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The Umatilla National Forest is involved in dozens of activities every year.
The Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA), published quarterly, makes it easier for you to keep track of and participate in our planning efforts. It lists all the projects we will be working on in the coming months. There is a contact person listed for each project that you can get in touch with for additional information.
If you have any comments about this web page or would like to be added to an e-mail list to be notified when the Umatilla National Forest project information is updated, please send a message to cindy.sundblad@usda.gov.
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 Umatilla 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.
Thinning, pruning, and/or prescribed burning within 100 feet of either side of select roads to reduce ladder fuels, thereby reducing potential fire severity and facilitating suppression actions.
Protect the sensitive riparian area around a spring from being trampled by cattle. A permanent fence will be constructed around the one acre area. This will improve aquatic habitat for spotted frogs, and shrub habitat for neotropical migratory birds.
Precommercial thinning of small diameter trees, on average less than 9 inches in diameter at breast height, is being proposed. Proposed thinning (135acres) would occur along the scenic Byway (Western Route) that were either planted or have natural
Repair, realign, and stabilize the 54 Road in response to past flooding and human activities to restore access to/from the National Forest on impacted sections of the 54 road.
An approximately 25 foot portion of the 55 Road shoulder failed during above average precipitation, resulting in a public safety hazard. The proposed action will widen the existing road by excavating into the hillslope approximately 8 to 10 feet.
The purpose of this project is to adjust the Administrative Site boundaries to allow for ongoing and future management in and around Madison Butte Lookout and Black Mountain Communication Site.
Implement prescribed fire on approx. 7900 acres of FS land & 2400 acres of WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife land to reduce fuels (ground, ladder, canopy biomass) and rehabilitate grass and shrubs to improve wildlife forage.
Landscape prescribed fire proposal on NFS lands that are adjacent to private property. Project activities would be designed to reduce fine dead fuel loading, tree densities, and ladder fuels. Project area covers approximately 5,000 acres.
The Blue Mountains Forest Resiliency Project will propose thinning and prescribed burning on approximately 610,000 acres on the Ochoco, Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests.
Project proposes to improve forest health and stand growth/vigor. The project consist of one treatment unit approximately 68 acres in size. The proposal calls for the stand to receive an improvement cut. Harvest would be by ground based equipment.
The Bone Point Repeater Placement project would move the Forest Service radio repeater from the lookout building to a ground level building designed specifically for housing and protecting the equipment.
Reduce fuel loading and improve stand conditions in the area surrounding Bull Prairie Campground and adjacent to Morrow County OHV Park. Proposal includes one 70 acre timber sale, small diameter thinning, and up to 4,300 acres of prescribed fire.
Improve efficiency of gathering livestock and improve livestock distribution by splitting the pasture into 2 separate pastures by constructing 3-mile division fence. No changes to the permitted livestock numbers, or the season of use proposed.
This project will replace in kind the damaged Burnt Cabin Trail Bridge, removed in October 2020 due to imminent safety concerns. The replacement bridge will cross the SF Walla Walla River in the same footprint.
Modification of the Central Desolation Allotment boundary to divide the incorporated project area into several different pastures the Central Desolation Allotment. The existing term grazing permits will be modified to reflect new ownership.
Remove an existing 1.25 mile fence on the Central Desolation Allotment that has exceeded its life expectancy and is no longer in a condition that it can be maintained. This project proposes to build a shorter fence route to connect with private land
A Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) is being prepared to clarify and revise aspects of the analysis disclosed within the October 2010 Cobbler II Timber Sale and Fuels Reduction Project Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).
Vegetation treatments that include 2500 acres of timber harvest and fuels treatments, 8000 acres of landscape prescribed fire, hardwood and meadow restoration, 1900 acres of non-commercial thinning.
This project proposes post-fire rehabilitation following the 2015 Collins Butter Fire by planning 25,000 ponderosa pine seedlings within the fire area.
Commercial thinning on approx. 67 acres to improve forest health. This unit has been identified as at risk of mortality from insects, disease and wildfire due to the dense overstocked stand condition. No trees over 21” diameter will be removed.
Install a self-contained remote reporting weather station at a point on Indian Ridge to be able to respond to weather changes that could affect the snowpack in the Mill Creek Watershed and lead to flooding conditions in Mill Creek.
A number of trees have been identified under the criteria for danger trees along the 32 Road. These trees must be removed for human safety and protection of infrastructure. Trees will be used on aquatic restoration.
