Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)

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):
- Bitterroot National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
- Bitterroot National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
- Bitterroot National Forest , Bitterroot National Forest All Units
- Bitterroot National Forest , Darby Ranger District
- Bitterroot National Forest , Stevensville Ranger District
- Bitterroot National Forest , Sula Ranger District
- Bitterroot National Forest , West Fork Ranger District


Bitterroot National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest) R1 - Northern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Bitterroot National Forest - Foreswide TSI Project
CE
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) Developing Proposal
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
02/2013
Expected: 05/2013 07/2013 Cheri Hartless
406-777-5461
chartless@fs.fed.us
Description: Forest-wide timber stand improvement (TSI) thinning project to enhance growth and vigor, reduce competition through stocking reduction, provide more sunlight, water, and nutrients to residual trees by hand thinning, slashing, and pile burning.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41246
Location: UNIT - Bitterroot National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. Hand thinning of approximately 9,400 acres would take place in overstocked young conifer stands at various locations scattered across the Bitterroot National Forest. Approximately 559 acres on the Ste
Bitterroot National Forest Travel Management Planning
EIS
- Recreation management In Progress
DEIS NOA in Federal Register
08/07/2009
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register
05/2013
Expected: 05/2013 08/2013 Chris Fox
406-777-5461 x7415
cfox@fs.fed.us
Description: This effort will result in clear standardized designations of where motorized recreation is appropriate, sustainable and desirable on the Bitterroot National Forest.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=21183
Location: UNIT - Bitterroot National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. Region 1, Bitterroot National Forest
Bitterroot National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide) R1 - Northern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Thunder Bow Outfitters 10-Year Permit Issuance
CE
- Special use management Cancelled N/A N/A Debra Gale
406-821-3269
ddgale@fs.fed.us
Description: Reissue existing permit as 10-year term
Location: UNIT - Darby Ranger District, West Fork Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - Fish Lake: Sec 16, T4N, R23W; Trapper: Sec 22, T2N, R22W; Soda Springs: Sec 19, T1N, R22W; Little West Fork: Sec 31, T1N, R22W; No Fork Sheephead: Sec 7, T1N, R23W Darby and West Fork Ranger Districts
Bitterroot National Forest , Bitterroot National Forest All Units R1 - Northern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Recreation Residence permits
CE
- Special use management In Progress
215 Comment Period Legal Notice
12/18/2009
Expected: 01/2011 01/2011 Kaye Olpin
406-821-4252
kolpin@fs.fed.us
Description: Issuance of existing 6 recreation residence special use permits within the Warm Springs tract
Location: UNIT - Sula Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - SW1/4 sect 12 T1N R20W Warm Springs Creek, Sula Ranger District
Bitterroot National Forest , Darby Ranger District R1 - Northern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Big Creek Face Boundary & Maintenance
CE
- Fuels management
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
On Hold N/A N/A Jacquie Parks
406-821-4268
jmparks@fs.fed.us
Description: The purpose of the project is to revisit areas that have been previously treated with a combination of thinning and prescribed burning to maintain or improve those current stands adjacent to the Forest Boundary
Location: UNIT - Stevensville Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - T6N R21W Sec 4 (Mill Creek TH); T7N R21W Sec PB 37, PB38; T8N R21W Sec 3,10,11,15,21,22,P 28,29,PB 43, PB35 South of Mill Creek TH north along the Forest/private boundary to Silverthorn Creek/Larson Creek
Como Forest Health Project (FHP)
EA
- Fuels management
- Forest products
- Recreation management
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
In Progress

