Superior National Forest — Project Detail

The MN DNR is planning to remove and replace three culverts on the Stony River Road, one near Wilbur Creek crossing and two crossing the Stony River Spur.

Salvage of red pine from plantations effected by the Camp House and Jenkins Creek wildfires

Access to private land crossing Nationals Forest System roads, road association working to obtain a Special Use to do so.

Road access to Private Property that crosses federal property, working to get under special use permit.

Crawford Excavating is seeking a 5- year special use permit to stockpile 2 piles of gravel (1 pile 6000 yards of class 5 and 1 pile 2000 yards of 1 1/2-inch rock) in the Binagami Gravel Pit.

Expansion of two gravel pits of less than 5 acres total. Gravel is needed for trail resurfacing and culvert installation.

Install underground powerline next to existing underground powerline originally put in the 1970s. Has current authorization for construction, operation, and maintenance of Electric Transmission Lines.

Replace existing washed out metal pipe culvert with a 25ft x 8-1/2ft Aluminum Box Culvert at Kimball Creek on FR304. It would restore access for the road and trail system and allow for better aquatic passage in Kimball Creek which is a trout stream.

The second implementation cycle for the Tofte Landscape Project is complete and documents describing the treatments are available. Please open the Second Implemenatation Cycle folder and then the Finalization folder on this project webpage.

This project would exchange federal Superior National Forest lands located outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) for Minnesota School Trust land located inside the BWCAW.

The goal of this restoration project is to convert stands, particularly dense spruce plantations, to more ecologically appropriate forest types through natural regeneration and/or planting.

The Tofte and Kawishiwi Silviculture programs area planning to hand plant and aerially seed portions of stands affected by the Greenwood fire in 2021.

The legal notice for the objection period for the TwinGreen Project was published October 15th, 2022 in the Cook County News-Herald.

The Secretary of the Interior has made a decision on the requested Rainy River Withdrawal.

The Laurentian Ranger District proposes activities to move vegetation conditions toward desired conditions as described in the Forest Plan, while maintaining scenic integrity near Giants Ridge Recreation Area.

The MN Dept. of Transportation (MNDOT) is planning to clear the right-of-way 35 feet from center line along MN Hwy 1 from Ely to Isabella. Maintenance would include tree and brush removal to allow more light to reach roadbed for safer winter driving.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), in collaboration with federal, state, and local partners, is proposing to treat isolated gypsy moth populations using a mating disruptant on Superior National Forest lands.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) is planning to clear the right-of-way (ROW), 35 feet from center line, along MN Highway 1 from Ely to Isabella, from Ely to Forest Rd 553 (Harris Lake), & Cty Hwy 2 to Isabella

The BLM will lead preparation of an EIS to analyze potential impacts of issuing a preference right lease application and mine plan for an underground copper-nickel mine. Forest Plan amendment and special use permit may be needed.

The Kawishiwi Ranger District proposes to salvage harvest up to 250 acres of moderately to severely damaged trees within the Greenwood Fire perimeter, which burned around 26,797 acres on the Superior National Forest during the summer of 2021.

This project would authorize a series of trails, and decommission other trails no longer in use on the East Zone. In addition, culvert removal, reclassification, and decommissioning of roads would restore streams and wetlands.

Construct a cross country skiing and hiking trail connecting two existing trail systems - North Arm Junction and North Arm. To accommodate more use the parking lot at Slim Lake would be expanded to allow approximately four to six more vehicles.

The Kimball Project aims to promote diverse, resilient forest ecosystems. This will be accomplished through hazard fuels reduction, vegetation management, and wildlife habitat improvement.

St. Louis Co. Public Works is planning to replace County Bridge#285 on Bear Island River(Hwy 21), between Ely and Babbitt. Tentative spring 2020 construction. Same location as existing structure, with a temp road-bridge bypass west of construction.

The Forest Service requested a withdrawal of National Forest System lands, for a 20-year term, within the Rainy River Watershed. An EA will be prepared to inform the Secretary of Interior's decision. No Forest service decision will be made.

