permit or terms of an AMP.

Operator is looking at mineral excavation from a dry bench in the Thomas Creek drainage for an inferred placer gold deposit.

This project is designed to be responsive MPB outbreak by ensuring diverse & sustainable forest stands & wildlife habitat, improving conditions for fire suppression, recovering economic value of dead & dying trees, maintaining & improving watershed

This SEIS updates, reviews and corrects the project analysis and make necessary changes to the project including the removal from implementation acres outside the 2005 Powell County CWPP as well as removing additional treatment to help lynx habitat

The tract is 0.5 acres and located within the SW1/4NW1/4 Section 9, T9N, R5W. The description is an innocent permanent habitable structure encroachment under Small Tract Act.

Proposal is to conduct fuel treatments for the purposes of maintaining consistent water quantity-quality within Helena's municipal watershed and improving conditions for public and firefighters safety across the landscape in the event of a wildfire

The project proposes to decommission non-system routes and user-created dispersed campsites in the lower Tenmile area that are redundant or resulting in resource damage.

The Nature Conservancy submitted an application to use and maintain a non-system road for access to property recently purchased by TNC. The right-of-way is 50 ft wide, crossing a 15 foot strip of NFS land on the north side of Sourth Fork Teton Rd.

Project would address the physical safety hazards presented by hazardous mine openings on National Forest System Lands, by backfilling, polyurethane foam and or grate installation.

This project would address the physical safety hazards presented by hazardous mine openings (HMOs) on National Forest System (NFS) lands.

Currently portions of Trail 302 are open to ATVs on both ends via of old existing logging roads, the middle portion is planned to be constructed for ATV use as identified in the 2007 Travel Plan Decision Map 5.

Replacement of the 7.3kv overhead power line to a 7.2kv underground power line.

Minerals exploration and reopening of an adit at a previously producing copper mine. Proposal would include construction of 130 access road off an existing route, no tree removal or water use is required.

The project would obliterate and stabilize routes in the Two Medicine River drainage not identified as needed, or adopted as part of the official transportation network, in the Rocky Mtn. Ranger District Travel Mgmt. Plan, Record of Decision(2009)

To conduct placer sampling activities.

The Upper Landers Trail #479 is a popular trail in the Scapegoat Wilderness that sees foot and stock traffic throughout the year but heavily concentrated during the hunting season. Several of the crossing structures have become unsafe.

A project developed through a collaborative process for forest restoration within a designated landscape to reduce the risk and extent of insect or disease infestations and to increase resilience of forest stands.

An inspection of all facilities at the MacDonald Pass Comm site and for the purpose of a new comm site plan revealed that Verizon was still in procession of their equipment at the site. This will issue a special use permit to Verizon for use of site.

The goal of this project is to reissue a special use permit to Vigilante Electric Cooperative for their powerline facilities located on the Helena Ranger District.

Plant Ponderosa Pine seedlings within dead standing ponderosa stands.

This is a small vegetation project that seeks to improve the forest condition in a small area around the City of White Sulphur Springs water diversion infrastructure, mitigate the effects of changing PH levels in the water, and improve access.

This project improve sheep grazing management in the Wagner Gulch area of the Townsend District by providing additional water sources through the installation of water storage and drinking tanks on Forest Service and adjacent private land.

The Lincoln Ranger District is proposing to treat 63 acres through commercial thinning of overstocked stands in order to increase improve forest health. Thinning would be implemented through mechanical harvest and ground based skidding.

Project proposal to decommission by obliteration approximately 5 miles of road as described by the Little Belt, Castle, and North Half Crazy Mountains Travel Plan ROD in the upper Weatherwax Creek watershed.

This project would close hazardous mine openings and prospect pits in the Casey Creek area that may be a hazard to the public or livestock.

White Sulphur Springs City Water Access

The goal of this project is to reclaim the Whitetail gravel pit and obliterate the pit access road.

Project will enhance a spring development in the Whitetail Allotment in the Little Belts by adding a 10 foot in diameter stock tank and about 70 yards of pipeline.

Issue two special use permits for use and maintenance of existing roads providing access to two private inholdings in the Castle Mountains. 1.) Ryan Wilkinson in Sec 25, T9N, R8E and 2.) Jason McKee in Sec 36, T9N, R8E.

A project developed through a diverse collaborative process for forest restoration within a designated landscape to reduce the risk and extent of insect or disease infestations and to promote increased resilience of forest stands.

Townsend Ranger District is proposing to treat 2,977 acres uses various harvest methods in order to be responsive to the increase in insect activity and minimize potential wide-scale mortality.

We are proposing to decommission, using obliteration, approximately 25 miles of unneeded road as described by the Little Belt, Castle, and North Half Crazy Mountains Travel Plan ROD in the Yogo and Sage Creek watersheds.

FS #825 is in need of relocation of several sections in order to reduce erosion, maintenance costs and safety concerns. Approximately 500 feet of road beginning at the trailhead and 2100 feet of road down to Yogo crossing will be addressed.

The patented claim holder will utilize tracked/wheeled equipment to excavate and transport sapphire bearing ore from mining operations on adjacent patented (Garfield and others) mining claims, private property and across approx. 250ft of USFS land.

The Helena NF watershed group proposes to decommission non-system routes in the central Big Belt mountain range in the vicinity of York Gulch. Non-system routes that are redundant and need obliteration to protect resources.

The York Sand Shed Project would allow the Lewis and Clark County Road and Bridge Department to build a sand storage shed for the purpose of more efficient and cost effective treatment of winter road conditions in and around the community of York.

Issue a permit for the construction of a fire station near the York subdivision. Permit allows a special use authorization on 5 acres or less of National Forest land.