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 Sawtooth National Forest administers about 2.1 million acres of federal lands. Our top priority is to maintain and improve the health, diversity, and productivity of the public land entrusted to us for current and future generations.
Information about our current and upcoming projects can be found on this page. Additionally, the Forest Service publishes Schedule of Proposed Actions quarterly that lists proposed actions that will soon begin or are currently undergoing environmental analysis and documentation on forests across the country.
Sawtooth National Forest Current and Recent Projects
Developing Proposal
-
American/Global Communications Site Modification
The Minidoka Ranger District is proposing to authorize American Tower to add an emergency back-up generator to an existing telecommunications facility.
-
BYU Idaho Communications Site Modification
The Minidoka Ranger District proposes to authorize the replacement of BYI Idaho/Teton Inc. existing tower and building on Thompson Ridge Electronics Site.
-
Camp Perkins Master Plan Implementation
Proposal to implement Camp Perkins Master Plan developments including lodge expansion, additional cabins, bathroom expansions, permit area expansion, and associated utilities.
-
Idaho Military Communications Site Modification
The Minidoka Ranger District Proposes to authorize Idaho Military to demolish and remove existing comm site building and construct a new building.
-
Stanley Creek Culvert
The SNRA is proposing to replace a culvert on Stanley Creek located on FS Road 653. The current culvert does not allow for fish passage and is impeding movement upstream to critical habitat for bull trout, steelhead, and Chinook Salmon.
Under Analysis
-
Amendments to Land Management Plans Regarding Sage-grouse Conservation
The Forest Service is considering amending its land management plans to address new and evolving issues arising since implementing sage-grouse plans in 2015. This project is in cooperation with the USDI Bureau of Land Management.
-
KRD Recreation Facility Improvement Projects
Proposal to increase designated parking at the Norton Lake, Taylor Canyon, Greenhorn and Pioneer Cabin Trailheads and install barrier rock to prevent resource damage at Alden and Oregon Gulch. Sawmill & Federal CGs will be assessed for redesigns.
-
Outfitter and Guide Management Plan
The Sawtooth NRA is developing a unit-wide, land-based outfitter and guide management plan as a means to streamline the processing of outfitter and guide proposals and provide consistent administration of outfitter and guide permits.
Analysis Completed
-
Badger Fire Post Fire Management Programmatic EA
programmatic EA for management actions requiring NEPA analysis post fire.
On Hold
-
Prescribed Fire for Restoration and Hazardous Fuels Project
The proposed project would authorize multiple prescribed burns across the Forest every year (from 10 to 10,000 acres each), as well as associated actions, to restore health and resiliency to vegetation communities on the Sawtooth National Forest.
-
South Hills (Cassia Division) Seasonal Closure Project
This project is to remove the Winecup seasonal closures and replace them with other routes that would be seasonally closed. Routes selected for the new seasonal closures would be selected after public scoping and outreach.
Cancelled
-
Boulder Mountain Tour Special Use Permit Issuance
Proposal to issue a 5-year Recreation Event special use permit re-authorizing the annual Boulder Mountain Tour Ski Race for a new term with no changes to the existing permit.
-
BSM Barite Exploration Project
Exploration for mineralization by constructing 16 drill pads and drilling 22 core and reverse circulation holes on their claims on National Forest during the exploration period. Reconstruction of a collapsed adit.
-
Champion Fish Screens (2) Special Use Permit
Proposal to issue a 20 year special use permit for continued use of two fish screens with access across National Forest System lands on a total of 0.50 acres.
-
Commercial Film Permit Issuance
Proposal to issue a 5-year special use permit re-authorizing commercial video and still photography on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Ketchum Ranger District for a new term with no changes to the existing permit.
-
Eves Gulch - Fox Peak Connector Trail
This project would connect the top of Eve Gulch Tr. 146 to the Osberg Ridgeline Tr. 147 just east of Fox Peak. The proposed singletrack trail would be open to mountain bikes, equestrians and foot traffic only. Closed to all motorized use.
-
Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch Road and Trail Access Special Use Permit
This project is being canceled due to workload capacity. Analyze a special use permit for both road and trail access to the ranch.
-
Magic Mountain Boundary Change
This project involves changing the boundary to include previously used areas that are outside of the official map boundary of the ski area, the boundary change is approximately 3.5 acres.
-
Mays Creek Private Road Authorization
The FS proposes to issue a special use permit to the landowner's association to construct and maintain an access rd. with gate to their private land on NFS lands and close approximately 650 ft. of unauthorized route in lynx habitat as funding allows.
-
Outfitting and Guiding Special Use Permit for Predator Hunting
Issue a special use permit to outfit and guide bear and cougar hunting, bear and cougar photography and dog training.
-
Recreation Residence Improvement Project Thompson Flat Tract #5
No decision will be issued for this project; therefore, the project will be removed from the SOPA.
-
Robber Gulch Exploration
Ridgeline Exploration Services Inc. is submitting a Plan of Operations to conduct minerals exploration drilling activities for a period of up to one year after disturbance is initiated, resulting in up to 1.3 acres of surface disturbance.
-
Shake Creek Mineral Exploration
Plan of operations for one season (July to November 2018) of hand and bulk sampling of mineralized material from an existing underground adit on an unpatented mining claim. Previous sampling occurred at the site in 2012.
-
Soldier Creek Recreation Improvements
Trailhead improvements (parking area, toilet, etc.) at Free Gold and North/South Forks Soldier Creek Trailheads. Expansion of the Couch Summit Snowmobile Parking area, new trail connecting it with Soldier Creek trailhead, and construct a warming hut.
-
Stanley Basin, Alpine Way, & Goat Creek Allotments Analysis
This project is canceled and will no longer appear on the SOPA.
Project Archive
Some of our older projects can be accessed in our Project Archive.