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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 Hiawatha 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.
Clearcut approximately 216 acres of plantation planted spruce due to infestation of spruce budworm which is killing the spruce trees. Some of the proposed harvested spruce areas will exceed 40 acres in size.
Fell 25 trees along the shoreline of Herman Lake and Beaton Lake in 2013. Trees would be dropped along the shores of Grassy Lake, Pete’s Lake, and McComb Lake in 2014 and 2015. Project would provide wood cover and forage areas for all.
Re-issue Special Use Permit to include: All existing distribution lines and Rights of Way within HNF lands, Electric substations at Eckerman and Raco locations.
Recreation residence improvements to include: Crooked Lake Lot 18 porch addition, Crooked Lake Lot 2 dock addition, Sturgeon River Lot 5 power pole installation, and Steuben Lake Lot 7 dock & shed replacement, fence & dock installation.
Set back woody encroachment in 16 existing wildlife openings and treat 10 acres of aspen utilizing mechanical treatment or hand treatment. seed native flowers and plant 30 oak trees in wildlife openings.
The objective of this proposal is to release red pine saplings from competing vegetation to promote a healthy and sustainable forest for optimal growth and timber production. Pruning red pine pole timber increases the quality for future timber produc
The Forest Service proposes to reissue a new special-use permit with an associated operating plan to the American Transmission Company to update their existing permit and operating plan issued in 2001
Alger Delta Coop proposes installing 3,798 feet of electric cable underground from County Road 513 west along the south side of Twin Springs Road (20.5 Lane).
Installation of 1,980 feet of powerline in the County Road KK road right-of-way. The line would feed power to an Enbridge Energy pipeline emergency shut-off valve.
The Alger Delta Mirror Lake Project is associated with the Alger Delta Electric Cooperative Association. They are proposing to install 1.5 miles of new electrical line along Mirror Lake Road in Sections 21 and 22 of T45N, R19W.
Permit Amendment to authorize installing a buried cable at a depth of 48 inches within a permitted road to provide power to existing structures on private land. The action would begin at an existing permitted power pole and extend about 600 feet.
The purpose of this project is for Alger Delta Electric to install a new underground line replacing a portion of overhead line for more efficient and reliable power to nearby private residents.
Rebuild and up grade of an existing powerline from St. Ignace, MI to Rudyard, MI. The upgrade will increase the voltage from 69 volts to a 138KV transmission line.
ATC is proposing to rebuild their 6952 powerline to correct many safety issues with low hanging powerlines. Rebuild will be within the existing corridor to provide reliable and safe service to rural customers.
The purpose of this project is for ATC to replace a manual switch along their line with a remotely operated switch. A remotely operated switch provides safer more efficient access to activate and deactivate their telecommunication lines.
Construction of a 20 vehicle parking lot near the AuTrain River take out point on AuTrain/Forest Lake Road. ** Project marked as 'Cancelled.' Additional data necessary prior to proposal development. **
Collaborative project with Au Train Township to address access, parking and erosion issues along Au Train River. Proposed actions would include development of parking and access sites, vegetation management, and rehabilitation of river bank erosion.
The Au Train Township Board is requesting a renewal of their special use permit to use the baseball diamond on the Hiawatha National Forest. The activity has been permitted since 1977.
special use permit authorization for offering kayak rentals and transportation for clients to facilitate trips along the Indian River within the Hiawatha National Forest.
Construct 17 trail reroutes, each approximately 0.25 mile, between the middle and north trailheads. These reroutes would be designed to reduce erosion and increase users safety along the trail system.
Construct 20 trail re-routes where the trail is incurring erosion due to suboptimal trail location. Additionally, trail crossings will be improved at Haymeadow Creek.
Project proposes treatments for uneven-aged management with follow-up canopy gap cleaning or timber stand improvement plus additional spot planting of white pine, hemlock, northern red oak or other native tree species and associated site preparation.
Construct a road to gain access to a landlocked parcel of National Forest System land and change the maintenance level of Forest Road 2284 from ML2 to ML1.
Construction and reconstruction of two road segments not exceeding a total of 0.7 miles. The road segments are needed to access stands for timber management activities.
To bring broadband service to underserved communities. Construction, operation and maintenance of approximately 3.3 miles of buried fiber optic cable with the shoulders of existing roads. Replace existing copper with new fiber optic.
Removal by owner of a private structure and improvements from NFS lands on Grand Island and restoration of disturbed areas upon termination of recreation residence special use permit.
Project previously identifies as Bruno s Run Sustainable Trail Locations. Project involves several minor relocations of Bruno s Run Hiking/Biking Trail to eliminate erosion and damage to the trail surface so as to improve riding conditions.
