Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2024 to 03/31/2024
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,  Bessemer 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)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Ottawa National Forest,  Watersmeet 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

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Land management planning  Developing Proposal
Est. NOI in Federal Register 12/2023  		Expected:01/2025  01/2025 Jennifer Ruyle
520-388-8351
jennifer.mcrae@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.
Nationwide Aerial Application of Fire Retardant on National Forest System Land.
EIS
 - Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/11/2022
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/2023  		Expected:09/2023
  		01/2024 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
Grosbeck Vegetation Management Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Regulations, Directives, Orders
- 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:
Scoping Start 10/23/2023
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 02/2024  		Expected:07/2024
  		08/2024 Christopher Kovala
906-852-3500
christopher.kovala@usda.gov 
Description: This project proposes to address gaps between the existing conditions and the range of desired conditions described in the Forest Plan through a variety of proposed activities, including vegetation management, hazardous fuel reduction and others.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63842
Location: UNIT - Bessemer Ranger District, Watersmeet Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Gogebic. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area is located between the towns of Marenisco and Watersmeet, Michigan, north of the Michigan-Wisconsin state boundary and mostly south of US Highway 2.
Merit/AEG Fiber Optic Special Use
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/01/2023  		Expected:01/2024
  		02/2024 Michelle Holland
906-358-4021
michelle.m.holland@usda.gov 
Description: Installation of buried fiber optic line in the cleared ROW of existing road corridors, to deliver high-speed internet to rural areas. General project areas include Iron River, Watersmeet, Bergland, Wakefield, and north Bessemer.
Location: UNIT - Bergland Ranger District, Bessemer Ranger District, Iron River Ranger District, Watersmeet Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Iron. LEGAL - Not Applicable. General project areas include Iron River, Watersmeet, Bergland, Wakefield, and north Bessemer.
UP Telephone Company Special Use Permit Re-Issue to maintain and operate Copper and Fiber Lines
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2023  		Expected:01/2024  02/2024 Shawn Brown
906-358-4020
shawn.brown@usda.gov 
Description: Operate and Maintain buried copper telephone line and buried Fiber Optic cable. The Project area is located in/near roadways in a 10 feet wide right-of-way.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64117
Location: UNIT - Bessemer Ranger District, Watersmeet Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Gogebic, Ontonagon. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Located across the Bessemer and Watersmeet Ranger Districts within road right-of-ways.
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Ottawa National Forest,   Bessemer Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Voyager Quad Chairlift Removal
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Special use management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/31/2023  		Expected:01/2024
  		02/2024 Randi Ellsworth
906-358-4008
randi.ellsworth@usda.gov 
Description: Removal of ski lift portion on National Forest System Lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64783
Location: UNIT - Bessemer Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Gogebic. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Gogebic County.
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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
 - 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.
Silver Creek Bridge Kenton Snowmobile Trail Reroute
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 11/09/2023  11/2023 Teresa Maday
906-932-1330
teresa.maday@usda.gov 
Description: This project will reroute a section of the snowmobile trail so as to avoid the silver creek trail bridge which was found to be unsafe during a recent bridge inspection.
Location: UNIT - Iron River Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Gogebic. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Iron River District.
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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
2024 Glitter Lake Special Use Proposal Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/01/2023  		Expected:12/2023
  		01/2024 Shawn Brown
906-366-0076
shawn.brown@usda.gov 
Description: Use and maintain Forest Service Roads to access private property.
Location: UNIT - Kenton Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Houghton. LEGAL - Not Applicable. T47N, R36W, Section 30, FR 3663 and FR 3662-A.
Lake Superior Performance Rally Special Use Permit Reauthorization Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Special use management 		 Completed  Actual: 12/20/2023  10/2024 Amanda Stear
906-884-2085 x8842016
Amanda.Stear@usda.gov 
Description: The Ottawa is proposing to authorize use of approximately 89 miles of road under federal jurisdiction for the next ten year period of the Lake Superior Performance Rally, an annual, one-night motorized recreational event.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64133
Location: UNIT - Kenton Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Baraga, Houghton, Iron, Ontonagon. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area is located on roads designated for motorized use on the Kenton and Ontonagon Ranger Districts.
Upper Dam Removal and Restoration
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Watershed management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/01/2023  		Expected:03/2024
  		05/2025 Ryan Beatty
906-285-6897
Ryan.Beatty@usda.gov 
Description: Upper dam is located on the East Branch Ontonagon River. Upper dam consists of old timber, metal pipes, as well as tree material placed by beavers. This project proposes to remove the dam to restore the area to natural conditions and allow for
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65278
Location: UNIT - Kenton Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Houghton. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Kenton Ranger District.
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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
2023 American Transmission Company Maintenance Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Special use management 		 Completed  Actual: 07/11/2023
07/11/2023  		02/2024 Shawn Brown
906-366-0076
shawn.brown@usda.gov 
Description: Project 1: Remove two wooden structures and wire guidewires and replace with steel towers. Project 2: Vegetation Maintenance project by expanding the clearing within their right-of-way to 100 feet. Approximately 5 acres of timber will be removed.
