Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
10/01/2024 to 12/31/2024
Payette 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
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Payette National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Payette National Forest,  Council Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Payette National Forest,  Krassel Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Payette National Forest,  McCall Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Payette National Forest,  New Meadows Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Payette National Forest,  Weiser 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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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:
Objection Period Legal Notice 09/06/2024  		Expected:10/2024
  		10/2024 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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Payette 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
Payette National Forest Resilience and Fuels Reduction Prescribed Fire Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Fuels management  In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 02/15/2024  		Expected:10/2024
  		10/2024 Patrick Schon
208-634-0700
FS-comments-intermnt-payette@usda.gov 
Description: The proposed project would authorize prescribed burns across the Forest every year to restore health and resiliency to vegetation communities on the Payette National Forest.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63166
Location: UNIT - Payette National Forest All Units. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Adams, Idaho, Valley, Washington. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Payette National Forest.
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Payette National Forest,   Council Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Calf Pen Progeny Plantation Thinning
CE
 - Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Research and Development 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Amanda Villwock
907-288-7717
FS-comments-intermnt-payette@usda.gov 
Description: The Project proposes to thin a 14 acre ponderosa pine progeny plantation with removal of the cut material. Removal of thinned trees and slash is necessary to reduce the loss of leave trees to the pine engraver beetle.
Location: UNIT - Council Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Adams. LEGAL - Township 19 North, Range 3 West, NE 1/4 of Section 9; Boise Meridian, Adams County Idaho. The Project is located on the Council Ranger District of the Payette National Forest in Adams County, Idaho. Access is on Road 50073 approx. 1.75 miles west of its intersection with 50002.
Copper Cliffs Dam Geotechnical Study
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  Completed  Actual: 07/15/2024  07/2024 William Perry
208-634-0767
FS-comments-intermnt-payette@usda.gov 
Description: A berm on the Copper Cliffs Tailing Dam has experienced a slope failure. USFS will perform a geotechnical study with exploratory drilling to test the chemical composition of the materials in the sediment to determine future stabilization efforts.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65209
Location: UNIT - Council Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Adams. LEGAL - T. 6 S, R. 3 W, Section 2, 1/4NW. Located at the Copper Cliff mine.
Crooked River Fish Isolation
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  Cancelled  N/A  N/A Trisha Giambra
208-253-0100
FS-comments-intermnt-payette@usda.gov 
Description: To protect bull trout in the Crooked River, three barriers are proposed in the river to separate bull trout from non-native brook trout.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65211
Location: UNIT - Council Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Adams, Washington. LEGAL - T18N R3W S33, T17N R3W S5, 6, 7, and 8. Crooked River near No Business Point.
Crooked River Fish Isolation Antenna Array Special Use Permit
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  Completed  Actual: 08/21/2024  08/2024 Clayton Nalder
208-587-7871
clayton.nalder@usda.gov 
Description: Idaho Power has requested a special use permit for antenna array to monitor bull trout as part of the Crooked River Fish Isolation Project.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66560
Location: UNIT - Council Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Adams. LEGAL - T. 18 N., R. 3 W., sec. 33. Located on Crooked River, northwest of Summers Point, off of FS Road 50772.
Crooked River Fish Isolation Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  Completed  Actual: 07/15/2024  07/2024 Trisha Giambra
(208) 253-0100
FS-comments-intermnt-payette@usda.gov 
Description: To protect bull trout in the Crooked River, three barriers are proposed in the river to separate bull trout from non-native brook trout.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65210
Location: UNIT - Council Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Adams, Washington. LEGAL - T18N R3W S33, T17N R3W S5, 6, 7, and 8. Crooked River near No Business Point.
Limestone Range Improvements
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Grazing management  Completed  Actual: 07/01/2024  07/2024 Robert Bumgarner
(208) 253-0100
FS-comments-intermnt-payette@usda.gov 
Description: Maintenance or re-construction of three existing range improvement projects in the Limestone C&H Allotment to provide a clean and reliable water source and to aid in livestock distribution.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63357
Location: UNIT - Council Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Washington. LEGAL - T 15N, R5W, sec. 7, NWSW; T15N, R5W, sec. 7, SWNE; T15N, R5W, sec. 6, SWNE. These projects are located within the Limestone C&H Allotment. The allotment is located West of Cambridge, South of Highway 71 and North of Sturgill Lookout.
Middle Fork Weiser River Range Improvements
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Grazing management  Completed  Actual: 07/22/2024  07/2024 Robert Bumgarner
208-365-7012
FS-comments-intermnt-payette@usda.gov 
Description: Maintenance or re-construction of fourteen existing spring developments within the Council Mountain and Indian Mountain C&H allotments.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61427
Location: UNIT - Council Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Adams. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Township 17 North, Range 2 East, Section 34; T15N, R2E, Sec 2; T16N, R1E, Sec 18, 19.
