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Projects
This page includes information about National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) planning for forest management projects across the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.
Get Involved
To reduce costs, lessen environmental impacts, and further outreach planning information, the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests is transitioning to the use of electronic mailing lists, rather than postal mail, for all updates regarding forest management projects. Beginning in April 2020, the forest will start using the GovDelivery email notification system to send updates to those interested in being involved in the planning process for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) projects on the forest. More info.
Insert your email address into the field below to sign up for GovDelivery and take advantage of new electronic notifications!
Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
The Forest publishes a Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) four times a year - January, April, July and October. The SOPA provides project, status, and contact information for proposed projects on the forest.
View Nez Perce-Clearwater NFs SOPA reports in .PDF or HTML formats
Small NEPA Projects (Categorical Exclusions)
The Nez Perce-Clearwater NFs uses the term “Small NEPA” to refer to proposed projects that qualify for certain Categorical Exclusion categories (see FS Handbook link below). The Scoping Letter below lists multiple projects in order to more efficiently notify the public, and each project will follow NEPA guidelines with its own signed Decision Memo, if appropriate. To comment on any project, please follow the guidelines within the Scoping Letter. For specifics on individual projects, please contact the project proponent listed with each project.
Forest Service Handbook - Categorical Exclusions
Pre-Decisional Objection Responses
Objections are written documents submitted by an individual or organization seeking a pre-decisional administrative review of a proposed hazardous fuel reduction project authorized by the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (HFRA). The public may file objections after an environmental assessment or final environmental impact statement is completed and before a decision document is signed for a project under HFRA. The following links provide access to objection responses related to the Nez Perce and Clearwater National Forests:
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest Current and Recent Projects
Developing Proposal
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Beat Street 2 Placer Exploration
The proposal to authorize Jason Streeter to complete mineral exploration through a small-scale placer operation involving the use of mechanized tracked-equipment to excavate potential gold-bearing gravels and overburden for on-site processing..
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Feather Creek Project
Actions include road decommissioning to facilitate meadow restoration along the West Fork Potlatch River. Road construction is proposed to maintain access to FSR 377 and relocation of trail to improve public safety; improve parking.
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Race Cow Project
The project objectives are to: improve forest resilience to fire and insects & diseases, reduce hazardous fuels, enhance native grasslands, improve road access, develop two rock pits, reduce sediment delivery and provide timber products..
Under Analysis
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Baner Main Zone Exploration Drilling
The Red River District Ranger proposes to approve the operator's proposal for exploratory drilling at up to 22 sites, to determine if sufficient quantities of valuable minerals exist to warrant further development of a mining operation.
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Blanco Creek Exploration
Proposal is exploratory drilling on 10 sites (2 holes per site) in the Blanco creek area. Access to sites by FS roads, old logging roads and two temp rds (735 ft./360 ft.) Water to be drawn from small creek or Ditch creek. Samples processed offsite.
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Blue Ribbon Test Drilling
Goldski, LLC, proposes to exploratory drill to test for gold values to determine if valuable minerals exist to warrant further development of a mining operation.
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Leggett Creek Bridge Replacement
Replace an existing timber bridge on Forest Road 649 at Leggett Creek and realign 175 feet of stream channel to improve the stream alignment and road / bridge alignment crossing.
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McGuire Creek Suction Dredge
Conduct suction dredging/placer exploration in McGuire Creek, with 4 foot diameter test holes every 100-125 feet down to bedrock with 4 inch suction dredge. Reclamation done concurrently.
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North Fork Aspen 3
Treatment of 4 mature aspen clones (43 acres) through cutting or girdling mature aspen, competing conifers, and overmature shrubs in treatment unit to increase wildfire resiliency, create wildlife habitat, and promote healthy aspen clone development.
Analysis Completed
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Big Burn
Creation of a linear fuel break to change the nature and arrangement of fuels to provide a buffer between wildlands and urban interface, and increase options for wildland fire emergency responders.
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Dead Laundry
Proposal of vegetation management activities to reduce hazardous fuels, meet the need to improve forest health and resiliency in concurrence with desired conditions and objectives identified in the Forest Plan, and harvest wood products.
