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):
- Gallatin National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
- Gallatin National Forest , Big Timber Ranger District
- Gallatin National Forest , Bozeman Ranger District
- Gallatin National Forest , Gardiner Ranger District
- Gallatin National Forest , Hebgen Lake Ranger District
- Gallatin National Forest , Livingston Ranger District


Gallatin 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
Aspen restoration
CE

   *NEW LISTING*
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start
05/2013
Expected: 09/2013 05/2014 Jodie Canfield
406-587-6739
jecanfield@fs.fed.us
Description: Proposal to restore aspen throught a variety of tools across the entire forest as funding and opportunity permits
Location: UNIT - Gallatin National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Gallatin, Park, Sweet Grass. forest wide
Gallatin Forest Plan Amendment to Remove or Replace Outdated Management Direction (Clean Up Amendmen
EA
- Land management planning In Progress
Scoping Start
08/25/2009
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
05/2013
Expected: 08/2012 09/2012 Steve Christiansen
406-587-6750
schristiansen@fs.fed.us
Description: The proposal would remove outdated, ineffective and/or unclear standards and other direction from the Gallatin National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (i.e. Forest Plan)
Location: UNIT - Gallatin National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Gallatin, Madison, Meagher, Park, Sweet Grass. LEGAL - All forest Amendment would apply to the entire Gallatin National Forest.
Northwestern Energy Master Permit
CE
- Special use management In Progress
215 Comment Period Legal Notice
04/18/2012
Expected: 12/2013 01/2013 Frank Cifala
406-587-6713
fcifala@fs.fed.us
Description: renew existing special use permit
Location: UNIT - Gallatin National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Gallatin, Madison, Meagher, Park, Sweet Grass. LEGAL - forestwide Gallatin Forestwide
Gallatin National Forest , Big Timber Ranger District R1 - Northern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Renfrow Water Transmission Line
CE
- Special use management In Progress
Scoping Start
10/01/2011
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
03/2013
Expected: 04/2013 05/2013 Frank Cifala
406-587-6713
fcifala@fs.fed.us
Description: Authorization of an existing historic water transmission line
Location: UNIT - Big Timber Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sweet Grass. LEGAL - Unsurveyed, Section 13, T5S, R12E. Main Boulder Drainage, vicinity of Miller Creek
Sweet Grass Integrated Resource Resiliency and Restoration
EA
- Fuels management
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start
04/2013
Expected: 05/2014 06/2015 Barb Ping
406-522-2558
bping@fs.fed.us
Description: Use of mgmt tools:planned fire,wildland fire use,hand/mechanical thinning,pile burning,conifer/shrub planting $ seeding of native grasses and forbs to enhance/maintain resiliency of vegetative /ecological conditions in areas burned by 2006 Derby Fire
Location: UNIT - Big Timber Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sweet Grass. 10-20 miles Southeast of Big Timber within National Forest lands burned in the 2006 Derby Fire (Deer Creeks, Derby, West Bridger Drainages)
Gallatin National Forest , Bozeman Ranger District R1 - Northern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Aspen Enhancement Bozeman District
CE
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start
07/2012
Expected: 10/2012 06/2013 Bev Dixon
406-522-2541
bdixon@fs.fed.us
Description: Aspen enhancement through removal of live/dead conifers, using a combination of mechanical and Rx burning.
Location: UNIT - Bozeman Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Gallatin. LEGAL - T7S, R4E, Sec. 21 (Porcupine) and T2N, R7E, Sec. 30 (Fairy Lake) Between Porcupine Creek and Twin Cabin Creek and off Fairy Lake Road
Bridger Ridge Communication Site - Lease Reisuance
CE
- Special use management In Progress
Scoping Start
04/01/2010
Expected: 07/2013 08/2013 Frank Cifala
406-932-5155
fcifala@fs.fed.us
Description: Reissue lease for use of existing communication facilities.
Location: UNIT - Bozeman Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Gallatin. Bridger Ridge north of Bozeman MT
Montana Opticom Special Use Application
EA
- Special use management In Progress
Scoping Start
03/12/2012
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
03/2013
Expected: 05/2013 06/2013 April Heesacker
208-756-5147
aheesacker@fs.fed.us
Description: Install buried fiber-optic cable capable of providing broadband technologies to underserved areas of Gallatin County, Montana.