Project within area designated in section 602(b)/(c) of HFRA, within Condition Class 2 and 3 Fire Regime Group I and III. Project would reduce the risk and extent of insect/disease infestation, and increase forest stand resiliency.
Pocket gophers are causing measurable damage and mortality to conifer seedlings in reforestation units.
The goal of this project is to reduce gopher populations within reforestation units using mechanical traps.
The Heppner Ranger District proposes to use supplemental planting of tree seedlings in previously managed stands to promote diversity in species composition and structure and increase stand resiliency.
The Ditch Creek expansion would cover approximately three acres extending in a NNW direction, growing the pit from 6.5 to approximately 10 acres. Trucks and rock crushing equipment will access the pit on NF-010
via 2104 (Morrow County Road 799)
The project would issue a new special use permit for the operations and maintenance of the existing water line and diversion for a term of 20-years, with the new permit expiring December 31, 2036.
Trees are beginning to interfere with radar transmissions between the FAAs Heppner and Fossil radar stations. Proposal is to cut all trees within a sight path 60 feet wide, unclear as to length of the site path at this time (perhaps 1 mile?).
The purpose of the Falls/Meadowbrook Vegetation Management project is to improve vigor, health, and fire resistance in about 6,800 acres of upland ecosystems.
Re-issuing this permit would allow the continued use and existence of a spring box development and approximately 302 ft of pipeline at Death Peak Springs. This also includes a 10%u2019 wide right-of-way for maintenance and access.
Propose to change steep slope logging system activities previously analyzed for skyline logging to a cable assist system for the identified harvest units.
The USFS will evaluate alternatives to the wildlife standard of the Eastside Screens that limits harvest of trees greater than 21 inches for the Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman, Malheur, Ochoco, Deschutes, and Fremont-Winema National Forests.
Reduce over story density in order to promote forage production for big game wildlife and reduce fuels to protect values at risk. Commercially harvest up to 70 acres of all trees less than 21 inches in diameter at breast height
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.
Approximately 2,308 acres of commercial mechanical treatments are proposed, along with 2,755 acres of small diameter hand thinning. All treatments would have a restoration focus and both lumber and chip materials would be produced.
Godman Thin project consists of several young stands (35-60 years old) where high-densities are increasing the likelihood of insect and disease infestations. Godman Thin proposes to commercially thin these stands to make them less susceptible.
The project objective is to reduce hazardous fuels along a strategic landscape break according to the Forest Landscape Wildfire Strategy which seeks increased defensibility in key areas, as well as retention of large, fire resistant trees. 1,531 ac.
Construction of wildlife and livestock exclusion fencing around aspen stands that are regenerating after being damaged by the 2015 Grizzly Bear Complex fire.
Harvest fire-killed and fire-injured trees on approximately 2,000 acres and plant trees and other vegetation on approximately 4,400 acres on Walla Walla Ranger District affected by the Grizzly Bear Complex Fire.
The Groschen Cabin Commercial Thin project proposes to reduce stocking levels by using a commercial timber sale. This project will use consist of one unit of approximately 70 acres.
Salvage fire-killed and fire-injured trees on approximately 250 acres and reforestation activities on (up to)900 acres that were affected by the Grizzly Bear Complex Fire.
This project will restore trees on 150 acres of forested lands that were denuded of vegetation in the 2019 HK Fire. The fire killed trees within portions of the fire that burned at moderate to high severity. This has reduced the diversity of habita
Salvage harvest up to 250 acres in the HK Complex burn area, may include FS roads 21 (Morrow County 603), 2107, 2107-020, 2100-122, and 2100-119, for adjacent stands, haul routes, and danger tree removal.
The Heppner Ranger District is proposing to decommission currently closed roads in RHCAs which are no longer needed for future management. This project would also remove 11 stream crossing structures associated with these roads.
The Herren Thin project proposes to reduce stocking levels by using a commercial timber sale. This project consists of one thinning unit totaling approximately 70 acres located along the 5326020 road.
Expansion of current exploration pits to a maximum of 30 ft wide by 25 ft deep using hand tools & limited mechanical equipment. Use of an existing closed road & shelter. Placement of an outhouse. Limited use of a spring for hand-washing of rock.
This project proposal if for a weather monitoring station to be placed on National Forest System Lands to survey the weather conditions around huckleberry brush (Vaccinium membranaceum).
Salvage fire-killed and fire-injured trees on approximately 250 acres and reforestation activities on (up to) 6,000 acres that were affected by the Grizzly Bear Complex Fire.
The project would involve the removal of trees that have been identified as hazardous to users of the Jubilee Lake Campground. Removal would occur in 2013 across approximately 50 acres in and around the campground.