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Deadwood
Creation of linear fuel break to change the nature and arrangement of fuels to provide a buffer between wildlands and urban interface, and increase options for wildland fire emergency responders
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Dixie-Comstock Community Protection Project
Treat vegetation to reduce wildfire risk to the local communities of Dixie and Comstock, and surrounding federal lands. Create fuel breaks and escape routes using a combination of prescribed burning and mechanical treatments, with temporary roads.
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Elk Creek Box Culverts
A culvert on FSR 382 would be replaced by two concrete box culverts. The District Ranger determined the project was road repair and maintenance, per CE category 31.12(4). The project was completed during the October 2017 Small NEPA IDT meeting.
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End of the World
The End of the World EA was remanded to the Forest for further evaluation to address old growth and cumulative effects. The Decision Notice was withdrawn. The 2024 Draft EIS provides updated information as directed by the court.
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Hungry Ridge Restoration Project
The overall purpose is to: improve forest health; reduce potential risk to private property; maintain & improve wildlife habitat; and improve watershed conditions. Timber outputs will be used to offset treatment costs & support economic structure..
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Longleaf
Improve forest health and ecological function in project area through regen. harvest, commercial thinning, reforestation and non-commercial vegetation treatments (broadcast burning, hand work, machine work and chainsaw work), as well as road work.
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Nez Perce-Clearwater NF Travel Plan and OHV Rule Implementation
SEIS to analyze Elk Habitat Effectiveness and Minimization Criteria (Trails)
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Nez Perce-Clearwater NFs Forest Plan Revision
The Nez Perce and Clearwater National Forests are proposing to revise their two, individual forest plans as a single forest plan for the administratively combined Forests using the 2012 National Forest System Land Management Planning regulations.
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Palouse Bridge Replacements
Replace existing timber stringer bridges crossing Meadow Crk and Graves Meadow with new concrete or steel girder bridges. Existing bridge decks, abutments and back walls are in decay, and both bridges restrict flow during normal annual runoff.
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Section 16
Vegetation treatment in the Parachute Hill area on the Powell Ranger District.
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Sing Lee
Creation of a linear fuel break to change the nature and arrangement of fuels to provide a buffer between wildlands and urban interface, and increase options for wildland fire emergency responders.
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Sourdough Sheep
The Sourdough Sheep Vegetation Management Project will focus primarily on managing and restoring the vegetation resources within an ~842 acre project area on the North Fork Ranger District on the Nez Perce - Clearwater National Forests.
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Twentymile EA
Manage vegetation and reduce hazard fuels through commercial timber harvest and landscape prescribed burning. Temporary road construction, road reconstruction, road improvement and road maintenance. Seasonal road access to sourdough Peak is proposed.
On Hold
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FSR 1114 Closure Modification
Modification of closure on FSR 1114 proposed by Nez Perce Tribe. Closure beginning at intersection of FSR 1114 and FSR 286 from Sept. 1-Dec. 1 for approx 20 years until hiding cover for elk grows back from Clear Creek Integrated Rest. timber sale.
Cancelled
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2022 IDF&G Sheep Collaring Project
The purpose of the proposed action is to allow access to test sheep for the potentially life-threatening Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (MOVI) bacteria. There is a need to use helicopters to conduct operations.
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Abandoned Mine Lands Closures - Forestwide
Permanently close open shafts and/or adits at abandoned mine sites for public safety while maintaining wildlife (bat) habitat and the historical integrity of the sites. Method(s) used to the close sites will vary, depending on the conditions present.
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Aerial Detection Survey Incorporated Roadside Maintenance
Fall and leave, or fall and remove, any dead, dying, or structurally unsound trees within the project area. Felling/removal is proposed for up to a maximum of 165 feet (50 meters) from either edge of the road surface, unless otherwise indicated.
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Allison Dams
The earthen fill at the blown out dams and outlets from the dam and ponds are failing, and the stream's flow is seeping through eroding existing material. Restore riparian areas.
