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.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA requires federal agencies to consider the environmental impacts of proposed federal actions, or specific projects, related to forest management under the plan. Depending on whether or not a proposed action could significantly affect the natural environment, either an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is prepared. View additional U.S. Forest Service Planning and Environmental Policy information.
Below you will find information about specific projects that the Gifford Pinchot National Forest is evaluating, planning, or actively implementing.
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 Gifford Pinchot National Forest 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.
Provide Forest Service consent, including conditions and notices, to the BLM to issue two hardrock mineral prospecting permit applications on National Forest System lands.
Repair four road segments that were damaged during the December flood event and within the roadway area. The roadway is defined as the portion of the road within the limits of excavation and embankment, and includes the road shoulder.
Reverse the trend of conifer encroachment and expand the area of potential habitat for Mardon Skipper, a sensitive butterfly. Remove conifer cover in and between the stringer meadows by cutting, piling, burning and girdling.
Removal and replacement of three bridges. All will be replaced with steel modular bridges. Two bridges are deteriorating log stringers, the third is a cement bridge which is buckling.
Add to our existing trail system to provide a better mountain bike trail to connect the Ape Canyon Trail with the Smith Creek Trail. This completes a loop from Ape Canyon to FR99 and back down Smith Creek to Ape Canyon
Actions being considered to address the impacts associated with increasing visitor use and after-hours vandalism include installation of cave gates, establishment of defined hours of operation and implementation of nightly and off-season closures.
Project proposes to install gates on Ape Cave, listed as a Significant Cave per Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988, to protect the cave from resource impacts outside of normal operating hours or season, including White Nose Syndrome.
The Bear Creek Restoration project includes commercial thinning on 533 acres, road improvements and road decommissioning. The draft decision has been published for a 45-day objection period. Email ekblack@fs.fed.us with questions on this process.
This decision authorizes the construction of a beaver dam analog (BDA) to enhance habitat for Oregon spotted frog by facilitating the formation of a surface pond at a historic beaver pond on Trout Lake Creek.
The Forest proposes to authorize and regulate the sustainable harvest of forest botanical products, including salal, fungi (including mushrooms), huckleberries, and beargrass, as well as less frequently requested botanical species.
Commercially thin overstocked, dense timber stands within the Late-successional Reserve (LSR) and matrix allocations of the lower Canyon Creek and Lower Siouxon 6th field watersheds in the northwestern portion of the Wind LSR.
Commercial salvage on 60 acres of Matrix land within the Cascade Creek Fire where a majority of the trees have died or will die soon. Ground based logging and .5 miles of temporary road are included.
The Cave-Bear Road Management project focuses on road decommissioning, closure and maintenance in Trout Lake Creek, Cave-Bear Creek, and Dry/Lost Creeks watersheds to restore failing roads and remove unneeded roads from the transportation system.
Project proposes to improve a dispersed camping area in order to create a developed campground. Fee authority for the campground was approved in 2022 per Recreation Advisory Committee. Improvements include toilets, campsite expansion, walkways.
to restore/maintain golden chinquapin in stands where it currently exists to benefit the golden chinquapin and golden hairstreak butterfly, which are both listed on the Regional Forester%u2019s Sensitive Species list.
Windthrow of green Douglas-firs and western hemlocks in areas adjacent to buildings at the Cispus Environmental Learning Center (CLC) have highlighted a need to take immediate action to address laminated root rot.
This proposal would close or decommission 25.3 miles of roads within the Muddy River, Upper Lewis River, and White Salmon River fifth-field watersheds.
Project would place pieces of down woody debris to streams, create pool forming structures, plant seedlings, and thin and to enhance 10 acres of riparian vegetation along Clear Creek.
Add aggregate and surface FR 8100830 with 3" asphalt. Improve management and reduce campsite expansion by developing and hardening 15 primitive walk-in tent camping sites.
Proposed designation of backcountry campsites around perimeter of Coldwater Lake to be used by paddlers, hikers, outfitter-guides, and educational groups.
