An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
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.
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 Idaho Panhandle National Forests 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.
Restore, rehabilitate, replace, and/or acquire the equivalent of the injured natural resources in the Coeur d'Alene Basin as a result of the release of hazardous mining wastes.
Special Use Permit and Challenge Cost Share Agreement allowing grooming of Nordic Ski trails, closure of Road 614 only when the route is being groomed for Nordic ski and snowshoe use, with a continued area closure prohibiting motorized use.
Landowner is requesting continued use of an existing unimproved road to access private property. The access road is approximately 1,000 feet in length and 15 feet in width before entering private property.
Two temporary drill pads would be constructed to delineate a known mineral deposit. Drill pads would be 50' X 50' and would each include a 10'x10'x5' sump. The Auxer Mine portal would also be reestablished to facilitate future underground work.
Reroute approximately 1 1/2 miles of Big Creek Trail 44. The current single-track motorized trail has long, steep grades. It would be relocated, and the existing section of trail would be decommissioned and recontoured.
Exploratory drilling program that is being driven by results obtained from 2015 drilling program. Data is being used to further define and characterize mineral potential of the claim block.
Prescribed burning, timber harvest, site rehabilitation and regeneration (tree planting), on 2,829 acres; also trail construction, road decommissioning, and barrier installation to prevent illegal motorized access.
Providing safe east-west access across the Selkirk Mtns for U.S. Border Patrol agents by repairing and maintaining portions of the Bog Creek Road (Forest Roads 1013 and 2450).
Continued authorization of three docks owned by Bonner County at Lee's Point on the Clark Fork River, Granite Creek on Lake Pend Oreille, and Kaispell Bay on Priest Lake.
The Bottom Canyon project area is located approximately 10 miles northeast of the city of Coeur d'Alene, ID. The project area is approximately 11,000 acres in size and has high potential for both vegetation and watershed restoration activities.
Ecosystem restoration in various forest types. Project purposes include reducing sediment to Boulder Creek and protecting emergency communication equipment on Black Mountain from wildfire.
Vegetation treatment to reduce the risk or extent of, or increase resilience to insect or disease infestation; reduce wildfire risk to the local communities and surrounding federal lands; and protect critical infrastructure and primary egress routes.
Operation and maintenance of an access road to the Canfield Butte Communication Site for use by Communication Use Lease holders for the continued operation and maintenance of a communication facility.
Pre-commercially thin and/or prune approximately 2,400 acres of young trees that have been planted or re-established naturally on previously harvested sites.
The effect of the Character Fire resulted in a need to recover economic value of forest products in a timely manner, reduce hazards threatening human health and safety, and re-establish forested conditions outlined in the Forest Plan.
Perform Level III maintenance to Trail 14 between Road 406 and Chilco Saddle, including reshaping 11 dips and 13 waterbars. Reconstruct or recondition 6 switchbacks. Relocate trail (1.4 mile of new trail replacing 0.8 mile of former trail).
Convey an isolated parcel of NFS lands to the City of Spirit Lake, comprising 158.74 acres, through the authority of the Townsite Act. The land conveyance would enable the City to acquire land adjacent to its current wastewater treatment site.
Salvage dead trees that were blown down in a 2005 wind event. The salvaged trees will be used by the Kootenai River Restoration Project to provide woody debris structure to improve fisheries habitat and stabilize the river banks that are eroding.
Reissuance of an expired Special Use Permit for the continued operation and maintenance of 14.4 kV or under distribution overhead and buried lines within the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.
Replacement of nine aging greenhouses and adjoining structures at the Coeur d'Alene Nursery to improve safety and efficiency, helping to meet increasing demands for seedlings for reforestation.
New Jersey Mining Company is proposing to utilize Forest Service roads and trails administered by the Idaho Panhandle National Forests in order to access privately held mining claims over a five year period.
