Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
10/01/2012 to 12/31/2012
Helena 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
-  R1 - Northern Region, Helena National Forest,  Helena Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Helena National Forest,  Lincoln Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Helena National Forest,  Townsend Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

Projects Occurring Nationwide  

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Gypsy Moth Management in the United States: A Cooperative Approach
EIS
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/19/2008
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/2012  		Expected:10/2012
  		01/2013 Noel Schneeberger
610-557-4121
nschneeberger@fs.fed.us 
Description: The USDA Forest Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service are analyzing a range of strategies for controlling gypsy moth damage to forests and trees in the United States.
Web Link:  http://www.na.fs.fed.us/wv/eis/
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. Nationwide.
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Helena National Forest,   Helena Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
3 J's PLacer Sampling
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/12/2012
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 01/2013  		Expected:02/2013
  		06/2013 David Madden
406-495-3741
dmadden@fs.fed.us 
Description: Operator will use an backhoe excavator to flatten a path into his claim area and explore 5 different locations. Each hole will be approx 2' x 10' removing approx 4 cubic yds/hole, then shaken into a 400 gal tank & redeposited back to hole & rehabbed
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T11N, R1W, Section 35. Cave Gulch in the Big Belt area of the Helena Ranger District, Helena National Forest.
Beaver Soup Maintenance Treatments
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Fuels management 		 Cancelled  N/A  N/A Brett Beagley
406-495-3859
bhbeagley@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project was double entered in to the SOPA. Pleas see SOPA entry for "Beaver soup wildlife Enhancement Project".
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. West side of the North Belts Mountains, between Magpie Gulch and Beaver Creek.
Beaver Soup Wildlife Enhancement Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/19/2012
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 09/2012  		Expected:10/2012
  		05/2013 Sharon Scott
406-495-3943
sascott@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project is designed to improve wildlife habitat including forage, bitterbrush habitat, grasslands and savannahs through prescribed burning and hand treatments.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=39586
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T11N R01W Sec 05; T11N R02W Sec(s) 3,4; T12N R01W Sec(s) 1,7,8,12,18,19,30-32; T12N R02W Sec(s) 12-15,23-24,26,27,34; T12N R01E Sec(s) 5-7; T13N R01E Sec(s) 31,32. The Beaver Soup Project is located about 20 miles northeast of Helena, MT including the Beaver, Soup, Upper Trout Creeks & the Missouri River/Hauser Lake drainges on the Helena Ranger Dist. Helena NF.
Century Leasing Company Communications Site Lease
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2012  		Expected:12/2012  12/2012 Mark Hunting
406-495-3831
mhunting@fs.fed.us 
Description: Century Leasing Company has applied for a re-issuance of their lease which dates back to 1982.
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Section 3, T12N, R1W. The communications site is located on the top of Hogback Mountain.
DNRC - Ogilvie Road Use Permit
CE
 - Special use management
- Road management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2012  		Expected:12/2012  04/2013 Mark Hunting
406-495-912
mhunting@fs.fed.us 
Description: Project would issue a 2 year special use permit to the State of Montana DNRC. Montana DNRC would construct ~1700 feet of new road on FS land as well as use existing closed FS roads to access state land parcels for a proposed state timber sale.
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T12N, R7W, Sec 11, 12, 13. Ogalvie Gulch, Helena Ranger District.
Divide Travel Plan
EIS
 - Road management  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 09/08/2011
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 10/2012  		Expected:09/2013
  		03/2014 Jaime Tompkins
406-449-5201
comments-northern-helena@fs.fed.us 
Description: Travel management analysis covering summer and winter motorized use and Forest Plan amendment for elk hiding coverage.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=24091
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark, Powell. Ten Mile drainage, Little Blackfoot drainage, and area towards Meyers Hill.
Holiday Private Access
EA
 - Recreation management
- Special use management
- Road management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Mark Hunting
406-495-3912
mhunting@fs.fed.us 
Description: Special use application requesting access to private land. An exchange of reciprocal easements is possible, depending on alternative selected.
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Powell. LEGAL - T 8 N, R 6 W, Sec. 6. Little Blackfoot River/Telegraph Creek.
Kyle Perkins Private Road Special Use Permit
CE
 - Special use management
- Road management 		 Completed  Actual: 08/23/2012  07/2012 Matthew McGiffin
406-495-3937
mmcgiffin@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project would issue a special use permit to Kyle Perkins to allow him motorized access 2-3 times a month in the spring/summer/fall on a FS route in order to allow him to bring supplies to his private residence. No road improvements are proposed.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=39222
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - NW 1/4, SE 1/4, Section 10, T9N, R4W. South Hills, near Unionville.