Co-located communication equipment on an existing communications tower at the White Pass Base Communications site and extend one building to accommodate.
Reroute approx. 0.25 miles of Covel Creek Falls Trail to reduce the number of stream crossings and decommission the existing segment to a natural-appearing condition. New directional signs would be installed to improve navigation at intersections.
Project proposes to replace aging toilet facilities at La Wis Wis Campground, Orr Creek Sno-Park and Goose Lake Campground with new facilities in the same locations.
Revegetation using locally sourced black cottonwood cuttings planted by hand, Scotch broom removal by hand cutting, signing, and barriers
to prevent off route motor vehicle use.
Commercial thinning of approximately 320 acres of mid-seral planted stands.Recontruct approximately 2 miles of closed roads (to be closed again after completion of project).
Stabilize FR 5270 from the December 2015 flood washout. Remove 6 culverts, construct control stream grade control structures, drainage, water bars, and closure barrier. Disturbed areas will be mulched and seeded. FR 5270 will remain a system road.
Project proposes to repair a 0.1 mile section of Forest Road 25 at milepost 25.03, where a landslide occurred, damaged the road and rendered it unsafe for public travel.
The proposal is to close and stabilize Forest Road 9300 from mile post 1.1-2.1 as this is a narrow road segment with a significant history of road
damage, a backlog of deferred maintenance, and alternative access is available via Forest Road 9039.
The proposed action is designed to reduce and control stand density through non-commercial thinning (also called pre-commercial thinning) on overstocked stands.
The Forest Service was a cooperating agency, assisting the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in that Agency's geothermal leasing analysis and decision. The BLM issued a record of decision on 12/17/2008.
The trail would be rerouted to an existing stock detour and utilize a crossing upstream from the existing bridge location. The new crossing would be considered a ford.
USFS consent decision, with required conditions, for BLM to issue two Federal Hardrock Mineral Prospecting Permits. The area encompasses 900 acres on the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
A significant snow and freezing rain event in Jan. 2012 caused extensive tree damage. These stands have been identified with substantial tree fall/top breakage. The purpose of this project is to recover valuable wood products from dead and dying tree
Danger trees that pose a hazard to travel routes Forest Road 8040 and 8040500 would be felled and the downed woody debris would be available for firewood, or biomass, if feasible. Any remaining debris would be piled and burned.
Replaces a failed trail bridge with a new bridge that meets current user needs and most recent design specifications. Constructs a short trail realignment to create the bridge approach.
Develop/update the management standards and mitigation measures (Allotment Management Plan) to assure cattle grazing is in compliance with the 1990 Gifford Pinchot National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.
Place instream log structures in Lewis River Side Channels and Clearwater Creek. A temporary tank acclimation pont to acclimate juvenile Chinook Salmon and the thinning of excess douglas-fir trees between 5-20 dbh is also proposed
The project proposes to place in-stream log structures (downed trees with root wads attached) in a stretch of a side channel to the Lewis River and along a stretch of Little Creek.
To add the herbicide aminopyralid to the list of approved ones in the Forest Plan. This amendment is a relatively minor modification to the invasive plant program. It would not approve any projects on the ground. Project-level analysis is required.
Produce timber, develop old-growth characteristics, accelerate the achievement of the Aquatic Conservation Strategy, enhance huckleberries, improve water quality in the Iron/Crystal creek watersheds.
Replace the existing wood culvert on FR 73 with a bridge, improving aquatic organism passage and reducing potential for failure during severe weather events.
The proposes to construct 3 salmonid acclimation sites in the upper Lewis River watershed that would supplement the reintroduction of anadromous fish to the Lewis River watershed.
Proposal for creation of a low-development campground at two sites near Forest Road 81 to provide non-stock campers with tent and trailer camping opportunities.
Commercial thinning of approximately 660 acres of stands within the Lower Cispus River watershed. The project will also include 0.3 miles of new specified road construction and about 0.5 miles of temporary road construction.
