Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
07/01/2016 to 09/30/2016
Helena National Forest

This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.
Report Contents (click to jump to a section) :
-  R1 - Northern Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Helena National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Helena National Forest,  Helena Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Helena National Forest,  Lincoln Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Helena National Forest,  Townsend Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Bob Marshall Wilderness Outfitter and Guide Permit Reissuance
CE
 - Recreation management
- Special use management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/29/2014  		Expected:04/2015
  		04/2015 Debbie Mucklow
406-758-6464
dmucklow@fs.fed.us 
Description: Reissuance of existing outfitter and guide permits in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44827
Location: UNIT - Swan Lake Ranger District, Hungry Horse Ranger District, Lincoln Ranger District, Rocky Mountain Ranger District, Seeley Lake Ranger District, Spotted Bear Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Flathead, Glacier, Lewis and Clark, Missoula, Pondera, Powell, Teton. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.
FNF Plan Revision & NCDE GBCS Amendment to the Lolo, Helena, Lewis & Clark,and Kootenai NFs
EIS
 - Land management planning  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 03/06/2015
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 04/2016  		Expected:12/2017
  		12/2017 Joseph Krueger
406-758-5243
jkrueger@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Flathead NF is revising their forest plan and preparing an amendment providing relevant direction from the NCDE Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy into the forest plans for the Lolo, Helena, Kootenai, and Lewis & Clark National Forests.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/flathead/fpr
Location: UNIT - Kootenai National Forest All Units, Lewis And Clark National Forest All Units, Flathead National Forest All Units, Helena National Forest All Units, Lolo National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Flathead, Glacier, Granite, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Pondera, Powell, Sanders, Teton. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Flathead National Forest; portions of the Lolo, Kootenai, Helena, and Lewis & Clark NF found in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (grizzly bears).
Helena and Lewis & Clark National Forests Plan Revision
EIS
 - Land management planning  Developing Proposal
Est. NOI in Federal Register 11/2015  		Expected:02/2018  02/2018 Jennifer Swiader
406-495-3774
jennifereswiader@fs.fed.us 
Description: Forest Plan revision for the Helena and Lewis & Clark National Forests.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/hlc/forestplanrevision
Location: UNIT - Lewis And Clark National Forest All Units, Helena National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Broadwater, Cascade, Chouteau, Deer Lodge, Fergus, Gallatin, Glacier, Golden Valley, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lewis and Clark, Meagher, Missoula, Park, Pondera, Powell, Sweet Grass, Teton, Wheatland, Yellowstone. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Helena and Lewis & Clark National Forests.
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Helena National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Johnny Crow
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/07/2015
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 11/2015  		Expected:01/2016
  		03/2016 Corey Lewellen
406-266-3425
clewellen@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Townsend Ranger District of the Helena National Forest is initiating a wildlife enhancement project in the Elkhorn Mountains.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47670
Location: UNIT - Townsend Ranger District, Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Broadwater, Jefferson, Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Elkhorn Mountains.
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Helena National Forest,   Helena Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
City of Helena Permit Change and Reissuance
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Mark Hunting
406-495-3831
mhunting@fs.fed.us 
Description: The City of Helena proposed an increase right of way width from 7.5 feet to 100 feet on either side of the flume structure to reduce risk to wildfire and tree strikes. All other permit authorizations remain the same
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=42061
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The proposal applies to upper Tenmile southwest of Helena, MT.
Divide Travel Plan
EIS
 - Road management  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 03/14/2014
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 10/2014  		Expected:01/2015
  		06/2015 Jaime Tompkins
406-449-5201
comments-northern-helena@fs.fed.us 
Description: Travel management analysis for summer and winter motorized use; to provide a manageable system of designated public motorized routes and areas consistent with 36 CFR 261.13. A programmatic Forest Plan amendment for elk hiding coverage is included.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=24091
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark, Powell. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Ten Mile drainage, Little Blackfoot drainage, and area towards Meyers Hill.
