Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
04/01/2022 to 06/30/2022
Ottawa 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, Ottawa National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Ottawa National Forest,  Bergland Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Ottawa National Forest,  Iron River Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Ottawa National Forest,  Kenton Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Ottawa National Forest,  Ontonagon 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:
NOI in Federal Register 08/08/2020
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/2022  		Expected:06/2022
  		07/2022 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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Ottawa National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
2022 N. Zone New Special Use Permits
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 04/2022  		Expected:09/2022  09/2022 Shawn Brown
906-285-6913
shawn.brown@usda.gov 
Description: Motorized Access to private property.
Location: UNIT - Bergland Ranger District, Ontonagon Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Houghton, Ontonagon. LEGAL - T48NR40W SENE 1/4, NWNE 1/4 Sect 31,T49NR41W Sect18 NW1/4 NWNE, T49NRR41W Sect 2 SENE. T50NR36W Section 23 SESE SWSE SESW NWSW, and T50N R37W Section 29 S1/2SW Section 32 NWNW. Berland and Ontonagon Districts.
Baraga II Vegetation Management Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Heritage resource management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management
- Climate Change Adaption 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/16/2021
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 04/2022  		Expected:08/2022
  		09/2022 Christopher Kovala
906-852-3500
christopherskovala@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Baraga II VMP includes approximately 21,674 acres within Baraga, Houghton, Ontonagon, and Iron Counties, Michigan. Approximately 865 of these acres are comprised of jack pine stands located outside of the primary project area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60519
Location: UNIT - Kenton Ranger District, Ontonagon Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Baraga, Houghton, Iron, Ontonagon. LEGAL - T48N,R35W,S1-3,10-15,22-24,26-27;T49N,R35W,1-3,10-15,22-26,35-36;T50N,R35W 13,23-26,34-36;T47N,R35W,19,30-31;T47N,R37W,2-3;T48N,R35W,S7-8,16-21;T48N, R36W,5-6,8,17;T48N,R37W,1,8-9,16-20,22,29-3, etc. The Baraga II VMP is located within Baraga, Houghton, Ontonagon, and Iron Counties, Michigan. Iron and Ontonagon counties only include scattered jack pine stands outside of the primary project area.
Sun Lake Vegetation Management Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Minerals and Geology
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 02/04/2022  		Expected:03/2022
  		04/2022 Christine Makuck
906-358-4032
christine.makuck@usda.gov 
Description: Project proposal includes activities associated with vegetation management, wildlife habitat, fire and fuels, old growth classification, aquatic resource, transportation system, designated public motorized access and non-motorized trails, and gravel.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59508
Location: UNIT - Iron River Ranger District, Watersmeet Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Gogebic, Iron. LEGAL - T43N, R39W Sec 1-5; T44N, R37W Sec 3-9, 17-19; T44N, R38W Sec 1-36; T44N, R39W Sec 1-36; T44N, R40W Sec 2-4; T45N, R37W Sec 15-24, 26-34; T45N, R38W Sec 7, 8, 13-36; T45N, R39W Sec 13, 14, 19-36;T45N, R 40W Sec 13, 21-28, 33-36. The project area is in the vicinity of Watersmeet, Michigan.
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Ottawa National Forest,   Bergland Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Bergland New Use - FR696,696-C
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 10/18/2021  11/2021 Shawn Brown
906-285-6913
spbrown@fs.fed.us 
Description: Access is requested to utilize Forest system and non-system travelways to their private land.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=51754
Location: UNIT - Bergland Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Ontonagon. LEGAL - T50N, R40W, Sections 3, 4, 9, 10, 16. Approximately 8 miles south of Ontonagon on Norwich Road, then 6 miles east on Forest Road 690, to 696, then 696-C north into the NWNW corner of Section 3.
