Official websites use .gov
A .gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the
United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
(
) or https:// means you've safely
connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only
on official, secure websites.
Projects
The NEPA Process
The National Environmental Policy Act outlines how federal agencies will incorporate public comment and disclose and mitigate the effects of projects on the land. A Citizens Guide to NEPA is available from the CEQ and covers what NEPA is and how the NEPA process works in depth.
NEPA requires the Chequamegon-Nicolet to assess the environmental effects of our proposed actions prior to making decisions. NEPA analyses are completed on all activities that could have a physical or biological effect on national forest lands. There are varying levels of analysis depending on the complexity or type of proposal.
The range of actions covered by NEPA is broad and includes:
- making decisions on permit applications,
- adopting federal land management actions, and
- constructing highways and other publicly-owned facilities.
Using the NEPA process, the Forest Service evaluates the environmental and related social and economic effects of proposed actions. We also provide opportunities for public review and comment on those evaluations.
Schedule of Proposed Actions
The Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) is a list of projects currently under analysis by the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The list also includes future projects the forest is planning on analyzing.
SOPA includes contact information for each project so you can call or email to sign-up for specific project updates. It also includes a link to a project web page where all the information for that project will be located over the course of the project.
SOPA is published quarterly.
The following are definitions of some of the terms used in the Quarterly Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA):
Appeal Period - The 45-day period after publication of a decision documented in a DN or ROD (see following definitions) during which an administrative appeal can be filed.
Categorical Exclusion (CE) - A category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. Neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.
Comment Period - The 30-day (EA) or 45-day (EIS) period for interested persons to provide comments to a Responsible Official on a proposed action.
Decision Memo (DM) - A concise written record of the responsible official's decision to implement an action that has been made under a categorical exclusion. A DM is used to document a decision on a minor action and is not appealable.
Decision Notice (DN) - A concise written record of the responsible official's decision based on an environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact (FONSI).
Environmental Assessment (EA) - A document prepared to determine if a proposed action, or its alternatives, may have significant environmental effects. If significant effects may occur, an EIS is prepared. If not, a FONSI and Decision Notice are issued.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - A document prepared for proposed actions that may have significant effects on the human environment. An EIS discloses significant issues and effects from the action and alternatives, for public review.
FONSI - Acronym for Finding of No Significant Impact. It is prepared and issued to the public when the results of an EA identify no significant impacts.
NEPA - Acronym for the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. This is the procedural guide for the decision-making and public disclosure process for site-specific project proposals and decisions.
Project - An action proposed by the Forest Service subject to public notice comment provisions under NEPA.
Record of Decision (ROD) - A concise written record of the responsible official's decision based upon an EIS.
Scoping - A process required by NEPA to solicit important issues and information related to a proposed action from within the agency, from other agencies, and from the public. Scoping aids in the development of alternatives for a proposed action.
Significance - As used in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), requires consideration of both context and intensity.
Get SOPA Updates Direct to Your Inbox
Simply go to the form, put in your email address and have the SOPA sent to your email inbox each time it's published.
Forest Projects
The Forest Projects below are projects that we are currently analyzing or have analyzed under the NEPA process. Projects are the proposed actions on National Forest System lands that are analyzed through the NEPA process. The analysis results in a NEPA decision which is then implemented on the ground over a period of months or years.
Projects that are "Developing Proposal" or "Under Analysis" may have an opportunity for public collaboration and input.
Chequamegon / Nicolet National Forest Project Spotlights
Peerless Vegetation and Transportation Project
Vegetation Management actions would include clearcut and shelterwood systems to regenerate oak, aspen, and pine, and thinnings to promote growth and vigor in pine plantations. Associated actions: updating road system and improving wildlife habitat.
All Current and Recent Projects
Note: Not all projects may appear on map. See list below for complete list of projects with more information or documentation.
Developing Proposal
-
2024 FR 144 Price Electric Line Replacement
Price Electric Cooperative is proposing to upgrade an existing undeground electrical line along FR 144 in Price County. The proposal includes boring or trenching approximately 4 miles of undeground electrical line in Price Electic's current ROW.
-
Green Light Wisconsin LLC Prospecting Permit
Green Light Wisconsin LLC has applied for a prospecting permit on the Bend Deposit in Taylor County, WI. Green Light proposes to conduct exploratory drilling to better define the deposit. The proposal includes borehole drilling and road access.
-
Hemlock Lake Wildlife Openings Prescribed Burn
Hemlock Lake wildlife openings are in Florence County near FS Rd 2446 and LeRoy Creek. There are 12 wildlife openings, totaling 64 acres, that would be prescribed burned to enhance wildlife habitat.
