Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
04/01/2023 to 06/30/2023
Boise 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)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Boise National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Boise National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Boise National Forest,  Cascade Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Boise National Forest,  Emmett Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Boise National Forest,  Idaho City Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Boise National Forest,  Lowman Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Boise National Forest,  Mountain Home 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 04/2023  		Expected:04/2023
  		05/2023 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
Amendments to Land Management Plans Regarding Sage-grouse Conservation
EIS
 - Land management planning
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 08/02/2019  		Expected:12/2020
  		01/2021 John Shivik
801-625-5667
johnashivik@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Forest Service is considering amending its land management plans to address new and evolving issues arising since implementing sage-grouse plans in 2015. This project is in cooperation with the USDI Bureau of Land Management.
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r4/home/?cid=stelprd3843381
Location: UNIT - Ashley National Forest All Units, Boise National Forest All Units, Bridger-Teton National Forest All Units, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest All Units, Dixie National Forest All Units, Fishlake National Forest All Units, Salmon-Challis National Forest All Units, Sawtooth National Forest All Units, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest All Units, Manti-La Sal National Forest All Units, Caribou-Targhee National Forest All Units, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache All Units. STATE - Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming. COUNTY - Jackson, Moffat, Routt, Adams, Blaine, Bonneville, Camas, Caribou, Cassia, Elmore, Fremont, Madison, Churchill, Clark, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lincoln, Nye, Pershing, Washoe, White Pine, Beaver, Box Elder, Cache, Carbon, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Emery, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Juab, Kane, Millard, Morgan, Piute, Rich, Salt Lake, San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Summit, Tooele, Uintah, Utah, Wasatch, Washington, Wayne, Weber, Platte, Sublette, Teton, Weston, Albany, Campbell, Carbon, Converse, Crook, Laramie, Lincoln, Natrona, Niobrara. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Sagebrush lands in National Forests of Nevada, Utah, southern Idaho, southwest Montana, southwest & south-central Wyoming and northern Colorado.
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R4 - Intermountain Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Stibnite Gold Project EIS
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 10/27/2022
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 12/2023  		Expected:03/2024
  		03/2024 Brian Harris
208-634-0784
brian.d.harris@usda.gov 
Description: The Forest is processing a plan of operations for open pit mining, processing, new road construction, utility upgrades, reclamation, and restoration at the Stibnite mine site.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50516
Location: UNIT - Cascade Ranger District, Krassel Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Stibnite mining district is located in Valley County Idaho, east of the community of Yellow Pine near the East Fork South Fork Salmon River.
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Boise National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Southwest Idaho Resilient Landscape Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/08/2022
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 05/2023  		Expected:12/2023
  		03/2024 Ryan Jones
208-253-0153
ryan.c.jones@usda.gov 
Description: A project to allow for annual prescribed burning to achieve restoration objectives.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61880
Location: UNIT - Boise National Forest All Units. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Ada, Boise, Elmore, Gem, Valley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Boise National Forest.
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Boise National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
2022 Trail Bridges Repair Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Facility management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/02/2022  		Expected:05/2023
  		06/2023 Brian Lawatch
208-590-3345
brian.lawatch@usda.gov 
Description: Fully replace six existing trail bridges over Lime Creek, Elk Creek, Poison Creek, Johnson Creek, and Sand Creek as well as relocate and re-emplace an existing washed-out trail bridge over Roaring River and realign several segments of Roaring River.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63267
Location: UNIT - Mountain Home Ranger District, Idaho City Ranger District, Emmett Ranger District, Cascade Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise, Elmore, Gem, Valley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Roaring River, Roaring River Trail; Lime Creek, Slickear Trail; Elk Creek, Buena Vista Trail; Poison Creek, Poison Creek Trail; Johnson Creek, Horse Heaven Trail; Sand Creek, South Fork Sand Creek tra.