Eakin Permit Re-issuance
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Mark Hunting
406-495-3831
mhunting@fs.fed.us 
Description: Kirk and Cathy Eakin have a portion of their Garage and driveway on NFS lands. The area of the permit is directly off of Rimini Road. No authority exists to perform suitable land adjustment and no known survey error exists.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45742
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - RSW, T9N,Sec. 33. Rimini Road.
FY2016 AML Hazardous Mine Openings Closures
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 04/2016  		Expected:07/2016  08/2016 Hans Oaks
406-266-3425
hoaks@fs.fed.us 
Description: Closure of Abandoned Mine Lands Hazardous Mine Openings on the Helena Ranger District, Helena-Lewis & Clark NF
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48760
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Closure of AML Hazardous Mine Openings on the Helena Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark NF.
Helena Ranger District Building Conveyance
EA
 - Land ownership management  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 11/07/2015  		Expected:06/2016
  		07/2016 Heather Degeest
406-495-3851
hdegeest@fs.fed.us 
Description: Legal transfer of the old Helena Ranger District Building and numerous out-buildings with some retention of rights of way and land.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47681
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Old Helena Ranger District Building and outbuildings.
Holiday Private Access
EA
 - Recreation management
- Special use management
- Road management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Mark Hunting
406-495-3912
mhunting@fs.fed.us 
Description: Special use application requesting access to private land. An exchange of reciprocal easements is possible, depending on alternative selected.
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Powell. LEGAL - T 8 N, R 6 W, Sec. 6. Little Blackfoot River/Telegraph Creek.
Lewis and Clark County Hedges Mtn. Communications Use
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Mark Hunting
406-495-3912
mhunting@fs.fed.us 
Description: Special use application for long-term occupancy of site on Hedges Mtn. for communications use.
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T 11 N, R 1 E, Sec. 6. Hedges Mtn.
Little Blackfoot Dispersed Site Mitigation and Restoration Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/07/2016  		Expected:07/2016
  		08/2016 Kyle Whelan
406-495-3942
kylerwhelan@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project will mitigate resource damage and manage dispersed recreational sites per the Divide Travel Plan Record of Decision, to restrict motorized use from impacting riparian areas, and restore damage to the watershed.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=49604
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Powell. LEGAL - Township 9 North Range 6 West, Township 8 North Range 7 West and Township 8 North Range 6 West. The proposed project is located in the Little Blackfoot Headwaters 5th Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) in the Helena Ranger District.
North Divide Restoration
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management
- Road management 		 Completed  Actual: 04/15/2016  06/2017 Kyle Whelan
406-495-3942
kylerwhelan@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Helena Ranger District proposes to improve the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) system and restore land impacted by redundant routes in the northern Divide between Mullan Pass and the northern Greenhorn face.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48909
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T11N R6W, T11N R5W, T10N R6W, T10N R5W. Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) system between Mullan Pass and the northern Greenhorn face. .
PPSR Private Access
CE
 - Recreation management
- Special use management
- Road management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Scott Johnson
406-495-3795
sbjohnson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Special use application requesting access to private land.
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Jefferson. LEGAL - T8N, R2W, Sec.2. Elkhorn Mountains.
Red Mountain Cabin Removal
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Mark Hunting
406-495-3831
mhunting@fs.fed.us 
Description: Permittees will move cabin off the Forest to private land. Road use permit issued afterward for private property access.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47544
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project is located in the Upper Tenmile Municipal Watershed about 10 air miles southwest from the city of Helena.
Skelton Private Access
EA
 - Recreation management
- Special use management
- Road management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Mark Hunting
406-495-3831
mhunting@fs.fed.us 
Description: Special use application requesting private access to two separate tracts of private land. An exchange of reciprocal easements will be required, thus allowing the public access to adjacent NFS lands.
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T 12 N, R 1 W, Sec. 31, T 13N, R 1 E, Sec. 19. Soup Creek, Elk Ridge.
