Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2021 to 03/31/2021
Dakota Prairie Grasslands

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, Dakota Prairie Grasslands, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Dakota Prairie Grasslands,  Grand River Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Dakota Prairie Grasslands,  MCKENZIE RANGER DISTRICT (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Dakota Prairie Grasslands,  Medora Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Dakota Prairie Grasslands,  Sheyenne 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  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/13/2018
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 11/2021  		Expected:12/2021
  		12/2021 Nancy Rusho
202-731-9196
nancy.rusho@usda.gov 
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.
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Dakota Prairie Grasslands, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Northern Great Plains Management Plans Revision Supplemental EIS for Oil and Gas Leasing
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  Completed  Actual: 12/07/2020  01/2021 Macario Herrera
701-989-7310
macario.herrera@usda.gov 
Description: Supplemental EIS prepared to analyze the changed oil and gas development pattern on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands. This project will supplement the 2001 Northern Great Plains Management Plans Revision FEIS.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=40652
Location: UNIT - Dakota Prairie Grasslands All Units. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - Billings, Golden Valley, McKenzie, Slope. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Little Missouri and Cedar River Grasslands Units.
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Dakota Prairie Grasslands,   Grand River Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Grand River and Cedar River Adaptive Management Plan
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 09/12/2020  		Expected:04/2021
  		04/2021 Kyle Dalzell
605-374-3592
kyle.p.dalzell@usda.gov 
Description: The project proposes to apply an adaptive management strategy using a variety of tools to effectively manage and restore rangelands managed by the District in accordance with land management plan direction.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=54324
Location: UNIT - Grand River Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota, South Dakota. COUNTY - Adams, Sioux, Corson, Perkins, Ziebach. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Grand River Ranger District.
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Dakota Prairie Grasslands,   MCKENZIE RANGER DISTRICT (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Bridger Pipeline LLC Crude Oil Pipeline Corridor
EA

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 12/18/2020  		Expected:04/2021
  		04/2021 Kim Grotte
701-842-8509
kim.grotte@usda.gov 
Description: Bridger Pipeline LLC proposes to construct a crude oil pipeline system to transport oil from Bridger's Baker/Sandstone Station near Plevna, MT to Bridger's Johnsons Corner Terminal located near Johnson's Corner, ND.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59260
Location: UNIT - Mckenzie Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - McKenzie. LEGAL - Portions of T148N, R101W; T147N, R101W; T147N, R102W; T146N, R102W; T146N, R103W; T145N, R103W; and T145N, R104W. Southwestern McKenzie County, North Dakota.
Burlington Stafford Multi-Well Pad
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 07/25/2020  		Expected:02/2021
  		02/2021 Heidi Kummer
701-842-8512
heidi.m.kummer@usda.gov 
Description: Burlington proposes to construct one multi-well pad to drill five oil and gas wells in McKenzie County, North Dakota.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58521
Location: UNIT - Mckenzie Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - McKenzie. LEGAL - Section 34, T151N, R95W, 5th PM, McKenzie County, North Dakota. Section 34, T151N, R95W, 5th PM, McKenzie County, North Dakota.
Cherry Creek Water, Phase 2
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 10/07/2020  10/2020 Ryan Hammargren
701-842-8514
Ryan.Hammargren@usda.gov 
Description: Cherry Creek Water, LLC proposes to construct a fresh water pipeline across National Forest System Lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58775
Location: UNIT - Mckenzie Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - McKenzie. LEGAL - Sections 23 and 26, T149N, R97W, 5th PM, McKenzie County, North Dakota. Sections 23 and 26, T149N, R97W, 5th PM, McKenzie County, North Dakota.
McKenzie County Water Resource District (MCWRD) Spring Creek pipeline
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 10/19/2020  10/2020 Keri Rummel
701-842-8513
Keri.Rummel@usda.gov 
Description: McKenzie County Water Resource District (MCWRD) proposes to construct approximately 11,695 feet of rural water pipeline to supply water to 10 users in southeastern McKenzie County.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57942
Location: UNIT - Mckenzie Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - McKenzie. LEGAL - Sections 20 & 29, T149N, R97W; Section 22, T148N, R98W; and Section 6, T147N, R98W, 5th PM, McKenzie County, North Dakota. Sections 20 & 29, T149N, R97W; Section 22, T148N, R98W; and Section 6, T147N, R98W, 5th PM, McKenzie County, North Dakota.