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Black Skull Prescribed Burn
Use low/mod intensity fire over 5-10 yrs to encourage early seral veg & reduce insect/disease-caused fuel buildup. Project area 19 Burn Units (70k ac) w/ 43 Ignition Areas (22k ac). Fire allowed to spread in Burn Units to create mosaic on landscape.
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Blanco Pines
The project is designed to maintain, enhance or improve ponderosa pine stands and wildlife habitat. The project will also create a fuel break by reducing hazardous fuels adjacent to private property.
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Blanco Prescribed Burn
Underburn ponderosa pine stands (7 stands; 522 acres) to help maintain and enhance the current conditions by removing understory fuels.
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Cherry Exploration Drilling
The claimant proposes exploratory drilling on the Red River RD to test for gold values. The project area is in previously disturbed and undisturbed areas in the Kirk's Fork drainage. The proposal is for 4 drill sites with a max of 2 drill holes/site.
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Devine (Pioneer) Exploration
The Red River District proposes to approve the use of ATVs for overland travel for access to prospect for mineral values.
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East Fork Relief Creek Fuels
Treat 68 acres (17 units) within 200 feet around private property through hand thinning, hand piling/burning and raising canopy base heights. The fuels treatments would be maintained over the long term.
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Eastside Allotment Management Planning Project
Continue to permit livestock grazing by incorporating adaptive management strategies on 8 active allotments within the project area, and close 7 allotments.
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Forestwide Aspen Restoration
To increase aspen component and improve vigor of existing aspen, improve wildlife habitat, increase fire resiliency. Includes felling/girdling encroaching conifers, removal of competing vegetation, root stimulation, planting, prescribed burning.
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Hazard Tree Removal
Several decades of accumulated MPB mortality and disease have created serious fuels and public safety concerns. Roads identified for treatment are major arterials are major arterials in the event of emergency or natural disaster.
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Heritage #2 Placer Exploration
The Red River Ranger District proposes to approve Tim Hoskins’ proposal to excavate 17 placer test pits in the Newsome Creek drainage area.
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Heritage Gulch Placer Exploration
The Red River District Ranger proposes to allow the claim operator to conduct placer testing in the Newsome Creek drainage by digging 12-15, 10' x 10' or 10' x 12' test pits.
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Hisloc Fuels
Fuel reduction near the Lochsa Historical Ranger Station and Wilderness Gateway Campground.
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Kirks East Elk
Authorize livestock grazing on the East Fork, Kirks Fork, and Elk/Lick Creek allotments.
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Leanna Meadow Restoration
Construct meadow-spanning beaver dam analog-type structures within Leanna Meadow to improve its water holding capacity (water retention) and slow water release through spring and summer. Slash et al to be harvested w/in 50 ft. of the meadow edge.
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Lost Bench Placer Exploration
This proposal is for the excavation of 10 test pits for the purpose of testing placer gravels for mineral values.
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Lost Toboggan Prescribed Burn
Use low/mod intensity fire to encourage early seral veg & reduce insect/disease-caused fuel buildup. Project area 22 Burn Units (56k ac) w/ 68 Ignition Areas (9k ac). Fire allowed to spread in Burn Units to create mosaic on landscape.
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Lucky Strike Placer
Approve Plan of Operations as proposed or require changes or additions to minimize adverse effects. Excavate up to 4 trenches in 4 areas (16 total). Trenches reclaimed once testing completed for the site. Only 1 active trench open at a time.
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Moose Creek Project
Project would include timber harvest on approximately 1,600 acres, fuels reduction, and associated road work in the West Fork Potlatch River subwatershed.
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New Cingular Wireless Communication Site Lease
A Communication Use Lease would be authorized for AT&T to construct/maintain a new communication site (< .10 acres) incl. a 150 ft. cellular tower to serve the FirstNet Nationwide Safety Public Broadband Network. Access to the site on FS Road 5623.
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Newsome Fuels
Treat land within 300 feet around private property by hand thinning, hand piling/burning and raising canopy base heights. Units to be maintained over the long term. No treatment in Silver Creek-Pilot Knob IRA.