Construct one trail re-route that will be approximately .25 mile in length, near the south end of Moccasin Lake along the Bruno%u2019s Run Hiking/Bicycling Traill. This trail is incurring erosion due to suboptimal trail location.
Kenneth Busha is requesting vehicular access to his property via a trail off FR 3359 near Raco, MI. The driveway would be 177' long by 20' wide on existing sandy trail. It only needs to be graded to make it drivable.
EA -- Relocate approximately 2,700 feet of CR 497 and an electric powerline to an existing railroad and utility corridor to address a meander bend in the Sturgeon River that threatens to undercut the road.
Project involves relocation of Snowmobile Trail 7 so as to improve safety and to facilitate more efficient maintenance and grooming of the trail. The new route will eliminate steep hills and sharp curves.
Replace deteriorating spawning habitat that was installed in Carr Creek over 30 years ago. Includes installing, primarily by hand, washed gravel and cobblestone to provide preferred spawning conditions for native brook trout.
Amend the Chatham Telephone Co. special use permit for installation of a fiber optic cable crossing National Forest System land. The cable would be buried in a road right-of-way following an existing telephone corridor. No vegetation removal.
Issue an amendment to the Chatham Telephone Company SUP for installation of a fiber optic cable crossing National Forest land. The cable will be buried in a road ROW following existing telephone corridor. No vegetation will be removed.
Chippewa County Telephone Company has requested a Fiber Optic SUP for installation of a buried fiber optic cable along the Highway M-28 and Ranger Road right-of-way crossing National Forest System land.
Acquisition of a tract from the city of Munising using timber fund receipts from the Little Pole Timber Sale in Alger and Delta counties. Project receipts will provide financing for Munising's fire department building project.
Relocating existing back-in boat launch approximately150 feet to the west of the current launch site. PWCs will be prohibited from the lake. Permits will be required for camping at the campsite. Existing hiking trail will be relocated to the south.
Reconstruct trails to all camp facilities for accessiblity; reconstruct main entrance and gathering area to control erosion; reconstruct wastewater system and portions of water system; and construct new parking areas.
Clear Lake Education Center is proposing a triathlon (kayak, bike, run). This project has been marked as cancelled. The project will be in a Categorical Exclusion that does not require a Decision Memo. The activity will only be authorized for 1 year.
Mr. Cranson is proposing to build about 100 long driveway. Mr. Drogowski is proposing to build about half mile long driveway. Both driveways would cross National Forest and could include use of gravel and heavy equipment.
Permit holder would rebuild the existing dock at their recreation residence and also build a new section of dock. ** Project marked as 'Cancelled,' but analysis will proceed under Project name: "2015 Recreation Residence Improvements"
The owners of the recreation residence at Crooked Lake Lot 7 (7141 N Crooked Lake Drive) propose to build additions onto three sides of the cabin, sheathing the exterior in log siding and covering with a neutral asphalt roof.
Analysis of regeneration treatments in conifers and hardwoods; intermediate treatments in conifers and hardwoods, transportation improvements; wildlife and fisheries improvements. Birchfarm was the original name of this project.
Project would replace 18 existing culverts with pre-cast box, concrete span or metal culverts. Approaches to the culverts may be paved to further reduce sedimentation.
The primary purpose of this project is to provide safe, more reliable access along East Lake Road while maintaining the remarkable natural features this area has to offer. The project will include culvert improvements and road reconstruction.
Commercial thin 3,704 ac. of red pine. Under plant white pine on 1,205 ac. Underburn 410 ac. of red pine stands. Construct about 1.4 mi. of new roads. Reinforce 15 existing road closures.
Increase natural reporduction of brook trout by installing spawning habitat in Bear Creek, Biscuit Creek, and Creek Number Nine. Design would duplicate previous successful projects.
This project has been marked as "Cancelled" because it falls into a Categorical Exclusion that does not require a decision memo. Analysis of the project will proceed.
Permanent openings throughout the Eastside of the Hiawatha with most on the Raco Plains, maintained for wildlife habitat and fuel break will be analyzed. March decision was withdrawn and minor corrections made. A new decision will be issued.
Within existing corridor, Enbridge Energy LP proposes to exacavate section of pipeline to install emergency flow restriction device, install valve control building and communication pole with gravel and fence around, and construct gravel access road.
The pipeline site will be excavated, inspected, and repaired as needed. The excavation will be approximately 60-80 feet long, 30-40 feet wide, and up to 10 feet deep. Repair may consist of welding a metal sleeve around and recoating the pipeline
To issue a special use permit to Enbridge Pipelines for the excavation, inspection, and repair of their Line 5 petroleum/natural gas liquids pipeline at two sites near the Sturgeon River, just east of Forest Highway 13.