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Boise National Forest,   Cascade Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Burntlog Route Geophysical Investigation
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/10/2020  		Expected:07/2023
  		08/2024 Christopher Bentley
503-808-2636
christopher.w.bentley@usda.gov 
Description: The purpose of the investigation is to collect crucial geophysical data along the existing Burntlog road and proposed new alignment between Trapper Creek and Stibnite.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57593
Location: UNIT - Cascade Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - The project is located in sec 12, T15N, R7E; sec 3, 4, 7, 9, 17, 18, T15N, R8E; sec 1, 2, 10, 11, 15, 22, 26, 27, 34, 35, T16N, R8E; sec 13, 23, 24, 26, 35, 36, T17N. R8E; sec 4, 5, 8, 17, 18, T17N. R9E; sec 13, 14, 24-26, 32-34 T18., R9E, Boise Meridian. Burntlog road.
Horse Heaven Exploration Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/20/2023  		Expected:07/2023
  		08/2023 Ricky Wells
208-373-4136
ricky.wells@usda.gov 
Description: The purpose of the of this Federal action is to respond to the operator's PoO for mineral exploration as necessary to meet Forest Service regulations within the context of federal mining laws
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62304
Location: UNIT - Cascade Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Project is accessable from road NF-456. In Sections 28 of Township 19 North, Range 8 East and Section 33 of Township 19 North, Range 8 East.
Rice Creek Road Repair
CE
 - Watershed management
- Road management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A James Mays
208-382-7420
jamesdmays@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project proposes to repair the Rice Creek. The work would include earthwork to regrade and reshape the existing road into a series of fords at all drainages.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59177
Location: UNIT - Cascade Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - T14N,R06E, Section13; T14N, R07E, Sections 17, 18, 20, 29, 30, and 31. National Forest System Road 478, approximately 8 miles south of Warm Lake.
South Fork Plunge Watershed Restoration
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Clayton Roehner
208-382-7482
clayton.roehner@usda.gov 
Description: The project would decommission NFSR 490; remove the old bridge, abutments, and road fill from the active floodplain of the South Fork Salmon River.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61193
Location: UNIT - Cascade Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - Section 14 of Township 15 North, Range 6 East. South Fork of the Salmon River.
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Boise National Forest,   Emmett Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Reservoir Campgrounds Reconstruction Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Facility management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/27/2022  		Expected:05/2023
  		08/2023 John Wallace
208-392-3754
john.d.wallace@usda.gov 
Description: The proposed improvements are designed to bring Antelope, Sage Hen Creek, Eastside, and Hollywood campgrounds in line with current Forest Service standards.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62293
Location: UNIT - Emmett Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Section 35, Township 12 North, Range 02 East. Campground are located on the north and eastside of Sage Hen Reservoir an estimated 19 miles from Ola, Idaho.
Sage Hen Integrated Restoration Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/15/2020
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 05/2023  		Expected:09/2023
Actual: 04/14/2021  		04/2024 John Wallace
208-392-3754
john.d.wallace@usda.gov 
Description: 4/14/2021 Decision withdrawn. Additional alterative being developed. Purpose of the project is to improve vegetation conditions to improve resiliency to uncharacteristic disturbances and restore watershed function to improve aquatic resources.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56701
Location: UNIT - Emmett Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Gem, Valley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. HUC 1705012203 (currently in process of being renamed) watershed north of High Valley and on the westside of the Emmett Ranger District. Eastside of the project area includes a portion of the Snowbank Inventoried Roadless Area.
Shady Pines and Cartwright Ridge Campground Reconstruction
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management
- Facility management 		 Completed  Actual: 03/13/2023  05/2023 John Wallace
208-392-3754
john.d.wallace@usda.gov 
Description: Proposed improvements are designed to bring the campgrounds in line with current Forest Service standards, provide better accessibility to larger vehicle size classes, meet accessibility standards, while addressing resource impacts and user demand.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63699
Location: UNIT - Emmett Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - The project sites are located in Sections 35 of Township 12 North, Range 2 East. The Project is located in proximity to Sage Hen reservoir.
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Boise National Forest,   Idaho City Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
2018 CuMo Exploration Project
EA
 - Minerals and Geology  On Hold  N/A  N/A Ricky Wells
208-373-4136
ricky.wells@usda.gov 
Description: Locatable minerals exploration. Proposal to drill 259 new exploratory holes to retrieve core samples. Project will construction of about 13.3 miles of new temporary road and use of about 4.7 miles existing unauthorized road as temporary roads.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52875
Location: UNIT - Idaho City Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - T8N, R6E, Sections 7,8,17,18,19,and 20. This project is located approximately 3 miles northeast of Grimes Pass in Boise County Idaho.
