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Land & Resources Management
The Role of the Forest Service
National Forests are not owned by the Forest Service, they are owned by every citizen at birth or naturalization. With the mantra of "caring for the land and serving people" the Forest Service strives to manage your National Forests, harmonizing use with protection of these very valuable natural resources.
It is important to be aware that the creation of Forest Reserves, and eventually National Forests, is closely tied to the public. At the turn of the century, public outcry about the "needless destruction" of forests and the "rapid consumption" of natural resources prompted appeals to protect our forests and everything they encompassed, including water and wildlife habitat.
Environmental leaders, such as Theodore Roosevelt, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Gifford Pinchot initiated setting aside tracts of land to protect these resources. Forest Reserves were established to protect use and achieve sustained yield so that resources could be used but not to the point where the health of the forests would be compromised.
Unlike the National Park Service who is dedicated to preservation, the Forest Service strives to balance between timber harvest, grazing, water protection and recreation, just to name a few. All while ensuring the long term health of our forests. The concept of managing for many different purposes is called multiple-use and it can become a delicate balancing act to find the optimum combination of use versus protection.
The Forest Service and its employees are public servants tasked with trying to "provide the greatest amount of good to the greatest amount of people." But what is the greatest good for the greatest people? That's where you can help.
The Role of the Citizen
A very important piece of legislation, known as the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), was enacted to meet an increased public desire to become more involved with government decisions as they apply to public land.
"The purposes of this Act are to declare a national policy which will encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and his environment; to promote efforts which will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and biosphere and stimulate the health and welfare of man; to enrich the understanding of the ecological systems and natural resources important to the Nation; and to establish a Council on Environmental Quality."
While NEPA may sound like just another government acronym, it is the most powerful law governing land management. NEPA requires public land management agencies to seek public comment, disclose the effects of decisions and analyze alternatives.
NEPA uses three categories to analyze project criteria and potential environmental impact. However, not all projects are required to go through the NEPA process. If every single decision was required to go through NEPA, the Forest Service could become so bogged down in paperwork that it would become ineffective.
Projects that are exempt from NEPA are administrative, maintenance or actions that do not have a "significant effect on the quality of human environment." Examples of excluded projects would be mowing the lawn at a Forest Service office or resurfacing a road to its original condition.
Projects vary in size and scope so opportunity to comment also varies.
To become involved you can request to be put on the mailing list to receive the Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) . This is a quarterly produced document that details every project taking place on the National Forest that has decisions documented in NEPA. They will be in the form of a decision memo, decision notice, or record of decision. The SOPA contains description, location, and current status information for each project as well as the primary contact person for specific projects.
If you wish to be provided opportunities to comment on that project, the first step is to get a hold of the primary contact and request to be added to the project mailing list.
Sources
- Harold K. Steen "The Origins of the National Forest: A Centennial Symposium" Forest History Society 1992
- Shaun R. Nelson "History of the Uinta National Forest : A Century of Stewardship" Uinta National Forest 1997.
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Current and Recent Projects
Developing Proposal
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Tunnel Springs BST Connector Trail, SLC Foothills trail system
Proposal to provide access to the recently approved Bonneville Shoreline Trail in Davis County.
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West Fork of Blacks Fork Road Realignment
The Forest Service is considering a proposal to realign FR093 to improve stream and riparian habitat. Project would affect High Uintas Inventoried Roadless Area for 1.4ac. (0.7ac restoration, 0.7ac realigned roadway)
Under Analysis
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Alta Wildcat Parking Adjustment
Alta proposes to close most south-side roadside parking along SR-210 between Rustler Lodge and Alta Bypass Road, and to replace the lost parking through adjustments to the Wildcat parking lot.
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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.
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Eagle Express Lift Replacement, Solitude Ski Resort
Solitude Ski Resort has proposed to remove the old Eagle Express chairlift and replace it with a new detachable quad lift. The new lift would be located in a similar alignment.
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Emerald Lake Shelter Reconstruction Project
Proposed Action would reconstruct the Emerald Lake Shelter in the Mount Timpanogos Wilderness to retain an eligible historic structure and Wilderness Character.
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High Uintas Wilderness Domestic Sheep Analysis Project (Ashley and UWC National Forests)
This project will evaluate the effects of continued domestic sheep grazing in the High Uintas Wilderness (HUW). There are 10 sheep allotments located on the north and south slopes of HUW and are located in both the Ashley and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NFs.
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Little Cottonwood Canyon Environmental Impact Statement
Proposal from Utah Department of Transportation to analyze transportation improvements in and near Little Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake City, Utah. The USDAFS is a cooperating agency. For information visit: https://littlecottonwoodeis.udot.utah.gov/
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Lower Mountain Biking Trail, Brighton Ski Resort
The Brighton has proposed a mountain biking trail that would be 2.7 miles long, with an average tread width of 5 feet, starting at the top of Majestic lift and ending at the bottom of the Great Western lift.
