Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
07/01/2023 to 09/30/2023
Nebraska 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
-  R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, Nebraska National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, Nebraska National Forest,  Bessey Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, Nebraska National Forest,  Fall River Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, Nebraska National Forest,  Fort Pierre Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, Nebraska National Forest,  Pine Ridge Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R2 - Rocky Mountain Region, Nebraska National Forest,  Wall 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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Nebraska National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R2 - Rocky Mountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands Undesirable Plant Management EIS
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 01/10/2023
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 11/2023  		Expected:07/2024
  		08/2024 Kim Dolatta
701-842-2393
kimberly.dolatta@usda.gov 
Description: The Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands propose to update the Forests' guidance for plant management strategies through an environmental analysis for the management of invasive, noxious, alien, non-native, and undesirable native plant species.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62500
Location: UNIT - Nebraska National Forest All Units. STATE - Nebraska, South Dakota. COUNTY - Blaine, Cherry, Dawes, Sioux, Thomas, Custer, Fall River, Jackson, Jones, Lyman, Pennington, Stanley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands.
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Nebraska National Forest,   Bessey Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R2 - Rocky Mountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Bovee Fire Restoration
EA

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management
- Fuels management 		 Cancelled  N/A  N/A Sarah Myers
308-432-0384
sarah.myers2@usda.gov 
Description: Bovee wildfire restoration and hazardous trees, snags and fuels reduction.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64006
Location: UNIT - Bessey Ranger District. STATE - Nebraska. COUNTY - Thomas. LEGAL - Not Applicable. East and northeast portions of the Nebraska National Forest impacted by the 2022 Bovee Fire.
Bovee Fire Utility Reconstruction
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Facility management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/09/2023  		Expected:09/2023
  		11/2023 Amanda Medaries
308-533-8100
Amanda.Medaries@usda.gov 
Description: Replacement of damaged utilities from the 2022 Bovee Fire within the Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63514
Location: UNIT - Bessey Ranger District. STATE - Nebraska. COUNTY - Thomas. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Nebraska HWY 86B Spur Road Right-of-Way from transmission line located at approx.(41.903861, -100.315600) to vicinity of Scott Lookout Tower.
Bovee, 201 East, Natick Fire Restoration Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/16/2023  		Expected:07/2023
  		08/2023 Sarah Myers
308-432-0384
sarah.myers2@usda.gov 
Description: Removal of fire damaged timber, minor infrastructure repairs, and reduction of fuel loading to allow for future management actions.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64303
Location: UNIT - Bessey Ranger District. STATE - Nebraska. COUNTY - Blaine, Thomas. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Approximately 1 mile southwest of Halsey, NE on the Nebraska National Forest.
Whitetail Road (FR 224) Travel Management
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 09/08/2022  		Expected:12/2023
  		05/2024 Emily Hiatt
308-533-8107
Emily.Hiatt@usda.gov 
Description: Improve motorized access along and in the vicinity of the Whitetail Road, including to Whitetail Campground.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62606
Location: UNIT - Bessey Ranger District. STATE - Nebraska. COUNTY - Blaine, Thomas. LEGAL - T21N, R26W, Sec. 11, 12, 13 and T21N, R25W, Sec. 18. Eastern end of Forest Road (FR) 224, the southern part of off-highway vehicle (OHV) Trail 112 (portions of T21N, R26W, Sec. 11, 12, 13 and T21N, R25W, Sec. 18), and the portion of FR 277 in section 13.
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Nebraska National Forest,   Fall River Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R2 - Rocky Mountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Avalanche 1-16 Access Road
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/29/2023  		Expected:07/2023
  		08/2023 Matthew Lucas
605-745-8212
matthew.lucas@usda.gov 
Description: Road Access Permit to reach oil and gas well pad on adjacent state property.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64351
Location: UNIT - Fall River Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Fall River. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Section 16, Township 9S, Range 1E.