Edna Creek Campground Reconstruction
CE
 - Recreation management
- Facility management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/01/2021  		Expected:03/2023
  		05/2023 Everardo Santillan
208-392-6681
everardo.santillan@usda.gov 
Description: The Forest proposes to upgrade campground site features to meet Forest Service standards, national accessibility standards, and the demand of the public for high-quality recreational experiences on National Forest System lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60111
Location: UNIT - Idaho City Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - T07N R 7E S35. Section 10. Edna Creek Campground, Management Area 7 (Crooked River).
South Zone Critical Condition Bridge Replacements - NFSR 304 and FH-82
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Road management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 05/2023  		Expected:07/2023  08/2023 Jeffrey Alexander
208-373-4141
jeffrey.alexander2@usda.gov 
Description: PROPOSAL This project proposes to fully replace two existing bridges located on National Forest System Roads (NFSR) 304 and FH-82 (Pine Bridge and Granite Creek Road Bridge, respectively).
Location: UNIT - Idaho City Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Not Applicable. T06N-R06E-Section16; T05N-R04E-Section 35; Idaho City Ranger District.
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Boise National Forest,   Lowman Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Kirkham Recreation Site Improvements
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Facility management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/01/2022  		Expected:05/2023
  		06/2023 Traci Zimmerlee
208-259-3361 x 7501
Traci.Zimmerlee@usda.gov 
Description: The project will include repair and modification to the Kirkham recreation site.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61601
Location: UNIT - Lowman Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Section 32 of Township 9 North, Range 8E. The site is located approximately 3 miles east of Lowman, via Highway 21.
Miller Exploration-Plan of Operations
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/24/2023  		Expected:06/2023
  		07/2023 Ricky Wells
208-373-4136
ricky.wells@usda.gov 
Description: The purpose of the of this Federal action is to respond to the operator's PoO for mineral exploration as necessary to meet Forest Service regulations within the context of federal mining lawsa.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62326
Location: UNIT - Lowman Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Section 17, Township 9 North, Range 8 East. Near the historic Miller Mtn. Mine (Magnolia Mine per USGS). .
Upper South Fork Payette River Community Protection Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Climate Change Adaptation
- Carbon Stewardship 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 10/05/2022  		Expected:06/2023
  		10/2023 Ryan Shannahan
208-259-3361 ext. 7521
ryan.shannahan@usda.gov 
Description: The purpose of the project is to protect people, homes, and improve the safety of evacuation routes within the project area in the event of wildfire. Reduce the frequency, extent, severity, and intensity of uncharacteristic or undesirable wildfire.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62722
Location: UNIT - Lowman Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Highway 21 along the Upper South Fork Payette River.
Wapiti Creek Trailhead Relocation (Forest Trail 160)
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 03/08/2023  		Expected:05/2023
  		06/2023 Catharine Beverly-Bishop
208-365-7001
Catharine.Beverly-Bishop@usda.gov 
Description: Relocate the trailhead to better allow for multiple uses and provide safer parking and vehicle maneuverability.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62751
Location: UNIT - Lowman Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Section 32 of T10N,R11E. NFSR 525A and Trail 160.
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Boise National Forest,   Mountain Home Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Boise River Basin Feasibility Study
EIS
 - Facility management
- Road management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Jeffrey Alexander
208-373-4141
jeffrey.alexander2@usda.gov 
Description: Bureau of Reclamation has completed a Draft EIS for the Boise River Basin Feasibility Study. The USFS is a cooperating agency. To accomplish this project the USFS would need to modify a Forest Roads and Trails Act Easement.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58545
Location: UNIT - Mountain Home Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Elmore. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Anderson Ranch Reservoir, 28 miles northeast of Mountain Home, Idaho.
Silver Star Communications Moonshot Project
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/01/2022  		Expected:07/2023
  		08/2023 Brian Lawatch
208-590-3345
brian.lawatch@usda.gov 
Description: Boise National Forest proposes to permit Silver Star Communications to install, maintain, and use a buried fiber optic line on the Boise National Forest along Highway 20 in a designated utility corridor.
Location: UNIT - Mountain Home Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Elmore. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Along a designated utility corridor on ID-20 and National Forest System Road 152.
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