Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
10/01/2020 to 12/31/2020
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) :
-  Projects Occurring Nationwide
-  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)

Projects Occurring Nationwide  

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Locatable Mining Rule - 36 CFR 228, subpart A.
EIS
 - Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/13/2018
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 11/2021  		Expected:12/2021
  		12/2021 Nancy Rusho
202-731-9196
nancy.rusho@usda.gov 
Description: The U.S. Department of Agriculture proposes revisions to its regulations at 36 CFR 228, Subpart A governing locatable minerals operations on National Forest System lands.A draft EIS & proposed rule should be available for review/comment in late 2020
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57214
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. LEGAL - Not Applicable. These regulations apply to all NFS lands open to mineral entry under the US mining laws. More Information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/geology/minerals/locatable-minerals/current-revisions.
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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  Cancelled  N/A  N/A 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

           *UPDATED* 		- Land management planning  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/18/2019
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 12/2020  		Expected:05/2021
  		07/2021 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

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 01/31/2020  01/2020 Bill Goslin
406-821-1222
bill.goslin@usda.gov 
Description: Renewal of a special use permit for a 10-year period to allow outfitting 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

           *UPDATED* 		- 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 11/2020  		Expected:07/2021  08/2021 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.
Higgins Pipeline Special Use Permit Issuance
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/08/2020  		Expected:10/2020
  		10/2020 Kristin Troop
406-363-7138
kristin.troop@usda.gov 
Description: Proposal to allow landowners install a 2" buried water pipeline from Tin Cup Ditch to their property. The total length of buried line on NFS would be ~250 feet.
Location: UNIT - Darby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - Not Applicable. 650 Tin Cup Road, Darby, MT.
Triple Creek Dogsled
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 09/10/2019  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 dogsled trips. No Road/snow grooming.
Location: UNIT - Darby Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - Not Applicable. West Ford Roads 468 & 5629. Darby Roads 75, 321, 5745, 73191, 369, 13256. December to March. No Road/snow grooming.
Two Bear Outfitters
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/30/2020  		Expected:12/2020
  		01/2021 Rebecca Shufelt
406-821-3269
rrshufelt@fs.fed.us 
Description: 10-year permit renewal for an overnight hunting outfitter in the Sapphire Mountains on the Darby Ranger District.
Location: UNIT - Darby Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Idaho. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Two Bear Area north of Divide Creek in the Sapphire Mountains.
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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
Missoula Parks and Recreation Permit Reissuance
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 08/24/2020  01/2021 Bill Goslin
406-821-3269
billgoslin@usda.gov 
Description: Reissuance of a transitional special use permit as a priority 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 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A 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
High Plains Drifter
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/30/2020  		Expected:12/2020
  		01/2021 Rebecca Shufelt
406-821-3269
rrshufelt@fs.fed.us 
Description: Reissuance of a transitional special use permit as a priority special use permit for the remainder of a 10-year period to allow for day-use access to Forest Service access sites on the West Fork Bitterroot River
Location: UNIT - West Fork Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - Not Applicable. FOREST SERVICE RIVER ACCESS SITES ALONG THE WEST FORK OF THE BITTERROOT RIVER.
Hughes River Expeditions
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/28/2020  		Expected:12/2020
  		01/2021 Rebecca Shufelt
406-821-3269
rrshufelt@fs.fed.us 
Description: Reissuance of a transitional special use permit as a priority special use permit for the remainder of a 10-year term to allow for overnight whitewater rafting trips on the Selway River.
Location: UNIT - West Fork Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Idaho. LEGAL - Not Applicable. ALONG THE SELWAY RIVER FROM PARADISE TO RACE CREEK.
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:04/2021
  		07/2021 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.
Selway River Adventures
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/28/2020  		Expected:12/2020
  		01/2021 Rebecca Shufelt
406-821-3269
rrshufelt@fs.fed.us 
Description: Reissuance of a transitional special use permit as a priority special use permit for the remainder of a 10-year term to allow for overnight whitewater rafting trips on the Selway River.
Location: UNIT - West Fork Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Idaho. LEGAL - Not Applicable. ALONG THE SELWAY RIVER FROM PARADISE TO RACE CREEK.
Selway Wilderness Outfitters Permit Renewal
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 02/24/2020  03/2020 Bill Goslin
406-821-3269
bgoslin@fs.fed.us 
Description: Renewal of a special use permit for a 10-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 Wilderness in Idaho.
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