Lolo National Forest — Project Detail

Proposed prescribed burning north of Highway 200 between Weeksville Creek and Thompson River in Sanders County Montana on the Lolo National Forest. The project would reduce fuel accumulations and improve wildlife habitat.

Trail construction and reconstruction to connect existing trail segments, creating a 100-mile long non-motorized trail across the Lolo, Bitterroot, and Beaverhead National Forests on the Sapphire Divide.

Proposed prescribed burning within Siegel, Wallace, Dragonfly, Sheep, Wilson, and Robertson Creeks in Sanders County Montana on the Lolo National Forest. The project would reduce fuel accumulations and improve wildlife habitat.

Construction of a cellular communications tower near Exit 82 of I-90 in the Ninemile area to provide wireless communications coverage, consisting of a 199-foot steel monopole and lightning rod, approximately 220 foot long gated access road, and 60x60 foot gravel pad with chainlink fence enclosure.

This project proposes to repair and replace the current West Fork Fish Creek Trail Bridge that is deteriorating and will soon become unsafe to cross. This would help improve public safety, water quality, and habitat for aquatic species.

The T-150 administrative facility is used by the Lolo NF for a variety of purposes but has been condemned. The proposed reconstruction aims to provide a usable facility while maintaining the historic characteristics that define the current building.

Reissuance of outfitter and guide permits within the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.

The project proposes to reduce the risk to wildfire by promoting healthy forest stands that are resilient to insects, disease, and wildfires as well as improve conditions for wildfire suppression through implementation of fuel treatments.

Proposed in-stream modifications of Lolo Creek to improve aquatic habitat, including addition of large woody debris and reconnection of historic channels.

A proposal to reduce hazardous fuels on 305 acres within the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area. Methods would include hand thinning, hand-piling, pile burning, and underburning.

Restoration of approximately 1.8 miles of O'Brien Creek to restore stream function and health.

Proposed prescribed burning within the Rock Creek drainage in Granite County Montana on the Lolo National Forest. The project would improve big game habitat, forage, and reduce fuels to moderate wildfire hazard and potential spread to communities.

This analysis identifies the visitor use capacity on National Forest System lands only, on the Nez Perce National Historic Trail to assist in the protection and management of trail resources.

The project proposes to reduce wildfire risk to communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems in the path of potential future wildfires and improve forest conditions that have departed from historic norms.

Project includes vegetation, road, and recreation management activities to restore resilient vegetative conditions, reduce fuels, enhance recreation opportunities, and support communities. It also contains a proposal to amend the Forest Plan.

The City of Missoula holds an easement on McKinley Lake Dam and plans to decommission it. The Lolo NF proposal is to develop terms and conditions to minimize impacts of dam decommissioning activities on NFS lands, resources and wilderness values.

The Cherry Cr. project's purpose is to promote healthy stands of resilient tree species that can better resist insect and disease agents as well as reduce fuels near neighboring communities.

Reconstruction of the boat launch and parking area at the Seeley Lake Campground to improve recreation access and reduce impacts to the aquatic ecosystem.

Missoula Electric Cooperative proposed special use permit to bury existing overhead power lines in Quartz Campground to reduce power outages, reduce fire hazard, reduce disturbance in powerline right of way, and improve aesthetics.

Lolo National Forest proposes to remove hazard trees on about 21 acres in the Monture Creek campground and trailhead area to address dead and dying trees and safety hazards caused by Douglas-fir bark beetle infestation and decommission 2 campsites.

The Lolo National Forest proposes the closure of three hazardous mine openings (Raven two openings and North Silver King one) on the Plains Thompson Falls Ranger District. Closures would address public safety and use bat compatible locking gates.

The project proposes to reduce wildfire hazard by creating a shaded fuelbreak along 37 miles of forest system road by use of chainsaws and handpiling of debris.

Proposed treatments to accomplish the project objectives include tree thinning and slashing, prescribed fire, weed treatments, and road treatments.

The purpose and need of the project is to reduce high concentrations of hazardous fuels resulting from dead and dying trees. High stand densities within the project area have caused accelerated tree mortality from insects and diseases.

Install lg. woody structures by hand falling trees on about 13 mi. of stream and on about 6 mi. using excavators. Would result in installing 200-250 structures across 4 targeted streams each containing 2-20 pieces of wood from local trees.

Salvage of dead and dying timber on approximately 610 acres of the Thorne Creek Fire. Project also includes roadside hazard tree removal and tree planting.