The purpose of this project is to continue the groundwater monitoring adjacent to the Enbridge Pipeline. There is a historic crude oil release near the valve that requires quarterly monitoring by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
Propose to introduce lakeside daisy (federally threatened) plants by direct seeding, propagation and outplanting, or a combination of these methods, at several new locations on the St. Ignace Ranger District.
Clearing trees (merchantable and non-merchantable) FH-13 right-of-way. The clearing would be within the 66' right-of-way along approximately 10.75 miles of FH-13 from CF-442 to the Delta/Alger County line.
Decommission three water systems at developed rec site. The wells have been inactive for several years with no plan to bring the wells back into operation. They need to be decommissioned to protect watersheds.
The proposed action is to authorize the repair or replacement of any human-made structure that impedes the natural passage of native and desirable non-native aquatic organisms at any life stage.
Proposal to exchange federal lands for privately owned lands on Grand Island National Recreation Area. The Section 106 process did not result in agreement and has been terminated. The NEPA analysis has been cancelled.
Replace the existing sets of steps into the passenger ferry at Grand Island Landing and at Williams Landing on the Grand Island National Recreation Area with a route that meets current accessibility standards.
Prescribed burning of a portion of a historic farm field on Grand Island National Recreation Area. Effects of prescribed burning on non-native weeds will be compared to herbicide treatments in adjacent areas.
The project proposes to build 2 primitive cabins which would be available for rental by the general public on the southern part of the Grand Island National Recreation Area. Both cabins would be located in the roaded natural portion of the island.
Great Lakes Distance Riding Association requests five-year recreation special use permit for annual Pine Marten Run Distance Ride (equestrian) occurring the last weekend in September.
The proponent is requesting access to a parcel through the development of a new road. Currently, the proponent is not the owner of the parcel but interested in purchasing. The sale of the parcel is contingent on the possibility of ingress and egress.
The Hiawatha National Forest proposes the evaluation of treatment of pine stumps following cutting to prevent the spread of Heterobasidion root disease in areas within 6 miles of a known infection to reduce spread of disease within pine stands.
Placement of approximately 1,125 ft of underground 7.2kV electric distribution cable due to existing cable reaching end of life and experiencing multiple faults creating outages to the Hiawatha Slopes/Chatham Ski Hill Recreation Area.
Install 11 miles of underground fiber optic cable within the right-of-way of Hwy 94, from Shingleton south to County Road 437. Construction methods would include vibratory and static plowing, directional boring, and aerial.
Hiawatha Telephone Company proposes installing 2.37 miles of fiber optic cable from near Stevens Lake to Gooseneck Lake, entirely buried within the road (open and closed) right-of-way or attached to existing power poles.
MDOT has requested permission to remove approx. 350 trees within their right-of-way along about 5 miles of M-28 near Raco, MI to allow them to improve the slope of the shoulder when they repave concrete. This will improve travel surface and safety.
A special use permit is proposed for the installation of and continued access to repeaters on two Hiawatha National Forest radio towers in Alger County by Alger Countys Sheriffs Office to improve emergency services.
This project is marked as "Cancelled" because it falls into a Categorical Exclusion that does not require a Decision Memo. Analysis of the project will proceed. Project closes sites, reopens other sites and carry-in boat access, replaces toilet...
CE -- Create/enhance small openings in eight densely-stocked jack pine stands to improve Kirkland warbler habitat, a federally-endangered species. When possible, existing openings or gaps would be widened or extended.
Archaeological investigations of two sites at Bar and Thunder Lakes, with discretionary sediment coring at Bar, Crow, Thunder, Hovey, and Jack Pine lakes. A UAS device will be utilized as a mapping device.
The Hiawatha National Forest is proposing to update the land use suitability mapping layers used in the 2006 Forest Plan to reflect current on the ground conditions and correct map boundary errors and update the plan for the East Zone of the Forest.
This project includes three right-of-way authorization renewals including the Over the hill Club access road, Lortz access road and Smaniotto access road for a period of 20 years.
Improve timber stand and habitat health in the McKeever Cabin and trails area for general forest health and to improve visitor experiences. Improve native vegetation through the reduction of small stems and ground litter using prescribed fire.
Construct a new beginner/intermediate loop at McKeever hills using approximately 580 feet of existing forest road and 220 feet of new trail construction.
Merit Network, Inc. proposes to install two additional lateral fiber optical lines to an existing line under a Special Use Permit, which will provide broadband technology to additional businesses and schools via Cheeseman Rd and Worth Rd.