Ovintiv Sorenson Federal Multi-Well Pad
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 01/06/2020  		Expected:03/2021
  		03/2021 Cale Bickerdyke
701-842-8502
cebickerdyke@usda.gov 
Description: Ovintiv proposes to construct up to 10 oil and gas wells on one pad, including an access road and associated utilities.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57354
Location: UNIT - Mckenzie Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - McKenzie. LEGAL - Section 9, T153N, R96W, 5th PM, McKenzie County, North Dakota. Section 9, T153N, R96W, 5th PM, McKenzie County, North Dakota.
Pasture 7, ADP 433 Fence and Pasture 9, ADP 443 Fence
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Grazing management  Completed  Actual: 10/06/2020  11/2020 Tracy Ellig
7018428527
tracy.ellig@usda.gov 
Description: The McKenzie Ranger district is proposing two fencing projects. Pasture 7, Allotment 433 proposes to construct a new calving pasture fence Pasture 9, Allotment 443 proposes a new fence and holding area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58867
Location: UNIT - Mckenzie Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - McKenzie. LEGAL - Section 20, T145N, R101W and Section 11 & 12, T149N, R97W. Section 20, T145N, R101W and Section 11 & 12, T149N, R97W.
Petro-Hunt, LLC USA 153-95-2 Multi-Well Pad
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  Completed  Actual: 09/25/2020  10/2020 Brian Schwartz
701-842-8519
bgschwartz@usda.gov 
Description: Petro-Hunt, LLC proposes to construct the USA 153-95-2 oil and gas well pad with three wells. The proposal includes an access road and utilites.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57410
Location: UNIT - Mckenzie Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - McKenzie. LEGAL - Section 2, T153N, R95W, 5th PM, McKenzie County, North Dakota. Section 2, T153N, R95W, 5th PM, McKenzie County, North Dakota.
Prairie Federal Utility Route
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 06/01/2020  		Expected:03/2021
  		03/2021 Kim Grotte
701-842-8509
kim.grotte@usda.gov 
Description: XTO Energy, Inc proposes to construct crude oil and natural gas pipeline systems to transport oil and gas from the Prairie Federal well pad to existing pipeline gathering systems.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58202
Location: UNIT - Mckenzie Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - McKenzie. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Sections 19, 20, and 30, T149N, R96W; Section 24, T149N, R97W.
Sinclair Oil and Gas Company FS14 Multi-Well Pad
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 11/30/2020  		Expected:01/2021
  		01/2021 Brian Schwartz
701-842-8519
bgschwartz@usda.gov 
Description: Sinclair proposes the development of up to 14 new oil and gas wells on one pad with associated access road and utilities.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57409
Location: UNIT - Mckenzie Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - McKenzie. LEGAL - Section 13, T147N, R98W, 5th PM, McKenzie County, North Dakota. Section 13, T147N, R98W, 5th PM, McKenzie County, North Dakota.
Slawson Exploration Company, Inc. Environmental Assessment for proposed oil and gas wells.
EA
 - Minerals and Geology  On Hold  N/A  N/A Justin Hartel
701-842-2393
jhartel@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Forest Service is proposing to approve necessary surface use associated with Slawson Exploration Company's proposal to drill, complete, and produce an oil well on their Federal oil and gas lease consistent with current laws.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=42863
Location: UNIT - Mckenzie Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - McKenzie. LEGAL - T147N, R105W. This project area is located 40 miles southwest of Watford City, ND. Generally this project is located within the Squaw Gap Oil Field.
True Oil, L.L.C. Northern State 31-36 Access Road and Utilities
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/08/2020  		Expected:01/2021
  		01/2021 Ryan Hammargren
701-842-8514
Ryan.Hammargren@usda.gov 
Description: True Oil, L.L.C. proposes to construct an access road and utility route to the Northern State 31-36 oil and gas well pad located on State land in McKenzie County, North Dakota.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58289
Location: UNIT - Mckenzie Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - McKenzie. LEGAL - Section 6, T147N, R101W and Section 31, T148N, R101W, 5th PM, McKenzie County, North Dakota. Section 6, T147N, R101W and Section 31, T148N, R101W, 5th PM, McKenzie County, North Dakota.
USA Federal 6A-HU Oil and Gas Well (Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation)
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  On Hold  N/A  N/A Cale Bickerdyke
701-227-7800
cebickerdyke@fs.fed.us 
Description: Whiting proposes to drill an oil and gas well(USA Federal 6A-HU)from the existing USA 150-102-6A-7-1H well pad. The pad is approximately 2.36 acres. The project will add approximately 0.58 acres to the existing pad and use existing NFSR #858A-6.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=51881
Location: UNIT - Mckenzie Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - McKenzie. LEGAL - Lot 4 Section 6, T.150N., R.102W., 5th PM. Lot 4 Section 6, T.150N., R.102W., 5th PM.