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Seymour Canyon Fuel Break
Proposed project is to reduce fuel loading over 2-acres of NFS lands along Seymour Canyon road to improve safety and reduce risk of uncharacteristic wildfire to public and private lands. Project would occur in a roadless area.
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Solitude Mountain Biking Trails, Solitude Ski Resort
Solitude proposes to construct approximately 11 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails located on NFS lands and adjacent private lands between the Roundhouse Restaurant and the Moonbeam Base Area.
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Spanish Fork District Range Improvement Project
Proposed action would install two water developments, three corrals, and 950-feet of fence to improve livestock distribution and concentration and reduce potential impacts to resources over three allotments on the Spanish Fork Ranger District.
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Streeper Creek South Range Improvement Project
Project would reduce safety concerns by expanding water distribution off of FS Road 042 in the Streeper Creek South Alloemtn.
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Upper Weber Watershed Restoration Project
Proposed Action would complete vegetation and fuels management activities across a 34,056 acre landscape to reduce potential wildfire effects and improve ecosystem conditions in the upper Weber River watershed.
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Utah County Watershed Plan - Maple Lake and McClellan Lake Dam Rehabilitation
Dam rehabilitation includes reconstructing spillways, removing clogged outlet pipes and replacing with properly sized conduits, installing drain systems, and buttressing existing structures to prevent movement or failure during seismic events.
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Utah State University Snow Monitoring Station
Proposed scientific snow instrumentation and monitoring activities to be conducted under a special use permit at monitoring sites within in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in or near Logan Canyon, Utah.
Analysis Completed
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Alta Snowmaking Pumphouse and Expansion
Project would expand wildcat base pumphouse, install 2 new pumps, and relocate existing snowmaking infrastructure affecting up to 0.30 acres
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Birch Glen #8 Rebuild
The cabin on lot #8 of the Birch Glen tract was demolished in 2017 due to the extremely poor condition of the cabin. The owner of the demolished cabin has proposed to build a new cabin at the same site. Lot is located in an RHCA.
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Brighton Resort Explorer Lift Shortening
Brighton is proposing to shorten the existing Explorer Lift.
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Cabin Owners Gate Modifications
Remove large rocks and rock outcroppings at the entrance to the Devils Playground and reduce the grade of the terrain to improve intermediate skier access and safety, particularly during storm periods or periods of flat light.
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Draper City Half Marathon and BCC Flea Temp Rec Event Permits 5-Year Term Permits
Proposed project is to issue the Draper City Half Marathon in Corner Canyon, and the BCC Flea Market at the Brighton Resort Parking lot new 5-year term, recreation event permits.
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Mirror Lake Corridor Hazard Tree Removal
Proposal to remove dead trees along the Mirror Lake Highway from mile marker 6 of HKRD to mile marker 49 of EVMRD. Treatments would occur 150 ft on either side of the MLH and access routes to campgrounds, trailheads, lake shores, day use facilities.
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Mutual Dell Front Entrance Sign and Wall and Fence Reconstruction
pPoposal to construct a new entrance sign, reconstruction of a natural stone retaining wall, and to reconstruct a barrier fence between the Bear Canyon trailhead and entrance to trail.
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Mutual Dell Pavilion
Proposal to construct a new pavilion in a wooded area about 300 yards behind the main road and entrance of the camp.
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Nordic United - Special Use Permit for Swan Flat Area
The purpose of the action is to respond to a request from Nordic United to expand its winter Nordic skiing grooming activities to the Swan Flat area north of U.S. Hwy 89.
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North Zone Magazine Placement
Place explosives storage magazines on Logan Ranger District in a manner that satisfies BATFE regulations and Forest Service requirements.
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Saddle Creek Stream and Riparian Restoration
Improve stream and riparian habitat using low impact methods along Saddle Creek.
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Solitude Mountain Resort Glading
Solitude is proposing to perform glading
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Spruces Campground CCC Cabin Site Maintenance
Proposal to remove hazard trees with a ten-foot zone around a CCC cabin, including trees that are contacting or that otherwise pose a danger to the cabin%u2019s structural and/or historic integrity and defensible space around the structure.
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Strawberry Ridge Vegetation Management
The UWC proposes to complete fuels reduction and vegetation treatments in the Strawberry Ridge project area to reduce fuel loading and better meet desired future conditions. Proposed work would occur both in and out of roadless areas.
