Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
07/01/2012 to 09/30/2012
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
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 10/2012  		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.
Land Management Planning Rule
EIS
 - Regulations, Directives, Orders  Completed  Actual: 03/23/2012  08/2012 Brenda Halter-Glenn
202-260-9400
bhalterglenn@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.
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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
2011 Reissuance of Expired Special Use Permits
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/14/2011
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 06/2012  		Expected:08/2012
  		10/2012 Patrick Malta
906-428-5827
prmalta@fs.fed.us 
Description: There are 15 special use permits expiring in 2011. The permits are for 3 directional signs, 10 roads, and 1 water storage tank.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=36172
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 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  Completed  Actual: 04/13/2012  05/2012 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/nepa_project_exp.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.
Hiawatha Telephone Co. Hwy 94 Fiber Optic Cable
EA
 - Special use management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 03/08/2012  		Expected:07/2012
  		08/2012 Matthew Cole
906-387-2512
mattcole@fs.fed.us 
Description: Install 11 miles of underground fiber optic cable within the right-of-way of Hwy 94, from Shingleton south to County Road 437. Construction methods would include vibratory and static plowing, directional boring, and aerial.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=38177
Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District, Manistique Ranger District, Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Schoolcraft, Alger. LEGAL - T45N, R17W, Sections 4, 5, 9, 16, 21, 28, 32, 33 and T44N, R17W, Section 4, 5, 8, 9, 16, 21, 22. Along 11 miles of the Highway 94 corridor from Shingleton south to County Road 437.
Merit Network Fiber Optic Cable
EA
 - Special use management  Completed  Actual: 05/30/2012  05/2012 Stephen Sjogren
906-643-7900x134
ssjogren@fs.fed.us 
Description: EA -- Installation of a buried and overhead fiber optic cable along the existing road right-of-ways for approximately 24 miles.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=35637
Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District, Manistique Ranger District, St. Ignace Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Schoolcraft, Delta, Mackinac. The fiber optic corridor runs the length of the Forest on US Highway 2 from Rapid River to St. Ignace.
Rudyard
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/26/2012
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 01/2013  		Expected:03/2013
  		06/2013 Mary Maercklein
906-474-6442 ext. 117
mmaercklein@fs.fed.us 
Description: Vegetation management, wildlife habitat improvement, transportation management, and non-native invasive plant management
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=38836
Location: UNIT - St. Ignace Ranger District, Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Chippewa, Mackinac. LEGAL - T42N R2W, Sec 4-6; T42N R3W, Sec 1-2; T43N R2W, Sec 2-8, 17-20, 29, 30-32; T43N R3W, Sec 1-16,22-24,25-27,34-36; T43N R4W, Sec 1, 2 11,12; T44N R3W, Sec 18,19,27-34; T44N R4W, Sec 23,24, 25-28, 33-36. In the SE portion of Eastside unit, south of Trout Brook Pond, east of East Lake, north of road FH84, and west of Hill Lake.
Snowmobile Trail Relocation and Wetland Restoration Project
CE
 - Recreation management
- Watershed management 		 Completed  Actual: 05/18/2012  07/2012 Mary Maercklein
906-474-6442 ext. 117
mmaercklein@fs.fed.us 
Description: CE -- Relocate wetland segments of snowmobile trails to higher, drier ground to prevent wetland damage resulting from illegal ORV use on the snowmobile trail during the snow-free season. Old wetland segments would be closed and rehabilitated.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=36606
Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District, Manistique Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Schoolcraft, Delta. Snowmobile trail segments on the Rapid River and Manistique ranger districts, including Snowmobile Trails #2, #411, #413, and #7.
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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
Graham Land Exchange
EA
 - Land ownership management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/25/2011
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 09/2012  		Expected:10/2012
  		12/2012 Sharon Hagstrom
906.789.3389
shagstrom@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal to exchange approx 1 acre of federal lands underlying a privately-owned historic lighthouse for approx 2.4 acres of privately-owned lands within the Grand Island National Recreation Area. Also reconstruct existing access to federal tract.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=36609
Location: UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger. LEGAL - Federal land T48N, R19W, Section 16, part of government lot 1. Non-federal land T47N, R19W, Section 24, part of government lot 2. Grand Island National Recreation Area.