Telegraph Vegetation Project
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:

Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 07/2016  		Expected:08/2016
  		09/2016 Sharon Scott
406-495-3943
sascott@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project is designed to be responsive MPB outbreak by ensuring diverse & sustainable forest stands & wildlife habitat, improving conditions for fire suppression, recovering economic value of dead & dying trees, maintaining & improving watersheds.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30353
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Powell. LEGAL - Not Applicable. 15 miles southwest of Helena and 5 miles south of Elliston, MT in the Little Blackfoot andTelegraph drainages.
Tenmile - South Helena Project
EIS
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/19/2016
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 08/2016  		Expected:01/2017
  		01/2017 Allen Byrd
406-495-3903
allenbyrd@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal is to conduct fuel treatments for the purposes of maintaining consistent water quantity-quality within Helena's municipal watershed and improving conditions for public and firefighters safety across the landscape in the event of a wildfire
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45725
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Powell. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area is located within the Upper Tenmile watershed, the primary source of municipal water for the City of Helena, and extends east through Colorado Gulch and the South Hills area of Helena.
Warm Springs Habitat Enhancement Project
EIS
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Denise Pengeroth
406-495-3736
dpengeroth@fs.fed.us 
Description: Treat appx. 4500 acres to develop and/or maintain mature habitat structures where possible, address mountain pine beetle infestation and fuel hazard, and manage the landscape and fuel loadings so that stand replacement fire is less likely.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30351
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Jefferson. LEGAL - Not Applicable. 10 miles south of Helena in the Warm Springs drainage.
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Helena National Forest,   Lincoln Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Alice Creek Wildlife Enhancement Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Pat Shanley
406-362-7006
pshanley@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project improves big game winter range by reducing conifer encroachment within native grasslands. In addition to creating and maintaining natural openings and improving stand structure, burning will improve forage quality and quantity.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=34765
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T16N, R7W, sections 10,11,14 and 15. The headwaters of Alice Creek just west and north of Lewis and Clark Pass.
Blackfoot Travel Plan (non-winter)
EIS
 - Regulations, Directives, Orders
- Land management planning
- Recreation management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
FEIS NOA in Federal Register 03/28/2014  		Expected:10/2015
  		11/2015 Erin Fryer
406-547-6013
efryer@fs.fed.us 
Description: This is for non-winter motorized use to provide a manageable system of designated public motorized and non-motorized access routes and areas that would be consistent with 36 CFR 261.13. A programmatic Forest Plan Amendment is also included
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30899
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark, Powell. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena National Forest, excluding the Scapegoat Wilderness.
Copper Creek Wildlife Enhancement Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/30/2014  		Expected:07/2016
  		08/2016 Jarel Kurtz
406-362-7031
jkurtz@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project is proposing to treat aspen and whitebark pine in the Snow/Talon fire burn scar.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45048
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T15N, R9W, Sections 1,2,3,4,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15. T15N, R8W, Sections 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,14,15,16,17,18,22,26,27. Copper Creek Project is located approximately 5 miles north east of Lincoln, running adjacent to FS road #330. Project area lands are situated in the Copper Creek drainage in the 2003 Snow/Talon Fire scar.
DAVIS FIRE REFORESTATION RESTORATION
CE
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 02/2016  		Expected:03/2016  06/2016 Riley Dopler
509-395-3405
rdopler@fs.fed.us 
Description: Project will replant about 150 acres to restore areas after the Davis Fire near Lincoln, MT, with special emphasis on white bark pine restoration.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48664
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T 13 N R 7 W S 23 & 26. Davis Fire complex outside Lincoln, MT.
Dalton Mountain Forest Restoration and Fuels Reduction Project
EIS
 - Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 11/16/2011
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 07/2016  		Expected:09/2016
  		10/2016 Karl Buermeyer
307-543-3909
kbuermeyer@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project will address stand health and related fuel hazards in an area with expanding insect infestations (mountain pine beetle).
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37404
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Five miles southeast of Lincoln, MT.
Davis Fire Restoration and Replanting
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/02/2016  		Expected:06/2016
  		09/2016 Riley Dopler
509-395-3405
rdopler@fs.fed.us 
Description: Replanting of White Bark Pine in a fire rehab area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48625
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Davis Fire complex near Helena, MT.