-
Town of Grover Ice Age Trail Parking Lot Construction
The Town of Grover is proposing to construct six parking areas and expand one current parking area along the Ice Age Trail in Taylor County. The parking lots will be constructed to accommodate approximately 2 vehicles, and improve safety and access.
-
Wildcat Motorized Trail Projects
Upgrading the trail to make it safe to add ATV/UTV use from the Town of Drummond south to Lake Owen Station Road and re-route 0.9-mile of the trail as it enters the Town of Drummond.
Under Analysis
-
2024 Brightspeed Fiber Install
Installation of buried fiber optic cable near the Town of Fence to provide high-speed internet to rural America and to enhance/upgrade surrounding network and reduce redundancy along the right of way Rock Creek, Newald Tower, and Morgan Lake Road.
-
2024 Special Use Permit Spring Batch
To authorize requests for eight Special Use Permit applications. Six are new permit applications for year-round motorized access to private inholdings. Two are reissuance of previous permits for dam maintenance and environmental data collection.
-
2025 Spectrum Mid America Fiber Install-Town of Mountain
Spectrum Mid America LLC proposes to install new underground fiber optic cable within existing ROW's near the Town of Mountain
-
CCI Systems, Inc Reconstruction and Maintenance of Telephone/Utility Lines
CCI Systems, Inc needs permit for existing line to reconstruct and continue maintenance across the district.
-
Forest Lodge Nature Trail Trailhead Parking Area and Traffic Circulation
Improve Forest Lodge road and trail infrastructure to accommodate increased use of Forest Lodge and the Nature Trail - parking, road and trail capacity, drainage, stormwater treatment, traffic sight lines within the complex and ingress and egress.
-
Forest Road 164 Reconstruction
The 11.6-mile-long project area will be cleared and grubbed within 16 feet of the road centerline or as needed to create ditching. All cross-drain culverts will be replaced with polymer coated arch pipes. The entire road length will be resurfaced.
-
Forest Road 182 Segment Reroute
A 1.22-mile reroute is proposed to improve the operation of the road and avoid a wetland that is regularly in need of gravel application.
-
FY25 Public Fishing Access Improvement
Improvement of public fishing access in four sites by replacing existing piers with accessible, permanent piers. The project also includes improvement of trail access, and restoration of shoreline surrounding piers.
-
Penokee Trail Network Rehabilitation and Reconstruction
Rehabilitation and reconstruction of 10.5 miles of cross-country ski/snowshoe trail that is also used as a hiking trail in the summer.
-
Town of Alvin ROW Maintenance
The Town of Alvin has requested that the Forest Service conduct a timber sale to remove merchantable trees within the road right of ways. This is for safer travel and easier snow removal.
-
Veikko Trail Improvement and Development
The Veikko Trail, an old cross-country ski trail in the St. Peter's Dome area developed by a local ski group, will be improved and realigned to fix drainage issues. Additional trail will be developed to connect to the St. Peter's Dome Trail network.
Analysis Completed
-
2023 American Transmission Company (ATC) Line 6530 Maintenance
ATC has identified a need to remove shrub and tree branches that are encroaching upon Line 6530 landline corridor from Conover substation in Conover, WI to the Mass substation in Mass, MI. Work occurring in the CNNF totals approx. six linear miles.
-
ATV/Snowmobile Trail 5 - Fish Trap Trail Rehabilitation
The Sawyer County Forestry and Parks Department has submitted a proposal to rehabilitate a nine-mile segment of ATV/Snowmobile Trail 5 - Fishtrap Trail.
-
Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) Land Exchange
Proposed land exchange with the Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands under the authority of the Weeks Act of March 1, 1911, Federal Land Exchange Facilitation Act of 1988 and Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPM).
-
Landscape Management in the Moose Two Axe Project Area
Vegetation treatment to improve health, productivity, and resiliency of northern hardwood, spruce, pine balsam fir, birch, and aspen stands. Wildlife, fisheries, and rare plant habitat management. Fuels treatments. Road network improvements.
-
NGLVC Renewable Energy Improvement Project
The purpose of this project is to create a more sustainable and economical facility by decreasing the Center's energy use. The project includes updating the building's lighting, siding, ventilation, insulation and the installation of solar panels.
-
North County Trail Bridge Maintenance and Reroutes Project
Proposal to reroute trail out of wet areas to higher ground close to original trail; and repair/replacement of bridges along the trail on the Great Divide District. The trail reroutes on the Washburn District are in the Rainbow Lakes Wilderness Area.