Location: UNIT - Bozeman Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Gallatin. Gallatin Canyon along US191 corridor to Big Sky turn-off then along State Highway 64 on NFS Lands
NorthWestern Energy Jackrabbit - Big Sky 161 kV Transmission Line Upgrade
EIS
- Special use management In Progress
FEIS NOA in Federal Register
03/29/2013
Expected: 03/2013 05/2013 Amy Waring
406-255-1451
alwaring@fs.fed.us
Description: Proposal to upgrade the existing 69kV line to a 161 kV line
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=26619
Location: UNIT - Bozeman Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Gallatin. LEGAL - within Townships 4, 5, 6 South and Range 4 East Gallatin Canyon along Highway 191 between Four Corners and the Big Sky Meadow Village
South Bridger Interface
CE
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Forest products
In Progress
215 Comment Period Legal Notice
11/21/2012
Expected: 05/2013 06/2013 Amy Waring
406-255-1451
alwaring@fs.fed.us
Description: Thin approximately 250 acres of mature/over mature forest vegetation on NFS lands adjacent to Bridger Bowl to a basal area ranging between 80 and 100 square feet per acre. Approx. five acres of shelterwood regeneration harvest are also proposed.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=40676
Location: UNIT - Bozeman Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Gallatin. LEGAL - Section 30, Township 1 North, Range 7 East and Section 6, Township 1 South, Range 7 East, Gallatin County, Montana The project is geographically located within and immediately south of Bridger Bowl in the vicinity of Slushman Creek.
Gallatin National Forest , Gardiner Ranger District R1 - Northern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Backcountry Hut Outfitter and Guide Special Use Permit
CE
- Special use management Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start
04/2012
Expected: 06/2012 07/2012 Pamela Brown
406-823-6066
psbrown@fs.fed.us
Description: Operation and maintenance of a backcountry hut (yurt) for backcountry skiing in the Cooke City area, Gardiner Ranger District
Location: UNIT - Gardiner Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Park. LEGAL - T9S, R14E Cooke City vicinity
Cooke City Solid Waste Disposal Facility
CE
- Special use management In Progress
215 Comment Period Legal Notice
04/18/2012
Expected: 02/2013 03/2013 Frank Cifala
406-587-6713
fcifala@fs.fed.us
Description: Renew existing special use permit
Location: UNIT - Gardiner Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Park. LEGAL - NE 1/4 SE1/4, Sec. 25, T9S, R14E Cooke City, Gardiner Ranger District
Shooting Star Ranch Water line and Road
CE
- Special use management In Progress
215 Comment Period Legal Notice
04/18/2012
Expected: 04/2013 06/2013 Frank Cifala
406-587-6713
fcifala@fs.fed.us
Description: Issue two new special use permits for an existing water transmisssion line and access road that was previously permitted and erroneously terminated after the holder applied for and recieved a Ditch Bill easment for a related irrigation ditch.
Location: UNIT - Gardiner Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Park. LEGAL - SW 1/4 Section 32, T8S, R. 7 E., P.M., MT near Shooting Star Ranch, Gardiner MT
Gallatin National Forest , Hebgen Lake Ranger District R1 - Northern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Fall River electric cooperative Inc. storage yard expansion
CE
- Special use management In Progress
215 Comment Period Legal Notice
05/01/2012
Expected: 04/2013 04/2013 Frank Cifala
406-932-5155
fcifala@fs.fed.us
Description: amendment to existing special use permit
Location: UNIT - Hebgen Lake Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Gallatin. LEGAL - S1/2 NE 1/4 Sec. 29, T. 13 S., R. 5 E. A minor expansion of an authorized facility located on Hebgen Lake RD
Millie Fire Salvage
CE
- Forest products
- Road management
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start
03/2013
Expected: 04/2013 05/2013 Teri Seth
406-522-2539
tseth@fs.fed.us
Description: Salvage fire killed trees within 2 tree lengths of forest rds in and adjacent to the Millie Fire perimeter to reduce hazards to rd users & rd maintenance. Roadside salvage is estimated <300 acres. Salvage may also be considered on another 200 ac.
Location: UNIT - Bozeman Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Gallatin. LEGAL - T5S, R5E, Sections 3, 9-12, 15, 16 Within or adjacent to the Millie Fire up Storm Castle Creek
Park Electric Cop
CE
- Special use management Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start
01/2013
Expected: 03/2013 06/2013 Frank Cifala
406-932-5155
fcifala@fs.fed.us
Description: Install buried power distribution line in E. Fork Mill Creek roadway. Remove overhead line.
