Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
04/01/2025 to 06/30/2025
Huron-Manistee 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
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Huron-Manistee National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Huron-Manistee National Forest,  Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Huron-Manistee National Forest,  Cadillac/Manistee Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Huron-Manistee National Forest,  Huron Shores Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Huron-Manistee National Forest,  Mio 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

           *UPDATED* 		- Land management planning  Cancelled  N/A  N/A 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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Huron-Manistee National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Kirtland's Warbler Habitat Management Plan
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 04/24/2023  		Expected:04/2025
  		05/2025 Eric Oneil
989-739-0728
comments-eastern-huron-manistee-huron-shores@usda.gov 
Description: The goal of this project is to determine a 15-year Kirtland's Warbler (KW) habitat management plan that will provide clearance for the Forest Service required 1,211-acre per year goal to create KW habitat accounting for site suitability.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63976
Location: UNIT - Huron Shores Ranger District, Mio Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alcona, Crawford, Iosco, Oscoda. LEGAL - 26N05E, 26N04E, 26N03E, 25N01E, 24N07E, 23N07E, 25N03E, 25N07E, 25N02E, 26N02W, 26N01E, 25N01W, 25N04E, 24N06E, and 23N06E. The project blocks are dispersed between the Huron Shores and Mio districts on designated KW Essential Habitat.
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Huron-Manistee National Forest,   Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
ITC Permit Amendment Grant Township, Oceana County
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/30/2024  		Expected:03/2025
  		04/2025 Grace Taranko
231-233-7752
Grace.Taranko@usda.gov 
Description: Michigan Electric Transmission Company (ITC) is requesting an amendment to add an already constructed transmission line to their existing authorization. The line has pre-existing rights, but was never added to the previous authorization.
Location: UNIT - Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Oceana. LEGAL - T13N, R17W, Section 34. Grant Township, Oceana County.
Biewer Temporary Road Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 12/04/2024  12/2024 Dylan Sliter
231-745-5855
Dylan.Sliter@usda.gov 
Description: Consumer's Energy has proposed using NFS lands to access their property for logging. The road would be about 1,584' long and 10-12' wide and is already established as an unauthorized trail. It will require tree trimming and minor vegetation removal.
Location: UNIT - Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Mecosta. LEGAL - T14N, R10W, Section 16. Mecosta County, Michigan.
Callen, Langlois, Bell Association Access and Gate
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 01/08/2025  01/2025 Dylan Sliter
231-745-5855
Dylan.Sliter@usda.gov 
Description: The Callen, Langlois, Bell Association has requested that a permit be issued to authorize the use and maintenance of an existing non-system road to access private properties year-round.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67081
Location: UNIT - Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Newaygo. LEGAL - T14N, R12W, Section 25. Off North Pine Avenue, Wilcox Township, Newaygo County.
Consumer's Energy Amendment 23
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 01/08/2025  01/2025 Dylan Sliter
231-745-5855
Dylan.Sliter@usda.gov 
Description: The addition of three underground powerlines as well as a switch cabinet at one of the sites on NFS lands. Only one of the areas would require the removal of 3-4 small trees.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66399
Location: UNIT - Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Newaygo, Oceana. LEGAL - T13N, R16W, Sec 32, Otto Township, Oceana County; T12N, R12W, Sc. 28 and 34, Brooks Township, Newaygo County. Otto Township, Oceana County and Brooks Township, Newaygo County, Michigan.
Kieser Access Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 03/2025  		Expected:04/2025  04/2025 Dylan Sliter
231-745-5855
Dylan.Sliter@usda.gov 
Description: Use and maintenance of Forest Road 6189, in total approximately 4,240 ft long X 12 ft Wide. Activities include grading, adding gravel, and snow plowing. Ground Disturbance limited to existing roadbed. No tree removal proposed.
Location: UNIT - Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Lake. LEGAL - T17N, R12W, Sections 14 and 23. Yates Township, Lake County.
