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This Projects page provides information about projects to manage the resources and uses on the Superior National Forest. Each project listed below displays material used for public involvement and decision making through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.
For more information on the NEPA process, see the Citizens Guide to NEPA produced by the Council on Environmental Quality.
Please note that planning documents produced under NEPA often have a technical component and analyze environmental effects.
2019 Recreation Needs Assessment
In 2019 the Superior National Forest completed a Recreation Needs Assessment. View the Report and Analysis on our website.
School Trust, et al Land Acquisition
The Superior National Forest published a scoping notice and package on the Forest website under the School Trust and The Conservation Fund Purchase webpage collected public comment August 6 through September 17, 2024.
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 Superior 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.
The 2011 Gypsy Moth Slow-the-Spread Project would slow the spread of the non-native invasive gypsy moth at several locations along the North Shore on the Superior National Forest.
Proposal to slow the spread of the invasive insect gypsy moth with a mating disruption treatment. The project is lead by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and U.S. Forest Service-State and Private Forestry.
Treatment of forest lands to slow the spread of the non-native invasive species, gypsy moth. The treatment is a species specific pheremone called disparlure.
Treatment to slow the spread of the invasive insect, gypsy moth, on a block of about 11,784 acres of national forest land on the Laurentian district. All treatment on national forest lands would be with disparlure, a mating disrupter.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), in collaboration with federal, state, and local partners, is proposing to treat isolated gypsy moth populations using a mating disruptant on Superior National Forest lands.
Proposal for an integrated pest management approach to treat non-native invasive plants beginning with approximately 14 acres of infestations scattered across the 1.1 million acre BWCAW and possibly expanding up to 60 acres over the next 10 years.
The Barker Project proposes to manage vegetation and roads to promote diverse, productive and healthy ecosystems and wildlife habitat, reduce hazardous fuels and provide sustainable forest products.
The Laurentian Ranger District proposes activities to move vegetation and wildlife habitat toward desired conditions as described in the Forest Plan by managing vegetation with prescribed fire, harvesting, and other mechanical means.
The goal of this restoration project is to convert stands, particularly dense spruce plantations, to more ecologically appropriate forest types through natural regeneration and/or planting.
Past erosion control methods have been unsuccessful. There is a section of rocky shoreline to the east of the current portage that would provide a more stable canoe landing. This re-route will require approximately 300 feet of boardwalk in Wilderness
This project proposes creating young forest through final harvest, improving diversity through intermediate harvest, restoring stand conditions through site preparation and prescribed burning and constructing temporary roads.
The Gunflint Trail Historical Society is proposing to construct five buildings within their 50-acre permitted area. Buildings are proposed to be constructed where buildings existed in the past.
This project proposes creating young forest through final harvest, improving stand diversity through intermediate harvest and restoring forest conditions through site preparation and prescribed burning. Temporary roads would be used for access.
This proposal allows for the sale of a former Administrative Site which includes three warehouses, two garages, one dwelling, a carpenter's shop, associated sheds and outbuildings and a 200' self supporting communication tower.
With this exchange, the United States would acquire 1910.76 acres of non-federal land within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in exchange for up to apapproximately 1620 acres of federal land.
This is a land exchange proposal involving federal land located within and adjacent to the Town of Crane Lake for private land in the general vicinity of Crane Lake and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Crawford Excavating is seeking a 5- year special use permit to stockpile 2 piles of gravel (1 pile 6000 yards of class 5 and 1 pile 2000 yards of 1 1/2-inch rock) in the Binagami Gravel Pit.
The project would restore white pine, create young age class and reduce fuel hazards as well as meeting other objectives through harvesting, mechanical fuel reduction and prescribed burning.
This project would authorize a series of trails, and decommission other trails no longer in use on the East Zone. In addition, culvert removal, reclassification, and decommissioning of roads would restore streams and wetlands.
