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This page provides a list of projects that have either recently been completed or that are currently underway that legally require the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest to run through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process before proceeding. This process includes a scientific analysis of proposed actions in an effort to make the best decisions concerning land management.
What is NEPA?
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions. Projects requiring NEPA also provide specific opportunities for public review and comment. Learn more about NEPA and how you can participate in the NEPA process.
Forest Projects
Cle Elum Ranger District personnel are planning to implement an aquatic restoration project on the Cle Elum River, immediately downstream of the Cooper River Bridge. Project implementation is expected to occur in the summer of 2025.
The Forest Service is seeking public comments on this proposal by May 28, 2025. Comments or questions about the project may be submitted to this email address: FS-SharedMailbox-comments-pnw-okanogan-wenatchee@usda.gov/. Please list the name of the project "Upper Reach Cle Elum River Restoration Project" in the subject line of your email.
This project is authorized under the Decision Notice for the 2019 Pacific Northwest Region Aquatic Restoration Project.
Project Information Materials
Attachment A, 90% Design Plans -- Maps and chartsshowing the restoration design plans.
Fish Passage Approval email -- Copy of an email from US Fish & Wildlife Service Fish Passage Engineer Jared McKee stating the project meets fish passage criteria and is appropriate for the site.
Restoration Review Team's recommendation for approval email -- Copy of an email from Forest Service Salmon Recovery Liaison William Brignon confirming US Fish & Wildlife Service approval of the project.
Aquatic Restoration Environmental Assessment -- The 2019 Pacific Northwest Aquatic Restoration Project Environmental Assessment(authorization document for the Upper Reach Cle Elum River Restoration Project)
Cle Elum River Project Basis of Design Report -- This reportdescribes the design features of the Upper Reach Cle Elum River Restoration Project, including drawings.
Cle Elum River Restoration Project Environmental Assessment Compliance document -- This document contains project activity descriptions, monitoring plan, and compliance checklist.
Note: Not all projects may appear on map. See list below for complete list of projects with more information or documentation.
SOPA Reports
The Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) contains a list of proposed
actions for Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest that will soon begin or are currently undergoing environmental
analysis and documentation. It provides information so that you can become
aware of and indicate your interest in specific proposals. We encourage your
early and ongoing involvement in any proposals of interest to you.
Removal of hazard trees in administrative and developed recreation sites on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Sites would include tree removal in campgrounds, at trailheads, day use areas, guard stations and other admin. & developed rec. sites.
The primary purpose of this project is to expand snowmaking within the existing Mission Ridge Ski Area boundary to cover the popular and sun-exposed northeast side of the Mission Ridge Ski Area.
Renew special use permit for existing above ground and below ground distribution lines, including power poles, transformers, vaults, substations and numerous other electrical facilities located on NFS lands.
The Forest Service is proposing the removal of dead trees within 150 feet of selected roads. Any tree that is dead, and is within 150 feet of the road, will be subject to removal regardless of species.
The individual actions consolidated into this project had no new extraordinary circumstances that could be meaningfully evaluated to warrant further analysis. Previous NEPA decisions and updated FS guidance were sufficient for SUP issuance.
Permit amendment to include construction, operation, and maintenance of 4000 feet of underground fiber and powerline in the Dry Creek FS 7804 Road Prism.
A multi-partner effort to recover Gold Creek bull trout populations by correcting habitat conditions which create significant mortality, reconnecting the creek and floodplain, and restoring natural processes. Provide recreation at this valued site.
Permanent area closure on National Forest land adjacent to I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East (I-90 SPE) reconstruction to restrict access to wildlife crossing structures.
Landscape-scale wildfire risk reduction and terrestrial restoration project in Rader Creek, lower Wolf Creek, and upper Twisp River drainages. Excludes Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness.
This project would decommission approx. 1 mile of FS-4600 (Mineral Creek Road), which would no longer be needed after the Upper Kachess River Restoration project constructs a new trailhead for the Mineral Creek Trail.
Culverts will be pulled from two spurs off the 6210 road in order to improve aquatic organism passage opportunities. Prior to culvert removal road maintenance levels will be converted FR 6210-120 (est. 1 mile) and 0.5 mile of 6210-120 from ML2 to ML1
The purpose of this project is to implement a project approved in the Mission Ridge Master Plan EA to install a new chair lift within the existing special use permit and ski area boundary (ref. pg. 16, 1.2.3.3 Bowl Four Lift -now called Chair 5.
Project is to amend the Mission Ridge Special Use Permit, building a new access road, constructing new alpine ski lifts and ski runs on Forest Service lands.
This proposal would authorize a name change on an existing permit. The land was sold and the permit authorizes a waterline to cross National Forest Land.
The National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service are preparing a North Cascades Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan and Environmental Impact Statement to determine how to restore the grizzly bear to the North Cascades ecosystem.
The Northwest Forest Plan Amendment provides an updated management framework that incorporates best available scientific information, considers public input, recommendations from the Federal Advisory Committee, tribes, and government partners.
Amend Okanogan National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan standards and guidelines addressing management of Forest Plan Old Growth and vegetative cover used by deer.
The Land and Resource Management Plans of combined Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests are being revised as required by the National Forest Management Act. The focus is to update parts of the plans no longer current and requiring change.
Pacific Power will upgrade 28 miles of distribution line and relocate parts of main distribution feeder to HWY 410 ROW (construct 14 linear miles); eight miles of distribution line will be removed from the current transmission right of way on Forest.
Proposal to amend Land and Resource Management Plans to provide forest plan direction for managing domestic sheep and goat grazing within the range of Bighorn sheep to better provide for bighorn sheep viability in the context of range management.
Temporarily place 6-10 ecology blocks above OHW to deflect overbank flows from Railroad Creek away from a potential avulsion low spot that flows directly into Driftwood Harbor.
Improve timber stand and wildlife habitat by reducing risk of wildfire through ladder fuel reduction thinning and prescribed fire on up to 3000 acres of National Forest lands.
The Pacific Northwest Region is collaborating with nine Forests to develop a region-wide project to protect whitebark pine trees (Pinus albicaulis) that have a high level of white pine blister rust resistance.
Owners of Recreation Residences in several Recreation Residence tracts and YMCA Camp Dudley have submitted applications for various repairs and alterations to their privately owned structures to ensure safety, accessibility and regulatory compliance.
The Forest intends to issue 2 decisions on this project: one using Emergency Action Determination (EAD) BIL 40807 with no objection process (36 CFR 218) for applicable actions, and one using this objection process for actions not covered by the EAD.
This project proposes renewing five 10 year prioirty use permits for Outfitter and Guide services on the Wenatchee River Ranger District. Two permittees also operate on the Entat R.D. and are included in these renewals.
Issue 2-year transitional priority use special use authorization for seasonal (winter) lodging facilities and outfitter guiding at DeRoux Campground, North Fork Teanaway River.
This project proposes renewing five 10 year prioirty use permits for Outfitter and Guide services on the Wenatchee River Ranger District. Two permittees also operate on the Entat R.D. and are included in these renewals.
White Pass proposes to replace the existing double chairlift with a new quad chairlift. The new lift would be installed in the same alignment as the current lift, with the same bottom and top terminal locations.