Non-commercial thinning of small trees in previously harvested stands to increase tree health and vigor and decrease the risk of insects, disease and potential wildfire.

Project includes vegetation and road management activities to reduce forest fuels, improve forest health, support communities, and address road travel management conflict. Project also includes forest plan amendment to correct mapping error.

Integrated ecosystem management including vegetation and watershed restoration, fuels reduction, and wildlife habitat restoration.

Project proposal includes vegetation, road, and watershed management activities to address multiple resource objectives.

Authorize pesticide use permit and use of normally prohibited activities in designated wilderness. Would allow fish treatment and stocking project by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Scapegoat Wilderness.

Forest Service proposes to issue a 5-year special use permit to landowner to use/maintain approx. 2800 ft. of existing NFS roads to access the northern portion of their private property located in the West Fork Petty Creek drainage

Project includes management actions on specific roads and trails to comply with Forest Plan access standards for wheeled motorized vehicle use within the portion of the Cabinet-Yaak Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone that overlaps the Lolo National Forest.

Removal of blown down and wind damaged trees in 5 specific areas on the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District: Finley Flats, Prospect Creek, Thompson Falls Administrative Site, Graves Creek, and Swamp Creek.

This project is being developed to address forest fuels concerns on the western/northwestern side of Seeley Lake while improving species composition and forest structure.

We are proposing to implement commercial and non-commercial vegetation management, which includes fuel treatments, on approximately 1615 acres. Additionally, we are proposing to complete ecosystem maintenance burning over approximately 1136 acres.

Special-use permit to re-construct, use, and maintain approximately 0.78 mi. of permanent road across NFS land to access a private parcel

Fuels management, timber harvest, manage weeds, roads & recreation

Construction of 3 miles of seasonal, non-motorized trail to connect the River Trail #223 near Ferry Landing to the Iron Mountain Wagon Road Trail #242 by Cascade Campground.

Includes excavating up to twenty trenches, and two sediment retention ponds with an excavator. Material from the trenches would be processed through a recirculating wash plant recovering any gold.

Collaboratively developed integrated ecosystem management including restoration of fire adapted ecosystems, soil productivity, watersheds and aquatic habitat, and management of recreation opportunities and motor vehicle access.

Approx. 2 mi. of road would be stored (i.e., culverts are pulled at crossings to reduced sediment inputs but the roads remain on the Forest's transportation system inventory for anticipated future forest management) and 10 mi. would be decommissioned

Relocation and restoration of historic Priscilla Peak lookout. Proposal includes moving the structure from Priscilla Peak to Driveway Peak, restoring it, and opening it as a cabin rental.

Reissuance of existing outfitter and guide permits in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.

Removal of and/or abandonment-in-place of approximately 9,693 feet of out-of-service pipeline located on three separate sites within Missoula and Sanders Counties on the Missoula and Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger Districts

Project includes the removal of trees that are hazards and those that are affected by or highly susceptible to insects and disease within 6 developed recreation sites to maintain public safety and long-term vegetation health.

Integrated project that includes vegetation and road management activities to restore resilient vegetative conditions, support communities, and maintain a suitable transportation system.

The proposed action includes harvesting dead, dying, insect infested, and diseased trees on 484 acres. The proposed activities would likely begin in winter of 2019-2020, with harvest and associated activities completed within one year.

Motorized recreation management including development and authorization of trails and roads for summer seasonal OHV use (ATV, UTV, motorcycle).

Restore and stabilize approximately 5,000 linear feet of stream channel, streambanks,and associated floodplains to more natural conditions and reduce downstream impacts to bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout.

The Flathead NF is revising their forest plan and preparing an amendment providing relevant direction from the NCDE Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy into the forest plans for the Lolo, Helena, Kootenai, and Lewis & Clark National Forests.

The purpose of this project is to apply prescribed fire to the landscape to address wildfire risk reduction and reduce fuels accumulations within the Lolo NF Community and General Wildfire Protection Zones.

Proposal by Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area to expand its special use permit to upgrade and develop new lifts, ski terrain, parking, access roads, and guest service facilities.

Vegetation clearing and pole replacement would be conducted within the Northwestern Energy's Thompson Falls to Burke A & B 115kV power line corridor to comply with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards.

The project includes prescribed burning on approximately 2500 acres to improve bighorn sheep habitat and reduce hazardous fuels.

Proposal in to conduct hand thinning, girdling, hand-piling, pile-burning and underburning on 1725 acres within a portion of the Pattee Canyon Recreation Area.