MDOT Roadside Park Improvements - Baldwin-White Cloud District
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/06/2024  		Expected:03/2025
  		04/2025 Colette Boothman
231-745-5849
Colette.Boothman@usda.gov 
Description: The vault bathrooms are in need of replacement and upgrade. MDOT proposes replacement of all vault restrooms at their roadside parks. Three of their roadside parks fall on Forest Service property and have been maintained by MDOT in the past.
Location: UNIT - Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Lake, Newaygo. LEGAL - Not Applicable. 3 Locations: US10 west of M37 intersection; US10 east of Baldwin; and, M37 between White Cloud and Newaygo.
Marten Habitat Improvement Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 04/2025  		Expected:05/2025  06/2025 Morgan Smith
231-745-5863
morgan.smith3@usda.gov 
Description: Improving American marten habitat using: underplanting; browse control to protect plantings; mechanical mastication; cutting/piling of competing vegetation; girdling/felling, snag creation, and hardwood release; and, install roost and den structures.
Location: UNIT - Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Lake. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The location of this project is in the core habitat of the American Marten and adjacent stands along the Pere Marquette River corridor and the US-10 corridor within Lake County.
North Country Trail Reroutes Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 01/23/2025  04/2025 Steven Sawyer
231-745-5851
Steven.Sawyer@usda.gov 
Description: The project would reroute five sections of the North Country Trail during the 2024 field season. Reroutes would provide a higher quality, safer, and more sustainable hiking experience by moving the trail and using a more sustainable design.
Location: UNIT - Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Newaygo. LEGAL - T13N,R12W,Sec 32; T13N,R13W,Sec 2; T14N,R13W,Sec 26; T15N,R13W,Sec 35; T15N,R13W,Sec 6. Basswood/M37; Echo Drive; Cole Creek; 6 Mile Road; Nichols Lake.
North M20 Snowmobile Trail Re-route Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 01/24/2025  04/2025 Steven Sawyer
231-745-5851
Steven.Sawyer@usda.gov 
Description: This purpose of this project is to reroute 1 section of snowmobile trail before the 2024 riding season and includes the North M20 re-route. Two illegal roads and the old trail will be closed by berms and signed closed to motorized use.
Location: UNIT - Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Oceana. LEGAL - T14N R17W Section 25. Shelby Township, Oceana County, Michigan.
Otto-Grant Road and Recreation Improvement Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Road management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 04/2025  		Expected:09/2025  09/2025 Dave Jaunese
231-745-4631 Ext. 3122
David.Jaunese@usda.gov 
Description: FS lands in Otto-White River area have been heavily impacted from illegal offroading and extensive camping use. The road system would be managed by redesignating use, road closures, moving roads to a more sustainable route, and designating campsites.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59717
Location: UNIT - Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Oceana. LEGAL - T13N, R17W, Sections 9-16, 21-28, and 33-36; T13N, R16W, Sections 7-36. The project area is in Grant and Otto Townships of Oceana County. The project area is bounded by Arthur Road (north), 160th Avenue (east), Skeels Road (south), and Oceana Road (west).
Sweetwater Rainbow Parking Expansion
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Facility management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/19/2024  		Expected:04/2025
  		04/2025 Colette Boothman
231-745-5849
Colette.Boothman@usda.gov 
Description: Sweetwater Trail System: the current parking area will expand outward by removing brush and trees. Rainbow Rapids: dead trees will be cleared within the recreation site and parking will be expanded west.
Location: UNIT - Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Lake. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Sweetwater activities will take place at the Sweetwater Non-motorized Winter Trail System and the Rainbow Rapids Boat Launch Access parking lots.
We Want the Land Coalition Access and Gate
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 01/31/2025  02/2025 Dylan Sliter
231-745-5855
Dylan.Sliter@usda.gov 
Description: We Want the Land Coalition, LLC has requested that a permit be issued to authorize the use and maintenance of a closed forest road to access private property year-round.
