Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
10/01/2010 to 12/31/2010
Hiawatha 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
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Hiawatha National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Hiawatha National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Hiawatha National Forest,  Munising Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Hiawatha National Forest,  Rapid River Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Hiawatha National Forest,  Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Hiawatha National Forest,  St. Ignace 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 Planning Rule
EIS
 - Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 12/18/2009
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 12/2010  		Expected:11/2011
  		12/2011 Larry Hayden
202-205-1559
lhayden@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Department of Agriculture proposes to promulgate a new planning rule, which will set out the process for development, revision, and amendment of National Forest System land management plans.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/planningrule
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. Agency-wide Rule.
Nationwide Aerial Application of Fire Retardant on National Forest System Lands.
EIS

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 08/27/2010
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 01/2011  		Expected:12/2011
  		01/2012 Glen Stein
208-869-5405
gstein@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Forest Service will prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement for the continued nationwide aerial application of fire retardant on National Forest System lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/retardant/index.html
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. Nationwide.
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Hiawatha National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
2010 Reissuance of Expired Special Use Permits
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/17/2010  		Expected:10/2010
  		11/2010 Susan Alexander
906-789-3327
smalexander@fs.fed.us 
Description: There are 9 Special Use Permits expiring in 2010. The permits are for 4 directional signs, 4 roads, and 1 communication antenna.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=33268
Location: UNIT - Hiawatha National Forest All Units. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Schoolcraft, Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Mackinac. Permits are located on both the Eastside and Westside of the Hiawatha National Forest.
Treatment of Non-native Invasive Plants
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 06/15/2009  		Expected:03/2011
  		05/2011 Mary Maercklein
906-474-6442 ext. 117
mmaercklein@fs.fed.us 
Description: HNF proposes to use mechanical, manual, chemical and biological techniques, either singly or in combination, to treat and control Non-native Invasive Plant infestations on approx. 5,000 acres of FS land across the entire HNF
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=29346
Location: UNIT - Hiawatha National Forest All Units. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Schoolcraft, Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Mackinac. On Forest Service land across the entire Hiawatha National Forest.
Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) O&M Plan
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Susan Alexander
906-789-3327
smalexander@fs.fed.us 
Description: The development of an operation and maintenance (O&M) plan for the existing powerline corridor that crosses National Forest land.
Location: UNIT - Hiawatha National Forest All Units. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Schoolcraft, Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Mackinac. The powerline corridor is found on the Westside and the Eastside of the Hiawatha National Forest.
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Hiawatha National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
American Transmission Company (ATC) - 6904/6905 Powerline Rebuild
EA
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/19/2010
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 01/2011  		Expected:05/2011
  		12/2011 Lyn Hyslop
906-643-7900
lhyslop@fs.fed.us 
Description: Rebuild and up grade of an existing powerline from St. Ignace, MI to Rudyard, MI. The upgrade will increase the voltage from 69 volts to a 138KV transmission line.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=29911
Location: UNIT - St. Ignace Ranger District, Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa, Mackinac. LEGAL - T43N R3W, S. 12-14, 22, 23, 33, 34; T42N R3W S 4, 8, 17-19, 30, 31; T41N R4W S 1, 12, 13, 24, 25, 36; T40N R4W S 1, 12. Powerline corridor is found on the Eastside of the Hiawatha National Forest. The 6904/6905 Line Corridor is from St. Ignace, MI to Rudyard, MI.
Beech Bark Disease Project
EA
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)  Completed  Actual: 07/22/2010  09/2010 Mary Maercklein
906-474-6442 ext. 117
mmaercklein@fs.fed.us 
Description: Project proposes treatments for uneven-aged management with follow-up canopy gap cleaning or timber stand improvement plus additional spot planting of white pine, hemlock, northern red oak or other native tree species and associated site preparation.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=30629
Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District, Manistique Ranger District, Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Schoolcraft, Alger, Delta. This project is located in stands throughout the westside of the Hiawatha National Forest on the Munising, Rapid River and Manistique Ranger Districts.
Cloverland Electric Company Operation and Maintenance Plan
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Susan Alexander
906-789-3327
smalexander@fs.fed.us 
Description: Developing the Operation and Maintenance Plan for the powerline corridor.
Location: UNIT - St. Ignace Ranger District, Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa, Mackinac. The project is located in Chippewa and Mackinac counties, Eastside of the Hiawatha National Forest.
Great Lakes Gas Pipeline Permit Reissuance
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/09/2010  		Expected:12/2010
  		12/2010 Susan Alexander
906-789-3327
smalexander@fs.fed.us 
Description: Renewal of Special Use Permit for an existing gas pipeline corridor crossing National Forest System Land
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=31233
Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District, Manistique Ranger District, St. Ignace Ranger District, Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Schoolcraft, Chippewa, Delta, Mackinac. Gas pipeline corridor is found on the Westside and the Eastside of the Hiawatha National Forest.