Location: UNIT - Livingston Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Park. LEGAL - E 1/2 Section 13, T6S., R9E., NW 1/4 Section 17 and Section 18, T6S., R10E., PM., MT East Fork Mill Creek, Yellowstone Ranger District
Rendezvous Trail Forest Thinning Project
CE
- Recreation management Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start
05/2013
Expected: 06/2013 07/2013 Susan Lamont
406-823-6976
slamont@fs.fed.us
Description: Tractor logging, skid trails, burn slash piles
Location: UNIT - Hebgen Lake Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Gallatin. LEGAL - T13S, R5E, Sec. 34; T14S, R5E, Secs, 4 and 8 Rendezvous Trail System
South Fork Sixteenmile Creek Westslope Cutthroat Trout Restoration Project
CE
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Developing Proposal
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
01/2013
Expected: 03/2013 09/2013 Bruce Roberts
406-522-2544
broberts@fs.fed.us
Description: GNF/MT FWP jointly propose restore native westslope cutthroat trout to headwaters of the S FK. Sixteenmile Cr. drainage. Project is three phases:1) construction of an upstream migration barrier to isolate area streams from the future invasion of non-
Location: UNIT - Bozeman Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Gallatin. LEGAL - T3N, R6E, Section 21 The proposed barrier would be located along the main stem of the South Fork Sixteenmile Creek approx. 23 air miles noth of Bozeman, MT; just east of Flathead Pass
South Fork and Watkins Allotment Managment Plan Update
EA
- Grazing management In Progress
215 Comment Period Legal Notice
12/21/2011
Expected: 09/2013 12/2013 Susan Lamont
406-823-6976
slamont@fs.fed.us
Description: Update the allotment managment plan for South Fork and Watkins Allotments. Analyze issues associated with cattle grazing ( 69 cow/calf pair). Currently there are 15 pair in the South Fork Allotment and 55 pair in the Watkins Allotment 7/1-9/30
Location: UNIT - Hebgen Lake Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Gallatin. LEGAL - T12 S., R4E., Sections 7, 8, 17, 18; T12 S, R 5E. Sections 12, 13, 24 and T 13 S., R4 E., Sections 3, 10 West side of hebgen lake, 5-10 miles northwet of West yellowstone, MT.
Gallatin National Forest , Livingston Ranger District R1 - Northern Region
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
East Paradise Range Recession
EA
- Grazing management In Progress

05/10/2013
Est.
06/2014
Expected: 09/2014 06/2015 Andrew Kelher
406-823-6-65
akelher@fs.fed.us
Description: This is to study six open grazing allotments and determine if reauthorization of grazing is warranted
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41485
Location: UNIT - Livingston Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Park. LEGAL - Not Applicable Yellowstone Ranger District, south of I-90 each of Hwy. 89 S. Grazing allotments: Suce Cr C&H, 6-Mile Cr S. C&H, Mill Creek C&H, Pine Cr C&H, Elbow C&H
Miminagish Organization Camp
CE
- Special use management Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start
04/2012
Expected: 06/2012 07/2012 Pamela Brown
406-823-6066
psbrown@fs.fed.us
Description: Master Plan development and new Special Use Permit for the Miminagish Organization Church Camp in the Main Bounder area, Yellowstone Ranger District
Location: UNIT - Big Timber Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Sweet Grass. LEGAL - T5S, R12E, Section 26 Main Boulder Road
Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, Montana State University Pit Tag Reader, Special Use Perm
CE
- Special use management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Research
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start
04/2012
Expected: 06/2012 07/2012 Pamela Brown
406-823-6066
psbrown@fs.fed.us
Description: Apply fixed PIT tag readers at mouth Lodgepole Cr & at mouth of Dugout Cr. in the Upper Shields River basin.Fixed PIT tag reader stations will consist of a 10 foot T-bar post in the ground with 8 feet exposed upon which will be two solar panels
Location: UNIT - Livingston Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Park. LEGAL - T5N, R11E, Sec, 8,9,10 Shields River basin, mouth of Lodgepole Creek and dugout Creek
Suce Creek Aspen Project
CE
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress
Scoping Start
02/13/2013
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice
03/2013
Expected: 06/2013 09/2013 Rachel Feigley
406-222-1892
rfeigley@fs.fed.us
Description: Prescription for treasment includes stages with monitoring further need for additional distrubance to produce desired results. Individual stands would be marked such that buffer distances are defined, no treatment would occur between stands unless t
Location: UNIT - Livingston Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Park. Suce Creek, Yellowstone Ranger District
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This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.