This implements the travel management rule & addresses Off-Highway Vehicle management on existing roads & trails & the disposition of unclassified roads. This analysis combines the East & West Zone travel management projects into one analysis.
The Laurentian Ranger District proposes activities to move vegetation conditions toward desired conditions as described in the Forest Plan, while maintaining scenic integrity near Giants Ridge Recreation Area.
The Kawishiwi Ranger District proposes to salvage harvest up to 250 acres of moderately to severely damaged trees within the Greenwood Fire perimeter, which burned around 26,797 acres on the Superior National Forest during the summer of 2021.
Encampment Minerals, Inc. proposes to conduct ground geophysical surveys and drill one exploratory core hole with associated temporary access on National Forest system lands and leased private reserved mineral subsurface.
The Kawishiwi Ranger District proposes activities to move vegetation toward desired conditions as described in the Forest Plan by reducing hazardous fuels, conducting forest vegetation, and managing wildlife and other resources.
The MN Dept. of Transportation (MNDOT) is planning to clear the right-of-way 35 feet from center line along MN Hwy 1 from Ely to Isabella. Maintenance would include tree and brush removal to allow more light to reach roadbed for safer winter driving.
The LaCroix Ranger District proposes to create young forest, manage forest roads, reduce hazardous fuels, increase wildlife habitat, and conduct vegetation management through harvest, nonharvest, and planting.
Install underground powerline next to existing underground powerline originally put in the 1970s. Has current authorization for construction, operation, and maintenance of Electric Transmission Lines.
The LaCroix Ranger District proposes to create young forest, manage forest roads, and conduct vegetation management through harvest, nonharvest, and planting.
This project proposes wildlife habitat enhancement activities through prescribed burning and non-harvest site preparation. No roads would be constructed.
The Kimball Project aims to promote diverse, resilient forest ecosystems. This will be accomplished through hazard fuels reduction, vegetation management, and wildlife habitat improvement.
Replace existing washed out metal pipe culvert with a 25ft x 8-1/2ft Aluminum Box Culvert at Kimball Creek on FR304. It would restore access for the road and trail system and allow for better aquatic passage in Kimball Creek which is a trout stream.
Lake County (through Compass Consultants Inc.) has submitted a proposal requesting a special-use permit to construct, install, operate, and maintain fiber optic cable (RUS financed) on/over National Forest System (NFS) lands.
The Kawishiwi Ranger District of the Superior National Forest is proposing to add two campsites to Lake One which is located in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Duluth Metals Corporation (DMC) has proposed four mineral exploration core holes on leased private mineral subsurface on National Forest System lands and access across National Forest to one drill site on private surface ownership.
This project proposes to enhance moose habitat, restore red & white pine, enhance the scenic quality along the Gunflint Trail & improve forest conditions through vegetation management, harvests and planting. Temporary roads would be used for access.
Improve stream habitat and access in the two rivers, Little Isabella and Manitou Rivers through rehabing existing and adding new stream structures. Access to the Manitou River would be a less than 50' user developed trail.
In 2013 a beaver dam flooded 250-300' of portage including 40' of boardwalk. Erosion has occurred on multiple unsustainable paths used to avoid the flooded section. We propose to reroute about 600' of portage to higher ground.
Cold Spring Granite Co. has submitted a request to expand their wast-rock (grout) stockpile approximately 14 acres. This expansion is beyond what is currently approved in their operating plan for the quarry.
The Laurentian Ranger District proposes activities to move vegetation toward desired conditions as described in the Forest Plan by reducing hazardous fuel, conducting forest vegetation, and managing wildlife and other resources.
The project is to move vegetation towards desired condition in the Forest Plan. It will include use of tools such as harvesting, reforestation and prescribed burning.
Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) proposes to construct two new radio towers and replace two existing towers, showing age and limited capabilities, for the operation of the Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) system.