Reduce the hazardous fuels and the risk of high severity fires; create a comprehensive road system that provides access to the area for vegetation management and fire suppression needs; maintain and improve aquatic habitat and watershed health.
This project will keep the public sluicing operations at the current location and build a road from 281 Gulch to Garnet Gulch, construct a parking area, improve Road 3781 and implement other improvements for operations.
Commercial and non-commercial timber harvest, fuels reduction, tree planting, and trail maintenance/repair activities would occur to restore sustainable forest conditions and improve trail conditions in the English Point Recreation Area.
Fuels reduction and stand improvement in and around the Wildland Urban Interface, possible watershed restoration or wildlife habitat improvement activities. Supplemental analysis of management activities proposed outside of the 1.5 mi interface zone.
To authorize the continued operation and maintenance of a target range. The target range has operated under the special use permit since 1990. Permit may be issued for up to a 20-year term.
Whitebark pine restoration project in the vicinity of Gisborne Mountain. The project area is approximately 60 acres; 11 acres occur on Idaho Department of Lands ownership and the remaining 49 acres occur within the Canyon Creek Research Natural Area.
Provide a safe transportation system free of unstable fire-affected trees; re-establish forested conditions to increase the representation of early seral conifer species; and recover the economic value of forest products.
This project will manage the road system to bring the Grouse Bear Management Unit into compliance with the Forest Plan and the 2011 Motorized Access Amendment.
Replenish large wood for fish habitat enhancement in Grouse Creek. Hand crews will place approximately 350 pieces of large wood in four to five reaches over about six miles in Grouse Creek.
Project will be designed to improve ecological/social conditions, including but not limited to improved forest health, reduced potential for high-intensity wildfires, improved watershed conditions, and sustainable recreation opportunities.
Implement site preparation where needed and plant rust-resistant white pine, western larch, ponderosa pine, or white bark pine on appropriate sites severely burned in the wildfires of 2015.
Construction of a new interagency office for the IPNF Supervisor's Office, Bureau of Land Management Coeur d'Alene Field Office and US Fish and Wildlife Supervisor's Office on lands located within the Forest Service Coeur d'Alene Nursery
The Idaho Panhandle NF is proposing a project in the Jasper Mountain area to reduce the risk or extent of, or increase the resilience to, insect or disease infestation. This project would occur in an area designated under section 602 of HFRA.
Treatment of hazardous fuels reduction and prescribed fire. Proposed activities include non-commercial mechanical and hand treatments to thin continuous fuels, limb ladder fuel vegetation, reduce canopy bulk density and increase canopy base height.
The Larch Gold Project Area is located in the Simmons Creek Drainage of the St. Joe River approximately 24 miles east of Avery, Idaho. The project will consist of commercial thinning on approzimately 62 acres.
Exploratory Placer Pit, 25 feet by 35 feet located on National Forest Lands up the Lost Creek Drainage. Excavation will be down to bedrock with the top 7 feet being overburden and 12 inches being pay gravel to be processed and returned.
Improve forest health by increasing desirable species, provide structure diversity, reduce tree density. Minimize impacts from roads to water and wildlife. Provide timber products for local economy.
The Idaho Panhandle National Forests proposes to
sell approximately 136 acres of undeveloped lands within the Lone Mountain Seed Orchard administrative site, approximately 20 mi. north of Coeur d'Alene, no longer needed for seed orchard development.
Proposal by Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area to expand its special use permit to upgrade and develop new lifts, ski terrain, parking, access roads, and guest service facilities.
Vegetation management at Lookout Pass Ski Area administrative site. Salvage of dead and beetle-infested lodgepole pine trees. Approx. 129 acres of harvest treatment, 0.5 mile of temp road construction and obliteration.
Excavate a 250 ft x 70 ft panel for locatable mineral exploration. Operations would includ constructing approximately 400 feet of access road off of FR 1505 to access the panel location.