02/15/2013
Est.
02/2014
Expected: 04/2014 05/2014 Sara Grove
406-821-3269
sgrove@fs.fed.us
Description: The proposed project would address immediate and long-term vegetation concerns resulting from the mountain pine beetle, reduce fire hazard, increase age and species diversity in forested stand, and protect the visual integrity of the recreation area
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=33829
Location: UNIT - Darby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - R22W,T4N - Sections 13, 24, 25 and 36; R21W, T4N - Sections 17, 18, 20, 21, 20, 28, 29, and 30 The proposed project is located on Forest Service lands on the Darby Ranger District. The project area is located north of Lake Como in the Lick Creek drainage.
Darby Lumber Lands Restoration and Travel Management
EA
- Recreation management
- Road management
- Watershed management
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start
05/2012
Expected: 12/2012 02/2013 Ed Snook
406-363-7103
esnook@fs.fed.us
Description: Road system management on acquired lands, including decomissioning and storage of roads, designation of OHV routes, and construction of OHV linking routes
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=36615
Location: UNIT - Darby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. Upper Sleeping Child watershed, approximately 12 air miles East of Darby, on Darby Ranger District
Lost Horse Lodge 10-Year Permit Issuance
CE
- Special use management On Hold N/A N/A Debra Gale
406-821-3269
ddgale@fs.fed.us
Description: Re-issue exiisting permit as a 10-year term permit
Location: UNIT - Darby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - T4N, R21W, Sec 17, 18, 19, 20 Lost Horse, Darby RD
Reynolds Access
CE
- Land ownership management On Hold N/A N/A Elizabeth Ballard
406-777-7421
eballard@fs.fed.us
Description: The Darby Ranger District is proposing to authorize construction of a structure to allow vehicle passage across Little Sleeping Child Creek and approximately 100 feet of single lane road on Forest Service land, to access private property.
Location: UNIT - Darby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - T4N R20W NW1/4Section 16 Bitterroot National Forest, Darby Ranger District, Little Sleeping Child Creek
Bitterroot National Forest , Stevensville Ranger District R1 - Northern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
2012 Rehabilitation of St. Mary's Lookout
CE
- Facility management Developing Proposal
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
07/2012
Expected: 08/2012 08/2012 Elizabeth Ballard
406-777-7421
eballard@fs.fed.us
Description: Rehabilitation of St. Mary's lookout, a historical fire lookout located within the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness. Work includes replacing or repairing damaged structural parts. Small power hand tools and generator are proposed.
Location: UNIT - Stevensville Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - T9N, R21W, N1/2 Sec. 28 St. Mary's Mountain, Selway Bitterroot Wilderness
Three Saddle Vegetation Management
EA
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
Analysis Completed Expected: 04/2013
Actual: 04/15/2013
07/2013 Amy Veirs
406-363-7120
abveirs@fs.fed.us
Description: This project proposes treatment in the Threemile and Ambrose Creek watersheds to reduce tree densities in both young, regenerated and mature timber stands to improve forest growth while providing forest products, jobs & income to the local economy.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30964
Location: UNIT - Stevensville Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - The Three Saddle project area includes T10N, R18W, Sections 26, 35 and T9N, R18W, Sections 2, 3, 10, 15, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29, 32. The Three Saddle Project area is located at the northeast extent of the Bitterroot NF on the Stevensville RD. The project includes Bitterroot NF lands from Ambrose Saddle to Cinnabar Saddle.
Bitterroot National Forest , Sula Ranger District R1 - Northern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Cameron Blue Ecoburn
CE
- Fuels management
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
In Progress
215 Comment Period Legal Notice
04/17/2013
Expected: 07/2013 10/2013 Sara Grove
406-821-1251
sgrove@fs.fed.us
Description: Prescribed burning to reduce natural fuels while maintaining the historic fire return interval. Small tree thinning will occur within plantations and around residual trees.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30739
Location: UNIT - Sula Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - T3N, R 18W, Sections 31, 32, T2N, R18W, Sections 4-8, 16-22, 27-29 T2N, R19W, Sections 1, 12, 13, 24. Cameron Creek, Lyman Creek, Jennings Camp Creek, and Guide Creek.
Cameron Creek Streambank Restoration
CE

   *NEW LISTING*
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management
In Progress
215 Comment Period Legal Notice
02/01/2013
Expected: 07/2013 08/2014 Ruth Wooding
406-821-3269
mjakober@fs.fed.us
Description: Rebuild seven collapsed stream banks along Cameron Creek using bio-engineering methods
Location: UNIT - Sula Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - T2N, R19W, Sec 27 NW of SW, French Basin Quad Located on Bitterroot NF land on floor of French Basin directly downstream of the Shining Mountain Ranch
North Sleeping Child Grazing Allotment EA
EA

