Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
04/01/2023 to 06/30/2023
Hiawatha 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, Hiawatha National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Hiawatha National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Hiawatha National Forest,  Munising Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Hiawatha National Forest,  Rapid River Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Hiawatha National Forest,  Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Hiawatha National Forest,  St. Ignace 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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Hiawatha National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Forest-wide Stream Crossing Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 11/2022  		Expected:02/2023  03/2023 Daryl Bingham
906 428 5885
daryl.bingham@usda.gov 
Description: The proposed action is to authorize the repair or replacement of any human-made structure that impedes the natural passage of native and desirable non-native aquatic organisms at any life stage.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61492
Location: UNIT - Hiawatha National Forest All Units. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Mackinac, Saginaw. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Proclamation Boundary, Hiawatha National Forest.
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Hiawatha National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
West Zone Timber Stand Improvement
CE
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)  On Hold  N/A  N/A Laura Brown
906-387-2512
laura.e.brown@usda.gov 
Description: The West Zone of the Hiawatha National Forest proposes timber stand improvement (TSI) activities to meet the desired conditions of a diverse, productive, healthy and sustainable forest resilient to natural and human caused disturbances.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=54162
Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District, Manistique Ranger District, Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Schoolcraft, Alger, Delta. LEGAL - Not Applicable. NFS lands within Alger, Delta, and Schoolcraft counties.
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Hiawatha National Forest,   Munising Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Baldy Shores Outfitting Permit
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/24/2023  		Expected:04/2023
  		06/2023 Brian Hinch
906-367-2447
brian.hinch@usda.gov 
Description: special use permit authorization for offering kayak rentals and transportation for clients to facilitate trips along the Indian River within the Hiawatha National Forest.
Location: UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Along the recreation segment of the Indian Wild and Scenic River. Users will launch and take out from designated launch sites. Dispersed campsites will be used only in case of emergency.
Grand Island Habitat Restoration
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/15/2020  		Expected:01/2023
  		01/2023 Cory Henry
906-387-2512 ex 1039
cory.r.henry@usda.gov 
Description: Utilizing natural and manmade barriers, lakes and roads, prescribe burn 308 acres of the tombolo area and 2 acers of the historic farm field on Grand Island.
Location: UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger. LEGAL - T. 47 N, R. 19 W, Sec; 11, 14, 13, 15. Grand Island NRA.
Grand Island Rim Trail Improvement Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 03/24/2023  06/2023 Brian Hinch
906-367-2447
brian.hinch@usda.gov 
Description: Reconstruct 23 segments of the Rim Trail on Grand Island National Recreation Area to improve resource conditions and public safety.
Location: UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger. LEGAL - Not Applicable. All reconstructed trail segments are along the Rim Trail on Grand Island NRA.
Grand Island Special Use Cabin Relocation Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 02/22/2023  06/2023 Brenda Rebitzke
906-474-6442 ext. 117
brenda.rebitzke@usda.gov 
Description: There is request from the owners and permit holder of special use authorization MUN 209, issued to Gordon Moote located on Grand Island NRA, to relocate their residence, septic and well to prevent falling into Lake Superior.
Location: UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger. LEGAL - T48N, R19W, SECTION 4. West side of Grand Island National Recreation Area. Rec Residence known as the Playboy Club.
North Country Trail Reroute at the Rock River Canyon Wilderness
CE
 - Recreation management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Rebecca Cain
906-387-2512
rebecca.cain@usda.gov 
Description: The North Country Trail Association (NCTA) and Hiawatha National Forest (HIF) recreation staff are proposing to reroute 2 segments of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST).
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57211
Location: UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger. LEGAL - Not Applicable. T47N/R21W, Sec. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 15.
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Hiawatha National Forest,   Rapid 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
Stone Moss Vegetation Management Project
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Road management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Christopher Williams
9064746442
christopher.williams@usda.gov 
Description: The Forest Service is proposing to treat vegetation on approximately 16,000 acres to benefit forest health, to treat hazardous fuels, and to enhance wildlife habitat.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=55809
Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Delta. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Stonington Peninsula, Delta County, MI.
Stonington Seed Orchard
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/02/2020  		Expected:11/2022
  		11/2022 Lucas Langstaff
906-387-2512 ext. 26
lucas.langstaff@usda.gov 
Description: Establishment of a 5 acre seed orchard.
Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Delta. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Stonington Peninsula.
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Hiawatha National Forest,   Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Bay Mills Indian Community Easement Description Correction
CE
 - Land ownership management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/15/2022  		Expected:08/2022
  		08/2022 Daniel Aklufi
307-578-5151
daryl.bingham@usda.gov 
Description: The proposal is to change the right-of-way description to reflect the existing road accurately.
Location: UNIT - Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Chippewa County, Bay Mills Township, immediately adjacent to and to the west of the Bay Mills Indian Community%u2019s West Campus property.