Produce commercial yields of timber, accelerate the development of old-growth forest characteristics and achievement of ACS objectives, enhance huckleberry production, maintain a safe, efficient transportation network and other restoration projects.
Install approximately 2,500 ft. underground 7.2KV powerline at a depth of 42 inches. Project starts at junction box near junction of FR 23 & FR 55. Application was made by private landowner to extend the utility line to their property.
Identify and evaluate road decommissioning within the Lower Cispus watershed. Roads experiencing resource-related damage will be targeted for closure or decommission.
The project involves acquiring approximately 100 trees, stockpiling at least some of them, and ultimately placing them into Trout Creek and along its floodplain.
The segment of dam proposed for removal is approximately 40 feet across by a maximum of 7 feet high.
Drill holes would be made into the dam to facilitate placement of explosive materials into the concrete structure.
Restore instream conditions, bank stability, and riparian habitat for the recovery of threatened Lower Columbia steelhead and to amend the LRMP for a portion of the proposed project area, which was recently acquired by the National Forest.
The proposal consists of vegetation treatments in the Wind River Watershed. Actions include thinning of plantations (5,300 acres), regeneration harvest (38 acres), and road closures. A 30-day comment period on the EA begins 11/16/2018.
The project authorizes an operator to construct and rent two 6-8 person huts at Lahar Viewpoint and Climber's Bivouac for overnight use. Huts would be semi-permanent, removable structures for year-round use.
Proposes the decommissioning of deteriorating toilets and some associated recreation infrastructure at three sites on Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument / Mount St. Helens Ranger District.
Thin conifers to a 30-40% residual canopy cover, reconstruct approximately 1.0 mile of road, yard tops attached to landings (machine pile landing slash), burn slash piles. Objective is to enhance huckleberry growth and production.
The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a nationwide, 30-year research effort to investigate the impacts of climate change, land-use change, and invasive species on ecology (under a special use permit).
Reroute 0.25 miles of the trail off the fall line to take advantage of natural drainage features and natural benches; another 0.25 miles of trail would be decommissioned and restored to a natural condition.
3,400 acre timber thinning project, to include commercial thinning on 41 units utlizing ground-based, skyline, and possibly helicopter logging systems. Approximately 7.17 miles of road are proposed to be closed and stabilized following harvest.
Commercial harvest of approx. 50 MBF of Doug-fir and hemlock, and subsequent replanting with resistant tree species, is proposed to address 2.5 acre root rot infestation inside a campground. No road construction is proposed.
Instream restoration over 12 miles of stream with development of approximately 216 structural complexes and non-commercial thinning of approximately 157 acres of riparian stand to a canopy closure of 50-55%.
Tree underplanting, forage seeding, snag and down wood creation, and other projects to improve wildlife habitat in units harvested under the North Fork Project EA.
The proposal is to maintain and increase stand vitality and health for future habitat and timber production by thinning overstocked young stands and selling the excess live trees as transplants.
Young stand thinning and bough removal to optimize the health and growth of young stands as well as firewood collection. Comment period ends January 18, 2014.
Salvage downed, unstable, dead and danger trees on National Forest lands within 150 feet of Oklahoma Road between Willard Work Center and Forest Road 86.
Install a fish exclusion device at Packwood Lake to minimize rainbow trout and other fish from being able to access the forbay area so entrainment or impingement on the screens at the intake are reduced.
commercially thinning approximately 2300 acres in the MSHNVM. Commercial thinning, treatments designed to address forest health issues, and treatments to retain or enhance wildlife are possible activities.
Improve production of native huckleberries on 774 acres to benefit local Native Americans, recreational berry pickers, and wildlife through thinning and prescribed burning treatments.
Installation of a Romtec valut toilet at Red Mountain to support recreation rental of the Red Mountain Fire Lookout. Toilet will not be installed until rec rental is approved.
Enhance a variety of riparian area conditions, terrestrial and aquatic. Includes development of riparian features such as down wood and log structures by thinning overstocked riparian stands and using surplus trees for structural enhancement.