Lewis and Clark County Hedges Mtn. Communications Use
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Mark Hunting
406-495-3912
mhunting@fs.fed.us 
Description: Special use application for long-term occupancy of site on Hedges Mtn. for communications use.
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T 11 N, R 1 E, Sec. 6. Hedges Mtn.
PPSR Private Access
CE
 - Recreation management
- Special use management
- Road management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Matthew McGiffin
406-495-3937
mmcgiffin@fs.fed.us 
Description: Special use application requesting access to private land.
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Jefferson. LEGAL - T8N, R2W, Sec.2. Elkhorn Mountains.
Peanut and P.F. Placer Sampling
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/18/2012
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 05/2013  		Expected:06/2013
  		06/2013 David Madden
406-449-5490 ext.3934
dmadden@fs.fed.us 
Description: Project proposes to dig six 4'L X 20'W X 6' mineral test pits using a rubber tires back-hoe. Sample material will be tested using a wash plant and then will be returned to the test pits and have top soil placed back on top.
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Jefferson. LEGAL - T7N, R2W, Section 7, 18. The upper end of Wilson Creek in the Tizer Basin of the Elkhorn Mountains.
RLJ L.L.C. Private Road Special Use Permit
CE
 - Special use management  Completed  Actual: 08/29/2012  09/2012 Matthew McGiffin
406-495-3937
mmcgiffin@fs.fed.us 
Description: Private landowner is seeking vehicle access across FS land to their patended mining claim. Proposed access route would start from FS Road#692 and extend ~1600' on an existing two-track route to the private land parcel.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37602
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Jefferson. LEGAL - W1/2, Sec. 35, T8N, R5W. General Description: Occidental Plateau/ South Fork Quartz Creek.
Second Creek Placer
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/19/2011
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 01/2013  		Expected:03/2013
  		06/2013 David Madden
406-449-5490 ext.3934
dmadden@fs.fed.us 
Description: A total of five test holes are proposed 10x25'x 5-10' deep. The holes will be dug with a rubber tire backhoe. a small wash plant will be used for testing th ematerials. Test materials will be replaced in teh test hole and the top soil replaced.
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Jefferson. LEGAL - T7N, R3W, Sec 14. Tizer road area.
Skelton Private Access
EA
 - Recreation management
- Special use management
- Road management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Matthew McGiffin
406-495-3937
mmcgiffin@fs.fed.us 
Description: Special use application requesting private access to two separate tracts of private land. An exchange of reciprocal easements will be required, thus allowing the public access to adjacent NFS lands.
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T 12 N, R 1 W, Sec. 31, T 13N, R 1 E, Sec. 19. Soup Creek, Elk Ridge.
Telegraph Vegetation Project
EIS
 - Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 07/20/2012
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/2013  		Expected:09/2013
  		11/2013 Sharon Scott
406-495-3943
sascott@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project is designed to be responsive to mountain pine beetle outbreak by recovering economic value of dead and dying wood, reducing hazardous fuels, promoting desireable regeneration, and maintaining diverse wildlife habitats.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30353
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Powell. 15 miles southwest of Helena and 5 miles south of Elliston, MT in the Little Blackfoot andTelegraph drainages.
Warm Springs Habitat Enhancement Project
EIS
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 11/12/2010
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 12/2012  		Expected:12/2012
  		05/2013 Jan Fauntleroy
406-449-5201
jfauntleroy@fs.fed.us 
Description: Treat appx. 4500 acres to develop and/or maintain mature habitat structures where possible, address mountain pine beetle infestation and fuel hazard, and manage the landscape and fuel loadings so that stand replacement fire is less likely.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30351
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Jefferson. 10 miles south of Helena in the Warm Springs drainage.
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Helena National Forest,   Lincoln Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Alice Creek Wildlife Enhancement Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 02/27/2011  		Expected:06/2013
  		09/2013 Pat Shanley
406-362-7006
pshanley@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project improves big game winter range by reducing conifer encroachment within native grasslands. In addition to creating and maintaining natural openings and improving stand structure, burning will improve forage quality and quantity.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=34765
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T16N, R7W, sections 10,11,14 and 15. The headwaters of Alice Creek just west and north of Lewis and Clark Pass.
Baldy Mountain Sampling
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/21/2012
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 01/2013  		Expected:02/2013
  		06/2013 David Madden
406-449-5490 ext.3934
dmadden@fs.fed.us 
Description: An operator will be removing sample materials from the side of FS Rd. #1826. Operator will remove ~77 cu. yards of sample materials to private land for testing, and then will return materials back to test pit.
