Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
10/01/2022 to 12/31/2022
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
-  Projects Occurring in more than one Region (excluding 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
 - 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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Projects Occurring in more than one Region (excluding Nationwide)  

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Nez Perce National Historic Trail Visitor Use Capacity Analysis
EA
 - Recreation management
- Heritage resource management 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 06/03/2022  		Expected:10/2022
  		11/2022 Sandra Broncheau-Mcfarland
208-843-2353
sandra.broncheau-mcfarland@usda.gov 
Description: This analysis identifies the visitor use capacity on National Forest System lands only, on the Nez Perce National Historic Trail to assist in the protection and management of trail resources.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62223
Location: UNIT - Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest All Units, Bitterroot National Forest All Units, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest All Units, Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest All Units, Salmon-Challis National Forest All Units, Custer Gallatin National Forest All Units, Shoshone National Forest All Units, Caribou-Targhee National Forest All Units, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest All Units. STATE - Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming. COUNTY - Clark, Clearwater, Fremont, Idaho, Lemhi, Lewis, Nez Perce, Beaverhead, Blaine, Carbon, Chouteau, Fergus, Gallatin, Golden Valley, Lewis and Clark, Missoula, Phillips, Ravalli, Stillwater, Wheatland, Yellowstone, Asotin, Wallowa, Park, Teton. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Nez Perce National Historic Trail is approximately 2,184 miles, extending from the vicinity of Wallowa Lake in eastern Oregon to the Bear Paw Battlefield, about 16 miles south of Chinook, MT.
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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

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management 		 Completed  Actual: 07/11/2022  07/2022 Dustin Walters
559-246-7012
dustin.walters@usda.gov 
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.
Sorrel Springs Hazardous Fuels Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 Completed  Actual: 09/13/2022  01/2023 Ann Hadlow
406-626-5402
ann.hadlow@usda.gov 
Description: The purpose and need of the project is to reduce high concentrations of hazardous fuels resulting from dead and dying trees. High stand densities within the project area have caused accelerated tree mortality from insects and diseases.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62159
Location: UNIT - Ninemile Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Missoula. LEGAL - Township 14 North, Range 21 West, Section 20. The project area is located on the Ninemile Ranger District north of the community of Frenchtown in Missoula County, Montana within the Houle Creek and Roman Creek drainages in Township 14 North, Range 21 West, Section 20.
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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
Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative Plains Exchange Upgrades Special Use Permit
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 08/18/2022  09/2022 Bruce Paulsen
406-826-3821
bruce.paulsen@usda.gov 
Description: Amendment to existing SUP to upgrade Blackfoot Telephone Coop communications infrastructure within the Plains exchange. Includes installation of approximately 16,470 feet of buried fiber optic cable within existing permitted areas on NFS land.
Location: UNIT - Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - Not Applicable. National Forest System land within the Highway 200, Old Hicks Road, Henry Creek Road, Clayton Street corridors.
Fryxell Access Special Use Permit: Clark Creek
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/04/2022  		Expected:08/2022
  		10/2022 Bruce Paulsen
406-210-1843
bruce.paulsen@usda.gov 
Description: A private landowner has requested a special use permit from the Forest Service to develop an ATV/UTV route across NFS land to access his private parcel. The route would be about 3 miles in length and use existing roads and new trail construction.
Location: UNIT - Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - Sections 14, 15, 23, and 27, T21N, R25W, P.M.M. Approximately 8 miles northeast of Plains and north of Highway 28 within the Clark Creek drainage in the Rainbow Lake area.
Thorne Creek Fire Salvage
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 Completed  Actual: 08/31/2022
08/11/2022  		08/2022 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
Avista Power Line SUP: Lookout Pass Ski Area
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/05/2022  		Expected:08/2022
  		09/2022 Bruce Paulsen
406-210-1843
bruce.paulsen@usda.gov 
Description: Installation of 6000 feet of underground power line along National Forest System road 4208 to provide electricity to new chairlift at Lookout Pass Ski Area.
Location: UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - Section 32, T20N, R32W, P.M.M. National Forest System road 4208, adjacent to Lookout Pass Ski Area.
Idaho Forest Group Deer Creek Access Special Use Permit
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management
- Road management 		 Completed  Actual: 06/24/2022  09/2022 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  On Hold  N/A  N/A 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  On Hold  N/A  N/A 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 Office Building Disposal
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Facility management  Completed  Actual: 08/01/2022  10/2022 Heather Berman
406-210-5287
heather.berman@usda.gov 
Description: Disposal of the vacant office building at the St. Regis administrative site.
Location: UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - Not Applicable. St. Regis administrative site.
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.
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