Morgan Road Access
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Denise Cobb
208-634-0446
FS-comments-intermtn-payette@usda.gov 
Description: Issuance of a special use permit for an existing road for private land access.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63354
Location: UNIT - Council Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Adams. LEGAL - Not Applicable. T18N, R3W, Sec 13, 14.
Spring Creek Campground Trail Bridge Armoring
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/29/2024  		Expected:10/2024
  		10/2024 Jascha Zeitlin
208-253-0100
FS-comments-intermnt-payette@usda.gov 
Description: Floods in 2023 scoured and shifted the Spring Creek channel causing instability to the Spring Creek Campground trail bridges. The proposed action proposes to armor three bridge abutments.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65213
Location: UNIT - Council Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Washington. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Located at the Spring Creek Campground and associated Sleeping Springs Trail.
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Payette National Forest,   Krassel Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Big Creek Work Center Water Systems Upgrade Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Facility management  Completed  Actual: 05/29/2024  07/2024 Samuel Thompson
208-634-0600
FS-comments-intermnt-payette@usda.gov 
Description: The PNF is proposing to upgrade water system infrastructure at the Big Creek Work Center including irrigation systems, water tanks, and stream flow measuring flumes. These upgrades will improve irrigation and provide potable water.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64064
Location: UNIT - Krassel Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - Township 21N, Range 12E, Section 24 Boise Meridian. Project is located at the Payette National Forest Big Creek Work Center and Airfield located along NFS Road 50340.
Buckhorn Creek Bridges
CE
 - Recreation management
- Watershed management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 06/2024  		Expected:09/2024  09/2024 Joshua Simpson
775-289-5129
joshua.simpson@usda.gov 
Description: Replace two trail bridges National Forest System Trails 089 and 094 to facilitate safe and consistent stream crossings for all users.
Location: UNIT - Krassel Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - T19N, R6E, section 30; T18N, R5E, section 1. Trail bridges are located on Nick Creek and the NF Buckhorn Creek on existing two-wheeled motorized trails (NFST 089 and NFST 094).
Cold Meadows Trail #002 Relocation at Crooked Creek
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 08/29/2024  09/2024 Joshua Simpson
775-289-5129
joshua.simpson@usda.gov 
Description: Rereoute a 4.6 mile segment of Cold Meadows Trail (#002) along Crooked Creek to avoid beaver activity.
Location: UNIT - Krassel Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. From the junction of Big Creek Trail at Monumental Bar up Crooked Creek drainage 4.6 miles to just beyond the Snowshoe Mine Area within the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.
East Fork South Fork Restoration and Access Management Plan
EA
 - Recreation management
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 05/07/2024  		Expected:10/2024
  		10/2024 Joshua Simpson
208-634-0616
FS-comments-intermnt-payette@usda.gov 
Description: This project will define the minimum necessary road system and provide motorized vehicle use and dispersed recreation opportunities; and update the Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map accordingly.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60889
Location: UNIT - Krassel Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Idaho, Valley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. East Fork South Fork Salmon River watershed and the Thunder Mountain area in the headwaters of Middle Fork Salmon River east of Monumental Summit.
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Payette National Forest,   McCall Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Granite Goose Landscape Restoration Project
EA
 - Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 01/05/2024  		Expected:12/2024
  		01/2025 Philip Roth
(208) 634-0400
FS-comments-intermnt-payette@usda.gov 
Description: The Granite Goose Landscape Restoration Project is a landscape scale effort to improve conditions across multiple resource areas including vegetation, watersheds, roads, and recreation.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63507
Location: UNIT - McCall Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Adams, Idaho, Valley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. North and east of New Meadows, Idaho and north and west of McCall, Idaho.
Little Ski Hill Parking Expansion
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/01/2024  		Expected:08/2024
  		09/2024 Dennis Benson
907-826-1641
dbenson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Parking lot improve and expansion at Little Ski Hill to accommodate guests.
Location: UNIT - McCall Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Adams. LEGAL - T 18N, R 2E, Section 1. Little Ski Hill ski area. West of State Highway 55 approximately 3 miles north of McCall, Idaho.
Pete Creek Trail (#144) Bridge Replacement
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/01/2024  		Expected:08/2024
  		09/2024 Dennis Benson
907-826-1641
dbenson@fs.fed.us 
Description: Replace a damaged trail bridge on Pete Creek Trail to restore the stream crossing.