A small timber stand was commercially thinned and underburned in 2014 as part of the Sawtooth Huckleberry Restoration Project. Fire intensity and flame lengths resulted in overstory tree mortality. This project would salvage up to 40 of those trees
NRCS has requested a special use permit to construct and operate two additional SNOTEL (SNOw TELemetry) sites on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The SNOTEL system is the largest high-elevation snow and climate data network in the United States.
It provides areas that the public can be directed to for conifer sapling transplants via permit or contract. About 295 acres are authorized for sapling removal. All work done by hand.
The proposal is to enhance huckleberry production. A variety of methods for reducing tree canopy cover could occur, including lopping, girdling, firewood harvest, commercial timber harvest, and prescribed burning.
The intent of this project is to commercially thin trees from forested stands of 40-125 years of age in the Silver Creek subwatershed north of Randle, WA.
This proposal would officially establish the Smith Butte Research Natural Area (RNA). It is currently proposed in the Gifford Pinchot Land and Resource Management Plan and has been effectively treated as an RNA since 1990.
A team of researchers are requesting a special use permit to conduct a series of geophysical experiments on the Forest. The objective is to obtain high-resolution data of the magmatic plumbing system underground the Cascades.
The proposed action is to improve limited administrative access to the southwest shore of Spirit Lake. The proposed action would require periodic use of the 1980s access route for use by tracked equipment and ATVs.
Replace the original intake gate at Spirit Lake Tunnel; conduct geotechnical drilling to more accurately determine safe conditions for existing and possible future alternate outflow systems to control water levels in Spirit Lake.
Decommission a rustic campground area by removing vault toilet, fire rings, picnic tables and signage. Deconstruct entry route and block with boulders. Decompact soil and replant with native vegetation and trees.
Commercial thinning of conifers using ground based equipment, skyline/cable, and potentially helicopter logging systems, construction of temporary roads, landings, and skid trails. Early seral creation on 200 acres may also be considered.
Plant conifer seedlings (Douglas fir, western white pine, and noble fir) on approximately 2,000 acres in the Big Hollow Burn area. Planting will occur via hand tools.
A monitoring and alert system is needed to mitigate lahar hazards for communities in the area, including Trout Lake. USGS proposed to install 5 new monitoring stations.
Upper Cispus Thinning proposes a timber sale of approximately 1020 acres within the Upper Cispus Watershed. Commercial thinning, treatments designed to address forest health issues, and treatments to retain or enhance wildlife are possible activities
The project proposes to close or decommission roads or potions of roads; rehabilitate or block use of unauthorized routes; and conduct heavy road maintenance on roads that will remain open to the public.
The proposal includes commercial thinning of both young plantations and older stands with high tree mortality from insect and disease, prescribed burning, fuel break maintenance along Forest Road 82, fuel reduction treatments and tree planting.
A comprehensive river management plan (CRMP) is required by the Wild and Scenic River Act of 1968 for each segment to provide for the protection of the river values. The CRMP will focus on protecting the river's free-flowing condition & water quality
This project intends to accomplish a range of vegetative treatments including thinning and early seral creation on 4,308 acres. It also includes a number of other restoration activities to benefit forest habitats including road closure
Decommission FSR 3056, the highest priority decommission in the Wind River watershed from an aquatics standpoint. Project would include culvert removal and road surface restoration.
Project proposes to replace concrete ties that form a boat launch at a recreation site. Also proposes to place barrier rock on the adjacent shoreline to delineate the launch and reduce impacts to surrounding vegetation.
A private landowner has applied for special use of NFS lands to develop an old travel route for hauling logs from a private timber harvest operation. All road improvements would be removed, and the area returned to its natural state upon completion.
For issuance of a special use permit to the American Tower Corporation to construct a new unstaffed wireless communication facility. Includes a 100' monopole, a 30'x30' multi-tenant building with an 80 kW multi-tenant generator.
The project would cut and remove standing hazard trees adjacent to structures on the Willard Work Center compound. There are a number of standing trees that need to be felled and removed as they likely have laminated root rot and are hazard trees.
