Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
07/01/2020 to 09/30/2020
Boise 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
-  Projects Occurring in more than one Region (excluding Nationwide)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Boise National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Boise National Forest,  Cascade Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Boise National Forest,  Emmett Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Boise National Forest,  Idaho City Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Boise National Forest,  Lowman Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R4 - Intermountain Region, Boise National Forest,  Mountain Home 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

           *UPDATED* 		- 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.
Back To Top

Projects Occurring in more than one Region (excluding Nationwide)  

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Amendments to Land Management Plans Regarding Sage-grouse Conservation
EIS
 - Land management planning
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 08/02/2019  		Expected:07/2020
  		07/2020 John Shivik
801-625-5667
johnashivik@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Forest Service is considering amending its land management plans to address new and evolving issues arising since implementing sage-grouse plans in 2015. This project is in cooperation with the USDI Bureau of Land Management.
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r4/home/?cid=stelprd3843381
Location: UNIT - Ashley National Forest All Units, Boise National Forest All Units, Bridger-Teton National Forest All Units, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest All Units, Dixie National Forest All Units, Fishlake National Forest All Units, Salmon-Challis National Forest All Units, Sawtooth National Forest All Units, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest All Units, Manti-La Sal National Forest All Units, Caribou-Targhee National Forest All Units, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache All Units. STATE - Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming. COUNTY - Jackson, Moffat, Routt, Adams, Blaine, Bonneville, Camas, Caribou, Cassia, Elmore, Fremont, Madison, Churchill, Clark, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lincoln, Nye, Pershing, Washoe, White Pine, Beaver, Box Elder, Cache, Carbon, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Emery, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Juab, Kane, Millard, Morgan, Piute, Rich, Salt Lake, San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Summit, Tooele, Uintah, Utah, Wasatch, Washington, Wayne, Weber, Platte, Sublette, Teton, Weston, Albany, Campbell, Carbon, Converse, Crook, Laramie, Lincoln, Natrona, Niobrara. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Sagebrush lands in National Forests of Nevada, Utah, southern Idaho, southwest Montana, southwest & south-central Wyoming and northern Colorado.
Back To Top

R4 - Intermountain Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
South Fork Restoration and Access Management Plan
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 12/18/2019  		Expected:11/2020
  		12/2020 Jennifer Blake
208634-0401
jennifer.b.blake@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project will address both restoration and public and private access needs to determine the minimum road system, improve watershed condition, provide ATV and motorcycle trail opportunities, and provide dispersed camping and parking opportunities.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=51257
Location: UNIT - McCall Ranger District, Cascade Ranger District, Krassel Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Idaho, Valley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area is the South Fork Salmon River corridor on the Payette NF with a short extension on the SFSR Rd on the Boise NF, located generally east of McCall, Idaho in Valley and Idaho Counties.
Stibnite Gold Plan of Operations EIS
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 06/05/2017
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 08/2020  		Expected:09/2021
  		09/2021 Brian Harris
208-634-0784
bdharris@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Forest is processing a plan of operations for open pit mining, processing, new road construction, utility upgrades, reclamation, and restoration at the Stibnite mine site.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50516
Location: UNIT - Cascade Ranger District, Krassel Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Stibnite mining district is located in Valley County Idaho, east of the community of Yellow Pine near the East Fork South Fork Salmon River.
Back To Top

Boise National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Trinity Fire Reforestation
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 06/2020  		Expected:04/2021  10/2021 Brian Lawatch
208-590-3345
brian.lawatch@usda.gov 
Description: This project would plant native tree species within the portions of the 130,000-acre 2012 Trinity Ridge Fire perimeter. The fire removed native tree species and their seed sources, making natural regeneration difficult.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58279
Location: UNIT - Mountain Home Ranger District, Idaho City Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Elmore. LEGAL - T 06 NR 09 E, T 06NR 10 E, T 05 NR 08 E, T 05 NR 09 E, T 04 NR 08 E, T 04 NR 09 E, T 03 NR 09 E, and T 03 NR 10 E. Trinity Ridge Fire Perimeter in Management Area 2 Rattlesnake Creek/Feather River, and Management Area 6 Middle Fork of the Boise River.
Back To Top

