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.
This website, and all linked websites under the control of the agency, is under review and content may change.
The NEPA Process
The National Environmental Policy Act outlines how federal agencies will incorporate public comment and disclose and mitigate the effects of projects on the land. A Citizens Guide to NEPA is available from the CEQ and covers what NEPA is and how the NEPA process works in depth.
NEPA requires the Chequamegon-Nicolet to assess the environmental effects of our proposed actions prior to making decisions. NEPA analyses are completed on all activities that could have a physical or biological effect on national forest lands. There are varying levels of analysis depending on the complexity or type of proposal.
The range of actions covered by NEPA is broad and includes:
making decisions on permit applications,
adopting federal land management actions, and
constructing highways and other publicly-owned facilities.
Using the NEPA process, the Forest Service evaluates the environmental and related social and economic effects of proposed actions. We also provide opportunities for public review and comment on those evaluations.
Note: Not all proposed projects may appear on the map. See the list below for a more complete list.
Stay Informed
Sign up to receive email updates on National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) proposed projects being planned on the
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
The Forest Service follows NEPA regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Under this rule, Forest Service officials determine which proposed projects are shared for public input.
The agency no longer issues a schedule of proposed actions (SOPA) report. Below is the current list of proposed projects available for review—your opportunity to learn more, share feedback, and stay engaged in decisions that shape the future of our public lands.
The Townships of Long Lake and Tipler propose to reconstruct a 4.2 mile stretch of FR2156 and FR2450. Reconstruction would include minor road widening, ditching, clearing and grubbing, culvert replacements, roadbed sub excavation, material staging and asphalt pavement
Forest wide project to improve watershed health. Over 40 actions including culvert replacement, culvert removal, bridge replacement, dam reconstruction, improving steam habitat and erosion control. For more detailed information: https://usfs-public.box.com/s/5k1pf4uyxyc04nw9mqyvkf5v6ba92ts3
Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) is working with the CNNF to create a master special use permit that will include all electric (overhead and buried) lines currently occupying national forest lands. More information: https://usfs-public.box.com/s/dgnxbmvidx1z3jiktldnzh0vsydjuzn3
Spectrum Mid-America, LLC is requesting a special use permit to install new 78,374 feet of buried and 1,374 feet of aerial fiber optic line on the Lakewood-Laona Ranger District.
Alliant Energy is proposing to remove approximately 4,524 feet of overhead power line and install approximately 3,251 feet of underground power line along Van Alstine Road on National Forest System land. Map available at: https://usfs-public.box.com/s/d7vvccv9p7vrokxe64jhj6ur4zcgfipv
Harvesting of Jack Pine and Aspen stands totaling <125 acres to assist in completing a GNA sale to remove aspen, spruce, fir as part of a larger ongoing vegetation project
The proposed action is to lower wildfire risk by mechanical thinning, mastication, pile burning, and prescribed fire in the wildland urban interface (WUI) of approximately 25 private residences and the surrounding area.
Proposal to utilize herbicide to control competing vegetation around seedlings on 5 sites (40 acres) in Assisted Migration Project to better understand reforestation approaches that sustain future healthy forests. For more information: https://usfs-public.box.com/s/zufv8zzlqbme20g96n0yiclb45n8kgwv
The proposal is to re-issue a special use authorization for a new term for Enbridge Energy Limited Partnership's existing pipeline system, pumping station, and associated improvements.
Improve Forest Lodge road and trail infrastructure to accommodate increased use of Forest Lodge and the Nature Trail - parking, road and trail capacity, drainage, stormwater treatment, traffic sight lines within the complex and ingress and egress.
The 11.6-mile-long project area will be cleared and grubbed within 16 feet of the road centerline or as needed to create ditching. All cross-drain culverts will be replaced with polymer coated arch pipes. The entire road length will be resurfaced.
Green Light Wisconsin LLC has applied for a prospecting permit on the Bend Deposit in Taylor County, WI. Green Light proposes to conduct exploratory drilling to better define the deposit. The proposal includes borehole drilling and road access.
The proposal is to reroute Snowmobile Trail 5 out of the Highway 77 right-of-way on to Forest Road 1648B, an operational maintenance level 2 road open to high clearance vehicles.
A total of 101 acres of red pine plantation thinning is proposed. If red pine is not thinned on a regular interval this species starts to lose its health and vigor resulting in slow growth and economic loss over time.
The Veikko Trail, an old cross-country ski trail in the St. Peter's Dome area developed by a local ski group, will be improved and realigned to fix drainage issues. Additional trail will be developed to connect to the St. Peter's Dome Trail network.
Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) is requesting a special use permit to install or upgrade utilities at eight sites on the Lakewood-Laona Ranger District. The total of all eight sites include about 8.72 acres of underground installation and 10.41 acres of overhead removal.
Proposal is to regenerate 120 acres of red pine. Actions include mastication of understory trees before harvest, seed-tree cut with red pine seed tree reserves, soil scarification after harvest, followed by a removal harvest of overstory seed trees.
Meet Forest Plan regeneration, age class, and early successional habitat improvement goals and objectives through treatment of aspen and balsam fir on the west zone.
