Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
10/01/2024 to 12/31/2024
Chugach 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
-  R10 - Alaska Region, Chugach National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R10 - Alaska Region, Chugach National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  R10 - Alaska Region, Chugach National Forest,  Cordova Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R10 - Alaska Region, Chugach National Forest,  Glacier Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R10 - Alaska Region, Chugach National Forest,  Seward 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
 - Land management planning  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 06/21/2024
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 12/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		01/2025 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.
Back To Top

Chugach National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R10 - Alaska Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Chugach Electric Association Transmission Line Pole Installations and Replacements
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/12/2024  		Expected:09/2024
  		09/2024 Darin Watschke
406-682-4253
darin.watschke@usda.gov 
Description: Chugach Electric Association has proposed inserting a new utility pole on the Seward Ranger District to raise a sagging line and replacing a broken pole on a segment of utility line on the Glacier Ranger District.
Location: UNIT - Chugach National Forest All Units. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Anchorage. LEGAL - Not Applicable. A new utility pole will be inserted near the Russian River Campround exit (Cooper Landing, AK) and a broken pole will be replaced,just south of mile marker 83 on the Seward Highway(Portage, AK).
Chugach National Forest Elodea Early Detection and Rapid Response
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 07/31/2024  		Expected:09/2024
  		05/2025 Kate Mohatt
907-754-2348
Katherine.Mohatt@usda.gov 
Description: Adopt the language of the Programmatic Environmental Assessment of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management Strategy for Elodea and Other Submersed Aquatic Invasive Plants in the Alaska Region as the Chugach NF's management strategy.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61687
Location: UNIT - Chugach National Forest All Units. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Kenai Peninsula, Valdez-Cordova. LEGAL - Not Applicable. All waterbodies within the Chugach National Forest.
Outhouse replacement and/or relocation
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/15/2021  		Expected:09/2024
  		10/2024 Tyler Glenn
907-743-9508
Tyler.Glenn@usda.gov 
Description: Replace and/or relocate eight outhouses at: Carter Lake Trailhead, INHT/Trail of Blue Ice (x2), Johnson Pass Trailhead, Turnagain Pass Dey Use Area--motorized side (x2)and the Copper River Hwy MP 18 (One Eyed Pond) Day Use Area (x2).
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61338
Location: UNIT - Chugach National Forest All Units. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Kenai Peninsula, Valdez-Cordova. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Eight developed site locations across the forest.
Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Forest Plan Amendment
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Land management planning  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 08/15/2024  		Expected:11/2024
  		11/2024 Carey Case
907-650-7179
carey.case@usda.gov 
Description: The proposed amendment would change the ROS Class at Trinity Point from Semi-Primitive Motorized to Roaded Natural. Only 30 acres of land at Trinity Point would be affected.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66715
Location: UNIT - Chugach National Forest All Units. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Anchorage. LEGAL - Not Applicable. 35 acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands at Trinity Point located on the southside of Passage Canal near the City of Whittier.
Back To Top

Chugach National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R10 - Alaska Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Facilities Decommissioning 2022
CE
 - Facility management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/20/2022  		Expected:06/2024
Actual: 06/01/2022  		07/2024 Jasmin Dalton
801-708-2871
Jasmin.Dalton@usda.gov 
Description: Decommission and remove facilities and rehabilitate administrative sites. Sites include: Kenai Lake Trailer Park (3 buildings), Schooner Bend pumphouse and well, Broadview Guard Station Bunkhouse #2, and Olsen Bay cabin and outhouse.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62230
Location: UNIT - Seward Ranger District, Cordova Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Kenai Peninsula, Valdez-Cordova. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Broadview and Schooner Bend projects are at 46 and 13929 Sterling Hwy, Cooper Landing, AK; KLTP at 29677 Rock Ptarmigan Road, Moose Pass, AK; and Olsen Bay in Prince William Sound, AK.
Back To Top

Chugach National Forest,   Cordova Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R10 - Alaska Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Forest Service Road 250 Realignment
EA

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Road management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/12/2024
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 09/2024  		Expected:12/2024
  		05/2025 Erin Cole
907-424-4729
erin.cole@usda.gov 
Description: Realign United States Forest Service Road 250 to educe erosion from the road surface, improve public access, restore essential fish habitat, and improve fish passage and floodplain connectivity.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66501
Location: UNIT - Cordova Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Valdez-Cordova. LEGAL - Not Applicable. FS Road 250 located at mile 18 of the Copper River Highway.
Port Chalmers Cabin Relocation
EA
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 05/10/2024  		Expected:07/2024
  		04/2025 Erin Cole
907-424-4729
erin.cole@usda.gov 
Description: Build a new Port Chalmers Cabin at a site more easily accessed by users, and decommission the existing site.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61347
Location: UNIT - Cordova Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Valdez-Cordova. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The southern end of Port Chalmers on the northwest side of Montague Island at the entrance to Prince William Sound, and 18 Mile of the Copper River Highway.
Back To Top