The Kahler Dry Forest Restoration project seeks to restore dry upland forest conditions throughout the Kahler Creek watershed through a combination of thinning and prescribed burning.
The project would involve the issuance of a new 20-year special use permit for the use of the existing improvements. There would be no ground disturbing activities associated with the implementation of this project, other than routine maintenance.
Remove the culvert on Forest Road 3734 over Little Phillips Creek. Decommission approx. 0.7 miles of FR 3734, and re-open approx. 1 mile of FR 3734 that is currently closed.
Install post assisted log structures (PALS) with large and small woody debris along lower 1.5 miles of Little Tucannon River to improve habitat diversity and floodplain connection.
A fuels reduction project involving the removal of commercial timber and wood fiber from reducing the density of non-commercial trees, existing and activity fuels, down and standing dead woody debris and aerial fuels.
The Lovlett Corral Fire burned 137 acres on the Heppner Ranger District in the summer of 2021. This project proposes a fire salvage within the fire perimeter. Approximately 64 acres burned with moderate and high severity,
Lower elevation Forest along the breaks to the Grande Ronde river would utilize prescribed fire and timber harvest to restore ponderosa pine and western larch forest and grasslands and brush along the canyon walls.
This project proposes harvesting up to 250 acres of dead and dying trees from a blowdown event that happened earlier this spring (2020). Logging operations will include ground-based logging systems with whole-tree yarding in proposed cutting units.
Relocating fence that crosses Matlock Prairie currently located on private lands onto Forest Service land. Fence is a pasture division fence needed to manage livestock on the F.G. Whitney Allotment.
The McMurdo Cabin Commercial Thin project proposes to reduce stocking levels by using a commercial timber sale. The project consists of on thinning unit of approximately 70 acres in size.
Joint effort between Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation and Umatilla NF. Project would restore Meacham Creek to near historic channel configuration while providing protection for railroad infrastructure in the area.
Analysis of Indian Creek watershed to improve the long-term sustainability and fire resistance of upland forests while capturing the commercial value of raw wood material.
Approximately 17,000 seedlings will be planted in eighty-eight acres within the Morphine Burn fire scar. These acres are within the suitable timber base.
This project is designed to increase site distance of the Madison fire detection lookout and reduce the risk of loss of improvements (lookout tower and communication systems) at the Madison and Black Mountain Communication Sites due to wildfire.
This project will include construction of approximately 2.1 miles of fence to limit cattle access to designated critical habitat for steelhead along Smith Creek and Little Indian Creek.
Project would issue a new permit to the National Weather Service for operation of a rain gauge located near the Spout Springs lodge. The permit would be issued for a 20-year term.
Issue a new forest-wide special use permit to the Natural Resource Conservation Service for a term of 30 years for nine SNOTEL sites on the Umatilla National Forest.
Selling of the Forest Service owned house located at 301 East Waid Street, Ukiah, Oregon. This proposed conveyance is authorized under the Forest Service Facility Realignment and Enhancement Act of 2005
Special Use Permit to allow the installation and continued maintenance of a roadside weather station to gather real-lime weather and traffic condition information to improve safety for the traveling public.
The proposed action would issue a special use permit to replace an expired one for a 20-year term for the operations and maintenance of the existing improvements (storage areas).
Designate 9.6 miles of new OHV trail to provide additional access to the Winom-Frazier OHV Complex from the Oriental Campground. Most of the route would occur on existing open and closed roads, with only 1-2 miles of new construction.
The P52 Fuel Break includes the FSR 52 from the northern district boundary of the North Fork John Day Ranger District and runs south to the junction of FSR 51. It also includes the roads and trails surrounding the Pearson Recreation residences.
Rectify deferred maintenance and conduct necessary improvements to historic structures currently used as rental cabins, with a focus on retaining their features and using similar construction materials.
Reroute the lower portion of the Paradise Trail to install grade-reducing switchbacks (3.4 miles), bringing the grade from 40% to 10-15% for the entire trail. Decommission 1.1 miles of existing, steep trail.
This project proposes improving stand conditions, reducing the risk and increase resilience to insect and disease infestations, and improve wildlife habitat .
Restore area, which has been negatively affected by unauthorized alteration of terrain, to desired natural conditions by selective contouring, pipe removal and reseeding with native plants and grasses.
The upper part of Penland Lake campground has multiple roads to various campsites. This project would grade and rock existing road in the upper campground and better define associated campsites. Excess routes would be rehabilitated.