Location: UNIT - Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Oceana. LEGAL - T16N, R16W, Section 1. Off of 156th Avenue, Crystal Township, Oceana County.
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Huron-Manistee National Forest,   Cadillac/Manistee Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Consumer's Energy Slagle Township Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/21/2024  		Expected:03/2025
  		04/2025 Andrea Tavegia
231-775-2421 x8764
andrea.b.tavegia@usda.gov 
Description: Consumers Energy is proposing to install a new buried electrical line to bring service to a private property. It will be located on the east shoulder of the road, approximately 40 to 50 feet from the centerline.
Location: UNIT - Cadillac/Manistee Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Wexford. LEGAL - T22N, R12W, Sec 1. East shoulder of 13 Road, just north of the intersection of 28 1/2 Road, north of Harrietta.
M&M Trail Improvements Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/24/2024  		Expected:03/2025
  		04/2025 Reese Borlin
231-848-7090 x 5553115
Reese.Borlin@usda.gov 
Description: The Cadillac/Manistee Ranger District, in collaboration with partner organizations, propose a series of improvements to two non-motorized trail systems: the MacKenzie Trail and Big M.
Location: UNIT - Cadillac/Manistee Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Wexford, Manistee. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Mackenzie Trail is located just northwest of Caberfae ski area, Wexford County. Big M trail is located off of M55 between Manistee and Wellston, Manistee County, Michigan.
MacKenzie Groomer Barn Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 10/04/2024  10/2024 Reese Borlin
231-848-7090 x 5553115
Reese.Borlin@usda.gov 
Description: The Friends of MacKenzie recreation organization will work with the USFS to build a 16' by 25' barn to store machinery used to groom and maintain the MacKenzie trails. The prefab shed would be placed on the gravel parking lot of the recreation site.
Location: UNIT - Cadillac/Manistee Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Wexford. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project will be located in the parking lot of the MacKenzie Cross-Country and Mountain Bike Trail recreation area.
Manistee West Fuelbreak Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Fuels management  Completed  Actual: 03/17/2025  04/2025 Mark Herberger
231-723-2211
mark.herberger@usda.gov 
Description: The primary purpose of the Manistee West Fuelbreak Project is to establish and maintain fuelbreaks along existing features to reduce long-term wildfire risk to private property and reduce the risk of high-intensity wildfires.
Location: UNIT - Cadillac/Manistee Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Wexford, Lake, Manistee. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Various locations throughout Manistee, Lake, and Wexford Counties.
Nighthawk Wildlife Habitat Management Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/20/2025  		Expected:04/2025
  		05/2025 Patrick Laarman
231-723-2211 ext. 3138
patrick.b.laarman@usda.gov 
Description: Objectives are to maintain and improve the condition of existing ecological remnants, provide resiliency for plant and animal populations, provide habitat for threatened or endangered species, and provide new opportunities for forest users.
Location: UNIT - Cadillac/Manistee Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Manistee, Mason. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Throughout southern Manistee and northern Mason Counties, Michigan.
Sawdust Hole North Country Trail Reroute Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 10/15/2024  10/2024 Reese Borlin
231-848-7090 x 5553115
Reese.Borlin@usda.gov 
Description: The Cadillac/Manistee Ranger District, in partnership with the North Country Trail Association, proposes to reroute 4 sections of the North Country National Scenic Trail located west of the Sawdust Hole river access site.
Location: UNIT - Cadillac/Manistee Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Manistee. LEGAL - T22N, R14W, Sec 26. West of the Sawdust Hole river access site.
Wallner Access And Gate Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 04/2025  		Expected:04/2025  05/2025 Dylan Sliter
231-745-5855
Dylan.Sliter@usda.gov 
Description: Landowner has requested a permit to authorize the use and maintenance of an existing non-system road accessing his private property, and will perform regular road maintenance activities as approved in an operating plan.