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Upper Mill Creek Canyon Road Improvement Project
Road improvements for safety in Mill Creek Canyon. Cooperating Agency with Federal Highways Administration. Forest Service would make decision on new easement and proposed work outside of easement(trailhead work, temporary construction permit etc.)
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Utah Ski Mountaineering Powder Keg and other Ski Races 5-Year Permit Renewal
Proposed project would reissue race permits for a 5-year duration at/near Brighton and Solitude ski areas.
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Utah State University Logan River Observatory Monitoring Equipment
USU has submitted a proposal on Logan Ranger District for a climate monitoring station at Dewitt Springs and the addition of telemetry stations at Blind Hollow,Temple,Right Hand Forks to increase efficiencies at existing climate monitoring stations
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Wasatch Front Abandoned Mine Closures
Proposal from Utah Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program to close 28 abandoned hard rock mines with 8 mines closed in Wilderness and 20 mines closed outside of Wilderness areas.
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Wasatch Powderbird Guides Amendment
Amend existing WPG 10-year priority use permit to include 100 service days on the EMVRD based on WPG's acquisition of Cloudveil Mountain Heli.
Cancelled
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Albion Meadows Trail Reroute
Proposal to reroute the Albion Meadows trail from private property onto Forest Service lands. The rerouted section would be approximately 0.33 miles long and three feet wide. The old trail would be scarified and revegetated using native plants.
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Alta Ski Area High Traverse Improvements
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is proposing to authorized Alta Ski Area to make improvements to the High Traverse at the ski area. Currently, the High Traverse quickly gets skied down to expose rocky areas which affects access and safety.
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Alta Ski Area Micro-Hydro Electricity Production
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is proposing to authorize Alta Ski Area to use existing snowmaking infrastructure from Cecret Lake, and build a small building to generate power using water head-pressure as the lake overflows.
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Alta Ski Area Supreme Yurt Installation
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is proposing to authorize Alta Ski Area to construct a seasonal food and beverage yurt adjacent to challenger ski run.
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American Fork River armoring project
The Pleasant Grove Ranger District proposes to armor the banks of the American Fork River to minimize the risks of erosion.
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Cascade Springs Picnic Table
Proposal to add an additional picnic tables at Cascade Springs picnic area. Tables will be placed along the first section of trail at the lower parking area, and at the upper parking lot to provide closer access to amenities.
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Causey Emergency Use Boat Ramp
Construction of a boat ramp in the south arm of Causey Reservoir for emergency use. The county search and rescue perform several operations a year and a boat ramp would improve access to the reservoir and facilitate search and rescue operations.
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Dewitt Springs Maintenance/Repairs
Logan City has proposed maintenance projects at their culinary water source, Dewitt Springs: 1)Replace an existing water drain line which has collapsed; 2) Repair bank erosion around Dewitt Springs security fence to allow for fence maintenance.
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Dewitt/Bridger Streambank Repairs
Logan City proposes to repair the stream bank just above Bridger Campground in order to protect the pipeline. The bank has eroded and has nearly exposed the city culinary water line and created a hazard on the Forest Service River Trail.
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East Zone Fire Management Project
Proposal to implement vegetation treatments across the East Zone of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
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Farmington City Water Storage Tank Special Use Permit
Farmington City is proposing to construct a water storage tank to include within their current special use permit
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Fernwood/Snoqualmie Shaded Fuel Break
Re-treat shaded fuel break along Fire Break Road, on the east Layton bench.
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Finch cabin roof redesign
Cabin owner proposal to re-design and re-construct a portion of the cabin's south roof to better support snow load and distribute snow load fall. Owner also proposes to re-shingle the entire roof with fire proof shingles.
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Jacob's Ladder Trail Reroute - Duplicate Entry
Proposal from the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance to reroute a steep section of trail on the route to Lone Peak. Trail reroute will be approximately three miles and reduce the 32 percent grade to a 12 percent grade.
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Logan Providence Bonneville Shoreline Trail Purchase - Land and Water Conservation Fund Acquisition
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest proposes to acquire two parcels of land totaling 320.00 acres.
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Malan Basin
The United States of America, Forest Service proposes to acquire approximately 1,482.38 acres. TR Guest Ranch LLC and Saving Our Foothill Property LLC are working with The Trust for Public Lands(third party facilitator) to sell land in Malan Basin.
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Mutual Dell Pavilion Reconstruction
Proposal to tear down the older, existing pavilion canopy cover and replace the entire structure with a new one in the exact same footprint as the older one and one that matches the same dimensions. - PROPOSAL CHANGED IN NOV, WILL REVISIT WHEN READY.
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Nebo Loop Safety Audit Response Phase 1
This project was entered as a duplicate and is being cancelled.