The Pinical Project proposes to reduce stocking levels by using a commercial timber sale. This project consists of one thinning unit totaling approximately 70 in size located between the 6200, 6200-390 and 6200-391 roads.
Implement prescribed fire treatments on approx. 28,000 acres to reduce ground and ladder fuels to maintain and restore vegetation. Multi-year project (10 years). Incorporates the Wenatchee Crk and Pomeroy Mtce prescribed fire projects.
NCT and Prescribed fire will be used in areas of previous treatment and/or wildfire in order to maintain vegetation characteristics and disturbances that would be expected to occur under natural disturbance regimes.
Project designed to improve conditions for aspen stands in order to retain aspen on the landscape, enhance wildlife habitat, and reduce fuels. The project proposes to remove conifer to create openings around existing aspen stands, and reduce fuels.
Now Part of Ellis Integrated Vegetation Project: area identified areas to reduce wildfire risk to public and private lands within the Potamus subwatersheds as identified in the Morrow County Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Reduce the risk of stand replacement wildfire by reducing natural fuel loading and ladder fuels and increase forage for big game and livestock by reintroducing fire to the landscape through prescribed fire.
The project includes a suite of activities to restore forest resiliency and function, including: upland restoration activities; watershed, fisheries, and wildlife restoration; prescribed burning; road activities; and recreation system changes.
The cabin owner at Spout Springs Recreation Residence Tract, Lot #8 has requested to install a new septic tank. The old tank is leaking and requires decommission.
The Rhea Thin project proposes to reduce stocking levels by using a commercial timber sale. This project consists of two thinning units totaling approximately 70 acres located along the 2100050 road.
This is an existing, un-groomed snowmobile trail. In order to groom the trail, a bridge will be constructed over Ruby Creek and trees less than six inches DBH along each side of the trail will be removed to a 14-foot width.
This project proposes routine trail maintenance in the form of replacing a native log stringer bridge with a pressure treated glue-laminated bridge. The proposal does not proposes changes to the existing authorized uses of the trail.
Supplemental EIS. To amend the Forest Plan to modify the Eastside Screens wildlife standard at 6d. (2) (a) to define both live and dead trees. This amendment applies to, and only for the duration, of School Fire Salvage Recovery Project
Project would install a long-term (30-year) forest productivity study examing forest nutrient management issues. The study is led by the Intermountain Forest Tree Nutrition Cooperative which is headquartered at the University of Idaho.
Ski Bluewood is proposing to install a snow making system in their base area so they can make snow to cover those lowest elevation ski runs when natural snow is not adequate.
Replacement of failing culverts, construction of rolling drain dips, application of spot rock along FR 6400 (Skyline Rd.) from FR 6437 to Washington-Oregon Border.
The Smith Commercial Thin project proposes to reduce stocking levels by using a commercial timber sale. This project consists of one thinning unit totaling approximately 70 acres in size located north of the 5300750 road and east of the 5300252 road.
This project would isolate a spring and associated wet area with poor drainage from the snowmobile trail. This would be accomplished by placing pit run aggregate and filter cloth in layers over the trail so it will be able to freeze.
Vegetation management project to improve vigor, health, and fire resistence within a forested ecosystem. It includes timber harvest, treatment of acitivity and natural fuels, landscape prescribed burning, and non-commercial treatments.
The project would consist of issuing 5 new Special Use Permits to Oregon State Patrol, Oregon Dept. of Forestry, Oregon Dept. of Transportation, Oregon Dept. of Corrections, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to replace their expiring permits.
A recreation resident in Lot #26 of the Spout Springs Tract has requested to replace a leaking septic tank in order to meet the required health and safety standards.
Salvage of dead and/or dying trees from approximately 250 acres using conventional yarding systems. Less than 0.5 miles of temporary construction would be needed.
Commercial thinning of dry site stands to reduce tree competition & improve stand health and vigor. Also Includes non-commerical thinning of young conifer stands to reduce stocking in the understory.
Timber harvest, other tree cutting activities and fuels treatments to move conditions to desired levels and/or ranges. Utilize existing road system except, 11 miles of temp road, of which utilizes 9 miles on existing road templates.
The Swale Commercial Thin project proposes to reduce stocking levels by using a commercial timber sale. This project consists of one unit of approximately 70 acres in size.
Project proposes commerical thinning activities on approximately 60 acres. Project activities would occur within the footprint of an old clearcut unit which was harvested in the 1960s.
Proposal seeks to improve water quality and riparian function in the headwaters of Swamp Creek while maintaining access to the Swamp Creek rock pit. The proposal will decommission the existing access road and construct less than 1 mile of new road.