Chugach National Forest,   Glacier Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R10 - Alaska Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
AKRR Avalanche Radar Detection Site
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 09/19/2024  10/2024 Buffie Cerutti
907-691-5383
buffie.stewart@usda.gov 
Description: The Alaska Railroad is proposing to install an avalanche radar detector that would monitor and detect movement for the Door 4 avalanche path above the Alaska Railroad and the Portage Highway.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65862
Location: UNIT - Glacier Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Anchorage. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The radar detection site will be installed in Portage, near the Portage Sewage Lagoon near the BBVC.
Alaska Department of Fish & Game 2021 Proposed Projects at the Cannery Creek Fish Hatchery.
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/05/2021  		Expected:08/2024
Actual: 11/29/2021
10/05/2021  		09/2024 Teresa Paquet
907-754-2314
teresa.paquet@usda.gov 
Description: Multiple projects have been proposed to upgrade the Cannery Creek Fish Hatchery site and address safety issues.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59579
Location: UNIT - Glacier Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Anchorage. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Cannery Creek Fish Hatchery, located on the eastern shore of Unakwik Inlet, Prince William Sound.
Alaska Wildlife Center Entrance Road paving and Culvert Replacement
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 07/19/2024  08/2024 Buffie Cerutti
907-691-5383
Buffie.Stewart@usda.gov 
Description: The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Portage, Alaska has requested to pave their entrance drive that is authorized under a special use permit. One culvert will be replaced, in kind, prior to the paving.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66470
Location: UNIT - Glacier Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Anchorage. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Portage, Alaska.
Begich, Boggs Visitor Center and Portage Lakefront Recreation Site Improvements
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/15/2021  		Expected:07/2024
  		08/2024 Tyler Glenn
907-743-9508
Tyler.Glenn@usda.gov 
Description: Relocate and reconstruct the walkway along the frontage of Portage Lake. The new walkway will at a higher eleveation and tie into the INHT. A boardwalk on piles will also be constructed into the lake to provide a better viewing area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61340
Location: UNIT - Glacier Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Kenai Peninsula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Begich, Boggs Visitor Center at Portage Lake, between Portage and Whittier.
Crow Creek Road Special Use Permit Action
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/01/2023  		Expected:04/2023
  		04/2023 Eric Ganshert
907-754-2373
Eric.Ganshert@usda.gov 
Description: Glacier City Snowmobile Tours, LLC has applied for authorized guided snowmobile tours on the FS portion of Crow Creek Road. The proposed tours will occur up to two times a day, apprx. 10 min. each way, during Nov. - April.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63870
Location: UNIT - Glacier Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Anchorage. LEGAL - T.01N. R.02E. Sec.28, Seward Meridian. The last mile of Upper Crow Creek Road, where FS jurisdiction begins.
Freestone Cabin
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Facility management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 09/2024  		Expected:11/2024  06/2025 Lisa Featherly
907-229-3652
lisa.featherly@usda.gov 
Description: The proposed site would consist of an ABA-compliant cabin and deck with a gravel trail leading to an outhouse. The entire cabin site footprint cabin, out buildings, and developed outdoor space, would encompass roughly half (0.5) an acre.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66858
Location: UNIT - Glacier Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Anchorage. LEGAL - Not Applicable. From Anchorage, go about 48 miles south on Seward Highway to the Portage Glacier Road cutoff. Drive 5.2 miles, toward the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center.
Glacier Creek Bridge
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/29/2023  		Expected:05/2024
  		06/2024 William Brennan
907-754-2351
william.brennan@usda.gov 
Description: Construct a new bridge over Glacier Creek, along Winner Creek Trail, to replace the decommissioned Glacier Creek hand tram.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64285
Location: UNIT - Glacier Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Kenai Peninsula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Over Glacier Creek, along Winner Creek Trail, in Girdwood, AK.
Granite Creek Campground Cabin Construction
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/13/2023  		Expected:06/2024
  		10/2024 William Brennan
907-754-2351
william.brennan@usda.gov 
Description: Granite Creek Campground, located in Turnagain Pass on the Kenai Peninsula, construction of 2 new public use cabins.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64305
Location: UNIT - Glacier Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Kenai Peninsula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Glacier Creek Campground near Hope, AK.
Johnson Pass North Cabin
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Facility management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 09/2024  		Expected:12/2024  06/2025 Lisa Featherly
907-229-3652
lisa.featherly@usda.gov 
Description: The proposed site would consist of an ABA-compliant cabin and deck with a gravel trail leading to an outhouse. The entire cabin site footprint cabin, out buildings, and developed outdoor space, would encompass roughly half (0.5) an acre.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66834
Location: UNIT - Glacier Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Anchorage. LEGAL - Not Applicable. From Anchorage, go about 63 miles south on Seward Highway to the Johnson Pass North Trailhead. At the end of the .5 mile spur road, use the Johnson Pass Trail to hike to the cabin.
Tincan Cabin
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/08/2023  		Expected:06/2024
  		10/2024 Darin Watschke
406-682-4253
darin.watschke@usda.gov 
Description: Construct a new public use cabin at Tincan, off of the Turnagain Pass Trail segment of the Iditarod National Historic Trail (INHT)
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64282
Location: UNIT - Glacier Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Kenai Peninsula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Along the Turnagain Pass Trail segment of the INHT, north of Center Ridge, on the west facing aspect of Tincan mountain.
Trinity Point Cabin Project
EA
 - Facility management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 06/2024  		Expected:11/2024  06/2025 Lisa Featherly
907-229-3652
lisa.featherly@usda.gov 
Description: The Forest Service is proposing to build a public recreation cabin at Trinity Point. The cabin site would consist of a deck with a gravel trail leading to an outhouse.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66304
Location: UNIT - Glacier Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Anchorage. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Cabin site is approximately 4.5 miles by boat from the Whittier, Alaska harbor, or 2.5 mile hike from the end of the Shotgun Cove road.
Back To Top