Twin Metals Minnesota has requested special use permit for access to collect baseline hydrogeologic environmental data to data to assist the company's prefeasablity study for a mining project to ensure that the environment is appropriately protected.

The project purpose is to promote diverse and healthy vegetation communities by creating young forest through even-aged harvest, improving stand conditions through intermediate harvests and restoring stand conditions through non-harvest activities.

A private landowner has requested to construct and maintain a road for access to private property to conduct maple tapping operations on federal land.

The Prospector ATV Club has requested the Forest Service to consider a needed 196 foot trail reroute to connect the City of Ely with the rest of the Prospector ATV trail. The reroute is around private land.

This proposal allows for the sale of a former Administrative Site which includes three warehouses, two garages, one dwelling, a carpenter's shop, associated sheds and outbuildings and a 200' self supporting communication tower.

Authorize gravel pit prospecting and expansion of the existing Jammer Lake gravel pit to provide mineral materials to meet future demand.

The LaCroix Ranger District proposes to create young forest, manage forest roads, reduce hazardous fuels, increase wildlife habitat, and conduct vegetation management through harvest, nonharvest, and planting.

Improvement of moose habitat and reduction of hazards fuels of the Kawishiwi and Tofte Ranger Districts

Access to private land

The Kawishiwi Ranger District proposes to manage the vegetation and road system in the Birch Project Area.

Analysis of proposed actions to move existing forest vegetation condition and transportation system towards Forest Plan desired conditions.

With this exchange, the United States would acquire 1910.76 acres of non-federal land within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in exchange for up to apapproximately 1620 acres of federal land.

This is a land exchange proposal involving federal land located within and adjacent to the Town of Crane Lake for private land in the general vicinity of Crane Lake and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

FEIS analyzed actions to move vegetation and transportation existing conditions towards Forest Plan desired conditions.

Broadscale analysis to address FS consent and BLM issuance of federal hardrock mineral prospecting permits and operating plans (present and future).

This implements the travel management rule & addresses Off-Highway Vehicle management on existing roads & trails & the disposition of unclassified roads. This analysis combines the East & West Zone travel management projects into one analysis.

Analysis of proposed actions to move existing vegetation condition and transportation system towards Forest Plan desired conditions.

Atv Access to Private Land.

This is a land exchange involving the federal summer home tract located on S Kawishiwi River for private land referred to as the Vermillion Gorge near Crane Lake, Kawishiwi River (near BWCAW), and misc tracts on the Laurentian RD.

Supplemental Analysis for the Environmental Assessment to the Forest-wide Travel Management Project

Cold Spring Granite Co. has submitted a request to expand their wast-rock (grout) stockpile approximately 14 acres. This expansion is beyond what is currently approved in their operating plan for the quarry.

92 acres of prescribed burning to improve oak and blueberry habitat.

The Laurentian Ranger District proposes activities to move vegetation and wildlife habitat toward desired conditions as described in the Forest Plan by managing vegetation with prescribed fire, harvesting, and other mechanical means.

The Kawishiwi Ranger District proposes activities to move vegetation toward desired conditions as described in the Forest Plan by reducing hazardous fuels, conducting forest vegetation, and managing wildlife and other resources.

Approving an additional telecommunication use at a site already used for such purposes.

The TomaInga Project proposes to manage vegetation and roads to promote diverse, productive, and healthy ecosystems and wildlife habitat, improve moose habitat, reduce hazardous fuels and provide sustainable forest products.

MnDOT has requested a communication site facility for the ARMER project located at the existing Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department Seagull Fire Hall #3 station. The site will house an 80' communication tower, 10 x 18' equipment building.

The Gunflint Trail Historical Society has requested to construct an additional parking area at the Chik-Wauk site.

Project proposes rerouting the Superior Hiking Trail near Pincushion Mountain. Rerouting the trail on its own corridor to preserve the ski trail and reduce user conflicts.

The Barker Project proposes to manage vegetation and roads to promote diverse, productive and healthy ecosystems and wildlife habitat, reduce hazardous fuels and provide sustainable forest products.

The Shokoshoe Project proposes to manage vegetation and roads to promote diverse, productive, and healthy ecosystems and wildlife habitat, reduce hazardous fuels and provide sustainable forest products.