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Newsome Placer Exploration
The Red River Ranger District proposes to approve Press Thomas’ proposal to excavate up to 12 test pits for the purpose of testing placer gravels for mineral values in the Newsome Creek drainage area.
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Nez Perce National Forest Travel Management
Develop a travel management plan and map to comply with the National Travel Management Rule. This project would designate motor vehicle use on roads, trails or areas on the Nez Perce National Forest, and does not include over-the-snow vehicles.
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North Fork Ponderosa Pine 2 - Pot Mountain
Non-commercial slash (6051 ac; 3 units) around retention trees (Ponderosa/Western white/Whitebark pine, Western larch). No slashing in RHCA. Treat 20 aspen clones (48 ac) in units. Pburn 3 units (4 ignition areas). Project in Pot Mtn IRA.
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Oro Vega Suction Dredging
Approve Plan of Operations as proposed or require changes or additions to minimize adverse environmental effects. Two sections up to 150ft L & 5ft-6ft W to be sampled in Leggett Crk using a highbanker suction dredge. Reclamation done concurrently.
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Orogrande Summit Road Project
The road surface is currently rutted and difficult to drive, and several culverts are degraded.
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Peasley Creek Stream Restoration
Proposed activities would primarily focus on instream habitat below the culvert and substrate conditions in the culvert. Work would include increasing the pool depth directly below the culvert.
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Pete King Wildlife Restoration
The purpose of the Pete King Wildlife Restoration project is to manage vegetation to improve elk summer and winter range and restore the resiliency of both forest and non-forest vegetation relied upon by wildlife.
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Pinnacle Creek Crossing
The project would construct a low water ford across Pinnacle Creek to minimize livestock impacts to the stream and its banks. Rock would placed to cover the existing stream width and extend onto the banks to create a rocked approach on either side.
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Pioneer Gulch Placer Exploration
The Salmon River Ranger District proposes to approve David Tisch’s proposal to excavate up to 22 test pits for the purpose of testing placer gravels for mineral values in the Ozark Creek drainage.
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Purdue Creek Drift Fence
Installation of approx. 1 mile 3 stranded barb 4th strand barbless drift fence to enclose allotment boundary that has recently changed. Use hand drills to help dig holes for posts. Cattleguard may be installed and would require backhoe and excavator.
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Rex Placer Exploration
The Salmon River Ranger District proposes to approve Robert Martin’s proposal to excavate 17 placer test pits in the Gold Lake Creek and Ozark Creek drainages.
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Richardson Suction Dredging
Approve Plan of Operations as proposed or require changes or additions to minimize adverse environmental effects. Three 300ft L sections of the Red River to be sampled 3 times perpendicular to section L (9 samples total) using a 4 in. suction dredge.
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Shadow Creek Exploration (Bear Track 2)
The Salmon River District proposes to approve the excavation of 6 test pits for the purpose of testing placer gravels for mineral values.
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Silver Lode Exploration
The North Fork Ranger District proposes to approve the claimant’s proposal to excavate seven to ten test pits to expose vein material to test for mineral values.
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Steamboat Placer Exploration
The Salmon River District proposes to approve the excavation of up to 50 test pits for the purpose of testing placer gravels for mineral values.
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Stickley Suction Dredging
Approve Plan of Operations as proposed or require changes or additions to minimize adverse environmental effects. One section up to 400ft L to be sampled in the Red River using a 5 in. suction dredge with a 4 in. intake. Reclamation done concurrently
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Sweet 50 Exploration
The purpose of the proposed action is to test for gold values on unpatented mining claims. The need is to determine if sufficient quantities of valuable minerals exist to warrant further exploration or development.
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Upper Lochsa Land Exchange
The Forest Service (FS) is considering a land exchange with Western Pacific Timber. The FS would receive approx. 40,000 acres of WPT land in the upper Lochsa River drainage and WPT would recieve an equal value of Forest Service land in north Idaho.
Project Archive
Some of our older projects can be accessed in our Project Archive.