The project proposes constructing a new vault toilet structure adjacent to the Magee Recreation Rental Cabin and decommission the existing septic system.
The St. Joe Ranger District is partnering with the USFWS, Idaho DEQ, Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game, and Avista Corp to breach two historic splash dams on Marble Creek to increase amount of habitat available for bull trout.
Relocation of single-track motorized trail and decommission existing section that needs to be replaced because of a sustained, steep grade and erosion.
Salvage/sanitation harvest on approximately 175 acres of forest that experienced low-, moderate-, and high-fire severity in the 2015 Marble Creek Fire. Approximately 0.5 miles of temporary road would be constructed to facilitate harvest operations.
Watershed Restoration project aimed to improve water quality and stream habitat across 21,600 acres in the upper Little North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River. Watershed improvement activities include road, riparian area, and in-stream activities.
Preparation of a Supplemental EIS to amend land and resource management plans for the Idaho Panhandle, Kootenai, and Lolo National Forests to address motorized access management within the Selkirk and Cabinet-Yaak Grizzly Bear Recovery Zones.
North Idaho College (NIC) has requested a temporary Outfitter Guide Special Use Permit to conduct guided activities such as cross-country skiing, avalanche education, kayaking, fly-fishing, hiking, biking and camping on the CDA River RD.
North Idaho College (NIC) is requesting a Special Use Permit to construct a yurt on West Willow Peak to be used for academic and extracurricular programs, such as avalanche education, natural resource management, etc.
Addresses issuance of a 10-year outfitter/guide permit to NW Outfitters, authorizing 150 priority use days to conduct "walk and wade" fishing activities on the North Fork Coeur d'Alene River.
Thin and/or prune approximately 5,200 acres of juvenile sapling sized stands that were established through planting and natural reforestation means on the Bonners Ferry, Priest Lake and Sandpoint Ranger Districts.
Provide community and economic stability and wood products by salvaging dead standing and down timber from alongside roads. Road maintenance consisting of spot gravel placement, removing vegetation from cut/fill slopes, and improve public safety.
Sanitation/salvage one 22-acre area to reduce competition for WL, WRC, & WWP; reduce existing root & stem decay in the GF, WH, & DF to enhance the growth & vigor; and capture timber value of GF, WH, and DF before value is lost to root & stem decays.
The Comprehensive Plan will develop administrative and management objectives and practices and desired conditions for the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail on public lands in Forest Service Regions 1 and Regions 6.
The Comprehensive Plan will develop administrative and management goals, objectives and practices for public lands in Forest Service Regions 1 and Regions 6.
Activities are proposed to establish/maintain resilient forests, improve water quality/aquatic habitats, improve big-game wildlife conditions, reduce high-intensity wildfire potential, and contribute economic benefits to the public.
Continue two on-going research timber management projects and initiate one new 5-acre commercial thinning research study in a young white pine stand. Activities include limited timber harvest, timber stand improvement, and biomass thinning.
A series of commercial thinnings to demonstrate logging practices. Thinning would focus on removing trees with low crown ratios, weak boles, and poor form.
The Quartz Beetle project is 19 miles East of Avery in the Quartz Creek drainage of the St Joe River. The Project will consist of commercial thinning on approzimately 65 acres.
Issuance of 5-year permits for recurring recreation events: North Idaho Trailblazers Cabin Fever Run, Back Country ATV Fun Run/Shootout, Jeep Jamboree USA Silver Valley Jeep Jamboree, Trail Maniacs 4th of July Ultra, and High Mountain ATV Jamboree.
Red Horse Properties, LLC (dba Red Horse Mountain Ranch) has purchased a dude ranch, outfitting & guiding business previously owned by Terteling Co., also dba Red Horse Mountain Ranch, through a corporation by the same name.
See Other Project Info
The project proposes to harvest roadside dead and dying trees resulting from the 2023 Ridge Creek wildfire to reduce hazards and provide a safe transportation system and recover the economic value of forest products supporting the local economy.