Chugach National Forest,   Seward Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R10 - Alaska Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
AT&T Fiber Optic Cable Installation
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Buffie Cerutti
907-691-5383
buffie.stewart@usda.gov 
Description: AT&T has proposed the installation of 48 strand fiber optic cable (FOC) between Moose Pass and Cooper Landing. The installation will be a combination of aerial and buried line.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63241
Location: UNIT - Seward Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Kenai Peninsula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The installation will occur between Moose Pass, AK and Cooper Landing, AK.
INHT-No-Name Bridge to Moose Pass Trail Construction
CE
 - Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 06/2023  		Expected:06/2023  07/2023 Martha Story
907-288-7740
martha.story@usda.gov 
Description: Construction of Iditarod National Historic Trail (trail and bridges) from No-Name Creek to Moose Pass.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64300
Location: UNIT - Seward Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Kenai Peninsula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Near mile 21 of the Seward Highway to the Moose Pass townsite.
Johnson Pass Trail reconstruction
CE
 - Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 06/2024  		Expected:06/2024  07/2024 Martha Story
907-288-7740
martha.story@usda.gov 
Description: Trail reconstruction along with 15 bridge repairs and 2 bridge replacements and 2 small re-routes.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64268
Location: UNIT - Seward Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Kenai Peninsula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Between mile 64 and mile 32.5 of the Seward Highway.
Palmer Creek Infrastructure Replacement and Repair
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Road management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 09/2024  		Expected:10/2024  03/2025 Monika Adam
907-288-7720
monika.c.adam@usda.gov 
Description: The Seward Ranger District is proposing to remove and replace the two existing bridges on Palmer Creek Road, as well as maintain and reconstruct Palmer Creek Road from Coeur D'Alene Campground to Swetman Mine.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66948
Location: UNIT - Seward Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Kenai Peninsula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Palmer Creek Road from Coeur D%u2019Alene Campground to the previously existing trailhead to Swetmann Mine.
Palmer Creek Subsistence Access and Aquatic Organism Passage Improvements
CE
 - Recreation management
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/15/2021  		Expected:06/2024
  		07/2024 Tyler Glenn
907-743-9508
Tyler.Glenn@usda.gov 
Description: Replacing two bridges and one overflow culvert along Palmer Creek Road.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61342
Location: UNIT - Seward Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Kenai Peninsula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Replace decaying bridge at MP 9.2, undersized culvert at MP 9.24 and collapsed bridge at MP 11.5, all along Palmer Creek Road near Hope, AK.
Snow River Connector INHT
CE
 - Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 06/2023  		Expected:06/2023  08/2023 Martha Story
907-288-7740
martha.story@usda.gov 
Description: Connect Iditarod National Historic Trail sections from Primrose Road to Snow River Pedestrian Bridge and Bridge to Moose Pass Trail
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64266
Location: UNIT - Seward Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Kenai Peninsula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Near mile 17 and 18 of the Seward Highway.
Victor Creek to No Name Trail Construction
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/01/2023  		Expected:06/2023
  		06/2023 Martha Story
907-288-7740
martha.story@usda.gov 
Description: New trail construction from Victor Creek trail junction to No Name bridge site on the Iditarod National Historic Trail.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64151
Location: UNIT - Seward Ranger District. STATE - Alaska. COUNTY - Kenai Peninsula. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Victor Creek trail junction - trailhead located at approximately mile post 20 of the Seward Highway.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.