Bay Road Permit
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 03/06/2023  06/2023 Melissa Drake
906-428-5833
Melissa.Drake@usda.gov 
Description: New road construction for access to private property.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61737
Location: UNIT - Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Mackinac. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The proposed road permit location is situated along the Private/Federal land boundary in T. 43 N. R 3 W, S. 12 SW and T. 43 N. R. 3 W., S.13 SE SE SW.
Bay View Lot 6 Amendment
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/12/2022  		Expected:03/2023
  		05/2023 Julia Hall
906-643-7900 ext:132
julia.hall@usda.gov 
Description: Permit holder for Bay View recreation residence tract lot 6 has proposed to add two rooms to their cabin, add a shed to their lot, change the concrete walkways to a Trex material, and reside, reroof, and replace all the windows in the cabin.
Location: UNIT - Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa, Mackinac. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Chippewa County, Michigan, about 15 miles west of Brimley on Lakeshore Drive, center of Section 23, T 47 N, R 4 W.
Cranson and Drogowski Private Road Permits
CE
 - Special use management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/03/2021  		Expected:04/2022
  		05/2022 Julia Hall
906-298-8124
julia.hall@usda.gov 
Description: Mr. Cranson is proposing to build about 100 long driveway. Mr. Drogowski is proposing to build about half mile long driveway. Both driveways would cross National Forest and could include use of gravel and heavy equipment.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60741
Location: UNIT - Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Mr. Cranson's driveway request is along the Wilwin Road, and Mr. Drogowski's driveway request is along FR3511.
DNR Access Road to State Timber Sale Off Wilwin Road
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/01/2022  		Expected:03/2023
  		04/2023 Todd Kenyon
906-643-7900x141
todd.kenyon@usda.gov 
Description: Permit issuance to the State of Michigan for the construction of a temporary access road.
Location: UNIT - Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The NW ? of the SW ? of Section 30, T45N, R6W.
Merit Network, Inc. Highway M-28 Buried Fiber Optic Installation
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/09/2022  		Expected:04/2022
  		05/2022 Daniel Aklufi
906-428-5827
daniel.aklufi@usda.gov 
Description: Bury approximately 14 miles of fiber optic cable within the north shoulder of Highway M-28, within the highway right-of-way. The fiber optic cable would extend the entire length of M-28 on the East Zone of the Hiawatha National Forest.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61591
Location: UNIT - Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The north shoulder of Highway M-28, within the highway right-of-way, within the East Zone Hiawatha National Forest Boundary.
Road Permit Batterbee
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/19/2022  		Expected:11/2022
  		11/2022 Melissa Drake
906-428-5833
Melissa.Drake@usda.gov 
Description: Vehicular access on FR 3113J and construction of a new road to the edge of private property that will serve as a driveway. The driveway will be gated at FR 3113J. Applicant's property is surrounded by National Forest System lands.
Location: UNIT - Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa. LEGAL - T. 43 N., R. 3 W., Sections 4 and 9. The permit area is located west off of FR 3113 on FR 3113J to the new driveway.
Soldier Lake Hazard tree and Sustainability Harvest
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/31/2023  		Expected:03/2023
  		05/2023 Julia Hall
906-643-7900 ext:132
julia.hall@usda.gov 
Description: Timber harvest in Soldier Lake recreation area that would remove dead and dying trees and thin remaining trees. Harvest area would include the road into the Soldier Lake recreation area.
Location: UNIT - Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa. LEGAL - Not Applicable. SE quarter of Section 25, T46N, R5W, and SW quarter of Section 30, T46N, R4W, Chippewa County, mostly in Chippewa township but also in Superior Township. 46.452438, -84.771855.
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Hiawatha National Forest,   St. Ignace Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Lake Huron Boat Launch Decommissioning Project
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/09/2022  		Expected:08/2022
  		08/2022 Todd Kenyon
906-643-7900x141
todd.kenyon@usda.gov 
Description: THis project proposes to decommission the Lake Huron boat launch by removing the existing break walls and concrete pads and allowing wind and wave action to return the site to its natural state
Location: UNIT - St. Ignace Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Mackinac. LEGAL - Not Applicable. St Ignace County Michigan.
Sault and St. Ignace Districts Vault Toilet Replacement
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management
- Facility management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/08/2022  		Expected:03/2023
  		05/2023 Julia Hall
906-643-7900 ext:132
julia.hall@usda.gov 
Description: Replace all vault toilet buildings that are stick built with concrete style vault toilet buildings on the Sault Ste. Marie and St. Ignace Districts.
Location: UNIT - St. Ignace Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa, Mackinac. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Sault Ste. Marie and St. Ignace Ranger Districts in Chippewa and Mackinac counties of Michigan.
Straits Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 Completed  Actual: 12/07/2022  03/2023 Lyndella Hyslop
906-643-7900
lyndella.hyslop@usda.gov 
Description: Manage natural resources to restore ecological conditions, and meet Forest Plan vegetation composition goals.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59290
Location: UNIT - St. Ignace Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa, Mackinac. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area is west of Hessel, east of Brevort, and north of Lakes Michigan and Huron, and includes Government Island.
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