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T13N; R8W, Section 4. Baldy Mountain road in Lincoln, MT (FS Rd. #1826).
Blackfoot - North Divide Winter Travel Planning
EA
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 09/09/2006  		Expected:05/2013
  		01/2014 Mandy Alvino
406.362.4265
MAlvino@fs.fed.us 
Description: Create a plan that will provide for a variety of motorized and non-motorized winter recreation opportunities.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=15664
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark, Powell. Lincoln Ranger District (except Scapegoat Wilderness) & appx. 30,000 acres nw of Helena RD.
Blackfoot Travel Plan (non-winter)
EIS
 - Land management planning
- Recreation management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 10/29/2010
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 01/2013  		Expected:12/2013
  		03/2014 Jaime Tompkins
406-495-3946
jtompkins@fs.fed.us 
Description: Travel Management analysis for non-winter motorized use
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30899
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark, Powell. Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena National Forest, excluding the Scapegoat Wilderness.
Cougar #1, 2 Lode Sampling
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  On Hold  N/A  N/A David Madden
406-495-3741
dmadden@fs.fed.us 
Description: The operator will be removing sample materials from inside two collapsed portals to be dug out using a Bobcat & hand tools and closed using a wooden structure that can be locked. Some road work on the existing mine roads may be done for access.
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T13N, R7W, Section 15. Stemple Pass area of the Lincoln Ranger District on the Helena National Forest.
Dalton Mountain Forest Restoration and Fuels Reduction Project
EIS
 - Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 11/16/2011
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 05/2013  		Expected:09/2014
  		04/2015 Jan Fauntleroy
406-449-5201
jfauntleroy@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project will address stand health and related fuel hazards in an area with expanding insect infestations (mountain pine beetle).
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37404
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. Five miles southeast of Lincoln, MT.
Granite Butte Whitebark Pine Restoration Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 07/11/2012  		Expected:10/2012
  		10/2012 Riley Dopler
496-495-3920
rdopler@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project will plant approximately 3,500 Whitebark pine seedlings during the fall of 2012 in the vicinity near Granite Butte that was burned in the 2010 Davis fire. Whitebark pine is an important native tree species to the area.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=39816
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - Sec 23, 26, T13N, R7W. Lincoln Ranger District, Granitte Butte vicinity.
Helmville Face Wildlife Enhancement Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 04/08/2012  		Expected:03/2013
  		04/2013 Jan Fauntleroy
406-449-5201
jfauntleroy@fs.fed.us 
Description: Using prescribed fire, this project restores the role of fire and the resultant processes. In addtion to, creating and maintaining natural openings and improving stand structure, burning will improve forage quality and quantity for ungulates.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=34763
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T13N, R10W, section 16. In the Wasson Creek and Wilson Creek areas.
South Fork Poorman Creek Fish Improvement/Road Reroute
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management
- Special use management
- Road management 		 Completed  Actual: 05/31/2012  08/2012 Amber Kamps
406-362-4265
akamps@fs.fed.us 
Description: The purpose of this project is to reduce impacts to natural resources by partnering with Lewis and clark and others to relocate approximately 2300 feet of the county road and phone line. This section of road delivers 0.4 tons of sediment/year.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=38260
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T13N R7W SW 1/4 Section 20. The project is located on the South Fork of Poorman creek in the Poorman Creek drainage southeast of Lincoln, Montana.
Stonewall Project
EIS
 - Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 01/13/2010
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/2012  		Expected:03/2013
  		08/2013 Jan Fauntleroy
406-449-5201
jfauntleroy@fs.fed.us 
Description: Be responsive to mountain pine beetle outbreaks, maintain and improve viable mature habitat structure to support big game and other wildlife, promote resiliency with a mosaic of species, reduce fire hazard and potential, and provide timber products.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30355
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. 6 miles northwest of Lincoln in the Lincoln Gulch drainage.
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Helena National Forest,   Townsend Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Little Camas Placer Exploration
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  Completed  Actual: 07/20/2012  07/2012 David Madden
406-495-3741
dmadden@fs.fed.us 
Description: Operator will be sampling 11 sites; remove 1-2 cubic yds of material, process and return sample materials to the hole and cover w/top soil. A rubber tired backhoe will be used to excavate the samples & use a wash plant capable of sampling 4-5 yds/day
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=39284
Location: UNIT - Townsend Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Meagher. LEGAL - T9N, R4E, Sections 20, 29. Big Belts/Little Camas Creek.
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This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.