Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2020 to 03/31/2020
Bitterroot 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) :
-  R1 - Northern Region, Bitterroot National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Bitterroot National Forest,  Darby Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Bitterroot National Forest,  Stevensville Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Bitterroot National Forest,  Sula Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R1 - Northern Region, Bitterroot National Forest,  West Fork Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

Bitterroot 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
Bitterroot Fly Company Shuttle Permit Issuance
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/25/2018  		Expected:01/2020
  		01/2020 Bill Goslin
406-777-7419.
bgoslin@fs.fed.us 
Description: Reissuance of a revoked shuttle permit to another permitee for the remainder of 10 year period.
Location: UNIT - Bitterroot National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - Not Applicable. FS river access sites along the West Fork of the Bitterroot River.
Forest Plan Amendment - Elk Habitat Objectives
EA

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Land management planning  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 12/2019  		Expected:05/2020  07/2020 Jeffrey Shearer
406-375-2608
jeffrey.shearer@usda.gov 
Description: The Bitterroot National Forest is evaluating the need to conduct a programmatic amendment for elk habitat objectives under the 1987 Forest Plan.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57302
Location: UNIT - Bitterroot National Forest All Units. STATE - Idaho, Montana. COUNTY - Idaho, Ravalli. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The programmatic forest plan amendment would cover the entire Bitterroot National Forest.
Montana All Mountain Adventures Permit Renewal
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Bill Goslin
406-821-3269
bgoslin@fs.fed.us 
Description: Renewal of a special use permit for a 10-year period to allow day use hiking, mountain biking, interpretive walks, snowshoeing and skiing.
Location: UNIT - Bitterroot National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Montana portion of the Bitterroot Forest on trails designated in the 5-year operating period.
SKALKAHO LODGE - outfitter permit renewal
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 12/2019  		Expected:12/2019  01/2020 Bill Goslin
406-821-1222
bill.goslin@usda.gov 
Description: RENEWAL OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR A TEN-YEAR PERIOD TO ALLOW OUTFTTING FOR DAY-USE HUNTING.
Location: UNIT - Bitterroot National Forest All Units. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - Not Applicable. ALL OF THE MONTANA PORTION OF THE BITTERROOT NATIONAL FOREST.
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Bitterroot National Forest,   Darby Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Bitterroot Front
EA

