Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2021 to 03/31/2021
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
 - 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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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

           *UPDATED* 		- Land management planning
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 08/02/2019  		Expected:12/2020
  		01/2021 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.
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R4 - Intermountain Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Stibnite Gold Project EIS
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 08/15/2020
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 05/2021  		Expected:09/2021
  		09/2021 Sitka Pence
202-322-9870
sitka.pence@usda.gov 
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.
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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

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/29/2020  		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.
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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:04/2021
  		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.
Fawn Tussock
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/09/2020  		Expected:03/2021
  		04/2021 Stephanie Blumer
906-643-7900 x155
sblumer@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project would utilize salvage, commercial thinning, non-commercial thinning and prescribed fire to project is to improve stand conditions, increase resiliency to ongoing and future insect activity, reduce existing hazardous fuels accumulations.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58873
Location: UNIT - Cascade Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - Township 12-North, Range 3-East, sections 2, 3, 10, 11, 14, and 15 Township 13-North, Range 3-East, sections 15, 22, 23, 26, 27, 34, and 35 . 7 miles southwest of Cascade ID.
Rice Creek Road Repair
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Watershed management
- Road management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2021  		Expected:04/2021  07/2021 James Mays
208-382-7420
jamesdmays@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project proposes to repair the Rice Creek. The work would include earthwork to regrade and reshape the existing road into a series of fords at all drainages.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59177
Location: UNIT - Cascade Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - T14N,R06E, Section13; T14N, R07E, Sections 17, 18, 20, 29, 30, and 31. National Forest System Road 478, approximately 8 miles south of Warm Lake.
Skunk Creek
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/27/2020  		Expected:04/2021
  		06/2021 James Bishop
208-382-7442
jjbishop@fs.fed.us 
Description: The purpose of the project is to improve stand conditions, increase resiliency to ongoing and future insect activity, reduce hazardous fuels, and reduce the potential future fuel load being created by the current insect mortality.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58699
Location: UNIT - Cascade Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - Township 12-North, Range 4-East, sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, and 26 Township 12-North, Range 5-East, sections 5, 6, and 7 Township 13-North, Range 5-East, sections 20, 29, 30, 31, and 32. The project is located approximately 12 miles east-southeast of Cascade, in Valley County Idaho. The project area is within the wildland urban interface of the Clear Creek subdivision.
Two Bit Creek Culvert Replacement
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2021  		Expected:04/2021  05/2021 James Mays
208-382-7420
jamesdmays@fs.fed.us 
Description: The project proposes to replace the existing barrier culvert on Two Bit Creek with Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) structures which will re-establish unimpeded fish passage to all age classes of anadromous and resident fish species.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59175
Location: UNIT - Cascade Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - Section 3 of Township 15 North, Range 6 East. Two Bit Creek at National Forest System road 493.
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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 Transportation Maintenance Facility Special Use Permit Renewal
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 12/18/2020  01/2021 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.
Meg #1 Plan of Operations
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  Completed  Actual: 12/07/2020  05/2021 Ricky Wells
208-373-4136
rickywells@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Forest Service would approve a plan of operations for the exploration of pegmatite crystals on an established mining claim on National Forest System land.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58695
Location: UNIT - Emmett Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Gem. LEGAL - Section 4 of Township 10 North, Range 2 East. Along NFS road 644A, approximately 2.6 miles from the intersection with NFSR 644.
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:
Objection Period Legal Notice 11/13/2020  		Expected:03/2021
  		03/2021 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.
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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:
Objection Period Legal Notice 11/02/2020  		Expected:01/2021
  		03/2021 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

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 01/17/2020  		Expected:03/2021
  		04/2021 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.
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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
Bear Valley Creek Chinook Salmon Abundance Monitoring Permit Renewal
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Special use management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2021  		Expected:02/2021  03/2021 Scott Brandt
208-259-3361 ext 7510
scott.brandt@usda.gov 
Description: Operation and maintenance of a fish counting station, rotary screw trap, and staff gauge. Also permits a campsite, bankside wall tent, and storage of a cargo trailer on-site.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59173
Location: UNIT - Lowman Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Section 29 of Township 13 North, Range 10 East. Bear Valley drainage adjacent to Fir Creek campground, about 44 miles northeast of Lowman, Idaho.
Bureau of Reclamation Weather Station Permit Renewal
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2021  		Expected:02/2021  03/2021 Katherine Hermanns
208-365-7026
katherine.hermanns@usda.gov 
Description: The Forest Service would issue a special use authorization for a new term to authorize operating and maintaining a 4ft. x 4ft x 39ft. concrete pad with meteorological, and river gauging equipment.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58687
Location: UNIT - Lowman Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - N1/2, SE1/4, NW1/4, SW1/4, Section 27, T9N, R7E. Approximately 1-mile NW of Lowman on Lowman Homes Road, off-of Highway 17.
Deadwood Fault Study
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2021  		Expected:03/2021  06/2021 Katherine Hermanns
208-365-7026
katherine.hermanns@usda.gov 
Description: The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) in collaboration with the Idaho Geological Survey (IGS) is conducting a study of the Deadwood-Reeves Creek fault system as part of a dam safety evaluation.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58694
Location: UNIT - Lowman Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Sections 30 and 31 of Township 12 North, Range 7 East. Deadwood Resevoir.
Rock Creek Culvert Replacements
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2021  		Expected:04/2021  07/2021 Matthew Robinson
208.259.3361 x7508
matthew.robinson@usda.gov 
Description: The project proposes to install three aquatic organism passage (AOP) structures to replace old culverts. This will improve aquatic organism passage and allow for natural channel flow.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59176
Location: UNIT - Lowman Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Lower Rock Creek, Lower Road Fork Creek, and Upper Rock Creek on FSR 594.
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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
Boise River Basin Feasibility Study
EIS
 - Facility management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 07/31/2020
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/2021  		Expected:05/2021
  		01/2024 Jeffrey Alexander
208-373-4141
jalexander@fs.fed.us 
Description: Bureau of Reclamation has completed a Draft EIS for the Boise River Basin Feasibility Study. The USFS is a cooperating agency. To accomplish this project the USFS would need to modify a Forest Roads and Trails Act Easement.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58545
Location: UNIT - Mountain Home Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Elmore. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Anderson Ranch Reservoir, 28 miles northeast of Mountain Home, Idaho.
Lower Feather Maintenance Burn
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Fuels management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/24/2020  		Expected:03/2021
  		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:01/2021
  		02/2021 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

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  Completed  Actual: 12/03/2020  11/2021 Brian Lawatch
208-590-3345
brian.lawatch@usda.gov 
Description: The District Ranger has signed the Decision. This project will 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.
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