Treatment to slow the spread of the invasive insect, gypsy moth, on a block of about 11,784 acres of national forest land on the Laurentian district. All treatment on national forest lands would be with disparlure, a mating disrupter.

This project proposes wildlife habitat enhancement activities through prescribed burning and non-harvest site preparation. No roads would be constructed.

This project proposes to salvage 250 acres of blown down timber and vegetation that occurred on July 21, 2016.

The Laurentian Ranger District proposes activities to move vegetation toward desired conditions as described in the Forest Plan by reducing hazardous fuel, conducting forest vegetation, and managing wildlife and other resources.

A land exchange of federal lands in: T59N, R12W, T59N, R13W, and T60N, R13W. Non-federal lands being proposed are located throughout the Superior National Forest in St. Louis, Lake, and Cook counties.

The Crow Creek bridge on the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) needs to be replaced. The current bridge has a span of approximately 50 feet. By rerouting the SHT by 250 ft a smaller bridge spanning only 30 feet could be utilized to cross Crow Creek.

Purpose is to provide most reasonable access to nonfederal land in accordance with Federal Land Policy and Management Act of October 21, 1976 (FLPMA) and Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (ANILCA).Responses to applicants needs.

Improve browse and habitat for moose and marsh birds.

Proposed new vehicle access of approx. 105 feet to a parcel that the Boy Scouts of America own on the south shore of Devil Track Lake.

The Prospector OHV Loop Project would to add linkages using existing roads and trails to create a 75 mile OHV riding loop, providing long distance recreational riding opportunities that would connect the cities of Ely and Babbitt.

The Stony Project proposes to manage vegetation and roads to promote diverse, productive and healthy ecosystems and wildlife habitat, reduce hazardous fuels and provide sustainable forest products.

The LaCroix Ranger District proposes to create young forest, manage forest roads, and conduct vegetation management through harvest, nonharvest, and planting.

Reroute 500' of the hiking trail that goes through a section that is often underwater due to its poor location in a natural drainage. We propose to reroute that section of trail onto durable terrain on the east side of the trail.

Realignment of Folsom Rd. Project was put on hold. St. Louis County is reactivating project.

The Kawishiwi Ranger District of the Superior National Forest is proposing to allow mixed use of passenger vehicles and ATVs on 5.25 miles of Forest Roads 459 and 457 to enhance long distance recreational vehicle riding opportunities on existing road

The Kawishiwi Ranger District proposes activities to move vegetation toward desired conditions as described in the Forest Plan by managing forest vegetation, reducing hazardous fuel, and managing for wildlife and other resources.

This project is to restore native vegetation communities along the North Shore of Lake Superior. This project is in conjunction with the North Shore Forest Collaborative.

Past erosion control methods have been unsuccessful. There is a section of rocky shoreline to the east of the current portage that would provide a more stable canoe landing. This re-route will require approximately 300 feet of boardwalk in Wilderness

In 2013 a beaver dam flooded 250-300' of portage including 40' of boardwalk. Erosion has occurred on multiple unsustainable paths used to avoid the flooded section. We propose to reroute about 600' of portage to higher ground.

This proposal is to issue a special use (SU) permit to utilize an existing SU road that already has an existing SU permit with another landowner.

The Gunflint Trail Historical Society is proposing to construct five buildings within their 50-acre permitted area. Buildings are proposed to be constructed where buildings existed in the past.

The Kawishiwi Ranger District of the Superior National Forest is proposing to add two campsites to Lake One which is located in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Access will mostly be on private land, in order to avoid a wet land the access will curve on FS lands for approximately 275 feet with a width of 25 feet.

Lake County (through Compass Consultants Inc.) has submitted a proposal requesting a special-use permit to construct, install, operate, and maintain fiber optic cable (RUS financed) on/over National Forest System (NFS) lands.

The Brown Access Request is for access across federal land utilizing approximately 0.35 miles of existing road to access private property.

Lake County and the Minnesota DNR propose to upgrade segments of the Northshore Snowmobile Trail on the Superior National Forest to accomodate ATV use.

