Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
04/01/2022 to 06/30/2022
Lolo 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) :
-  Projects Occurring Nationwide
-  R1 - Northern Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Lolo National Forest,  Missoula Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Lolo National Forest,  Ninemile Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Lolo National Forest,  Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Lolo National Forest,  Superior Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

Projects Occurring Nationwide  

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
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
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.
Nationwide Aerial Application of Fire Retardant on National Forest System Land.
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 08/08/2020
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/2022  		Expected:06/2022
  		07/2022 Laura Conway
406-802-4317
laura.conway@usda.gov 
Description: Programmatic Supplemental EIS for the Nationwide Aerial Application of Fire Retardant on National Forest System Land.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60450
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The direction in the SEIS will apply to use of aerially delivered fire retardant on all National Forest System land. .
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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.usda.gov/project/?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.
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Lolo National Forest,   Missoula Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Missoula Parks and Recreation 2 Year Special Use Permit for Outfitting/Guiding Re-issuance
CE
 - Recreation management
- Special use management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/11/2015  		Expected:05/2015
  		06/2015 Al Hilshey
406-329-3970
ahilshey@fs.fed.us 
Description: Re-issuance of a 2 year Special Use Permit for Outfitting and Guiding to provide hiking, biking, and Nordic skiing services on the Missoula Ranger District.
Location: UNIT - Missoula Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Missoula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Blue mountain recreation area, Pattee canyon Recreation Area, Lolo Creek, and Montana Snowbowl.
Sapphire Crest Trail
CE
 - Recreation management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Al Hilshey
406-329-3970
ahilshey@fs.fed.us 
Description: Trail construction and reconstruction to connect existing trail segments, creating a 100-mile long non-motorized trail across the Lolo, Bitterroot, and Beaverhead National Forests on the Sapphire Divide.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=32247
Location: UNIT - Missoula Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Missoula. LEGAL - T12N, R19W, Sections 12,13; T12N, R18W, Sections 18, 19, 20,21,27,28 and 24; T11N, R18W, Sections 3,10,15,22,27,26 and 36 and T10N, R18 W, Section 2. Sapphire Divide.
Upper Lolo Large Wood Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/23/2021  		Expected:09/2021
  		09/2021 Dustin Walters
559-246-7012
dwalters@fs.fed.us 
Description: Install lg. woody structures by hand falling trees on about 13 mi. of stream and on about 6 mi. using excavators. Would result in installing 200-250 structures across 4 targeted streams each containing 2-20 pieces of wood from local trees.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60556
Location: UNIT - Missoula Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Missoula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Approx. 5 mi. west of Lolo, MT in the West Fork Lolo Creek, Upper Lolo Creek, East Fork Lolo Creek, and Granite Creek watersheds on National Forest System lands.
Wildfire Adapted Missoula
EA
 - Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 05/04/2021  		Expected:10/2021
  		10/2021 Michael Albritton
(406) 329-3750
Michael.Albritton@usda.gov 
Description: WAM is a risk-based strategic fuels management project. It proposes mechanized and non-mechanized fuel and vegetation treatments to reduce wildfire hazard and associated risk in strategic locations.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58943
Location: UNIT - Missoula Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Missoula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project surrounds the communities of Missoula, Lolo, East Missoula, Bonner, Clinton, and Turah (approx. 158,725 acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands).
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Lolo National Forest,   Ninemile Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Sawmill-Petty Project
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 12/29/2020  		Expected:03/2021
  		07/2021 Tami Paulsen
406-329-3731
tpaulsen@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposed treatments to accomplish the project objectives include tree thinning and slashing, prescribed fire, weed treatments, and road treatments.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57030
Location: UNIT - Ninemile Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral, Missoula. LEGAL - SE 1/4 , NE 1/4, S 34, T14N, R 23W, MT Meridian. South of I-90 and Alberton and Huson, MT in Sawmill, Reservoir, Petty, Peppard, Tank, and Corral Creek drainages.
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Lolo National Forest,   Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
A-BLT Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 Completed  Actual: 01/03/2022  07/2022 Patricia Partyka
406-826-4314
ppartyka@fs.fed.us 
Description: Project proposal includes vegetation, road, and watershed management activities to address multiple resource objectives.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57645
Location: UNIT - Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - Sections 14-16, 19-23, 26-30, and 34-35, T21N, R31W, P.M.M. Project is located about 10 miles west of Thompson Falls in the Antimony, Cox, Everson, Buster Brown, Lucky Boy, and Therriault drainages, which are tributary to Prospect Creek.
Deemer-Henry
EA
 - Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 09/09/2021  		Expected:12/2021
  		07/2022 Patricia Partyka
406-826-4314
patricia.partyka@usda.gov 
Description: Project includes vegetation and road management activities to reduce forest fuels, improve forest health, support communities, and address road travel management conflict. Project also includes forest plan amendment to correct mapping error.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59556
Location: UNIT - Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Located about 4 miles east of Plains, Montana in the Deemer and Henry Creek drainages.
