Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) |
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| This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact. | |||||
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Report Contents (click to jump to a section) : - Projects Occurring Nationwide - R1 - Northern Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide) - R1 - Northern Region, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest) - R1 - Northern Region, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide) - R1 - Northern Region, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) - R1 - Northern Region, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Helena Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) - R1 - Northern Region, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Judith-Musselshell Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) - R1 - Northern Region, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Lincoln Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) - R1 - Northern Region, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Townsend Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) | |||||
Projects Occurring Nationwide |
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| Project Name | Project Purpose | Planning Status | Decision | Expected Implementation | Project Contact |
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Land Management Plan Direction for Old-Growth Forest Conditions Across the National Forest System EIS *UPDATED* |
- Land management planning | Cancelled | N/A | N/A |
Jennifer McRae 202-791-8488 SM.FS.NFSWONGA@usda.gov |
| Description: Amend all land management plans for units of the National Forest System to include consistent direction to conserve and steward existing and recruit future old-growth forest conditions and to monitor their condition across planning areas of NFS.
Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65356 |
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| Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. LEGAL - Not Applicable. National Forests and Grasslands (128 units). | |||||
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Locatable Mining Rule - 36 CFR 228, subpart A. EIS |
- Regulations, Directives, Orders | On Hold | N/A | N/A |
Sarah Shoemaker 907-586-7886 sarahshoemaker@fs.fed.us |
| Description: The U.S. Department of Agriculture proposes revisions to its regulations at 36 CFR 228, Subpart A governing locatable minerals operations on National Forest System lands.A draft EIS & proposed rule should be available for review/comment in late 2020
Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57214 |
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| Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. LEGAL - Not Applicable. These regulations apply to all NFS lands open to mineral entry under the US mining laws. More Information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/geology/minerals/locatable-minerals/current-revisions. | |||||
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R1 - Northern Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide) |
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| Project Name | Project Purpose | Planning Status | Decision | Expected Implementation | Project Contact |
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Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex Outfitter and Guide Permit Reauthorization CE |
- Special use management |
In Progress: Scoping Start 01/02/2024 |
Expected:02/2025 |
02/2025 |
Colter Pence 208-634-0440 colter.pence@usda.gov |
| Description: Reissuance of outfitter and guide permits within the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.
Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65359 |
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| Location: UNIT - Hungry Horse Ranger District, Rocky Mountain Ranger District, Seeley Lake Ranger District, Spotted Bear Ranger District, Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Flathead, Glacier, Lewis and Clark, Missoula, Pondera, Powell, Teton. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Bob Marshal Wilderness Complex. | |||||
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Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest) |
R1 - Northern Region | ||||
| Project Name | Project Purpose | Planning Status | Decision | Expected Implementation | Project Contact |
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Forestwide Prescribed Fire Project EA |
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) - Fuels management |
In Progress: Comment Period Public Notice 02/08/2024 |
Expected:09/2024 |
09/2024 |
Deborah Entwistle 406-495-3774 deborah.entwistle@usda.gov |
| Description: This project would reduce the risk of uncharacteristically severe wildfire, improve forest resistance to disease and drought, increase tree growth and vigor as well as improve wildlife habitat and watershed function across the Forest.
Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63783 |
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| Location: UNIT - Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Broadwater, Cascade, Chouteau, Fergus, Gallatin, Glacier, Golden Valley, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lewis and Clark, Meagher, Park, Pondera, Powell, Sweet Grass, Teton, Wheatland. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. | |||||
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Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide) |
R1 - Northern Region | ||||
| Project Name | Project Purpose | Planning Status | Decision | Expected Implementation | Project Contact |
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2022 Abandoned Mine Lands Hazardous Mine Openings CE |
- Minerals and Geology |
In Progress: Scoping Start 03/20/2023 |
Expected:06/2024 Actual: 06/03/2024 |
06/2024 |
Hans Oaks 406-266-3425 hans.oaks@usda.gov |
| Description: Backfilling hazardous mine opening features using waste material and native materials surrounding the features.
Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63784 |
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| Location: UNIT - Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District, Judith-Musselshell Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Judith Basin, Meagher. LEGAL - Tl4N RJOE Sec. 03; T14N R09E Sec. 24; T14N R09E Sec. 36; T11N R07E Sec. 1O. Judith-Musselshell Ranger District and White Sulphur Springs Ranger District. | |||||
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Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) |
R1 - Northern Region | ||||
| Project Name | Project Purpose | Planning Status | Decision | Expected Implementation | Project Contact |
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Bonanza EA *UPDATED* |
- Forest products |
In Progress: Objection Period Legal Notice 03/04/2025 |
Expected:06/2025 |
07/2025 |
Sharon Scott 406-495-3943 sharon.a.scott@usda.gov |
| Description: Approximately 1,980 acres are proposed for treatment that would include commercial harvest of trees. Mechanical treatment methods would be used to accomplish the treatment objective of Improve Stand Health and Vigor.
Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66532 |
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| Location: UNIT - Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Meagher. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Castle Mountains. | |||||
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Coyote-Divide Vegetation Project EA *UPDATED* |
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) - Fuels management |
Completed | Actual: 02/10/2025 | 03/2025 |
John Casselli 406-791-7723 john.casselli@usda.gov |
| Description: A Vegetation management project to reduce hazardous fuels and fire threat within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and to enhance associated forest and rangeland ecosystems across the project area.
Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59803 |
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| Location: UNIT - Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Cascade, Meagher. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project area is in the central portion of the Little Belt Mountains, West of U.S. Hwy 89 Between the communities of Monarch and Neihart, MT. | |||||
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Evans Dry Fork United States Air Force Project CE |
- Special use management |
In Progress: Scoping Start 10/08/2024 |
Expected:10/2024 |
10/2024 |
Helen Smith 530-493-1735 hcsmith@fs.fed.us |
| Description: This project grants special use authorization to the United States Air Force for the operation and maintenance of a missile cable line on a strip of land newly acquired by the Forest Service on the Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District.
Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67086 |
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| Location: UNIT - Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Cascade. LEGAL - Section 14, 15, and 22, T.13 N., R. 8 E., P.M.M. Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District, Dry Fork of Belt Creek drainage, Evans property. | |||||
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Little Belt Sheep Allotments EA |
- Grazing management |
Developing Proposal Est. Scoping Start 05/2032 |
Expected:05/2033 | 05/2034 |
Kyle Schmitt 406-791-7706 kyle.schmitt@usda.gov |
| Description: Analysis of Little Belt Sheep allotments identified for planning purposes as a priority consistent with the criteria at 43 U.S.C. 172(i). | |||||
| Location: UNIT - Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Cascade, Meagher. LEGAL - Not Applicable. sheep grazing allotments in the west half of the little Belt mountains. | |||||
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North Crazy Mountains Allotment Management Plan Revisions EA |
- Grazing management |
Developing Proposal Est. Scoping Start 05/2027 |
Expected:10/2030 | 05/2031 |
Kyle Schmitt 406-791-7706 kyle.schmitt@usda.gov |
| Description: Analysis of livestock grazing allotments within the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest boundary in the North Crazy Mountain Range identified for planning purposes as a priority consistent with the criteria at 43 u.s.c.1752(i). | |||||
| Location: UNIT - Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Meagher, Park, Sweet Grass, Wheatland. LEGAL - T. 5 N, R. 12 E; T. 6 N, R. 9, 10, 11, 12 E.; T. 7 N, R. 9, 10 E. North Crazy Mountain Range within the boundary of the Helena-Lewis and Clark NF. | |||||
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Sheep Creek Road Obliteration CE |
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants - Watershed management - Road management |
In Progress: Scoping Start 09/09/2024 |
Expected:12/2024 |
12/2024 |
Helen Smith 530-493-1735 hcsmith@fs.fed.us |
| Description: This project will obliterate ~100 miles of non-system roads in the Upper Sheep and Headwaters Sheep Creek drainages to improve water quality and fish habitat.
Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67313 |
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| Location: UNIT - Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Meagher. LEGAL - PLSS: 12N 6E - 8E, 13N 7E- 8E. Upper Sheep and Headwaters Sheep Creek Subwatersheds. | |||||
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Helena-Lewis and Clark 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 |
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Helena Ranger District AML Closures for 2018 CE |
- Minerals and Geology |
In Progress: Scoping Start 02/01/2018 |
Expected:08/2018 |
08/2018 |
Hans Oaks 406-266-3425 hoaks@fs.fed.us |
| Description: Closure methods selected are specific to each HMO feature and intended to address the appropriate level of action required to protect the public from physical safety hazards and prevent or limit resource damage. | |||||
| Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark, Powell. LEGAL - T8N, R6W; T11N, R7W; T9N, R4W. T8N, R6W; T11N, R7W; T9N, R4W. | |||||
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Helena-Lincoln Ranger District Allotment Management Plans EA |
- Grazing management |
Developing Proposal Est. Scoping Start 05/2028 |
Expected:05/2030 | 05/2031 |
Kyle Schmitt 406-791-7706 kyle.schmitt@usda.gov |
| Description: Analysis of Helena and Lincoln Ranger District allotments identified for planning purposes as a priority consistent with the criteria at 43 U.S.C.1752(i) | |||||
| Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Powell. LEGAL - Not Applicable. NFS lands within the Lincoln and Helena Ranger Distircts. | |||||
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Larabee Hat Vegetation Project EA |
- Forest products - Vegetation management (other than forest products) - Fuels management - Watershed management |
In Progress: Comment Period Public Notice 07/03/2024 |
Expected:02/2025 |
02/2025 |
Kelsey Fallis 406-594-7733 Kelsey.Fallis@usda.gov |
| Description: A vegetation management project to improve forest and watershed conditions and address hazardous wildfire fuel loads in and around the wildland urban interface.
Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65687 |
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| Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Powell. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Powell County - The project area is located between the western boundary of the Helena Ranger District and the Little Blackfoot River, south of Highway 12. | |||||
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Northwest Divide Restoration CE |
- Recreation management - Minerals and Geology |
In Progress: Scoping Start 12/06/2016 |
Expected:12/2018 |
02/2019 |
Erin Fryer 406-547-6013 efryer@fs.fed.us |
| Description: The Divide Travel Plan closed numerous travel routes within the project area. In order to fully implement the travel plan decision closed routes will be obliterated and rehabilitated in addition hazardous mines within the area will be closed
Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52807 |
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| Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Powell. LEGAL - Not Applicable. North of Highway 12 near the Dog and Sweeney Creek drainages. | |||||
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Priest Pass Fiber Optic CE *UPDATED* |
- Special use management | Completed | Actual: 10/23/2024 | 11/2024 |
John Fennell 406-495-3928 John.Fennell@usda.gov |
| Description: Along Priest Pass Rd. (FSR 335),0.5 miles of fiber optic have been proposed to be installed on National Forest System lands.
Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67059 |
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| Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Along Priest Pass Road (FS 335 road) in the Priest Pass area of Hwy 12. | |||||
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Priest Pass Small Tracts Act CE |
- Land ownership management |
In Progress: Scoping Start 09/30/2020 |
Expected:11/2020 |
01/2021 |
Kathryn Nash 4065876784 kathryn.nash@usda.gov |
| Description: Erroneous Survey Encroachment under Small Tracts Act | |||||
| Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. .50 acre located along Priest Pass Road, west of Helena, MT. | |||||
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Ten Mile Small Tracts Act Conveyance CE |
- Land ownership management |
In Progress: Scoping Start 10/06/2021 |
Expected:11/2021 |
11/2021 |
Whitney Walker 406-495-3743 Whitney.Walker@usda.gov |
| Description: The tract is 0.5 acres and located within the SW1/4NW1/4 Section 9, T9N, R5W. The description is an innocent permanent habitable structure encroachment under Small Tract Act.
Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60943 |
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| Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - SW1/4NW1/4 Section 9, T9N, R5W. Ten Mile Creek off of Rimini Road. | |||||
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Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Judith-Musselshell Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) |
R1 - Northern Region | ||||
| Project Name | Project Purpose | Planning Status | Decision | Expected Implementation | Project Contact |
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Snowies Geographic Area Allotment Management Plans EA |
- Grazing management |
Developing Proposal Est. Scoping Start 05/2027 |
Expected:05/2031 | 07/2031 |
Kyle Schmitt 406-791-7706 kyle.schmitt@usda.gov |
| Description: Analysis of livestock grazing allotments on the north half of the Rocky Mountain Ranger District identified for planning purposes as a priority with the criteria at 43 U.S.C 1752(i). | |||||
| Location: UNIT - Judith-Musselshell Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Fergus, Golden Valley, Wheatland. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Big and Little Snowy Mountain Ranges. | |||||
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Helena-Lewis and Clark 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 |
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Blackfoot Small Tracts Act Conveyance CE |
- Land ownership management |
In Progress: Scoping Start 12/13/2018 |
Expected:03/2020 |
06/2020 |
Michael Stansberry 406-362-7002 mstansberry@fs.fed.us |
| Description: Project proposes to convey of approximately 0.70 acres of federal land to Lincoln Properties LLC under the encroachment category of the Small Tracts Act. | |||||
| Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Township 14 North Range 9 West Northeast 1/4 Section 29. | |||||
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Dalton Stemple Fuel Break CE |
- Fuels management |
In Progress: Scoping Start 08/28/2023 |
Expected:07/2024 |
07/2024 |
Emily Platt 503-808-2970 Emily.Brownscombe1@usda.gov |
| Description: Up to 3,000 acres have been identified for potential treatments including hand thinning/piling, small tree thinning, mechanical thinning, which may require temporary road and prescribed fire.
Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64732 |
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| Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Not Applicable. South of the community of Lincoln MT along FS-1892 Sauerkraut Road, FS-329 Dalton Mountain Road, Stemple Pass Road (Lewis & Clark County Road), FS-4134 Southfork Poorman Road. | |||||
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Helena-Lewis and Clark 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 |
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Townsend Ranger District Allotment Management Plans EA |
- Grazing management |
Developing Proposal Est. Scoping Start 05/2026 |
Expected:05/2027 | 05/2028 |
Kyle Schmitt 406-791-7706 kyle.schmitt@usda.gov |
| Description: Analysis of Townsend Ranger District allotments identified for planning purposes as a priority consistent with the criteria at 43 u.s.C.1752(i) | |||||
| Location: UNIT - Townsend Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Broadwater, Meagher. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Big Belt Mountains and Dry Range. | |||||
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