Location: UNIT - Ontonagon Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Ontonagon. LEGAL - T50N, R38W, Section 16, NENESW, SENESW, E1/2SESW, Section 21, NWNESE, SENESW, E1/2SWSW, Section 28, W1/2NWNW, Ontonagon County, Michigan. Along transmission lines coming from Victoria Power Plant and up to and across the Victoria Dam Road to Tower 5. Project is west of the town of Rockland, MI.
Courtney Lake trail improvement project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/27/2023  		Expected:01/2024
  		06/2024 Austin Walworth
906-852-3500 x85240
austin.walworth@usda.gov 
Description: Creation of an additional trailhead and new trail segment to better accommodate users, equestrian and others, of the multi-use trail system associated with the Courtney Lake campground.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64547
Location: UNIT - Ontonagon Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Ontonagon. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Ontonagon District Courtney Lake Campground.
Hash Creek Special Use Permit Proposal
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 12/05/2023  01/2024 Marlanea French pombier
906-285-6893
marlanea.french-pombier@usda.gov 
Description: Vehicle access on an existing non-system road for approximately 0.61 miles (3,220ft or 1.49 acres). Access requires brushing and tree removal for 0.19 miles of road construction (Plan amendment) 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.
North Country Trail Lookout Mountain Segment Reroute
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/15/2023  		Expected:01/2024
  		10/2024 Amber Tembreull
906-884-2085
Amber.Tembreull@usda.gov 
Description: Construct new North Country Trail (NCT) segment accessing Lookout Mountain on the Ottawa National Forest which will reconnect to rerouted NCT segment on adjacent private land.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64359
Location: UNIT - Ontonagon Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Ontonagon. LEGAL - Not Applicable. North Country Trail, Lookout Mountain overlooking Victoria Reservoir.
North Victoria Vegetation Management Project
EA
 - Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/16/2023
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 04/2023  		Expected:02/2024
  		05/2024 Christopher Kovala
906-852-3500
christopher.kovala@usda.gov 
Description: This project includes vegetation and old growth management, transportation system modifications, and recreation and wildlife improvements on the Ontonagon Ranger District.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63753
Location: UNIT - Ontonagon Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Ontonagon. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The North Victoria VMP is located in the Bergland and Ontonagon Ranger Districts, in Ontonagon County, Michigan. The project area is approximately 5 miles west of Rockland, Michigan.
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Ottawa National Forest,   Watersmeet Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
2024 American Transmission Company Utility Pole Maintenance Project
CE
 - Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 09/2023  		Expected:11/2023  11/2023 Shawn Brown
906-366-0076
shawn.brown@usda.gov 
Description: Two part project, motor vehicle access to American Transmission permitted right-of-way in order to replace two wooden Utility Poles. This project is located in two locations.
Location: UNIT - Watersmeet Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Gogebic. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Location 1: T44N, R39W, S1/2SW, Section 33. Location 2: T45N, R39W, SENE, SESE, Section 4.
Bluff Creek Restoration Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Watershed management  Completed  Actual: 11/09/2023  04/2024 Amanda Stear
906-884-2085 x8842016
Amanda.Stear@usda.gov 
Description: The goals of the proposed project are to restore channel processes to a 2,000 linear foot stretch of Bluff Creek and enable fish passage through the Choate Road crossing and into the upstream reaches of Bluff Creek and its tributaries.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64128
Location: UNIT - Watersmeet Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Ontonagon. LEGAL - Section 1, T46N, R40W, and Section 6, T46N, R39W. It is located at the intersection of Bluff Creek and Choate Road in Ontonagon County, Michigan.
J.W. Toumey Nursery Modernization Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Facility management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/12/2023  		Expected:02/2024
  		06/2024 Amanda Stear
906-884-2085 x8842016
Amanda.Stear@usda.gov 
Description: The purpose of this project is to modernize the JW Toumey Nursery to meet the reforestation and restoration demands of the 21st Century associated with climate change response, tribal food sovereignty, and watershed protection.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64272
Location: UNIT - Watersmeet Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Gogebic. LEGAL - Not Applicable. J.W. Toumey Nursery is located within Sections 22 & 27 of Township 45N, Range 39W in Watersmeet, MI in Gogebic County, 1.5 miles NE of the intersection of US-2 and US-45, on Old US-2.
Watersmeet Wild Rice Access Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Regulations, Directives, Orders
- Heritage resource management
- Road management
- Environmental Justice 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/01/2023  		Expected:01/2024
  		05/2024 Mitchell Ives
906-884-2085 ex. 8842038
mitchell.ives@usda.gov 
Description: Construction and reconstruction of roads, trails, a board walk and canoe access points to improve tribal access to wild rice resources in four spots on the Watersmeet district.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63625
Location: UNIT - Watersmeet Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Gogebic. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Brush Lake, Mallard Lake, Sucker Lake and The Middle Branch of the Ontonagon River are all located in Watersmeet Township in Gogebic County Michigan.
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