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management
- Heritage resource management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 03/2020  		Expected:04/2020  01/2021 Eric Winthers
406-821-4244
ewinthers@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project aims to increase forest resiliency by addressing insect and disease risks, reducing risk of high severity wildfire, maintaining/improving wildlife habitat and watershed conditions, as well as maintaining/improving recreation and roads.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57341
Location: UNIT - Darby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Missoula, Ravalli. LEGAL - Multiple sections in: T10N/R20W-R21W, T11N/R20W-R21W, T2N/R21W-R22W, T3N/R21W-R22W, T4N/R21W-R23W, T5N/R21W-R23W, T6N/R21W-R22W, T7N/R21W-R22W, T8N/R21W-R22W, T9N/R20W-R21W. Project area includes Forest Service lands on the eastern front of the Bitterroot Range from Darby, MT (Trapper Creek area) to Florence, MT (McClain Creek area) on the Darby and Stevensville RDs.
Buckhorn GNA Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/02/2019  		Expected:02/2020
  		07/2020 Jeffrey Shearer
406-375-2608
jeffrey.shearer@usda.gov 
Description: Project would address current, and increase resilience to future, insect and disease issues in the project area as well as reduce hazardous fuels conditions.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56927
Location: UNIT - Darby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project area is located along Forest System Road 714 (Gird Point Road) at the headwaters of Coffee, Tenderfoot, and Fullerton Gulches.
Canyon Lake Dam Access for Repairs
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 09/15/2019  		Expected:01/2020
  		08/2020 Eric Winthers
406-821-4244
ewinthers@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Forest Service proposes to authorize Canyon Creek Irrigation District adequate access to their facilities at Canyon Lake Dam. CCID requests access to their easement to make their facilities safe as required under federal dam safety laws.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=55165
Location: UNIT - Darby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - T6N, R22W, SE1/4 Sec. 27, PMM, Ravalli County, Montana. The proposed project is located approximately 8 air miles west of Hamilton, Montana, on trail No. 525 in the Canyon Creek drainage in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.
Lake Como Recreation Area - South Trails
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 12/2019  		Expected:02/2020  06/2020 Mark Smith
406-821-1218
mark.r.smith@usda.gov 
Description: To create a network of trails from existing single-track trails (2.8 miles), existing trails routes on road beds (4.5 miles), and proposed new single-track construction (8.0 miles).
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57299
Location: UNIT - Darby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - T 3N, R 21W, Sec 5,6,7. Lake Como Greater Recreation Area, south side of the Lake.
TRIPLE CREEK DOGSLED
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/08/2019  		Expected:12/2019
  		01/2020 Bill Goslin
406-821-3269
billgoslin@usda.gov 
Description: REISSUANCE OF A TRANSITIONAL SPECIAL USE PERMIT AS A PRIORITY USE PERMIT FOR THE REMAINDER OF A 10-YEAR TERM TO ALLOW FOR OUTFITTED DAY-USE DOGSLED TRIPS.
Location: UNIT - Darby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - Not Applicable. WEST FORK ROADS 468 & 5629. DARBY ROADS 75, 321, 5745, 73191, 369, 13256. DECEMBER TO MARCH. NO ROAD/SNOW GROOMING.
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Bitterroot National Forest,   Stevensville Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Gold Butterfly
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Road management 		 Completed  Actual: 11/15/2019  02/2020 Tami Sabol
406-777-7410
tjsabol@fs.fed.us 
Description: Project to harvest, thin, and prescribe burn forest stands to improve resilience to insects, disease, and wildfire and restore the fire return intervals. Move trailheads and manage roads to improve stream conditions.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=51486
Location: UNIT - Stevensville Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - T.6N.R.18W. sec.1-12, 16-20, 29,30, T.6N.R.19W. sec. 1,2,10-15,22-27, T.7N.R18W.sec. 2-36,T.7N.R.19W. sec. 1,2,11-14,22-27,34-36, T.8N.R.18W.sec. 20,21,28-34. On the east side of the Bitterroot Valley, from Little Three Mile Creek south to Saint Clair Creek and from the Bitterroot Forest boundary east to the boundary with the Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF.
MISSOULA PARKS AND RECREATION
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/30/2019  		Expected:12/2019
  		01/2020 Bill Goslin
406-821-3269
billgoslin@usda.gov 
Description: REISSUANCE OF A TRANSITIONAL SPECIAL USE PERMIT AS A PRIOIRITY USE SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR THE REMAINDER OF A 10-YEAR TERM TO ALLOW FOR YOUTH DAYTRIPS (HIKING, BIKING, XC SKIING AND SNOW SHOEING)AND BACKPACKING.
Location: UNIT - Stevensville Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - Not Applicable. STEVENSVILLE RD TRAILS: BIG CREEK, FRED BURR, SWEATHOUSE, GASH POINT DARBY RD TRAILS: CANYON CREEK LITTLE ROCK CREEK, COYOTE COULEE.
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Bitterroot National Forest,   Sula Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Schultz Saddle Prescribed Burn
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2020  		Expected:02/2020  03/2020 Jacquie Parks
406-821-4271
jmparks@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Schultz Saddle Rx is approx. 6,300 acres within the 2000 Valley Complex fire. The intent of this burn would be to clean up the fuels, open corridors for winter range, rejuvenate the elk habitat and improve a grazing allotment conditions.
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/bitterroot/landmanagement/projects
Location: UNIT - Sula Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - T1N R18W Sec 22-24, 36,25-26,13-14 T1N R17W Sec 19, 29-30. Schultz Saddle Rx is located 7 air miles southeast of Sula, MT and 8 air miles east of Lost Trail Ski Area.
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Bitterroot National Forest,   West Fork Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R1 - Northern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Mud Creek Vegetation Management Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/06/2019  		Expected:05/2020
  		09/2020 Jeffrey Shearer
406-375-2608
jeffreyshearer@usda.gov 
Description: Project purpose is to design and implement a suitable transportation system and to improve landscape resilience to disturbances, such as insects, diseases, and fire.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=55744
Location: UNIT - West Fork Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project is located in the Mud Creek watershed and portions of the Nelson Lake, Little West Fork, Lloyd Creek, Lower Blue Joint, and Painted Rocks watershed areas of the Bitterroot Mountains.
Piquett Creek Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/16/2019  		Expected:01/2020
  		06/2020 David Fox
406-821-1226
david.fox@usda.gov 
Description: Improve landscape resilience to disturbances (such as fire, insects and diseases) by diversifying forest structure and composition, and reducing fuels. Improve habitat diversity, forage quality and quantity for mule deer elk and bighorn sheep.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56774
Location: UNIT - West Fork Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - T1N, R21W Sections 1-3, 9-12 & 15. The project is located about five miles southwest of Conner, MT within the Piquett Creek and West Fork Bitterroot River-Lloyd Creek watersheds.
Selway Wilderness Outfitters permit renewal
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/01/2019  		Expected:12/2019
  		12/2019 Bill Goslin
406-821-3269
bgoslin@fs.fed.us 
Description: RENEWAL OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR A TEN-YEAR PERIOD TO ALLOW OUTFITTING FOR OVERNIGHT HUNTING AND SUMMER DAY-USE
Location: UNIT - West Fork Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Idaho. LEGAL - Not Applicable. SELWAY BITTERROOT WILDERENESS IN IDAHO.
West Fork Highway, MP 9.1 Unauthorized Route Rehabilitation
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 12/2019  		Expected:12/2019  12/2019 Sam Cook
406-821-4298
swcook@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project proposes to obliterate about 360 feet of user-created 2-track road. The road crew would use a backhoe to decompact the driving surface and spread slash on the decompacted prism.
Location: UNIT - West Fork Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - Not Applicable. MP 9.1 along West Fork Highway.
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