-
Norvado Fiber Optic Installation
Installation of underground fiber optic cable in portions of National Forest System land along State Highway 77, County Road S, Sams Lane, and Forest Roads 164, 174, 308, and 1661.
-
Peerless Vegetation and Transportation Project
Vegetation Management actions would include clearcut and shelterwood systems to regenerate oak, aspen, and pine, and thinnings to promote growth and vigor in pine plantations. Associated actions: updating road system and improving wildlife habitat.
-
Recreation and Roads Restoration
A storm on July 21 caused widespread wind damage. Roads, trails and developed recreation sites are in need of maintenance to remove the damaged trees and repair damaged infrastructure.
-
Snowmobile Trail 8 Reroute and Rehabilitation in Clam Lake Area
Snowmobile trail 8 reroute in the Clam Lake area.
-
Taylor County Winter Sports SUP
Currently, Taylor County maintains the Perkinstown Winter Sports Area west of Perkinstown for multiple winter recreational opportunities. The current special use permit has expired and needs to be reauthorized.
-
Town of Bell Road Right-of-Way Maintenance
The Town of Bell has plans to improve Forest Road 439 (North Boundary Road) and has requested that the Forest Service prepare a timber sale to remove the merchantable trees within the 50-foot road right-of-way.
-
Two Lakes Campground Maintenance
Campground maintenance proposal includes: upgrading 2 hand pump wells to solar; replacement of Lake Owen boat launch; day use parking area creation; replacing 3 older toilet buildings; dump station alarm installation; and capping of an old well.
On Hold
-
Enbridge Energy Limited Partnership SUP
The proposal is to re-issue a special use authorization for a new term for Enbridge Energy Limited Partnership's existing pipeline system, pumping station, and associated improvements.
-
John's Creek Gravel Pit Expansion
This project consists of expansion of an existing gravel pit to meet road construction, re-construction, and maintenance needs in the project vicinity. This is an existing pit that has an additional source of gravel that has not been developed.
-
Jones Springs Project
This recreation area was heavily impacted by the 2019 blowdown. This project is reviewing the recreation opportunities in the area to see if any changes are needed.
-
Round Lake Fish Passage and Water Level Control
The project will consist of reestablishing a two-way fish passage and reconnect the ecosystems of the Pike Lake Chain of Lakes and the South Fork Flambeau River.
Cancelled
-
2020 CenturyLink
CenturyLink would bury fiber optic cable along Oconto County F.
-
2020 Stream Road Crossing for Lakewood-Laona Ranger District
This project would replace culverts across Forest and Oconto Counties.
-
2022 Wesley Gravel Pit Expansion
Expand the current gravel pit a little over 2 acres.
-
2023 Motor Vehicle Use Map Update
Add recreation site roads to the Motorized Visitor Use Map, which already exist.
-
Armstrong Creek Trail Reroute
Snowmobile Trail Reroute moving off a paved road
-
Birch Grove Campground Group Site Project
Creation of a new group camping site(s) near Birch Grove Campground on the Washburn Ranger District
-
Forest Roads 2309 and 2346A Reconditioning
The road are in need of heavy maintenance and pull outs to increase safety.
-
Krawze Land Exchange
Exchanging land on the east side of the forest. Lakewood-Laona Ranger District in Forest County would be exchanging land for land in Eagle River-Florence Ranger District.
-
Lakewood-Laona Plantation III
Lakewood-Laona Ranger District is planning on thinning red pine plantation across the district.
-
Native Seed and Plant Establishment
The purpose of this project is to restore and enhance native vegetation sites in the barren vegetation communities on the Washburn Ranger District. This proposed activities include native seed and tree planting and site preparation.
-
Winter Sports Road Electric Line Burial
This is a proposal by Clark Electric Cooperative to convert about 4 1/4 miles of overhead electric line to underground electric wires within their existing utility corridor in order to provide a safer and more reliable electric service.
-
Wintergreen Snowshoe Trail Construction
Project Cancelled: Designation of a snowshoe trail system within the area of the Wintergreen Ski Trail area. Construction consists of clearing forest debris from marked trail.
Project Archive
Some of our older projects can be accessed in our Project Archive.
Alerts & Warnings
- Closure on FR 238/Cherryville RD in Barksdale beginning on 9/30/2024
- Water levels reduced on the Mondeaux Flowage starting on 9/30
- Recreation areas, trails, and roads open after recovery from 2019 windstorm
- Prescribed Burning Planned for FY2024
- Closure on Forest Road 1666 (Black Lake Road) for motorized vehicles
- Safety reminders for hunting season
- Aquatic Invasive Species decontamination required at Lake Owen and Two Lakes