Location: UNIT - McCall Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Idaho. LEGAL - T 23N, R 4E, section 26. The trail bridge crossing on Lake Creek is located near the NE termini of Pete Creek Trail #144, accessed from the Bear Pete TRHD off NFSR 1901 off NFSR 246, NW of Burgdorf Campground.
Pony Creek Water Diversion Permit
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/28/2023  		Expected:08/2024
  		08/2024 Denise Cobb
208-634-0446
FS-comments-intermnt-payette@usda.gov 
Description: Issuance of a special use permit for an existing water diversion on Pony Creek.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63124
Location: UNIT - McCall Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - T.21N, R.7E, Section 2. Point of diversion is Pony Creek, near FS Road 340.
South Fork - Main Salmon Private Land Access
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/06/2019  		Expected:10/2024
  		10/2024 Jennifer Blake
2086340401
FS-comments-intermnt-payette@usda.gov 
Description: The Forest proposes to issue special use permits or long term easements for motorized access to private property owners near the confluence of the Main Salmon-South Fork Salmon Rivers with reciprocal easements to the USFS for public access.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=55787
Location: UNIT - McCall Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Idaho. LEGAL - Township 23N, Range 8E, sections 5, 6, 7; Township 24N, Range 8E, sections 29, 32; Idaho County, Idaho . Trail 120/122 from the Mackay Bar Bridge on the Main Salmon River to the private land on the South Fork Salmon River including the South Fork Salmon River Bridge. Public access for Trail 108/126.
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Payette National Forest,   New Meadows Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Brush Creek Holding Pen and Chute
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Grazing management  Completed  Actual: 07/26/2024  07/2024 Shannon Kane
(208) 347-0300
shannon.kane@usda.gov 
Description: The permittee of the Round Valley C&H allotment has proposed to construct a reliable loading and unloading facility that they can use for their permitted livestock.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66465
Location: UNIT - New Meadows Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Adams. LEGAL - 21N 1E, Section 21. Located near the Boulder Creek Road and Brush Creek Road Junction.
Evergreen Pond
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Grazing management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/25/2024  		Expected:10/2024
  		10/2024 Brian McMorris
208-347-0349
FS-comments-intermnt-payette@usda.gov 
Description: Install a pipe in an existing pond that will be used to fill a water tank and build a let down fence to around the pond to exclude livestock.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61929
Location: UNIT - New Meadows Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Adams. LEGAL - T18N, R1W, NE 1/4 of NW 1/4 of Sec. 24. Approximately 10 miles southwest of New Meadows, Idaho.
Fall Creek/Whitebird C&H Allotment Cow Camp Cabin Reestablishment
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Grazing management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/29/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		03/2025 Brian McMorris
(208) 347-0300
FS-comments-intermnt-payette@usda.gov 
Description: The 2018 Rattlesnake Fire burned the cow camp cabin the livestock permittee used for managing livestock in the Fall Creek/Whitebird C&H allotment. The permittee is requesting to reconstruct the original cabin.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65594
Location: UNIT - New Meadows Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Adams. LEGAL - T23N R1 W Section 25. Located north of Pollock Mountain.
Price Valley Work Center Operations Building Construction and Site Upgrades
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Facility management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/25/2024  		Expected:12/2024
  		12/2024 Samuel Thompson
208-634-0715
FS-comments-intermnt-payette@usda.gov 
Description: Construct a new operations building, remove three existing buildings, construct RV pads, and pave the entrance road.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62034
Location: UNIT - New Meadows Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Adams. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project is located at the existing Price Valley Work Center, approximately ten miles northwest of New Meadows, Idaho in Adams County.
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Payette National Forest,   Weiser Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Hercules Exploration Drilling
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  Completed  Actual: 07/02/2024  07/2024 Kathryn Goessel
208-634-0760
kathryn.goessel@usda.gov 
Description: Hercules Silver proposes to drill up to 4 mineral exploration holes at each of 17 sites along existing and temporary roads.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65425
Location: UNIT - Weiser Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Washington. LEGAL - T17N R4W & T16N R4W. 14 miles NW of Cambridge, ID in Brownlee Creek drainage east of Cecil Andrus Wildlife Management Area.
West Pine Brownlee Range Improvements
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Grazing management  Completed  Actual: 09/16/2024  09/2024 Robert Bumgarner
208-365-7012
robert.bumgarner@usda.gov 
Description: Maintenance or re-construction of 25 existing range improvement projects in the West Pine/Brownlee C&H Allotment to provide a clean and reliable water source and to aid in livestock distribution.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63358
Location: UNIT - Weiser Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Washington. LEGAL - Not Applicable. These projects are located on the West Pine Brownlee C&H Allotment. The allotment is located West of Cambridge, South of Highway 71 and North of Sturgill Lookout.
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