The Kawishiwi Ranger District of the Superior National Forest is proposing to allow mixed use of passenger vehicles and ATVs on 5.25 miles of Forest Roads 459 and 457 to enhance long distance recreational vehicle riding opportunities on existing road
Access to State Lands for timber management on old existing route then about 800 feet of new construction. Access will be obliterated when sale is complete.
MnDOT has requested a communication site facility for the ARMER project located at the existing Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department Seagull Fire Hall #3 station. The site will house an 80' communication tower, 10 x 18' equipment building.
Encampment Minerals, Inc. proposes to conduct ground geophysical surveys and drill four exploratory core holes with associated temporary access on National Forest system lands on leased private reserved mineral subsurface.
Construct a cross country skiing and hiking trail connecting two existing trail systems - North Arm Junction and North Arm. To accommodate more use the parking lot at Slim Lake would be expanded to allow approximately four to six more vehicles.
This project is to restore native vegetation communities along the North Shore of Lake Superior. This project is in conjunction with the North Shore Forest Collaborative.
Install, operate, maintain fiber optic cable for high-speed internet service. This proposal is the second and final phase of the project. Cable is proposed to follow existing road rights-of-way.
The Forest Service requested a withdrawal of National Forest System lands, for a 20-year term, within the Rainy River Watershed. An EA will be prepared to inform the Secretary of Interior's decision. No Forest service decision will be made.
A land exchange of federal lands in: T59N, R12W, T59N, R13W, and T60N, R13W. Non-federal lands being proposed are located throughout the Superior National Forest in St. Louis, Lake, and Cook counties.
Lake County and the Minnesota DNR propose to upgrade segments of the Northshore Snowmobile Trail on the Superior National Forest to accomodate ATV use.
The Kawishiwi Ranger District proposes activities to move vegetation toward desired conditions as described in the Forest Plan by managing forest vegetation, reducing hazardous fuel, and managing for wildlife and other resources.
The LaCroix Ranger District proposes to create young forest, promote existing white pine regeneration, enhance scenic quality, reduce hazardous fuels, manage forest roads, and conduct vegetation management through harvest, non-harvest, and planting.
PolyMet Mining Corporation proposed 2008-2009 exploratory drilling at the NorthMet proposed mine site. 123 proposed drill holes and up to 10 soil borings.
PolyMet Mining, Inc. proposes to construction and install 22 water monitoring wells and associated access roads at the proposed NorthMet mine site. 15 sites are located on National Forest lands with 7 sites on land in private or county ownership.
Reroute 500' of the hiking trail that goes through a section that is often underwater due to its poor location in a natural drainage. We propose to reroute that section of trail onto durable terrain on the east side of the trail.
The Prospector OHV Loop Project would to add linkages using existing roads and trails to create a 75 mile OHV riding loop, providing long distance recreational riding opportunities that would connect the cities of Ely and Babbitt.
The Prospector ATV Club has requested the Forest Service to consider a needed 196 foot trail reroute to connect the City of Ely with the rest of the Prospector ATV trail. The reroute is around private land.
DMC (USA) LLC has submitted a proposed operating plan to conduct mineral exploration at four sites on private reserved minerals on the Kawishiwi Ranger District, Superior National Forest.
The Crow Creek bridge on the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) needs to be replaced. The current bridge has a span of approximately 50 feet. By rerouting the SHT by 250 ft a smaller bridge spanning only 30 feet could be utilized to cross Crow Creek.
Project proposes rerouting the Superior Hiking Trail near Pincushion Mountain. Rerouting the trail on its own corridor to preserve the ski trail and reduce user conflicts.
Encampment Minerals, Inc. has proposed four mineral exploration core holes with related temporary access and leased private reserved mineral subsurface on National Forest System lands .
The Minnesota Department of Transportation is proposing to expand the Shamrock Lake gravel pit less than five acres to extract of approximatley 130,000 cubic yards of sand and gravel. The material would be used for the Hwy 1 reconstruction.