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Ottawa National Forest,   Iron River Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
2130 M Trail Association - Special use road request
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 03/06/2020  		Expected:04/2022
  		05/2022 Michelle Holland
906-358-4021
mholland@fs.fed.us 
Description: proposal for a special use road permit that covers Forest Road 2130-M for use and maintenance to access private property. Approximately 0.45 miles of road.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57237
Location: UNIT - Iron River Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Iron. LEGAL - T46N, R35W, Sec. 26, SWSW, SESW. Forest Road 2130-M on the east side of Perch Lake.
Iron River New Use - FR3460
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 12/30/2021  03/2022 Michelle Holland
906-358-4021
mholland@fs.fed.us 
Description: The proposal is to issue a long-term special use permit to landowners for use and maintenance of FR 3460 and other existing roads approx. 0.83 miles in length on NFS lands in order to access private property.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50897
Location: UNIT - Iron River Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Iron. LEGAL - T44N, R36W, Sec. 1, SESE, SENW; Sec. 12, N1/2NW and T44N, R35W, Sec. 6, SESW. Project is located off of CR 657, approx. 2 miles west of its intersection with Gibbs City Road.
Iron River New Uses - FR2184 and 4020
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 12/30/2021  03/2022 Michelle Holland
906-358-4021
mholland@fs.fed.us 
Description: The proposal is to issue special use permits on Federal roads for landowner use to access private land.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50361
Location: UNIT - Iron River Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Iron. LEGAL - T44N, R37W, Sec 9 and 10; T45N, R35W, Sec 25 and 26. Forest Roads 2184, 4020 and 4020-A.
Iron River New Uses - FR3409 and 3212
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 12/30/2021  03/2022 Michelle Holland
906-358-4021
mholland@fs.fed.us 
Description: The proposal is to issue three special use permits on Federal roads for landowner use to access private land.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=47267
Location: UNIT - Iron River Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Iron. LEGAL - T43N, R37W, Sec. 10; T45N, R36W, Sec. 8. Forest Roads 3212, 3409, and 3476 on the Iron River District.
Mallard Lake, South 3340
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 12/30/2021  03/2022 Michelle Holland
906-358-4021
mholland@fs.fed.us 
Description: The proposal is to issue a special use permit for existing roads, in order to access private land.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50348
Location: UNIT - Iron River Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Iron. LEGAL - T45N, R37W, Sec. 21. Non-system roads on the south side of FR 3340, approx. 1.5 miles west of FH16.
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Ottawa National Forest,   Kenton Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Tepee Lake Vegetation Management Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Minerals and Geology
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 03/18/2022  		Expected:05/2022
  		06/2022 Christopher Kovala
906-852-3500
christopherskovala@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Tepee Lake VMP is located on the Kenton and Iron River Ranger Districts, in Houghton, Iron, and Ontonagon Counties, Michigan. The project area includes approximately 45,940 acres, of which about 33,021 acres are National Forest System lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59634
Location: UNIT - Kenton Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Houghton, Iron, Ontonagon. LEGAL - T47N, R37W, Sec 13-14, 24-28, 32-36; T45N, R36W Sec 5-7; T45N, R37W Sec 1-4, 10-15; T46N, R38W Sec 10-15, 24; T46N, R37W Sec 1-27, 33-36; T46N, R36W Sec 3-10, 15-22 and 27-34. The Tepee Lake VMP is located on the Kenton and Iron River Ranger Districts, in Houghton, Iron, and Ontonagon Counties, Michigan.
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Ottawa National Forest,   Ontonagon Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Hash Creek Special Use Permit Proposal
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 04/2022  		Expected:07/2022  08/2022 Christine Makuck
906-358-4032
christine.makuck@usda.gov 
Description: Vehicle access on an existing non-system road for approximately 0.61 miles (3,220ft. or 1.49 acres). Access will require brushing and tree removal for 0.19 miles of road construction to avoid sensitive soils and hydrological features.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61064
Location: UNIT - Ontonagon Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Ontonagon. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Access is located in T49N R38W Section 3, Ontonagon County, MI.
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