Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
10/01/2024 to 12/31/2024
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, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  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
Land Management Plan Direction for Old-Growth Forest Conditions Across the National Forest System
EIS
 - Land management planning  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 06/21/2024
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 12/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		01/2025 Jennifer McRae
202-791-8488
SM.FS.NFSWONGA@usda.gov 
Description: Amend all land management plans for units of the National Forest System to include consistent direction to conserve and steward existing and recruit future old-growth forest conditions and to monitor their condition across planning areas of NFS.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65356
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. LEGAL - Not Applicable. National Forests and Grasslands (128 units).
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.
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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 Land Management Plan Revision
EIS
 - Land management planning  Developing Proposal
Est. NOI in Federal Register 11/2025  		Expected:04/2028  04/2028 Kit Bramblee
605 224-5517
Kit.Bramblee@usda.gov 
Description: Revision of the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands Land Management Plan
Location: UNIT - Nebraska National Forest All Units. STATE - Nebraska, South Dakota. COUNTY - Cherry, Dawes, Sioux, Custer, Fall River, Jackson, Jones, Lyman, Pennington, Stanley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. All Forest System Lands managed by the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands.
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands Undesirable Plant Management EIS
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
FEIS NOA in Federal Register 08/16/2024  		Expected:11/2024
  		11/2024 Kim Dolatta
308-432-0323
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, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R2 - Rocky Mountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
South Dakota Army National Guard Aviation Training Special Use Permit
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/08/2024  		Expected:12/2024
  		12/2024 Julie Bain
308-221-0748
julie.bain@usda.gov 
Description: Issue a special use permit for army national guard to conduct aviation training.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65098
Location: UNIT - Fall River Ranger District, Wall Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer, Fall River, Pennington. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Buffalo Gap National Grassland, six locations south of State Highway 44, north of Lower Spring Creek Road, and west of Creston Road.
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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
Bennett Dam Habitat Exclosures
CE
 - Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A 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.
Crowe Dam Habitat Improvement
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/07/2023  		Expected:10/2024
  		04/2025 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.
Fall River Woody Draw Restoration
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/26/2024  		Expected:12/2024
  		05/2025 Robert Nagel
605-745-8221
robert.nagel@usda.gov 
Description: Build 5 exclosures and plant native trees and shrubs in them along Moss Agate Creek.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66549
Location: UNIT - Fall River Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Fall River. LEGAL - T8S, R1E, Section 17. Portions of Moss Agate Creek in the Ellison Dam and Beebe Markey allotments, SW South Dakota near the Wyoming border.
Fall River Woody Draw Restoration
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 Cancelled  N/A  N/A Robert Nagel
605-745-8221
robert.nagel@usda.gov 
Description: Project #66550 was canceled because the same project (#66549) already exists on the SOPA. Those interested in this project should refer to project ID #66549.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66550
Location: UNIT - Fall River Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Jackson. LEGAL - T8S, R1E, Section 17. Portions of Moss Agate Creek in the Ellison Dam and Beebe Markey allotments, SW South Dakota near the Wyoming border.
Red Shirt Water Line Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Grazing management
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 Completed  Actual: 07/29/2024  08/2024 Mandy Irwin
605-745-8204
Mandy.Irwin@usda.gov 
Description: Install 1.25 miles of underground water line and one permanent stock tank.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65336
Location: UNIT - Fall River Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Custer. LEGAL - T4S R9E sec. 1, 12, 13. In the Red Shirt Allotment, east of Hermosa, South Dakota, on Highway 40.
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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
US Highway 83 Snow Fence
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/21/2024
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 12/2024  		Expected:05/2025
  		05/2025 Dan Svingen
605-224-5517
daniel.svingen@usda.gov 
Description: Permit for the South Dakota Department of Transportation to construct a snow fence on USFS System Lands adjacent to US Highway 83.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66111
Location: UNIT - Fort Pierre Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lyman. LEGAL - Section 29, T107N, R79W. Approximately 20 miles south of Fort Pierre, SD.
Venture Communications Fiber Optic SUP
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/13/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		02/2025 Dan Svingen
605-224-5517
daniel.svingen@usda.gov 
Description: Special use authorization for the installation of 28.77 miles of fiber optic cable in existing road rights-of-way adjacent to USFS System lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65757
Location: UNIT - Fort Pierre Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Lyman, Stanley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Throughout the Fort Pierre National Grassland.
War Creek Waterline Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Grazing management
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/29/2024
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 10/2024  		Expected:03/2025
  		04/2025 Kelly Waage
605-224-5517
kelly.waage@usda.gov 
Description: Authorize the installation of approximately 10 miles of buried waterline as well as 14 water tanks and 6 water lots.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66211
Location: UNIT - Fort Pierre Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Jones, Stanley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Approximately 15 miles southwest of Fort Pierre, SD on the Fort Pierre National Grassland.
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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
Bordeaux Area Access Improvement Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Road management 		 Completed  Actual: 07/19/2024  09/2024 Jordan Price
308-432-0300
Jordan.Price@usda.gov 
Description: Change designation of Forest Road 723 from Open to Highway Legal Only to Open to all Vehicles.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66264
Location: UNIT - Pine Ridge Ranger District. STATE - Nebraska. COUNTY - Dawes. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Forest Road 723 between Kings Canyon Road (Forest Road 718) to the Cliffs Picnic Area and the Bordeaux area.
Toadstool Campground Site Additions
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 08/14/2024  04/2025 Jordan Price
308-432-0300
Jordan.Price@usda.gov 
Description: Add 10 camp sites within the established campground area by adding gravel camping pads, fire rings, grills, picnic tables, and pavilions.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63925
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
Special Use Permits: Wall Ranger District Highway 73 Improvements
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 07/24/2024  09/2024 Julie Bain
308-221-0748
julie.bain@usda.gov 
Description: Issue 3 special use permit amendments to perform shoulder work on Highway 73, which results in the need to move a fiberoptic cable and a water line that serves the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65393
Location: UNIT - Wall Ranger District. STATE - South Dakota. COUNTY - Jackson. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Highway 73 on National Forest System lands from south of the White River to Kadoka.
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