Installation of large wood and other aquatic improvements in Graves Creek, Crow Creek, Cooper Gulch, Fishtrap Creek, and upper Prospect Creek to enhance habitat for native fish.

Use prescribed fire (primarily aerial ignition) on about 7,300 acres to: restore wildlife habitat and reduce the risk of high severity wildfire within the project area.

Sale of property consisting of 4 buildings on approximately 5 acres, located just north of Thompson Falls in Sanders County, Montana

The proposed action includes harvesting dead, dying, and diseased (i.e., dwarf mistletoe) timber, cutting hazard trees along roads, and planting tree seedlings.

Harvesting dead and dying trees is proposed on about 250 acres, requiring about 0.45 mi. of temp road construction. Plant conifer seedlings on about 6,600 acres within the fire perimeter, including all areas identified for salvage.

Harvest of dead and dying trees on approximately 2152 acres (11%) of the Sheep Gap Fire located about 8 miles west of Plains. Proposal also includes cutting of hazard trees along roads and planting of tree seedlings.

The Seeley Lake Ranger District is proposing to replace two trail bridges along the Hobnail Tom Trail #32 that provide access across the North Fork Blackfoot River and are located in the Scapegoat Wilderness, Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.

Post-fire salvage of dead and dying trees on approximately 2718 acres (11%) of the Sunrise Fire, located approximately 7 miles southeast of Superior. Proposal also includes cutting hazard trees along roads and planting of tree seedlings.

Plant conifer seedlings and protect them from animal browsing to reforest Lolo NF land burned during the Lolo Peak Fire of 2017.

Removal of dead and dying trees on approximately 250 acres burned by the Moose Peak Fire.

Commercial Mushroom Harvest permit system for areas within several 2017 fires on the Kootenai and Lolo National Forests. Personal use mushroom harvest permit system for other 2017 fire areas.

Planting native tree seedlings on approximately 1000 acres burned by the 2017 Deep-Miller and Moose Peak Fires.

The roads proposed for decommissioning are non-system roads that are roads are currently closed to motorized public access and this proposed project will not alter public access.

Private landowner is requesting a forest road permit to use and maintain the Martina Creek Road 4256 from the gate to MP 3.07 where it enters their private property. Access has been given annually through a temp road use permit since 2008.

Vegetation and road management activities to improve vegetative resilience; reduce forest fuels; improve forage conditions for elk; provide wood products to contribute to local and regional economies; and maintain a sustainable transportation system.

Integrated project that includes vegetation and road management activities to address insect and disease concerns, reduce fuels within the wildland urban interface, and maintain a suitable transportation system.

he Lolo National Forest is proposing to modify a bridge approach on the Martina Creek Road (National Forest System Road #4256) crossing of Ninemile Creek near Martina and Mattie V Creeks.

This project entails removal of conifers within aspen stands by hand feliing in order to improve aspen vigor and increase regeneration within aspen clones.

Salvage of dead and dying trees on approximately 1708 acres within the Copper King Fire perimeter. Project also includes cutting danger trees along roads and tree planting on approximately 6000 acres.

Year-round use and maintenance on a Forest Service route to access Double Arrow Subdivision

Vegetation and recreation management activities on 120 acres to reduce bark beetle susceptibility and respond to public desires for a gentle, non-motorized trail near communities.

Hand thinning, hand piling, and pile burning of understory ponderosa pine and Douglas fire to reduce ladder fuels directly adjacent to private property.

Integrated forest resource project that includes vegetation management, big game winter range maintenance, watershed improvements, fuels reduction, and recreation enhancements within the 69,000-acre project area located north and west of St. Regis

The project would reintroduce low intensity fire to primarily southern slopes to reduce natural fuel accumulations within the wildland urban interface (WUI) and to enhance the winter range of big game species by stimulating herbaceous growth.

Decommissioning of approximately 14 miles of non-system forest roads to benefit Bull Trout fisheries and meet TMDL requirements by reducing stream sedimentation.

Reissue 5 year Recreation Permit for an over snow dog sled race (4 day) on existing snowmobile routes identified on the Seeley Lake RD OSVUM. No ground disturbance. Installation of temporary checkpoints, stops, route markers, and directional signage.

Integrated resource management including vegetation and watershed restoration, fuels reduction, public education, and recreation enhancements.

This project would utilize large hazard trees cut after the 2013 Lolo Complex Fire to construct large woody debris structures on Lolo Creek to enhance aquatic habitat and improve stream and floodplain health.