Bury approximately 14 miles of fiber optic cable within the north shoulder of Highway M-28, within the highway right-of-way. The fiber optic cable would extend the entire length of M-28 on the East Zone of the Hiawatha National Forest.
Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to install a temporary road and bridge for US Highway 2 traffic, while replacing the existing bridge on Highway 2 crossing the Ogontz River. ** NEPA analysis completed by MDOT. Action will proceed. **
Vegetation management, watershed and fisheries habitat improvements, mountain bike trail construction, non-native invasive plant treatments, non-significant Forest Plan amendment, and road construction, closures, and decommissioning.
A procedural error relative to the Forest Plan Amendment was discovered during the project review of the environmental assessment (EA) for the Mirrorwood Project.
Develop a non-motorized trail from Monocle Lake Interpretive Trail and the Monocle Lake day use area to the Spectacle Lake area on Bay Mills Indian Community land
The Munising Bay Trail Network (MBTN) is requesting a one year special use permit for the 2020 Mt. Goat Mash (formerly known as Tour Da Woods) mountain bike race.
CE -- Perform stand improvement projects throughout the district via the personal use firewood program, including some stands that are not currently within the emerald ash borer quarantine area.
This project is marked as "Cancelled" because it falls into a Categorical Exclusion that does not require a Decision Memo. Analysis of the project will proceed. The existing bridge over Murphy Creek on Snowmobile Trail 413 will be replaced.
Construct approximately 3 miles of multi-use trail (both motorized and non-motorized use) between Nahma Junction and the community of Nahma to improve year-round recreational opportunities.
Issue a private road special use permit to access private property. The road has been existing for many years and has just been discovered it is crossing National Forest System land.
The North Country Hunting Adventures Inc. (NCHA) is requesting a 5 year permit for black bear baiting and hunting within Hiawatha National Forest. The NCHA has had outfitting and guiding permits for 5 consecutive years.
Reroute NCT where it crosses M-123. This includes installing a culvert on the west side of M-123, constructing new trail tread and moving all signs, and decommissioning and rehabilitating the abandoned trail section.
To enhance the recreation experience, the Forest proposes to move a segment of trail out of a seasonally wet area, and provide a small creek crossing with a wooden puncheon. The new bench cut trail will be approximately 0.5 mile.
Move the NCT away from M94 by constructing .26 mile of new trail, and reroute a segment of trail (0.2 mile) away from low lying wet area. Both actions will make a more sustainable trail system.
Reroute two sections of the NCT so it crosses the ATC corridor perpendicularly. Part of the trail goes through a wet area necessitating the construction of a structure through the wet area.
As part of a research project, irregular shelterwood harvest approximately 268 acres and thin approximately 111 acres of northern white cedar. Fence two 10-acre areas to exclude deer in the irregular shelterwood areas.
Construction of an access road for to the Nunns Creek Bridge replacement, reroute Trail 47 to use the new access road once the Nunn's Creek Bridge replacement is complete.
Installation of fiber optic cable parallel to Mackinac Trail from St. Ignace to Chippewa County line. Cable will be buried by vibratory plow or directional bored.
Common Coast Research & Conservation (CCRC) proposes a partnership with Hiawatha National Forest modeled after the Escanaba Migratory Bird Enhancement Initiative (EMBEI) to increase the amount of stopover habitat available to migratory birds.
Hiawatha National Forest proposes to construct a new office, fire cache, and heavy equipment garage at the Raco Work Center; remove 2 buildings at the Moran Work Center; and use this area as outdoor storage.
Manage natural resources to restore ecological conditions of a fire-dependent sand-plain. Adaptive management will be used to harvest and regenerate trees, manage fuels and improve habitat for fire-adapted species like Kirtland's warbler.
Reroute and add new section to the Raco-Rudyard snowmobile trail. Reroute and close sections of the Raco-Brimley and Raco-Bay Mills snowmobile trails off of private property and move to National Forest System lands.
HNF proposes to build two 80-100 foot steel towers to improve radio communication. A small concrete building will also be built at the base of each tower and the entire site will be enclosed with a chain link fence.
This project would increase the size of the existing ski trailhead parking lot and would involve installation of a storage building for trail grooming equipment.
Construct a 2,736. ft. (72'x48') building in the center of the Forest Service office in Rapid River. It will house a tree seedling cooler and a 760 sq. ft. heated equipment room with a garage door. The building will blend with the historic buildings
Improve access to the trail system by designating two existing ski trails for summer and winter use and building a new ski loop of approximately 2 miles. Improve trail sustainability by installing culverts, and reconstructing the trail in one locale
CE -- Issuance of a special use road easement to the Mackinac County Road Commission to realign 780 feet of Black Point Road, which crosses National Forest System Land on the St. Ignace Ranger District.