Location: UNIT - Cadillac/Manistee Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Mason. LEGAL - T20N, R15W, Section 34. Meade Township, Mason County.
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Huron-Manistee National Forest,   Huron Shores Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Pine River Branches Project
EA
 - Special area management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Benjamin Daly
989 739 0728
comments-eastern-huron-manistee-huron-shores@usda.gov 
Description: Managing timber resources, maintaining early successional wildlife habitat (forest openings and alder), reducing wildfire potential through prescribed fire and hazardous fuelbreak management, suppressing or eliminating non-native plants.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62959
Location: UNIT - Huron Shores Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alcona. LEGAL - 26N06E, Sec 13-15, 21-28, 34-36; 26N07E, Sec 1, 2,11-24; 26N08E, Sec 4-9, 16-18; 27N07E, Sec 35, 36; 27N08E, Sec 30-33. Hawes, Gustin, and Millen Townships of Alcona County, Michigan.
Pine River Channel Restoration Project
CE
 - Watershed management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/04/2022  		Expected:07/2025
  		07/2025 Luca Adelfio
907-424-4753
luca.adelfio@usda.gov 
Description: Removal of unneeded mid-channel concrete structures blocking fish passage, reducing habitat quality, and damaging a hiking trail.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62629
Location: UNIT - Huron Shores Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alcona. LEGAL - Township 25N, Range 7E, Section 16. The project is located at the Pine River Recreation Area and Campground along the South Branch of the Pine River near Glennie in Millen Township.
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Huron-Manistee National Forest,   Mio Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
2023 Mio Ranger District Openings Maintenance Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/07/2023  		Expected:01/2025
  		01/2025 Greyling Brandt
218-663-8084
greyling.brandt@usda.gov 
Description: We are proposing to maintain open and/or early successional habitat conditions in approximately 5,050 acres of established wildlife openings.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63936
Location: UNIT - Mio Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alcona, Crawford, Ogemaw, Oscoda. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Mio Ranger District.
2024 Union Corners Project
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/18/2024
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 09/2025  		Expected:01/2026
  		01/2026 Karlis Lazda
989-826-3252
karlis.lazda@usda.gov 
Description: This projects proposed actions address needs for reducing wildfire potential, managing timber resources, providing for Kirtland warbler breeding habitat, forest openings for wildlife, suppressing NNIS, managing old growth, and road maintenance.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66914
Location: UNIT - Mio Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Oscoda. LEGAL - Township Range will be T26N R1E S36; T26N R2E S31; T25N R1E S1,12,36; T25N R2E S1-5,7,10-16,18,2125,27-29,32-24. The project is southwest of Mio and southeast of Luzerne.
Consumers Energy Indian Lake Road Special Use Permit
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/16/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		01/2025 Katie Racey
231-745-4631 ex 3138
katie.racey@usda.gov 
Description: Consumers Energy wishes to install a buried electrical line and associated fiberglass cabinets just outside the existing right-of-way of Forest Roads 4880 and 4877 to provide new electrical service to a private property.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65660
Location: UNIT - Mio Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Oscoda. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Section 8 of T27N R4E, Oscoda county.
Red Creek Project
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Road management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Karlis Lazda
989-826-3252
karlis.lazda@usda.gov 
Description: Proposed actions include reducing wildfire potential, managing timber resources, providing for Kirtlands warbler breeding habitat, maintaining early successional wildlife habitat, suppressing non-native plant species infestations, and road management
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62753
Location: UNIT - Mio Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Crawford, Oscoda. LEGAL - Oscoda County-T25 N, R1 E, S4 thru 8,10,11,and 15.T26N R1E, S1 thru 3,10 thru23,and 26thru 34.T25N, R2E, S5 thru 8,and 18. Crawford County - T25N, R1W,S1, 2, 3, 9 thru 14, 24, 25, and 34 thru 36. The proposed actions are located on National Forest System lands in Big Creek Township in Oscoda County and South Branch Township in Crawford County, Michigan.
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