Integrated forest management including: vegetation and watershed restoration, fuels reduction, and recreation enhancements within the Cedar and Thompson Creek drainages, located southwest of Superior, Montana.

Integrated landscape management including forest vegetation restoration, wildlife habitat and watershed improvements, and recreation enhancements within the Clear Creek drainage.

Expansion of permitted ski area to provide additional winter recreational opportunities and improvement of ski area facilities.

Amendment of the Lolo National Forest Plan to include standards for the protection of wilderness character in the Welcome Creek Wilderness.

Re-issuance of a 10 year Special Use Permit for Outfitting and Guiding to provide big game hunting and trail ride services in the Rock Creek Recreation Area of the Missoula Ranger District.

Placer mine exploration using heavy equipment on previously disturbed lands.

Prescribed burning on approximately 2,719 acres, to reduce fuels concentrations in close proximity to the Clearwater Crossing Administrative Site and the small community located at the Clearwater Crossing location of Fish Creek.

Montana Department of Natual Resources and Conservation and the Lolo N.F. are entering into a Cost Share Supplement to exchange easements so both parties can have legel access to their lands.

A prescribed burn on 29 acres in Butte Lookout Unit #22.

Vegetation treatment to reduce future tree losses from root disease and improve resilience to insect infestation on 131 acres of National Forest System land located within the wildland urban interface, adjacent to private property and residences.

The project proposes commercial timber harvest in 16 units totaling approximately 235 acres and approximately 265 acres of mixed severity prescribed burn. No permanent roads will be constructed; less than 0.5 miles of temporary road will be needed.

The Lolo NF is proposing to revise the allotment management plan for the O'Keefe Grazing Allotment to ensure compliance with current environmental standards and laws.

Construction of a 600' trail within the Snowbowl ski area permit boundary to allow public and maintenance access to ziplines located on Snowbowl's private lands.

Special use permit request to conduct a commercial mountain bike shuttle service in the west end of Mineral County.

Construction of a shed to house the grooming equipment used to groom the snowmobile trails on the Seeley Lake area.

Re-issue permit authorizing sservice days for renting two yurts and guiding activities associated with the yurts.

Replace bridge on Morrell Creek, relocate 500 feet of roadway at the bridge approaches to place the bridge at a more stable location on the stream. Replace and relocate culvert on Clearwater Loop Road 4370, 75 feet upstream of existing structure.

The Lolo Post Burn EIS decision was not upheld in court. This project would issue a new decision to complete restoration activities originally analyzed in the EIS.Timber harvest is not proposed, only road stabilization, storage, and decommissioning

Seasonal road access for the Estate of Earl M. Pruyn along approx. 9 miles of Forest Road #9961. Includes provision for seasonal access (April - November) to 1,040 acres of private land in the Black Mtn Area west of Missoula.

220 acres of understory thinning, followed by prescribed underburning

Re-route of three segments of trail (4500') in the Rattlesnake NRA to reduce erosion and trail braiding in seasonally wet areas.

Restoration of approximately 2,500 feet of stream channel including relocation or removal of one dispersed recreation site.

Tree planting and browse protection on about 1320 acres in burned areas of the 2012 West Riverside fire and the 2013 Lolo Complex fire

This project would re-route the groomed snowmobile trail to avoid two stream crossings that have undersized culverts. Trail would be mostly clearing a route that a 9-foot groomer can travel through; but will not have tread for summer use.

Integrated ecosystem management under the Collaborative Forest Landscape Protection Act (CFLRP) including vegetation and watershed restoration, fuels reduction, and management for wildlife habitat.

Integrated landscape management including hazardous fuels reduction, vegetation restoration, soils rehabilitation, and wildlife habitat improvement.

Issuance of additional outfitter permits for use of the Ferry Landing and Cascade boat launch sites located along the Clark Fork River between St. Regis and Paradise.

Integrated landscape management treatments designed to improve forest health, reduce hazardous fuels near communities, improve fish and wildlife connectivity, maintain water quality, and provide and maintain forest industry infrastructure.

Motorized and non-motorized recreation and travel management on approximately 30 miles of abandoned railroad grades (Milwaukee and Northern Pacific) between Taft and St. Regis, Montana.

Issuance of a special use permit for cultivation and production of hay on 35 acres of National Forest Land acquired in the October 2011 Montana DNRC land exchange.

Permittee proposal to conduct day trail rides on routes on the Lolo National Forest, Missoula Ranger District. Permittee's equestrian trail rides would leave from Lolo Hot Springs Lodge and follow roads currently restricted to motorized use.