Boise National Forest,   Cascade Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Burntlog Route Geophysical Investigation
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/10/2020  		Expected:09/2020
  		05/2021 Jake Strohmeyer
208-382-7400
jstrohmeyer@fs.fed.us 
Description: The purpose of the investigation is to collect crucial geophysical data along the existing Burntlog road and proposed new alignment between Trapper Creek and Stibnite.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57593
Location: UNIT - Cascade Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - The project is located in sec 12, T15N, R7E; sec 3, 4, 7, 9, 17, 18, T15N, R8E; sec 1, 2, 10, 11, 15, 22, 26, 27, 34, 35, T16N, R8E; sec 13, 23, 24, 26, 35, 36, T17N. R8E; sec 4, 5, 8, 17, 18, T17N. R9E; sec 13, 14, 24-26, 32-34 T18., R9E, Boise Meridian. Burntlog road.
Lost Horse
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 Completed  Actual: 06/19/2020  01/2021 James Bishop
208-382-7442
jjbishop@fs.fed.us 
Description: The objective is to restore species composition and stand structure while reducing undesirable tree densities and favoring the retention of the larger diameter, more fire-resistant trees.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56535
Location: UNIT - Cascade Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. This planning area is located approximately 21 mile east/southeast of Cascade, ID within the Clear Creek drainage along National Forest Roads (NFR) 405,406, 407, 409, and 433.
Two-Bit Road Decommissioning
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management 		 Completed  Actual: 06/10/2020  06/2020 James Mays
208-382-7420
jamesdmays@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Cascade Ranger District is proposing to decommission approximately 18 miles of non-system routes in the Six-bit Creek and Curtis Creek subwatersheds, part of the South Fork Salmon River subbasin.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57592
Location: UNIT - Cascade Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - Township 15 North, Range 6 East, Sections 3, 4, and 10. The project areas is along the Two-Bit Six-Bit road between the Warm Lake Highway and NFS road 495.
Back To Top

Boise National Forest,   Emmett Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Idaho Department of Lands, Buildings on the High Valley Administrative Site Special Use Permit Renew
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 04/06/2020  05/2020 Christopher Woras
208-382-7422
cworas@fs.fed.us 
Description: The proposal is to issue a new special use authorization for a new term to replace expired authorization EMT102950 which authorized IDL to maintain two buildings on NFS lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57590
Location: UNIT - Emmett Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - Township 10 North, Range 3 East, Section 7. High Valley Guard Station.
Idaho Department of Transportation Maintenance Facility Special Use Permit Renewal
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/11/2020  		Expected:08/2020
  		12/2020 Christopher Woras
208-382-7422
cworas@fs.fed.us 
Description: The proposal is to issue a new special use authorization for a new term to replace expired authorization EMT100131 which authorized the operation and maintenance of the Banks Maintenance Shed No. 3114
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57591
Location: UNIT - Emmett Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Township 9 North, Range 3 East, Section 28. Intersection of Highway 55 and Highway 21.
Sage Hen Integrated Restoration Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 04/15/2020  		Expected:12/2020
  		01/2021 Mary Blackwell
208-373-4245
Mary.Blackwell@usda.gov 
Description: Improve vegetation conditions to improve resiliency to uncharacteristic disturbances, restore watershed function to improve aquatic resources, improve and manage recreational opportunities/use, and support local/regional economies.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56701
Location: UNIT - Emmett Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Gem, Valley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Upper Squaw Creek watershed north of High Valley and on the westside of the Emmett Ranger District. Eastside of the project area includes a portion of the Snowbank Inventoried Roadless Area.
Back To Top

Boise National Forest,   Idaho City Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
2018 CuMo Exploration Project
EA
 - Minerals and Geology  On Hold  N/A  N/A Ricky Wells
208-373-4136
rickywells@fs.fed.us 
Description: Locatable minerals exploration. Proposal to drill 259 new exploratory holes to retrieve core samples. Project will construction of about 13.3 miles of new temporary road and use of about 4.7 miles existing unauthorized road as temporary roads.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52875
Location: UNIT - Idaho City Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - T8N, R6E, Sections 7,8,17,18,19,and 20. This project is located approximately 3 miles northeast of Grimes Pass in Boise County Idaho.
New Start - JaBob Minerals Proposed Plan of Operations Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 01/17/2020  		Expected:10/2020
  		11/2020 Travis Whitman
1-208-392-3719
travis.whitman@usda.gov 
Description: A mining claimant has submitted a plan of operation for mineral exploration. The Forest service is mandated to act timely in processing Plans submitted under mining laws, including completion of an environmental review, as required under NEPA.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=49771
Location: UNIT - Idaho City Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - T7N, R5E, sec 10. On National Forest System Lands, roughly one mile southwest of Pioneerville, Idaho, Boise County.
The Saint Minerals Project Proposed Plan of Operations (Revised)
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 01/17/2020  		Expected:06/2020
  		06/2020 Travis Whitman
1-208-392-3719
travis.whitman@usda.gov 
Description: The proponent proposes exploratory mining over a 1-acre parcel of FS land. Holes would be dug by hand, mini excavator, or backhoe. Over the course of a 5-year period up to 25 holes may be dug down to bedrock, no more than 2 at a time.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57488
Location: UNIT - Idaho City Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - T7N-R4E-Sec 15. Approximately 1 mile west of Placerville on FSR 343.
Thorn Creek Butte Communications Site
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Facility management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/12/2020  		Expected:07/2020
  		09/2020 Brant Petersen
541-383-4766
bpetersen02@fs.fed.us 
Description: The CIO Land Mobile Radio Group, Idaho Department of Lands, and Boise County, propose building a new 80 foot tall radio comms building and tower at Thorn Creek Butte on an old concrete pad, providing line of site comms for safety along HWY 21.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58193
Location: UNIT - Idaho City Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - T5-R6-Section 28. Thorn Creek Butte Lookout.
Back To Top