Granite Butte WBP Test Plantation
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/02/2016  		Expected:06/2016
  		06/2016 Riley Dopler
509-395-3405
rdopler@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Helena National Forest would like to host the whitebark pine cycle 5 performance test plantation on the Lincoln Ranger District (15 to 20 acres). The intent of the tests is to evaluate white pine blister rust resistance, seed zones, and cold.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48665
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T 13 N R 7 W S 23 & 26. Near Lincoln, MT.
Landers Fork Trail Reroute
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/01/2016  		Expected:06/2016
  		07/2016 Josh Lattin
208-839-2108
joshlattin@fs.fed.us 
Description: This will reroute the trail to cross the creek and follow along the nearby hillside and connect back into the original trail. The total distance of this reroute is about 600 feet,add two 30 foot bridges, and elevate the trail over a wet area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48201
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Landers Trail in the Indian Meadows Roadless Area and Scapegoat Wilderness.
Lincoln Non-Wilderness Outfitter and Guide Permit Reissuance
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/10/2015  		Expected:02/2016
  		06/2016 Michael Stansberry
406-962-7000
mstansberry@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Lincoln Ranger District has a need to reissue two existing Outfitter and Guide Permits. Tag Rittle of the Blacktail Ranch and Mike McCormick of the Sunset Guest Ranch currently have valid permits that expire on 06/03/2015.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46915
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Rittle and McCormick Outfitter and Guide Permit Areas.
Poorman Creek Restoration
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Watershed management
- Minerals and Geology 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/13/2016  		Expected:08/2016
  		09/2016 Katherine Condon
(406) 495-3724
kcondon@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Lincoln Ranger proposes to restore a section of Poorman Creek which lacks floodplain connectivity and a properly functioning riparian area, due to channelization caused by historic placer mining activity.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=49623
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The stream segment is approximately 1500 feet in length and is located south of Lincoln along Stemple Pass Road. Poorman Creek is a tributary to the Upper Blackfoot River.
Poorman Creek Restoration
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/12/2016  		Expected:07/2016
  		08/2016 Katherine Condon
(406) 495-3724
kcondon@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Lincoln Ranger proposes to restore a section of Poorman Creek which lacks floodplain connectivity and a properly functioning riparian area, due to channelization caused by historic placer mining activity.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=49327
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T13N R08W S22-23. The stream segment is approximately 1500 feet in length and is located south of Lincoln along Stemple Pass Road.
Rogers Pass Trailhead Improvement
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/31/2016  		Expected:11/2016
  		05/2017 Josh Lattin
208-839-2108
joshlattin@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Lincoln Ranger District is looking to improve the trailhead at Rogers Pass in order to reduce resource impacts to Pass Creek, increase safety to motorists and CDNST users, increase the visibility of the site, and improve the visitor experience.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=49567
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T15N R6W Sec 9. The site is adjacent to Pass Creek near Rogers Pass.
Stemple Pass Continental Divide Trail Re-Route
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/06/2016  		Expected:08/2016
  		09/2016 Forest Moulton
406-362-7007
forestwmoulton@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Continental Divide Trail # 440 is a popular trail. The grade and positioning makes the trail unstable and highly erodible for much of this section. We propose to reroute much of this stretch of trail utilizing 3 switchbacks or climbing turns.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=49596
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Continental Divide Trail # 440 at Stemple Pass.
Stonewall Vegetation Project
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
FEIS NOA in Federal Register 04/30/2015  		Expected:04/2016
  		05/2016 Sharon Scott
406-495-3943
sascott@fs.fed.us 
Description: Be responsive to mountain pine beetle outbreaks, maintain and improve viable mature habitat structure to support big game and other wildlife, promote resiliency with a mosaic of species, reduce fire hazard and potential, and provide timber products.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30355
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. 6 miles northwest of Lincoln in the Lincoln Gulch drainage.
