Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2013 to 03/31/2013
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)

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)  Completed  Actual: 11/28/2012  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.
Back To Top

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:06/2013
  		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 Wildlife Enhancement Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 08/31/2012  		Expected:12/2012
  		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.
Communications Site Lease Reissuance for Century Leasing
CE
 - Special use management
- Facility management 		 In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 10/10/2012  		Expected:11/2012
  		12/2012 Mark Hunting
406-495-3831
mhunting@fs.fed.us 
Description: Re-issuance of lease for communications site, which dates back to 1982.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=40086
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 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/17/2012  		Expected:12/2012
  		04/2013 Mark Hunting
406-495-3912
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.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=38502
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Lewis and Clark. LEGAL - T12N, R7W, Sec 11, 12, 13. Cellar and Ogilvie Gulches, Helena National Forest.
Divide Travel Plan
EIS
 - Road management  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 09/08/2011
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 03/2013  		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.
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.
Second Creek Placer
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/19/2011
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 01/2013  		Expected:06/2013
  		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:02/2014
  		07/2014 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.
Travis Creek Power Line Relocation Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 10/05/2012  		Expected:11/2012
  		11/2012 Mark Hunting
406-495-3912
mhunting@fs.fed.us 
Description: Replacement of the 7.3kv overhead power line to a 7.2kv underground power line.
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=40481
Location: UNIT - Helena Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Jefferson. LEGAL - T9N, R4W, Sections 33 and 34. Travis Creek and Heller Evanson Roads.
Warm Springs Habitat Enhancement Project
EIS
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 01/12/2011
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 01/2013  		Expected:01/2013
  		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.
Back To Top

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:06/2013
  		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.
George Kamps Private Road Special Use Permit
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/12/2012
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 01/2013  		Expected:01/2013
  		01/2013 Stephen Wyatt
406-266-3425
shwyatt@fs.fed.us 
Description: George Kamps requests a Private Road Special Use Permit for motorized access to his private land in the Arrastra Creek area. He proposes to use approximately 5.7 miles of an existing, unnumbered road that is closed to motorized public use year-round
Web Link:  http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=40532
Location: UNIT - Lincoln Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Powell. LEGAL - Road begins in Section 9, T14N, R10W and goes through Sections 3, 4, 10, and 11. The unnumbered road is referred to as road U-073 in the Blackfoot Travel Plan analysis being completed on the Lincoln Ranger District.
Granite Butte Whitebark Pine Restoration Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 Completed  Actual: 09/26/2012  10/2012 Riley Dopler
496-495-3920
rdopler@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project will plant approximately 4,500 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.
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 02/2013  		Expected:04/2013
  		09/2013 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.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.