Thorne Creek Fire Salvage
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 03/15/2022  		Expected:05/2022
  		06/2022 Patricia Partyka
406-826-4314
patricia.partyka@usda.gov 
Description: Salvage of dead and dying timber on approximately 610 acres of the Thorne Creek Fire. Project also includes roadside hazard tree removal and tree planting.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60991
Location: UNIT - Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Roadside salvage along Graves Creek road #367, north of Thompson Falls. Salvage in Thompson River drainage located east of Thompson Falls.
Wilkes Cherry
EA
 - Recreation management
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 09/2021  		Expected:08/2022  07/2024 Patricia Partyka
406-826-4314
ppartyka@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Forest Service is developing an integrated project to address multiple resource needs such as forest health, fuels reduction, recreation, wildlife and aquatic habitat, and watershed condition within a 63,000-acres area south of Thompson Falls.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59163
Location: UNIT - Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Dry, Cherry, Wilkes, and Daisy Creek drainages south of Thompson Falls, Montana.
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Lolo National Forest,   Superior Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Idaho Forest Group Deer Creek Access Special Use Permit
CE
 - Special use management
- Road management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Robin Jermyn
406-826-4305
rjermyn@fs.fed.us 
Description: Special use permit request from Idaho Forest Group (IFG) to construct, use, and maintain approximately 0.6 miles of new permanent road across National Forest System land to access their isolated 40-acre parcel in Section 31, T19N, R29W, P.M.M.
Location: UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - Section 1, T18N, R29W, P.M.M. Deer Creek drainage, approximately 1.5 miles south of DeBorgia.
Managhan Access Special Use Permit
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/05/2020  		Expected:10/2021
  		10/2021 Robin Jermyn
406-826-4305
rjermyn@fs.fed.us 
Description: 20-year Special use Permit to use and maintain approximately 3 miles of National Forest System Road 3802 and to construct 1800 feet of new road across NFS land to access private property.
Location: UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - Sections 1 & 2, T18N, R29W; Section 6 T18N, R28W, Section 35, T19N, R29W, P.M.M. Boyd Mountain area near St. Regis, MT.
Paulsen Access Special Use Permit
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/05/2020  		Expected:10/2021
  		10/2021 Robin Jermyn
406-826-4305
rjermyn@fs.fed.us 
Description: 20-year Special Use Permit to construct, use and maintain approximately 0.35 miles of new ATV trail and reconstruct an additional 0.4 miles of existing non-system trail across NFS lands to access private land.
Location: UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - Section 19, T15N, R26W; and Section 24, T15N, R27 W, P.M.M. Trout Creek near Superior, MT.
Redd Bull
EA
 - Land management planning
- Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 02/01/2021  		Expected:12/2021
  		09/2022 Patricia Partyka
406-826-4314
ppartyka@fs.fed.us 
Description: Integrated restoration project that includes vegetation, road, and recreation management activities to address multiple resource objectives. Project also includes forest plan amendment to change the management area allocation on approx. 198 acres.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56574
Location: UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - T17 and 18N, R28 and 29W, P.M.M. South of St. Regis between Interstate 90 and the Montana/Idaho border within the Dry, Cold, Little Joe, Twomile, and Ward Creek drainages.
St. Regis Park Expansion and Special Use Authorization Renewal
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 02/16/2022  03/2022 Heather Berman
(406) 822-3903
heather.berman@usda.gov 
Description: Reissuance of a 20-year special use authorization (SUA) to Mineral County for the St. Regis Community Park. The SUA contains modifications that expand the permitted area by 2 acres and includes additional recreational improvements.
Location: UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - NE?, SE?, SW?, Section 24, T18N, R28W, P.M.M. St. Regis Community Park in St. Regis, Montana.
Superior North
EA
 - Recreation management
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/15/2021
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 07/2022  		Expected:01/2023
  		08/2024 Patricia Partyka
406-826-4314
patricia.partyka@usda.gov 
Description: Project includes vegetation, road, and recreation management activities to restore resilient vegetative conditions, reduce fuels, enhance recreation opportunities, and support communities. It also contains a proposal to amend the Forest Plan.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61247
Location: UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral, Sanders. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area of approximately 44,000 acres is between St. Regis and Superior in the Mill, Fourmile, Slowey, Keystone, and Pardee Creek drainages, and on the north slope facing into Highway 135.
Thompson Creek Trail Reroute
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 02/10/2022  07/2022 Heather Berman
406-210-5287
Heather.Berman@usda.gov 
Description: Construction of approximately 2.2 miles of new non-motorized trail to reroute the existing trail away from private land, as well as move the trail out of a seasonally flooded area.
Location: UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Approximately 3 air miles southwest of Superior.
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