Commercial and Personal use treatment of approximately 95 acres of dead and dying timber within 150 feet of road shoulder along portions of Forest Service Roads 4349, 2190, and 2192

Update Allotment Management Plans for Forest Plan compliance, incorporating changes that have been implemented through previous operating plans.

Non-commercial thinning of small trees in previously harvested stands to increase tree health and vigor, decrease the risk of insects and disease, and improve forest resiliency and resistance to wildfire.

The Forest Service was a cooperating agency, assisting the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in that Agency's geothermal leasing analysis and decision. The BLM issued a record of decision on 12/17/2008.

Application of bacterial insecticide to prevent spruce budworm from defoliating Douglas-fir screening material in the Big Larch Campground/Recreation area.

Reclamation of abandoned placer mines including restoration of stream channels and fish habitat along Upper Ninemile, Sawpit, Martina, and Twin Creeks.

The existing electrical line to the campground pumphouse and the host area is deteriorating and needs to be replaced. The replacement line will connect to the main electrical line located across Highway 12 at the entrance to Lee Creek Campground.

Application of the insecticide Carbaryl to prevent mountain pine beetle attack and mortaliity in pine trees in the Crazy/Pattee Canyon and Rock Creek recreation areas.

Planting tree seedlings and protecting them from animal browsing with shade tubes.

Application of the insecticide Carbaryl to prevent mountain pine beetle attack and mortality on pine trees in the Rattlesnake Trailheads and Rattlesnake Trail (Road 99).

Improvement of forest stand health on approximately 130 acres in the Crazy Canyon drainage and 42 acres in the Pattee Picnic Area. Treatments would include the removal of dead and dying trees affected by the mountain pine beetle and dwarf mistletoe.

Up to three test holes would be dug with a rubber-tired backhoe at an unvegetated area in a disperesed campsite. Samples would be processed using gold pans. Process water would be discharged to a test hole.

Restore stand to a historically ponderosa pine component by thinning under-story Douglas fir. Implement thinning and prescribed under-burning to reduce fuels concentrations. Project will combine fuels efforts with the Petty Rock Timber Sale

Preparation of a Supplemental EIS to amend land and resource management plans for the Idaho Panhandle, Kootenai, and Lolo National Forests to address motorized access management within the Selkirk and Cabinet-Yaak Grizzly Bear Recovery Zones.

Vegetative treatments to improve forest health and reduce fuels

The Swan Face prescribed burn project is proposed to restore the role of fire and enhance the forest ecosystem processes on 2471 acres located at the headwaters of the Clearwater on the Seeley Lake Ranger District.

Application by Missoula Electric Cooperative to bury 2.25 miles of existing overhead power lines and replace one utility pole on National Forest System Lands near U.S. Highway 12 in the Lolo Creek Drainage.

Improve public safety by removing dead and dying trees, and trees at high risk of beetle infestation in the Big Larch, Seeley Lake and River Point Campgrounds and along their access roads

Manage weeds on entire forest, using integrated weed management approach, including aerial application of herbicides. Analyze representative site types, develop priority screening criteria & standardize resource protection methods.

The Missoula Electric Cooperative in conjunction with the Missoula County 911 Communication system proposes to install a buried powerline to the Point 118 Communication Site. Point 118 is on a peak southwest of the West Fork Butte Lookout

Project proposes to improve highway safety; maintain/improve forest health; provide for public safety and sanitation at dispersed recreation sites; improve big game winter range; and enhance watershed health.

Lolo NF - Montana State DNRC land exchange State wants to trade isolated, scattered school trust lands surrounded by NFS lands; FS would consolidate ownership, acquire access, riparian, roadless & recreation lands & big game winter range.

The Barrette Creek Fuels project proposes to reduce hazardous fuels from 2009 timber harvest and 2010 post commercial thin in units adjacent and/or near the wildland urban interface (wui) located between Bird and Fire Creek drainages.

Proposal is to implement a comprehensive vegetation management plan for the two campgrounds to improve the health of the stands, address trees killed by bark beetles, and improve public safety

Noncommercial thinning of small trees in stands that were previously harvested and have densely regenerated. Thinning will increase tree health and vigor, and reduce the risk of mountain pine beetle caused mortality and large fires in the future.

Mining of placer terrace deposits using hand tools. Process excavated material using a trommel. Process water from trommel discharged to a settling pond; solid wastes used to backfill excavations and depressions on site.