Update Red Delicious and Orkney Burn Areas. Change post-harvest treatment of 165 acres from mechanical site prep to prescribed burn, and 61 acres from prescribed burn to mechanical prep. Add 36 acres to burn areas for continuity.
The HIF proposes a road authorization for access to Jeff Canull property that has recently been purchased. Previous owner had road authorizations to access the property.
CE -- Hand plant approx.100,000 long-lived conifer species on 400 acres in riparians areas within 500 feet of the Brevort River and the North Pine River. Also, hand plant approx. 8,500 red oak in canopy gaps on 175 acres in the Peck and Rye area.
CE -- Construction of a multi-purpose, non-motorized, community-based trail network on the 80-acre National Forest parcel adjacent to the St. Ignace Ranger District office.
Project would include vegetation management (timber harvesting, regeneration of trees, habitat improvements, noxious weed treatments) and transportation system management (road building, maintaining and decommissioning).
Construct a 2-3 car parking area and wayside with 3-4 interpretive signs commemorating the history, culture, and contributions of this former Anishinabe logging and lumbering community.
Vegetation management to provide forest products and wildlife habitat needs; and for insect and disease control/prevention. Provide a safe and efficient transportation system by decommissioning unneeded roads/constructing new roads where needed.
The Skandia/West Branch Township Water Authority requests a renewal of a 30-year special use permit (SUP), the inclusion of the water tank location into the SUP, and permission to dig a new well.
Proposed activities include reissuance of a 20-year SUP for use of the abandoned National Guard air base in Raco, Michigan (Raco Airbase). The existing permit was put in place on October 4, 1996, and expires on October 4, 2016.
CE -- Relocate wetland segments of snowmobile trails to higher, drier ground to prevent wetland damage resulting from illegal ORV use on the snowmobile trail during the snow-free season. Old wetland segments would be closed and rehabilitated.
Improve aquatic organism passage in tributaries to the East Branch Tahquamenon River by removing culverts on the Strongs Grade that are no longer needed and often plugged by beaver.
Permittee would install a power pole at recreation residence so electric lines could be removed from trees. ** Project marked as 'Cancelled,' but analysis for proposed action will proceed under Project: "2015 Recreation Residence Improvements" **
This project is for the reissuance of a permit and extension of the permit boundary for the Superior Township Cemetery. An unauthorized well added in 1986 and storage behind the chapel a both outside the permit boundary.
Replace foot bridges along the North Country Trail crossing Taylor Creek and North Branch Carp River. Less than 1 mile of trail relocation to meet up with the new bridges.
This analysis would amend the 2006 Hiawatha National Forest Plan to reformat tables 2300-5, 2300-6 and 2300-7 to align with the Federal Trail Data Standards.
HNF proposes to use mechanical, manual, chemical and biological techniques, either singly or in combination, to treat and control Non-native Invasive Plant infestations on approx. 5,000 acres of FS land across the entire HNF
The Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) has requested to replace overhead powerlines with underground powerlines on National Forest System lands along the 26.6 road as part of a larger project.
The Upper Peninsula Power Company is requesting an amendment to their permit to convert 0.37 miles of overhead power to underground, replace 15 poles and add 4 pad mounted transformers to the line.
Continued use by USGS of three existing ground water monitoring wells. Monitoring will include installation of small steel structures to well casings for housing instruments.
The project consists of expansion of the parking lot at Valley Spur Trailhead, construction of a garage to house ski trail grooming equipment, installing a yurt, replacing toilet building.
Project would replace 18 existing culverts with pre-cast box, concrete span or metal culverts. Approaches to the culverts may be paved to further reduce sedimentation.
Maintenance on spawning habitat installed in 4 streams, 14-26 years ago. Work would consist of replacing rock that has washed away or settled into underlying sand and restoring channel morphology favorable for brook trout or steelhead spawning.
The proposed project includes thinning, and regeneration of red pine stands; and maintaining aspen where it currently exists, and increasing the aspen component across the landscape. Temporary openings could exceed 40 acres in size.
This project will restore and enhance hydrologic structure and improve aquatic habitat by introducing large woody material in streams and using tree drops and log cribs in lakes.
Opening maintenance, wildlife habitat enhancement, and fuels management on about 5,000 acres on large opening complexes located on the West Unit of the Hiawatha National Forest.
The West Zone of the Hiawatha National Forest proposes timber stand improvement (TSI) activities to meet the desired conditions of a diverse,
productive, healthy and sustainable forest resilient to natural and human caused disturbances.