Radio Repeater Tower Construction
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Facility management  Completed  Actual: 09/07/2010  06/2011 David Silvieus
906-474-6442
dsilvieus@fs.fed.us 
Description: HNF proposes to build two 80-100 foot steel towers to improve radio communication. A small concrete building will also be built at the base of each tower and the entire site will be enclosed with a chain link fence.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=33544
Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District, Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger, Delta. LEGAL - T40N R20W, SW 1/4 of SW 1/4 of Section 2; T47N R21W, NW 1/4 of Section 19. One tower at St. Jacques and the other tower at Onota.
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Hiawatha National Forest,   Munising Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Grand Island Road Special Use Permit
CE
 - Special use management  Completed  Actual: 06/30/2010  09/2010 Susan Alexander
906-789-3327
smalexander@fs.fed.us 
Description: Issuance of a road special use permit to allow Grand Island residents motorized travel on roads closed to the general public for motorized use.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=32686
Location: UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger. LEGAL - T47N, R18W, Secs 12, 13, 23, 24; T47N, R19W Sec. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 22; T48N, R19W, Secs. 15, 16, 22, 28, 33. Roads are located on Grand Island National Recreation Area, Munising Ranger District.
Mirrorwood
EA

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 11/2010  		Expected:08/2011  06/2016 Mary Maercklein
906-474-6442 ext. 117
mmaercklein@fs.fed.us 
Description: Vegetation management to promote forest health, stand growth and quality, move stands toward Forest Plan goals, maintain early seral classes, and establish woodlots.
Location: UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger. LEGAL - T46N,R18W, Sec 18-33; T46N,R19W, Sec 20, 21, 24, 25-36; T45N,R20W, Sec 1, 15, 19-21, 28-34; T45N, R19W, 31-33; T45N, R18W, 6, 7, 18, 19; T44N, R20W, Sec 4-9, 16-18. This project is located in the north central part of the Munising Ranger District.
Newkirk Private Road Special Use Permit
CE
 - Special use management  Completed  Actual: 07/26/2010  08/2010 Susan Alexander
906-789-3327
smalexander@fs.fed.us 
Description: Issue a private road special use permit to access private property. The road has been existing for many years and has just been discovered it is crossing National Forest System land.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=32904
Location: UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger. LEGAL - T44N, R18W, Section 7. Road is found on the West Zone of the Hiawatha National Forest off Forest Highway 13.
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Hiawatha National Forest,   Rapid River Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Chatham Telephone Company Fiber Optic Cable Installation
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 11/2010  		Expected:02/2011  04/2011 Susan Alexander
906-789-3327
smalexander@fs.fed.us 
Description: Issue an amendment to the Chatham Telephone Company SUP for installation of a fiber optic cable crossing National Forest land. The cable will be buried in a road ROW following existing telephone corridor. No vegetation will be removed.
Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger, Delta. Corridor is located on the Westside of the Hiawatha National Forest.
Sandtown Historical Interpretation Project
CE
 - Heritage resource management  Completed  Actual: 09/03/2010  09/2010 Eric Drake
906-789-3317
ericdrake@fs.fed.us 
Description: Construct a 2-3 car parking area and wayside with 3-4 interpretive signs commemorating the history, culture, and contributions of this former Anishinabe logging and lumbering community.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=31235
Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Delta. Along County Road 499 between 1/4 and 1/8 mile west of the bridge crossing the Sturgeon River.
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Hiawatha National Forest,   Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
American Transmission Company (ATC) 6952 Maintenance
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/08/2010  		Expected:12/2010
  		03/2011 Susan Alexander
906-789-3327
smalexander@fs.fed.us 
Description: ATC is proposing to rebuild their 6952 powerline to correct many safety issues with low hanging powerlines. Rebuild will be within the existing corridor to provide reliable and safe service to rural customers.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=32602
Location: UNIT - Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa. LEGAL - T46N R3W, Secs 15, 18 & 19; T46N R4W , Secs 13-18; T46N R5W, Sec 23. Powerline corridor is found on the Eastside of the Hiawatha National Forest parallel to Highway M-28.
Chippewa County Emergency Services/911 Central Dispatch
EA
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Susan Alexander
906-789-3327
smalexander@fs.fed.us 
Description: Issuance of a Special Use Permit for the installation of a communication tower on National Forest System Land.
Location: UNIT - Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa. LEGAL - T47N R3W Sec. 16. Powerline corridor is found on the Westside and the Eastside of the Hiawatha National Forest.
