Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2022 to 03/31/2022
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  On Hold  N/A  N/A Sarah Shoemaker
907-586-7886
sarahshoemaker@fs.fed.us 
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: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.
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
Stibnite Gold Project EIS
EIS
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 06/05/2017
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 03/2022  		Expected:06/2023
  		06/2023 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.
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

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/29/2020  		Expected:03/2022
  		09/2022 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  On Hold  N/A  N/A 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.
Rice Creek Road Repair
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Watershed management
- Road management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A 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:02/2022
  		04/2022 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.
South Fork Plunge Watershed Restoration
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 12/2021  		Expected:06/2022  06/2023 Clayton Roehner
208-382-7482
clayton.roehner@usda.gov 
Description: The project would decommission NFSR 490; remove the old bridge, abutments, and road fill from the active floodplain of the South Fork Salmon River.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61193
Location: UNIT - Cascade Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Valley. LEGAL - Section 14 of Township 15 North, Range 6 East. xxxxx.
Two Bit Creek Culvert Replacement
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management 		 Completed  Actual: 12/17/2021  06/2022 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.
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
Payette Ola C Bull Trout Protection Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/13/2021  		Expected:02/2022
  		05/2022 Katherine Wood
208-879-4125
katherinelwood@fs.fed.us 
Description: Improve bull trout habitat by using fence to prohibit entry of cattle into riparian areas.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59756
Location: UNIT - Emmett Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Gem. LEGAL - Sections 9, 10, 11, 22, 27, 34, and 35 of Township 13 North, Range 2 East. Sections 13 and 14 of Township 12 North, Range 2 East. Portions of Squaw Creek, Third Fork Squaw Creek, Rammage Creek, and Renwyck Creek.
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.
Boulder Mill Minerals Project Plan of Operations
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/27/2021  		Expected:05/2022
  		06/2022 Travis Whitman
1-541-427-5351
travis.whitman@usda.gov 
Description: This project is for a proposed Plan of Operations for locatable minerals, as allowed by federal mining regulations (36 CFR 228A). The proponent proposes exploration of a placer deposit by digging up to ten test pits.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60509
Location: UNIT - Idaho City Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Township 7N, Range 6E, Section 30 Boise Meridian. Management Area 8 - Mores Creek. Near the junction of NFS Roads 379 and 379A.
Edna Creek Campground Reconstruction
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Facility management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/01/2021  		Expected:03/2022
  		04/2022 Everardo Santillan
208-392-6681
esantillan@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Forest proposes to upgrade campground site features to meet Forest Service standards, national accessibility standards, and the demand of the public for high-quality recreational experiences on National Forest System lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60111
Location: UNIT - Idaho City Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - T07N R 7E S35. Section 10. Edna Creek Campground, Management Area 7 (Crooked River).
FS Road 205 Improvements-Realignment
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Road management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/01/2021  		Expected:03/2022
  		05/2022 Ciara Cusack
208-392-3734
ciara.cusack@usda.gov 
Description: Implement road work on FS Road 205 to re-establish public access and reduce impacts to an intermittent stream channel, as well as the downstream Queens River. Work includes realigning FS Road 206 to avoid crossing the intermittent stream.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60188
Location: UNIT - Idaho City Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Not Applicable. 4 miles northwest of Atlanta, Idaho in the Upper Boise River Management Area 6.
Forest Service Road 327 Realignment
CE
 - Road management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/30/2021  		Expected:01/2022
  		05/2022 Brian Lawatch
208-587-7871
brian.lawatch@usda.gov 
Description: Realign approximately 1/2 mile segment of NFS Road 327 where a reoccurring, rotational landslide is located. This landslide is located at approximate milepost 31.5.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60189
Location: UNIT - Idaho City Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Not Applicable. National Forest System Road 327 MP 31.5, North-East of Idaho City.
Hawley Mountain Communications Site
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Facility management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/26/2021  		Expected:03/2022
  		06/2022 Brant Petersen
541-383-4766
bpetersen02@fs.fed.us 
Description: The USFS CIO Land Mobile Radio Group would like to install a new radio communication building and tower on Hawley Mountain.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60077
Location: UNIT - Idaho City Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Not Applicable. On Hawley Mountain in the Harris Creek Management Area, Legal Description T8N R4E Sec31, Boise Meridian.
Idaho Pride Plan of Operations 2022
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/03/2021  		Expected:05/2022
  		06/2022 Travis Whitman
1-541-427-5351
travis.whitman@usda.gov 
Description: This project is for a proposed Plan of Operations for locatable minerals, as allowed by federal mining regulations (36 CFR 228A). The proponent proposes to explore three sites on two mining claims near Steamboat Gulch east of Idaho City.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60508
Location: UNIT - Idaho City Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Township 6N, Range 5E, Section 25, Boise Meridian. Two miles east of Idaho City, near Steamboat Gulch, Management Area 8 - Mores Creek.
South Zone Critical Condition Bridges Replacement
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Road management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/30/2021  		Expected:04/2022
  		06/2022 Jeffrey Alexander
208-373-4141
jalexander@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project proposes to fully replace four existing bridges located on National Forest System Roads (NFSR) 236, 304, 329, and FH-82.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60109
Location: UNIT - Idaho City Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Not Applicable. National Forest System Roads 304, 329, 236, and FH82 in Management Area 8 (Mores Creek).
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
Bear Valley Borrow Source Development
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Road management  Completed  Actual: 12/07/2021  05/2022 Jeffrey Alexander
208-373-4141
jalexander@fs.fed.us 
Description: There is a need to provide a cost-effective material source to facilitate road maintenance in the Bear Valley area. The proposal is to re-open and expand the existing borrow source located adjacent to Forest Road 579.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59728
Location: UNIT - Lowman Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Section 2 Township 12 North, Range 9 East. The project is located 3/8 mile southwest of the intersection of Forest Road 582 and Forest Road 579.
Bear Valley Creek Chinook Salmon Abundance Monitoring Permit Renewal
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Special use management 		 Completed
This project has changed to a CE that does not require a written decision document and will be removed from the SOPA.  		  10/2021 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.
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
Boise River Basin Feasibility Study
EIS
 - Facility management
- Road management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Jeffrey Alexander
208-373-4141
jeffrey.alexander2@usda.gov 
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.
Clear Creek Forest Health Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 07/15/2021  		Expected:06/2022
  		07/2022 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=59217
Location: UNIT - Mountain Home Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Clear Creek area is about 14 miles northeast of Boise, just west of Highway 21 via Clear Creek Road (NF-261).
Idaho Power Bogus Basin Underground Line Placement Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 12/13/2021  05/2022 Brian Lawatch
208-590-3345
brian.lawatch@usda.gov 
Description: Idaho Power proposes to install new underground power cables to the top of Shafer Butte and Deer Point at Bogus Basin. The existing cables that provide power to these two areas of critical facilities are deteriorating.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59950
Location: UNIT - Mountain Home Ranger District. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Boise. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Bogus Basin Recreation Area, 16 miles north of Boise via Bogus Basin Road.
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.