Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2024 to 03/31/2024
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,  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
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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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 10/2023  		Expected:12/2023  09/2024 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.
Merit-Highline Fiber Optic Proposal 2023 Implementation
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 11/21/2023  12/2023 Daryl Bingham
907-228-4114
daryl.bingham@usda.gov 
Description: Provide High Speed Internet
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64773
Location: UNIT - Hiawatha National Forest All Units. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Mackinac. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Forest Road 2231 and adjacent (Sturgeon River to Rapid River / Delta County / Rapid River Ranger District); County Highway 40, Forest Highway 85, and adjacent (Chippewa and Mackinac Counties / Sault S.
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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
Campground Maintenance Project West Zone 2023
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/07/2023  		Expected:09/2023
  		10/2023 Brenda Rebitzke
906-474-6442 ext. 117
brenda.rebitzke@usda.gov 
Description: The proposed action is to authorize the Forest Service or approved concessionaires to implement maintenance activities in developed campgrounds to minimize environmental disturbance, enhance user experience and ensure public safety.
Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District, Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Schoolcraft, Alger, Delta. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Campgrounds located on the West Zone of the Hiawatha National Forest.
Campground Maintenance Project, East Zone 2023
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/07/2023  		Expected:09/2023
  		09/2023 Julia Hall
906-643-7900 ext:132
julia.hall@usda.gov 
Description: The proposed action is to authorize the Forest Service or approved concessionaires to implement maintenance activities in developed campgrounds to minimize environmental disturbance, enhance user experience and ensure public safety.
Location: UNIT - St. Ignace Ranger District, Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa, Mackinac. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Developed campgrounds located on the East Zone of the Hiawatha National Forest.
Carp Project
EA
 - Forest products  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 11/2023  		Expected:03/2024  08/2024 Daryl Bingham
907-228-4114
daryl.bingham@usda.gov 
Description: Vegetation Management and Recreation proposal
Location: UNIT - St. Ignace Ranger District, Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Mackinac. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The preliminary proposed activities include vegetation management and a recreation component.
West Zone Rec Site Toilet Replacement Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management
- Facility management 		 Completed  Actual: 12/15/2023  05/2024 Brenda Rebitzke
906-474-6442 ext. 117
brenda.rebitzke@usda.gov 
Description: Replacement of 17 outhouses at 5 developed recreation sites.
Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District, Manistique Ranger District, Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Schoolcraft, Alger, Delta. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Valley Spur Trailhead, Little Bay de Noc Campground, Hunter's Point Boat Launch, Colwell and Pete's Lake Campgrounds.
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
Bay de Noc - Grand Island Trail North Improvements
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 12/2023  		Expected:01/2024  06/2024 Mark Bender
906-387-2512
mark.bender@usda.gov 
Description: Construct 17 trail reroutes, each approximately 0.25 mile, between the middle and north trailheads. These reroutes would be designed to reduce erosion and increase users safety along the trail system.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65301
Location: UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Along the Bay de Noc - Grand Island Trail, between the middle and north trailheads.
Bruno's Run Sustainable Trail Reroute
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 12/2023  		Expected:01/2024  06/2024 Mark Bender
906-387-2512
mark.bender@usda.gov 
Description: Construct one trail re-route that will be approximately .25 mile in length, near the south end of Moccasin Lake along the Bruno%u2019s Run Hiking/Bicycling Traill. This trail is incurring erosion due to suboptimal trail location.
Location: UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger. LEGAL - T 44 N R 19 W Sec 1. Along the Bruno's Run trail at the south end of Moccasin Lake.
FR2251/NB Stutts Creek Bridge Replacement Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Road management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/08/2023  		Expected:02/2024
  		09/2024 Greg Gardner
906-474-6442 x124
gregory.gardner1@usda.gov 
Description: Replace bridge on FR2251 over the North Branch of the Stutts Creek to reduce erosion and improve safety.
Location: UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Schoolcraft. LEGAL - Not Applicable. FR2251/N Branch Stutts Creek.
Grand Island Cabin Access & Disposal Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special area management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 12/2023  		Expected:02/2024  08/2024 Brian Hinch
906-367-2447
brian.hinch@usda.gov 
Description: Removal of three cabins and associated structures on Grand Island National Recreation Area, in addition to making road access improvements.
Location: UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project activities would occur within the area known as the "thumb" of the island.
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
Little Bay Project
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Road management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2024  		Expected:01/2025  12/2025 Rebecca Cain
906-387-2512 x1038
rebecca.cain@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.
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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
Carp River Bridge 3445_0.1
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Road management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 12/2023  		Expected:01/2024  09/2024 Todd Kenyon
906-643-7900x141
todd.kenyon@usda.gov 
Description: The proposed project consists of the replacement of the existing Carp River Bridge 3445-0.1 on FR3445 which spans the Carp River.
Location: UNIT - St. Ignace Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Mackinac. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Carp River Bridge 3445-0.1 is located on FR3445 about 700 feet West of Mackinac Trail.
Lake Huron Boat Launch Decommissioning Project
CE
 - Recreation management  On Hold  N/A  N/A 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
 - Recreation management
- Facility management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/08/2022  		Expected:08/2023
  		09/2023 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.
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