Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
07/01/2023 to 09/30/2023
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, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Lolo National Forest,  Missoula 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:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/11/2022
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 07/2023  		Expected:07/2023
  		01/2024 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, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Lolo National Forest Land Management Plan Revision
EIS
 - Land management planning  Developing Proposal
Est. NOI in Federal Register 03/2023  		Expected:12/2026  01/2027 Amanda Milburn
406-438-6640
amanda.milburn@usda.gov 
Description: Land management plan revision for the Lolo National Forest under the 2012 Planning Rule.
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/lolo/landmanagement/planning/?cid=fseprd993646
Location: UNIT - Lolo National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Flathead, Granite, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli, Sanders. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Administrative boundary comprising the Lolo National Forest.
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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
Granite Graves Shaded Fuelbreak
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Fuels management  Completed  Actual: 05/05/2023  05/2023 Sean McPherson Mcnearney
1 406 329 3731
Sean.McPhersonMcnearney@usda.gov 
Description: The project proposes to reduce wildfire hazard by creating a shaded fuelbreak along 37 miles of forest system road by use of chainsaws and handpiling of debris.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63385
Location: UNIT - Missoula Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Missoula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Missoula Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest within the Lolo, Fish, Graves, and Howard Creek drainages near Lolo Pass on US Highway 12.
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.
Terms and Conditions for City of Missoula McKinley Lake Dam Decommissioning and Restoration Project
EA
 - Watershed management
- Projects that may affect Wilderness (for mailing list contacts) 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/13/2023
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 07/2023  		Expected:12/2023
  		05/2024 Kimberly Smolt
406-329-3555
Kimberly.Smolt@usda.gov 
Description: The City of Missoula holds an easement on McKinley Lake dam and plans to decommission it. This project's proposal is to develop terms and conditions to minimize impacts of dam decommissioning activities on NFS lands, resources and wilderness values.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63564
Location: UNIT - Missoula Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Missoula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Rattlesnake Wilderness Area, Missoula Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest.
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,   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
Cherry Creek Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/14/2023  		Expected:07/2023
  		07/2023 David Wrobleski
406-826-4321
david.wrobleski@usda.gov 
Description: The Cherry Cr. project's purpose is to promote healthy stands of resilient tree species that can better resist insect and disease agents as well as reduce fuels near neighboring communities.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64105
Location: UNIT - Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Plains / Thompson Falls Ranger District, Sanders County, Montana.
Raven and North Silver King Adit Closures
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Minerals and Geology  Completed  Actual: 05/17/2023  05/2023 Hal Bobbitt
406-566-2292
hal.d.bobbitt@usda.gov 
Description: The Lolo National Forest proposes the closure of three hazardous mine openings (Raven two openings and North Silver King one) on the Plains Thompson Falls Ranger District. Closures would address public safety and use bat compatible locking gates.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64135
Location: UNIT - Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sanders. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Section 33 of T22N R28W.
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.
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.
Missoula Electric Cooperative Quartz Campground Overhead Line Burial
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 05/2023  		Expected:07/2023  09/2023 Abigail Lane
406-361-1186
abigail.lane@usda.gov 
Description: Missoula Electric Cooperative proposed special use permit to bury existing overhead power lines in Quartz Campground to reduce power outages, reduce fire hazard, reduce disturbance in powerline right of way, and improve aesthetics.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64131
Location: UNIT - Superior Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - T15N, R25W, Section 9. Quartz Campground Tarkio West.
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.
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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