   *NEW LISTING*
- Grazing management Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start
04/2013
Expected: 09/2014 06/2015 Gilbert Gale
406-544-6321
ggale@fs.fed.us
Description: Analysis of the North Sleeping Child Grazing Allotment for reissuance of grazing permits.
Location: UNIT - Darby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - Sec 36 & portions of 35, T5N, R20W; Portions of Sec 31 & 32, T5N, R19W; Portions of Sec 1,2 & 3 T4N, R20W; Sec or portions of Secs 6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13, PB38, PB39, PB40 & PB41 T4N, R19W Two Bear Creek on the Darby Ranger District
Bitterroot National Forest , West Fork Ranger District R1 - Northern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Bitterroot Outfitters Proposal
EA
- Special use management In Progress
215 Comment Period Legal Notice
03/17/2012
Expected: 09/2013 12/2013 Debra Gale
406-821-3269
ddgale@fs.fed.us
Description: Add spring hunts to existing camp authorized for summer and fall hunts
Location: UNIT - West Fork Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Idaho. LEGAL - Sec 15, T26N, R15E On Selway RIver in Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness
Painted Rock Outfitters 10-Year Permit Issuance
CE
- Special use management Analysis Completed Expected: 10/2012
Actual: 02/26/2013
04/2013 Debra Gale
406-821-3269
ddgale@fs.fed.us
Description: Re-issue exsting permit as 10-year term.
Location: UNIT - West Fork Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - Montana portion of Bitterroot National Forest Montana portion of Bitterroot National Forest
Paradise Pack Station 10-Year Permit Issuance
CE
- Special use management On Hold N/A N/A Debra Gale
406-821-3269
ddgale@fs.fed.us
Description: Re-issue existing permit as a 10-year term permit
Location: UNIT - West Fork Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Idaho. LEGAL - Paradise Base Camp – T29N, R14E, Sec 9; Bad Luck – T30N, R14E, Sec 4; Canyon Lake – T29N, R16E, Sec 12; Cedar Saddle – T30N, R14E, Sec 24; Cliff Creek – T30N, R15E, Sec 12; Cooper Creek – T29N, R15E, West Fork Rd
Reroute on Hell's Half Mountain Trail #8
CE

   *NEW LISTING*
- Recreation management Developing Proposal
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
08/2013
Expected: 10/2013 08/2014 Mark Smith
406-821-1218
markrsmith@fs.fed.us
Description: This is aproposal for two relocatiions on trail #8. Reroute one will be a 3500', and reroute two will be 1250' of new trail construction to avoid steep grades.
Location: UNIT - West Fork Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Lemhi. LEGAL - R16E T27N Sec27 and R16E T27N Sec27 One and one half miles from the Hells Half Mountain trailhead.
Reroutes on Shoup-Elk City Trail #19
CE

   *NEW LISTING*
- Recreation management Developing Proposal
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
08/2013
Expected: 10/2013 08/2014 Mark Smith
406-821-1218
markrsmith@fs.fed.us
Description: This is for a 1200' and 1300' reroute on the trail to avoid steep trail grades.
Location: UNIT - West Fork Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Idaho. LEGAL - R13E T26N Sec10 and R13E T26N Sec14 This project is 2 and 3 miles from the Salmon Base Camp trailhead.
Selway Dispersed Campsite Restoration
CE

   *NEW LISTING*
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress
215 Comment Period Legal Notice
02/01/2013
Expected: 04/2013 04/2013 Ruth Wooding
406-821-3269
mjakober@fs.fed.us
Description: Restore riparian vegetation to seven dispersed campsites along the Selway River
Location: UNIT - West Fork Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - T28N, R14E, Sec 29 NW, Sec 18 NW, Sec 19 SE and T29N, R14E, Sec 16 SW, Sec 32 NW, Sec 29 SW, Sec 29 NW Seven sites are along the Selway River adjacent to Forest Service Road 6223
Selway-Wilderness Outfitters Proposal
EA
- Special use management In Progress
215 Comment Period Legal Notice
03/17/2012
Expected: 09/2013 12/2013 Debra Gale
406-821-3269
ddgale@fs.fed.us
Description: Proposal to increase authorized service days associated with flights that ingress and egress the same day for purpose of day-use from 20 service days to 80 service days.
Location: UNIT - West Fork Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Idaho. LEGAL - Sec PB41, T30N, R13E Running Creek Ranch
Storm Creek Outfitters Proposal
EA
- Special use management In Progress
215 Comment Period Legal Notice
03/17/2012
Expected: 09/2013 12/2013 Debra Gale
406-821-3269
ddgale@fs.fed.us
Description: Exchange three existing fall hunt camp locations with no overnight stock containment for three new locations (two adding summer use and overnight stock containment and one adding spring bear hunts, summer and no overnight stock containment).
Location: UNIT - West Fork Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Idaho. LEGAL - Proposed camps: Sec 5, T26N, R14E; Sec 11, T25N, R14E; Sec 24, T27N, R14E; Kit Carson water line: Sec 4, T27N, R15E Frank Church - RIver of No Return Wilderness
Upper Nez Perce Landscape Burn
CE
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Fuels management
In Progress
215 Comment Period Legal Notice
02/27/2013
Expected: 06/2013 10/2013 David Fox
406-821-2331
dbfox@fs.fed.us
Description: Prescribed burning on portions of a 15,755 acre area to reduce the amount and arrangement of fuels, improve winter range habitat that will affect behavior of future wildland fires at a landscape scale and increase the quantity and quality of forage.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41353
Location: UNIT - West Fork Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. Areas of the Sheepshead, Watchtower and Flat Creek drainages within the Nez Perce Fork of the Bitterroot River drainage.
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This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.