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Nephi/Payson Allotment Fence
Reconstruct approximately ΒΌ mile of fence between the Nephi and Payson Allotments. A portion of the fence will be relocated out of trees and snow areas to better maintain after reconstruction.
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North and South Willow Fuels Treatment
Proposal to lop and scatter treatments on the Stansbury Mountains. This first phase will retreat old chaining treatments that were completed in the 1980%u2019s.
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North Rich Allotment Fence
Construct a 4-wire let down fence approximately 1 mile long.
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Patch Springs Fire Rehabilitation
In August 2013 the Patch Springs wildfire burned 31,010 acres on the Southwest Side of the Stansbury Mountain Range in Tooele County Utah.The State DWR proposes to treat approx. 2,100 acres of NFS land by aerially seeding and chaining.
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Pine Valley Mastication
Proposal to masticate 1,349 acres of Juniper to reduce wildfire risk and increase forage for wildlife.
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Precipitation Study USU
Utah State University is requesting to conduct research aimed at better understanding the vegetative response to climate change. The proposal involves installation of twelve (12m x12m) "precipitation manipulation shelters" at forest edge sites.
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Providence Canyon Watershed Wildlife Habitat Improvement
Forest Service proposal to treat juniper in Providence Cyn and Logan Dry Cyn (approx. 36 acres and 34 acres, respectively)in order to improve watershed condition and wildlife habitat. Juniper would be cut, then either removed or lopped and scattered.
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Snowbasin GAZEX proposal
Snowbasin Ski Resort proposes to install two GAZEX exploders and an accompanying shelter in the Strawberry area that would improve avalanche control. The proposed site is within the current permit boundary. Work would be done by hand and helicopter.
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Snowbird Zip Line Project
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is proposing to authorize the construction and operation of a zip line at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort.
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Soapstone Trailhead Expansion
Proposal to expand parking at the Soapstone Trailhead to eliminate congestion and address safety issues.
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Thinning Bear Timber Sale
The Forest Service is proposing to thin previously harvested stands that were clearcut as part of the Little Bear Timber Sale (1973). The entire project area is encompasses approximately 69 acres on National Forest System lands
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Toilets and Water System Improvements
In partnership with Salt Lake County and Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities, the following improvements to toilet and water systems are proposed on the Salt Lake Ranger District.
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Uinta Express Pipeline Project
The proposed action includes a 12-inch buried carbon steel pipeline approximately 135 miles long and ancillary facilities. Approximately 14 miles of the pipeline would be on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
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Uinta Highlands Reservoir
The Uinta Highlands Improvement District proposes to rebuild its culinary water reservoir #3. The reservoir is located on private land owned by the improvement district. Portions of the pipeline and access road are on NFS land.
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Uinta-Wasatch-Cache N.F. Forest Plan Monitoring Realignment
The UWCNF has begun a process to realign its forest plans with the 2012 Final Planning Rule (see: 36 Code of Federal Regulations 219). In particular, the UWCNF will address the purpose of the monitoring plan program set forth in 36 CFR 219.12(a)(1).
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University of Utah Small Tracts Act Conveyance
The Forest Service is proposing to convey the encumbered land, approximately 0.05 acres to the University of Utah, for fair market value. Proceeds from the conveyance will be retained by the Forest and used for other acquisition.
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Wasatch Helibase Project
Proposal to construct a helibase on National Forest System land near the town of Huntsville and Pineview Reservoir in Weber County, Utah. The helibase would be used to house the Wasatch Helitack crew and up to three helicopters.
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West Hodges Pond - DUPLICATE DELETED
Proposal to construct a pond (0.04 acres) up a tributary to West Hodges Creek to capture annual snowmelt and flows from a nearby spring.
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Western Smiths Fork Restoration
Project will treat approximately 1,872 acres impacted by the mountain pine beetle epidemic. The project will move this area towards the desired future condition of a more healthy and resilient forest.
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White Rock, Millville, and Providence Allotments
Proposal is to authorize the continuance of grazing on the White Rock, Millville, and Providence Allotments.
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Whitney Reservoir Restoration
Recent mortality of spruce trees due to the spruce bark beetle has appeared along the eastern slope adjacent to Whitney Reservoir. Proposed action is to harvest spruce trees (less than 250 acres) in order to control the spread of insects
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Wildlife and livestock pond development
The Forest Service proposes to develop four ponds that would benefit both wildlife and livestock. Two new ponds would be created, and a ditch and water bars along a closed logging road would be modified o catch water.
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Willard Peak Abandoned Mine Reclamation
This project was accidentally entered as a duplicate and has been cancelled. Please see project number 49798 for project documents.
Project Archive
Some of our older projects can be accessed in our Project Archive.