The proposed action is to issue a new communications site lease to T-Mobile for their new building at the existing approved communications site and the installation of underground utilities to the new building.
There is a need to continue authorization of livestock grazing consistent with the goals and objectives of the Umatilla National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) to maintain or improve resource conditions.
This fuels reduction project is located within the Granite Creek Watershed on the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National forests and is located in Grant County, Oregon.
Approximately 1,663 acres of mechanical treatments are proposed, along with 975 acres of small diameter hand thinning. Mechanical treatments would have a restoration focus and both lumber and chip materials would be produced.
The purpose of the proposed project is to increase the ability to effectively suppress wildfire and reduce risks to wildland firefighters within the project area, as well as reduce the risk of undesirable impacts to the Mill Creek Watershed.
Project would have reduced vertical and horizontal fuel loading and continuity to modify potential fire behavior and approach or attain the desired objectives near and along the 6511 roads and MFTPs. Activities proposed were thinning and burning.
Cabin owners have requested to build a storage shed on their lot to store firewood, maintenance supplies and other materials including snow mobiles. Shed would be 10-ft X 13-ft.
The Tombstone commercial thinning project consists of five thinning units totaling approximately 70 acres, and proposes to reduce stocking levels by using mechanical harvest methods.
Re-issue a SUP allowing continued use/maintenance of the current structure. Allow occasional removal of trees (pre-commercial) to maintain clear path for the repeater and maintenance to the structure. Authorize modification of existing facility.
Proposing to plant areas within the Turner Basin Fire area with a mixture of ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and western larch at a planting density of 200 trees per acre. Trees will be protected from big game browse with vexar tubes.
Project proposes the issuance of a special use permit to Umatilla Electric Cooperative for the installation of an underground powerline at the Spout Springs Electronics site that will provide power to an existing US Cellular cell phone facility.
The project would relocate an existing powerline to an alignment that runs along the edge of the paved parking area on the Spout Springs Ski area side of Hwy 204.
Treatment of known and newly discovered invasive plants using herbicide, manual, mechanical, biological, and/or cultural methods. The Forest has approx. 25,000 acres of invasive plants, approx. 18,500 acres is proposed for herbicide treatment.
The Upper Pataha Project proposes to reduce risk and mitigate insects and disease infestation in the Pataha Creek Sub-Watershed by lowering densities and altering species composition through commercial and non-commercial harvest.
Vegetation management with commercial and non-thinning, prescribed burning and recreation area management treatments to protect values at risk including forest resiliency, human safety, and infrastructure protection
The project proposes to install security chain link fence around a cellular tower and propane tank that provides fuel for an auxiliary generator. A backhoe and jackhammer would be used to dig holes for the posts and a trench for ground wire.
Project proposes the issuance of an amended special use permit to Verizon Wireless for the installation of a 12,000 gallon propane tank and associated structures at the existing cell phone site located at Ski Bluewood.
Reconstruction, decommissioning, storm damage risk reduction including culvert removal and waterbar construction, and aquatic organism passage improvement on selected roads throughout the Wall Creek watershed.
Implement prescribed fire on approx. 7,600 acres to reduce ground fuel accumulations, tree densities, and ladder fuels. Reduce canopy biomass to historical levels, improve timber stand resistance to disease and insects, and improve wildlife forage.
Project within area designated in section 602(b)/(c) of HFRA, within WUI, and Condition Class 2 or 3 Fire Regime Groups I or III. Project would reduce the risk and extent of insect/disease infestation, and increase forest stand resiliency.
This project includes thinning 4,654 acres for the purpose of promoting stand health, large tree development, and reducing fire intensity to minimize the chance of catastrophic fire events.
Protection of Whitebark Pine stands from wildfire, disease, and insect infestation by pruning, thinning, and creating a 500ft buffer around extant stands. Promote species recovery by planting WBP seedlings in optimal NFJD RD habitat locations.
Vegetation and fuels treatment that includes approximately 2200 acres of commercial harvest, 2100 acres of mechanical fuels treatment, approximately 10,300 acres of prescribed fire, and approximately 1100 acres of non-commercial thinning.
Restore upland forest conditions, encourage growth of large trees, and move the analysis area towards its Historical Range of Variability (HRV) in tree density, species composition and stand structure using commercial and noncommercial thinning.
The purpose is to provide a safe working environment for firefighters and to improve probability of success in protecting life and property in the event of a wildfire within or threatening the values at risk.