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Helena National Forest,   Townsend Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
FS-NRCS Cooperative Allotment Water and Fence Improvement
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Grazing management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/04/2016
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 05/2016  		Expected:07/2016
  		07/2016 Tracy Schilling
406-495-3870
tschilling@fs.fed.us 
Description: This proposal will improve the water access and fencing on the Ray Creek, North fork, and Deep Creek/Grassy Mountain Allotments while protecting riparian areas until a new allotment plan is approved.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=49289
Location: UNIT - Townsend Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Broadwater, Meagher. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Ray Creek, North fork, and Deep Creek/Grassy Mountain Allotments on the Townsend RD of the Helena-Lewis & Clark NF.
Gipsy Lake Dam Restoration
CE
 - Land ownership management  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 07/21/2014  		Expected:05/2016
  		08/2016 Mark Hunting
406-495-3831
mhunting@fs.fed.us 
Description: Rehabilitation of a low-head dam to maintain a consistent water level and ensure the structural integrity of the dam.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47547
Location: UNIT - Townsend Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Meagher. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Gipsy Lake near Townsend, MT.
JVM Placers-Upper Montana Bar
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/20/2016  		Expected:07/2016
  		08/2016 Hans Oaks
406-266-3425
hoaks@fs.fed.us 
Description: The permittee wants to use common placer sampling, excavation and processing methods to explore for potential placer gold deposits between Greenhorn and Montana Gulches in the Confederate Gulch vicinity of the Big Belt Mountains.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=49686
Location: UNIT - Townsend Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Broadwater. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The divide between Greenhorn and Montana Gulches in the Confederate Gulch vicinity of the Big Belt Mountains.
Johnnies Gulch Tunnel (Exploration)
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/20/2016  		Expected:07/2016
  		08/2016 Hans Oaks
406-266-3425
hoaks@fs.fed.us 
Description: Permittee would utilize subsurface core drilling techniques to explore for valuable metallic minerals (e.g., gold) associated with, and generated by emplacement mechanisms similar to, those associated with the Miller Mountain Mine Complex.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=49687
Location: UNIT - Townsend Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Broadwater. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Johnnies Gulch Tunnel Project site exists in an unnamed tributary to Johnnies Gulch and ultimately Whites Gulch located in the Big Belt Mountains.
Lundborg Cabin Disposal
CE
 - Facility management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Reid Stovall
406-495-3766
reidstovall@fs.fed.us 
Description: Through a Quit Claim in 2005, the FS inherited ownership of the Lundborg Cabin and associated structures; outhouse and pumphouse. The original cabin dates back to around 1900, but has been completely encased in modern siding.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46913
Location: UNIT - Townsend Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Broadwater. LEGAL - T7N, R4E, Section 28. Site can be accessed by vehicle right off of highway 12 between Townsend and White Sulpher. It is located a few hundred yards west of the Rillway Cabin.
Magpie Stock Tank
CE
 - Grazing management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/01/2016  		Expected:05/2016
  		06/2016 Anthony Smith
406-266-3425
amsmith@fs.fed.us 
Description: The purpose is to install a short pipeline ( -200ft) and one stock tank in the Magpie Allotment. This tank will help distribute livestock in the uplands and reduce grazing pressure on bottomlands. The headbox will be excavated and fenced.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48140
Location: UNIT - Townsend Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Broadwater. LEGAL - 12N 1 E Section 35 (46%u02DA45.372, 111%u02DA34.080). Magpie Allotment, Magpie Gulch in the North Belts.
Ray Creek Neild Property Restoration Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Watershed management 		 Completed  Actual: 04/01/2016  05/2016 Kyle Whelan
406-495-3942
kylerwhelan@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Helena NF watershed group proposes to decommission non-system routes in the southern Big Belt mountain range in the vicinity of Ray Creek. This project is located on land recently acquired from the Neild Family.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46914
Location: UNIT - Townsend Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Broadwater. LEGAL - T08N R04E Section 29 & 31,T07N R04E Section 6 Government Lot 2 . Neild Family property land aquisition.
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