Boise National Forest,   Lowman Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Idaho Department of Transportation (ITD) Mineral Materials Permit Renewal
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 06/24/2020  06/2020 Christopher Woras
208-382-7422
cworas@fs.fed.us 
Description:  Issue a new 10-year Mineral Materials Permit to ITD
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=55855
Location: UNIT - Lowman Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - SE ? of Section 18 and the NE ? of section 19, T9N R9E, Boise Meridian. Willis Gulch.
Lowman Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 06/17/2020  		Expected:09/2020
  		10/2020 Ryan Shannahan
208-259-3361
rmshannahan@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project proposes hazardous fuel reduction on approximately 9,400 acres within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). Proposed treatments include both prescribed fire and mechanical understory thinning.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=41003
Location: UNIT - Lowman Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project is located adjacent to the community of Lowman along the South Fork of the Payette River.
Back To Top

Boise National Forest,   Mountain Home Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R4 - Intermountain Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Bogus Basin Multi-Use Trails
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 04/22/2020  06/2020 Fantasy Burns
208-587-7889
fantasy.burns@usda.gov 
Description: The Forest Supervisor has authorized the construction of approximately 12.6 miles of multiple-use trails within the Bogus Basin Recreation Area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=54041
Location: UNIT - Mountain Home Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Not Applicable. This project is located in the Bogus Basin Recreation Area and Shaffer Butte area.
Bogus Basin Snowmaking Special Use Permit Phase 2
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 04/22/2020  06/2020 Fantasy Burns
208-587-7832
fantasy.burns@usda.gov 
Description: The Forest Supervisor has authorized the construction and use of snowmaking infrastructure on the Showcase, Sourdough, and Stewart's Bowl ski trails at Bogus Basin Recreation Area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=53720
Location: UNIT - Mountain Home Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Not Applicable. This project is located at Bogus Basin Ski Area approximately 15 miles north of Boise, Idaho.
Lower Feather Maintenance Burn
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Fuels management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 06/2020  		Expected:12/2020  04/2021 Brian Lawatch
208-590-3345
brian.lawatch@usda.gov 
Description: This project proposes prescribe within a 2,515-acre project area to reduce fuels and maintain a natural fire return interval. There would be a 752-acre primary treatment area within the project area. Click on "Project Detail" for more info.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58439
Location: UNIT - Mountain Home Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Elmore. LEGAL - T4N R10E Sections 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34. Three miles north of Featherville, Idaho. Rattlesnake Creek / Feather River - Management Area 2. Feather River South Fork Boise River watershed.
Sinker Creek - Boise Ridge Forest Health Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 12/09/2019  		Expected:07/2020
  		08/2020 Joshua Newman
208-587-7865
joshua.newman@usda.gov 
Description: The forest proposes to implement vegetation treatments using timber harvest and prescribed fire to promote forest resiliency and address hazardous fuels within the wildland urban interface while responding to insect and disease outbreaks.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56323
Location: UNIT - Mountain Home Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Sinker Creek area is about 16 miles northeast of Boise via Bogus Basin Road. The Boise Ridge area is about ten miles northeast of Boise, via Eighth Street.
South Fork Boise River Bark Beetle Mitigation
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 06/2020  		Expected:10/2020  02/2021 Brian Lawatch
208-590-3345
brian.lawatch@usda.gov 
Description: This project would implement sanitation harvest through mechanical removal of insect-infected ponderosa pine in the Dog Creek Campground, Elks Flat Campground, and Bronco Gulch Dispersed Recreation Area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58278
Location: UNIT - Mountain Home Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Elmore. LEGAL - Township 2N, Range 10E, Sections 5, 7, 8. Four miles north of Pine, ID in Management Area 2: Rattlesnake Creek/Feather River.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.