Chippewa County Telephone Company - Fiber Optic Cable Installation
CE
 - Special use management  Completed  Actual: 08/20/2010  08/2010 Susan Alexander
906-789-3327
smalexander@fs.fed.us 
Description: Chippewa County Telephone Company has requested a Fiber Optic SUP for installation of a buried fiber optic cable along the Highway M-28 and Ranger Road right-of-way crossing National Forest System land.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=32934
Location: UNIT - Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa. LEGAL - T46N R4W Sections 1, 12, 13 & 22-24; T46N R3W Sections 15-17 and 20; T47N R4W Sections 25 & 36. Cable would be installed on the north side of Highway M-28 and the west side of Ranger Road.
East Unit Spawning Habitat
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2010  		Expected:12/2010  05/2011 Chuck Bassett
906-789-3336
cbassett@fs.fed.us 
Description: Increase natural reporduction of brook trout by installing spawning habitat in Bear Creek, Biscuit Creek, and Creek Number Nine. Design would duplicate previous successful projects.
Location: UNIT - Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa. LEGAL - T44N, R4W, Sections 17, and 26; T46N, R6W, Section 24. Project activities located on various streams (Biscuit Creek, Bear Creek, Creek Number Nine) on the Eastside of the Hiawatha National Forest.
Gaylor Trucking
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Cancelled  N/A  N/A Susan Alexander
906-789-3327
smalexander@fs.fed.us 
Description: Issuance of road special use permit to allow trucking on system road (FR3252) and non-system road to haul material from private property. FR3252 is a Management Level 2 road and open for public motorized use.
Location: UNIT - Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa. LEGAL - T44N, R4W, Sec 21 W1/2 SW1/4. FR3252 travels north of FH-8. The non-system road travels west of FR3252 just north of FR3008.
Sault Ste. Marie Conveyance
CE
 - Land management planning  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/09/2009  		Expected:11/2010
  		06/2011 Stevan Christiansen
906-643-7900
sjchristiansen@fs.fed.us 
Description: Hiawatha National Forest is proposing to sell the Sault Ste. Marie District Office
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=31392
Location: UNIT - Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa. The Sault Ste. Marie District Office is located at 4000 I-75 Business Spur, Sault Ste. Marie.
Strongs Grade Culvert Removals
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 11/2010  		Expected:02/2011  07/2011 Chuck Bassett
906-789-3336
cbassett@fs.fed.us 
Description: Improve aquatic organism passage in tributaries to the East Branch Tahquamenon River by removing culverts on the Strongs Grade that are no longer needed and often plugged by beaver.
Location: UNIT - Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa. LEGAL - T46N, R6W, Section 24 SW-SE; T46N, R5W, Section 30 NW-NW; T46N, R5W, Section 30 NW-NE. Creek Number Nine, Unnamed creek, and Creek Number Eight along the Strongs Grade.
Trout Brook Pond Habitat Enhancement
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2011  		Expected:04/2011  07/2011 Chuck Bassett
906-789-3336
cbassett@fs.fed.us 
Description: Restore productivity of existing brook trout habitat by removing approximately 15,000 cubic yards of sand and organic sediment. Provide spawning habitat by installing approximately 80 cubic yards of gravel in spring upwelling zones.
Location: UNIT - Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa. LEGAL - T44N, R4W, S22, Chippewa County. Located 11 air miles west of Rudyard and 12 miles east of Trout Lake on north side of H-40.
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Hiawatha National Forest,   St. Ignace Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Peninsula Fiber Network - Fiber Optic Cable Installation
CE
 - Special use management  Completed  Actual: 04/12/2010  09/2010 Susan Alexander
906-789-3327
smalexander@fs.fed.us 
Description: Installation of fiber optic cable parallel to Mackinac Trail from St. Ignace to Chippewa County line. Cable will be buried by vibratory plow or directional bored.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=31572
Location: UNIT - St. Ignace Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Mackinac. LEGAL - T43N R3W S 12, 13, 14, 22, 23, 34, 33; T42N R3W S 4, 8, 17, 18, 19, 31; T41N R4W S 1, 12, 13, 24, 25. Project is located on the St. Ignace Ranger District.
Sand Dunes Ski Trail BBD Salvage Timber Harvest
CE
 - Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 09/03/2010  09/2010 Donald Mikel
906-635-5311
dmikel@fs.fed.us 
Description: Implement a salvage timber harvest to remove hazardous trees along the Sand Dunes Ski Trail infested with beech bark disease.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=31877
Location: UNIT - St. Ignace Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Mackinac. LEGAL - T41N, R5W, Sections 22 & 23. Sand Dunes Ski Trail.
Shores
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Fuels management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/19/2009
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 10/2010  		Expected:11/2010
  		01/2011 Daniel Range
906-643-7900
drange@fs.fed.us 
Description: Vegetation management to provide forest products and wildlife habitat needs; and for insect and disease control/prevention. Provide a safe and efficient transportation system by decommissioning unneeded roads/constructing new roads where needed.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=29344
Location: UNIT - St. Ignace Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Mackinac. This project is located along the north lake shores of Lakes Huron and Michigan. The city of St. Ignace is located south of project area.
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This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.