The Shokoshoe Project proposes to manage vegetation and roads to promote diverse, productive, and healthy ecosystems and wildlife habitat, reduce hazardous fuels and provide sustainable forest products.
Encampment Minerals, Inc. has submitted a mineral exploration plan to drill 6 exploration holes on a private reserved mineral estate and National Forest surface ownership.
Encampment Minerals, Inc. has proposed to drill two mineral exploratory core holes with associated temporary access on National Forest system lands and leased private reserved mineral subsurface.
The proposed activities in the project area are intended to move vegetation from its existing condition toward the desired conditions as described in the Forest Plan by managing forest vegetation age, composition, structure, and spatial patterns.
The Kawishiwi Ranger District of the Superior National Forest is proposing to add a campsite on Slim Lake which is located in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Provide safe access for snowmobilers/anglers to South Fowl Lake. This project would route current access off County roads to improve safety for drivers and snowmobilers. An EIS is being prepared to comply with a Minnesota District Court ruling.
This is a land exchange involving the federal summer home tract located on S Kawishiwi River for private land referred to as the Vermillion Gorge near Crane Lake, Kawishiwi River (near BWCAW), and misc tracts on the Laurentian RD.
Purpose is to provide most reasonable access to nonfederal land in accordance with Federal Land Policy and Management Act of October 21, 1976 (FLPMA) and Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (ANILCA).Responses to applicants needs.
St. Louis Co. Public Works is planning to replace County Bridge#285 on Bear Island River(Hwy 21), between Ely and Babbitt. Tentative spring 2020 construction. Same location as existing structure, with a temp road-bridge bypass west of construction.
The Stony Project proposes to manage vegetation and roads to promote diverse, productive and healthy ecosystems and wildlife habitat, reduce hazardous fuels and provide sustainable forest products.
FEIS analyzed actions to move vegetation and transportation existing conditions towards Forest Plan desired conditions. The supplement to the FEIS will address water quality and watershed health concerns to comply with a US District Court order.
Access will mostly be on private land, in order to avoid a wet land the access will curve on FS lands for approximately 275 feet with a width of 25 feet.
The second implementation cycle for the Tofte Landscape Project is complete and documents describing the treatments are available. Please open the Second Implemenatation Cycle folder and then the Finalization folder on this project webpage.
The TomaInga Project proposes to manage vegetation and roads to promote diverse, productive, and healthy ecosystems and wildlife habitat, improve moose habitat, reduce hazardous fuels and provide sustainable forest products.
The Tofte District proposes to create young forest and improve stand diversity through harvest, and restore forest conditions and reduce hazardous fuels through site preparation and perscribed burning. Temporary roads would be used for access.
The final draft version of the Record of Decision was on the website from February 23-March 2. The correct and final version is now available on the website and hard copy. The legal notice was published on February 25, 2011 in the Mesabi Daily News.
Re-route portions of the Tomahawk Snowmobile Trail onto unplowed system roads. Decommission some snowmobile bridges. Designate non-motorized winter routes for skiers and dogsledders.
The BLM will lead preparation of an EIS to analyze potential impacts of issuing a preference right lease application and mine plan for an underground copper-nickel mine. Forest Plan amendment and special use permit may be needed.
Twin Metals Minnesota has requested special use permit for access to collect baseline hydrogeologic environmental data to data to assist the company's prefeasablity study for a mining project to ensure that the environment is appropriately protected.
This project proposes creating a young forest through final harvest, improving stand diversity through intermediate harvest and restoring forest conditions through site preparation and prescribed burning. Temporary roads would be utilized for access.
The project purpose is to promote diverse and healthy vegetation communities by creating young forest through even-aged harvest, improving stand conditions through intermediate harvests and restoring stand conditions through non-harvest activities.
This project proposes to treat about 1000 acres in the Windy Project Area to improve the health and productivity of red pine stands and to restore areas impacted by the Pagami Fire.
