Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2021 to 03/31/2021
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
Forest Plan Amendment - Elk Habitat Objectives
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Land management planning  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/18/2019
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 03/2021  		Expected:09/2021
  		10/2021 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

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Cancelled  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.
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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 01/2021  		Expected:09/2021  10/2021 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

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 11/19/2020  11/2020 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.
Two Bear Outfitters
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Cancelled  N/A  N/A 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
Gold Butterfly Project - Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
EIS

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Road management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. NOI in Federal Register 12/2020  		Expected:07/2021  09/2021 Matthew Anderson
406-363-7121
matthew.anderson3@usda.gov 
Description: This SEIS for the Gold Butterfly Project will analyze a project-specific forest plan amendment related to management of old growth within the project area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59262
Location: UNIT - Stevensville Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - Not Applicable. 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.
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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.
Tolan Firewood Sale
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Forest products  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2021  		Expected:03/2021  06/2021 Ryan Hughes
406-210-0869
ryan.hughes@usda.gov 
Description: Harvest of dead and/or dying tress on approximately 85 acres along the Tolan Road (FS 5740 road) and Hilltop Road (FS 13343 road). Harvest activity would be confined to within 150 feet of each side of the road.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59310
Location: UNIT - Sula Ranger District. STATE - Montana. COUNTY - Ravalli. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Proposed units are in T1N &1S, R18W, Sections 16, 20, 21, and 28; Principal Meridian.
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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 and Missoula on the Fly Special Use Permits
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/30/2020  		Expected:02/2021
  		02/2021 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

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/28/2020  		Expected:02/2021
  		02/2021 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.
Missoula on the Fly
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/28/2020  		Expected:01/2021
  		02/2021 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 day-use access to Forest Service access sites on the West Fork Bitterroot River.
Location: UNIT - West Fork Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Idaho. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Fishing access sites on Forest Service along West Fork Bitterroot River.
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
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 02/2021  		Expected:08/2021
  		10/2021 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

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/28/2020  		Expected:02/2021
  		02/2021 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.
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