Shrubfield burning on 103 acres in collaboration with Benewah County's work on private land to extend a fuelbreak adjacent to the St. Maries municipal watershed
200 ac western larch/white pine commercial thin, 20 ac lodgepole pine overstory removal and western larch thinning, yielding 2.5 mmbf. Forwarder/skyline yarding. 50 ac ecoburning. 4.2 mi. new road construction, 4.8 mi. road decommissioning.
The project seeks to improve forest health conditions and provide timber products to support the local economy. Review tabs below for more details about the project and https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/v8mfub27gpvh5oimb2wurmd5y5endb0c
Issue a temporary, one-year permit the current permit holder for 2016 and a 20-year permit based on competitive proposals for the operation and maintenance of the Route of the Hiawatha Trail.
The primary objective of this environmental assessment is to decrease the quantity and modify the arrangement of hazardous forest fuels to reduce the current and future wildfire risk to people, private lands, and resource values.
Reduce hazardous fuels adjacent to private property/residences in the Wildland Urban Interface by removing storm damaged and insect prone trees and thin remaining trees to improve stand health.
Travel management plan for motorized winter recreation use within the Selkirk Mountain Range on the Bonners Ferry, Priest Lake Ranger District and Sandpoint Ranger District.
An administrative action to continue protection from locatable mineral entry in the Settler's Grove of Ancient Cedar, to protect the area's unique botanical, historical, aesthetic, recreation and research values.
This project proposes to install two double stall vault toilets at Shoshone Park to replace deteriorating vault toilets, improve accessibility and decommission existing cesspools.
Silver Hammer Mining Corp. proposes to drill from 4 pads on their mining claims on the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District using low-impact drilling techniques. The project will use existing roads with a total surface disturbance of 0.22 acres.
Rx burning w/ some planting on 8500 acres to facilitate fire mgmt; reduce natural fuels; provide protection to values at risk; enhance conditions for regeneration of whitebark pine, WP & WL; enhance fire resiliency; increase forage for big game.
A pre-fabricated 8-ft X 8-ft building to house communication equipment would be placed east of the existing Snow Peak Lookout. The structure would be delivered and set by helicopter.
Promotion of timber stand health and vigor through commercial thinning activities intended to complement recent vegetation treatments on adjacent lands. Approximately 300 feet (0.056 miles) of a temporary road construction to access harvest unit.
Bridge replacement on Road 1268 across the Little North Fork of the Clearwater River. This bridge was part of the original St. Joe Remedial Bridge Repair and Replacement Project.
Renewal of outfitter & guide permits for 5 areas on the St. Joe RD: Slate Ck, Shefoot, Upper St. Joe, Snow Peak, & Sherlock. Authorized uses would be the same as in the original permits. Previously approved campsites would remain the same.
Protect the health and safety of the public by removing hazardous trees, capture the economic value of the dead and dying timber, and reforest areas burned by the Tower Fire.
Designate those roads, trails and areas open to motorized vehicle use on the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District, and identify them on a motor vehicle use map that will be published annually and free to the public.
Several projects encompassing trail reroute and reconstruction, ATV trail bridge construction, snowmobile warming hut construction, and mountain lake boardwalks.
Reduce the risk of sediment entering the drinking water through road improvements, road decommissioning, vegetation and fuels management, and to improve grizzly bear habitat.
The US Border Patrol is proposing to expand the communication system in and around the north Idaho border to increase surveillance and operate more safely. The additional radio equipment would be installed on Hall, Copper and Saddle Mtn. comm. sites.
Commercial thinning on approx. 70 acres using skyline and tractor logging systems to improve the health and vigor of the remaining trees, maintain long-lived early-seral tree species, and provide timber products.
Address the critical need for young stand management and associated fuels treatments across public lands by conducting regular treatments in areas where young stand regeneration has been established.