Bennett Dam Habitat Exclosures
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 08/2023  		Expected:11/2023  04/2024 Matthew Lucas
605-745-8212
matthew.lucas@usda.gov 
Description: Installation of a new fence to protect the dam face, part of the waterbody and spring source from livestock affects while providing a source of water for livestock and enhancing recreational opportunities for the public.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63633
Location: UNIT - Fall River Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Fall River. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Approximately 5 miles southeast of Oelrichs, SD.
Crow Dam Habitat Improvement
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 08/2023  		Expected:11/2023  04/2024 Matthew Lucas
605-745-8212
matthew.lucas@usda.gov 
Description: Prescribed fire within the Crow Dam pasture, designated a special plant and wildlife habitat area, to enhance native vegetation and reduce invasive and/or non-native grass species.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63631
Location: UNIT - Fall River Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Fall River. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Approximately 3 miles west of Rumford, SD.
Range Fiber Optic Line
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 04/06/2023  05/2023 Matthew Lucas
605-745-8212
matthew.lucas@usda.gov 
Description: Placement of new fiber optic lines using duct system and hand holes. Placement would primarily be within existing SD Department of Transportation and County right-of-ways with small portions intersecting USFS property.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63738
Location: UNIT - Fall River Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Fall River. LEGAL - Township: 9S Range: 1E Sections: 1-6 9S 2E 3-4, 6-8 . From SD/WY state line along US HWY 18 to Edgemont, SD.
Tear Drop # 1-9
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  On Hold  N/A  N/A Matthew Lucas
605-745-8212
matthew.lucas@usda.gov 
Description: Analyze and disclose environmental effects that may result from implementing one vertical oil and natural gas well. Project includes proposed construction, drilling, completion, production and reclamation.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62497
Location: UNIT - Fall River Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Fall River. LEGAL - 11 S 1 E Section 9. Fall River County, South Dakota. Fall River Ranger District.
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Nebraska National Forest,   Fort Pierre Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R2 - Rocky Mountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Horsethief West Vegetative Management
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 Cancelled  N/A  N/A Kelly Fuoss
605-224-5517
kelly.waage@usda.gov 
Description: The purpose of this project is to improve vegetative management in the project area, including reducing fine fuels before construction begins on the repair of Lower Booth Dam
Location: UNIT - Fort Pierre Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Jones. LEGAL - Fort Pierre National Grassland. Jones County, SD.
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Nebraska National Forest,   Pine Ridge Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R2 - Rocky Mountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Aristocrat, West Ash, & Coffee Mill Butte Fire Reforestation Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Land management planning
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 Cancelled  N/A  N/A Michael Gould
308-432-0384
michael.gould@usda.gov 
Description: Hand plant 112 container ponderosa pine seedlings throughout & near various areas where forest fires consumed ponderosa pine forested stands & their seed source. Approximately 50-200 seedlings/ac would be planted depending on terrain & microclimates.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59162
Location: UNIT - Pine Ridge Ranger District. STATE - Nebraska. COUNTY - Dawes. LEGAL - Not Applicable. (1) Aristocrat T32N, R48W, Sections 5 & 6; T33N, R48W, Sections 33 ; (2) West Ash T31N, R51W, Sections 13, 24, 25, & 26; T31N, R50W, Sections 18, 19, 29, 30, 31, & 32; (3) Coffee Mill Butte T31N, R49W.
Toadstool Campground Site Additions
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 09/2023  		Expected:10/2023  04/2024 Jordan Price
308-432-0300
Jordan.Price@usda.gov 
Description: Add 10 camp sites within the establish campground area by adding gravel camping pads, fire rings, grills, picnic tables, and pavilions.
Location: UNIT - Pine Ridge Ranger District. STATE - Nebraska. COUNTY - Sioux. LEGAL - 33N/53W/5. Toadstool Campground, Oglala National Grasslands.
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Nebraska National Forest,   Wall Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R2 - Rocky Mountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Pinnacles Dispersed Recreation Management
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 03/31/2023  		Expected:07/2023
  		07/2023 Alex Grant
307-745-2424
alex.grant@usda.gov 
Description: Manage recreational opportunities while continuing to protect natural, cultural, and recreational resources in the Pinnacles area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61608
Location: UNIT - Wall Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Pennington. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Approximately 6 miles south of Wall, South Dakota.
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