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Dakota Prairie Grasslands,   Medora Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Allotment 097 Range Water System
CE
 - Grazing management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/10/2020  		Expected:10/2020
  		10/2020 Blake Roetman
7012277833
blake.roetman@usda.gov 
Description: Little Missouri Grazing Association proposes to construct a range water pipeline system in Slope County, North Dakota.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58511
Location: UNIT - Medora Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - Slope. LEGAL - Sections 22 & 23, T133N, R104W, Slope County, North Dakota. Sections 22 & 23, T133N, R104W, Slope County, North Dakota.
Allotment 197 Water Pipeline
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Grazing management  Completed  Actual: 10/19/2020  10/2020 David Hancock
701-227-7840
david.a.hancock@usda.gov 
Description: Medora Grazing Association proposes to install water pipelines to 5 pastures.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58688
Location: UNIT - Medora Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - Billings. LEGAL - SECTION 24, T137N, R102W. SECTION 24, T137N, R102W.
Elkhorn Ranchlands LRMP Amendment
EIS
 - Land management planning  On Hold  N/A  N/A Sherri Schwenke
701-250-4443
sschwenke@fs.fed.us 
Description: Amend the 2002 Dakota Prairie Grasslands LRMP to include the acquired 5,100 acre Elkhorn Ranchlands and associated range allotments (18,000 additional NFS acres).
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=25800
Location: UNIT - Medora Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - Billings. North and west of Medora, ND.
Greater Sage-grouse Plan Land and Resource Management Plan Amendment
EIS
 - Land management planning
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Glen Stein
801-625-5281
gstein@fs.fed.us 
Description: Plan amendment to incorporate management direction for Greater sage-grouse habitat needs. For additional information on Sage-grouse Amendments in planning on other National Forests please see: http://www.fs.usda.gov/r4
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=44386
Location: UNIT - Medora Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - Golden Valley, Slope. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Priority and general habitats for the GRSG in Slope and Golden Valley Counties, ND.
NP Resources Elkhorn Ranch and Roosevelt Oil and Gas Wells Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  Completed  Actual: 12/09/2020  12/2020 Jason Dekker
701-227-7821
jdekker@fs.fed.us 
Description: NP Resources, LLC has proposed three multi-well pads, the Elkhorn Ranch Federal 143-102-1-12H, Elkhorn Ranch Federal 143-102-2-11H,and the Roosevelt Federal 143-102-28-33H and the associated facilities and buried utilities in Billings County, ND.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56228
Location: UNIT - Medora Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - Billings. LEGAL - Elkhorn Ranch Fed 143-102-1-12H: NWNE Section 1, T143N, R102W; Elkhorn Ranch Fed 143-102-2-11H: NWNE Section 2, T143N, R102W; and Roosevelt Fed 143-102-28-33H: NENW of Section 28, T143N, R102W. Elkhorn Ranch Fed 143-102-1-12H: NWNE Section 1, T143N, R102W; Elkhorn Ranch Fed 143-102-2-11H: NWNE Section 2, T143N, R102W; and Roosevelt Fed 143-102-28-33H: NENW of Section 28, T143N, R102W.
Pioneer Gulch MDH Trail Reroute
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 10/28/2020  		Expected:03/2021
  		03/2021 Robert Schilling
701-227-7837
robert.schilling@usda.gov 
Description: Pioneer Gulch MDHT Reroute to Avoid Eroded Section
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58962
Location: UNIT - Medora Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - Billings. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Sections 22 and 27, T. 142 N., R 102 W.
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Dakota Prairie Grasslands,   Sheyenne Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
East Sheyenne Vegetation Management Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 06/10/2020  		Expected:03/2021
  		03/2021 Stacy Swenson
701-683-4342
stacy.swenson@usda.gov 
Description: The Sheyenne Ranger District is proposing to authorize continued grazing and vegetation management under an adaptive management strategy for 22 allotments and two general resource areas in accordance with land management plan direction.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58252
Location: UNIT - Sheyenne Ranger District. STATE - North Dakota. COUNTY - Ransom, Richland. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area is located approximately 20 miles east of Lisbon North Dakota and includes portions of Ransom and Richland Counties, North Dakota.
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