Mirrorwood
EA
 - Land management planning
- Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/25/2011
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 07/2012  		Expected:12/2012
  		10/2014 Mary Maercklein
906-474-6442 ext. 117
mmaercklein@fs.fed.us 
Description: Vegetation management, watershed and fisheries habitat improvements, mountain bike trail construction, non-native invasive plant treatments, non-significant Forest Plan amendment, and road construction, closures, and decommissioning.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=33446
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.
Tri-County Volunteer Fire Department
CE
 - Special use management  Cancelled  N/A  N/A Patrick Malta
906-428-5828
prmalta@fs.fed.us 
Description: Amend an existing special use permit to the Tri-County VFD for the removal of an existing garage and construction of an addition to the existing garage to house upgraded fire equipment.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=38357
Location: UNIT - Munising Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Alger. LEGAL - T44n, R19W, Section 36, NE1/4, SW1/4, NE1/4. Along FH 12 on the Westside of the Hiawatha National Forest.
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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
CR 497 Relocation
EA
 - Watershed management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 12/24/2011  		Expected:01/2013
  		06/2013 Mary Maercklein
906-474-6442 ext. 117
mmaercklein@fs.fed.us 
Description: EA -- Relocate approximately 2,700 feet of CR 497 and an electric powerline to an existing railroad and utility corridor to address a meander bend in the Sturgeon River that threatens to undercut the road.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37192
Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Delta. LEGAL - T40N, R19W, Section 6 and 7. On Delta County Road 497 along the Sturgeon River 1.8 miles south of US Highway 2.
Carr Creek Spawning Habitat
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  Completed  Actual: 06/14/2012  07/2012 Chuck Bassett
906-428-5836
cbassett@fs.fed.us 
Description: Replace deteriorating spawning habitat that was installed in Carr Creek over 30 years ago. Includes installing, primarily by hand, washed gravel and cobblestone to provide preferred spawning conditions for native brook trout.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=38853
Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Delta. LEGAL - T43N, R18W, S36 NW. On Carr Creek in Delta County.
Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline Inspection and Maintenance Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 05/16/2012  		Expected:07/2012
  		07/2012 Scott Maki
906-474-6442 x134
smaki@fs.fed.us 
Description: To issue a special use permit for the excavation, inspection, and repair of the Enbridge petroleum pipeline. The location was identified during inline integrity testing and is within the Sturgeon Wild and Scenic River.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=39305
Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Delta. LEGAL - T41N, R19W, Section 20 NE. Approximately 3 miles north of US 2 at Nahma Junction, along FH13, just north of Flowing Well Campground. Access to the work area would be along the pipeline easement approx. 1/4 mile east of FH13.
Ensign Township Fire Department Hydrant Relocation
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 07/2012  		Expected:09/2012  10/2012 Patrick Malta
906.428.5827
prmalta@fs.fed.us 
Description: Amendment to an existing special use permit to relocate a dry fire hydrant on National Forest System lands for fire suppression.
Location: UNIT - Rapid River Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Delta. LEGAL - T39N, R21W, Section 28. Ogontz Bay boat launch at the mouth of Big River off County Road 503.
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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
Sault Ste. Marie Conveyance
CE
 - Land management planning  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 07/09/2009  		Expected:05/2012
  		09/2012 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/nepa_project_exp.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.
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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
Cloverland Cooperative Electric Company Line Removal
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 06/27/2012  		Expected:08/2012
  		09/2012 Patrick Malta
906-428-5827
prmalta@fs.fed.us 
Description: Remove approximately 1/4 mile of existing overhead electric distribution line in Search Bay area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=38418
Location: UNIT - St. Ignace Ranger District. STATE - Michigan. COUNTY - Mackinac. LEGAL - T42N, R2W, Section 25, Part of SW 1/4. On the Eastside of the Hiawatha National Forest.
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This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.