Treatment with pheremone, disparlure, to slow the spread of the non-native insect Gypsy Moth.

This proposed re-route is designed to connect the existing trail corridor on federal land with the recently completed trail re-route on private land.

The proposed activities in the project area are intended to move vegetation from its existing condition toward the desired conditions as described in the Forest Plan by managing forest vegetation age, composition, structure, and spatial patterns.

The Kawishiwi Ranger District of the Superior National Forest is proposing to add a campsite on Slim Lake which is located in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Reduce hazardous fuel concentrations west of Burntside Lake from North Arm south to Buckshot Lake.

Proposal for an integrated pest management approach to treat non-native invasive plants beginning with approximately 14 acres of infestations scattered across the 1.1 million acre BWCAW and possibly expanding up to 60 acres over the next 10 years.

Proposed Walking Trail to Private Land

Access to State Lands for timber management on old existing route then about 800 feet of new construction. Access will be obliterated when sale is complete.

Temporary access to State Timber Sale in T62N, R2W, Section 9

Access to State lands for timber management on old existing route. No new construction. Road will be obliterated after sale is complete.

Access to State lands for timber management

Access to State lands for timber management.

Access to State lands for timber management

Access to State lands for timber management.

Treatment of forest lands to slow the spread of the non-native invasive species, gypsy moth. The treatment is a species specific pheremone called disparlure.

The request is for access across federal land for management of county land.

Provide safe access for snowmobilers/anglers to South Fowl Lake. This project would route current access off County roads to improve safety for drivers and snowmobilers. An EIS is being prepared to comply with a Minnesota District Court ruling.

Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) proposes to construct two new radio towers and replace two existing towers, showing age and limited capabilities, for the operation of the Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) system.

50 feet of access to private land

The LaCroix Ranger District proposes to create young forest, promote existing white pine regeneration, enhance scenic quality, reduce hazardous fuels, manage forest roads, and conduct vegetation management through harvest, non-harvest, and planting.

The proposal is decommissioning 1500ft of snowmobile trail and opening up 900ft of re-route snowmobile trail.

The special use authorizations expiring the end of 2012 include six year-round private road special use permits and one communications use lease.

Access to state land for management activities

MNDNR - Access to State land for management activities

Access to county land for management activities

The request is for new construction of a short-term seasonal access road for management of state land.

Reissue of existing permits

Access to private land across federal.

Reissues of existing projects

Access to private land across federal.

Access to county land for management activities.

Proposal to slow the spread of the invasive insect gypsy moth with a mating disruption treatment. The project is lead by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and U.S. Forest Service-State and Private Forestry.

Install, operate, maintain fiber optic cable for high-speed internet service. This proposal is the second and final phase of the project. Cable is proposed to follow existing road rights-of-way.

Access to state land for management activities.

Private - Access to private land across federal for management activities.

Access to county land for management activities

Access to county land for management activities.

SLC - Access to county land for management activities.

Private - Access to private land across federal.

This project proposes to enhance moose habitat, restore red & white pine, enhance the scenic quality along the Gunflint Trail & improve forest conditions through vegetation management, harvests and planting. Temporary roads would be used for access.

Improve stream habitat and access in the two rivers, Little Isabella and Manitou Rivers through rehabing existing and adding new stream structures. Access to the Manitou River would be a less than 50' user developed trail.

DMC (USA) LLC has submitted a proposed operating plan to conduct mineral exploration at four sites on private reserved minerals on the Kawishiwi Ranger District, Superior National Forest.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is proposing to expand the Shamrock Lake gravel pit less than five acres to extract of approximatley 130,000 cubic yards of sand and gravel. The material would be used for the Hwy 1 reconstruction.

Encampment Minerals, Inc. proposes to conduct ground geophysical surveys and drill four exploratory core holes with associated temporary access on National Forest system lands on leased private reserved mineral subsurface.

This project proposes to treat about 1000 acres in the Windy Project Area to improve the health and productivity of red pine stands and to restore areas impacted by the Pagami Fire.

Duluth Metals Corporation (DMC) has proposed four mineral exploration core holes on leased private mineral subsurface on National Forest System lands and access across National Forest to one drill site on private surface ownership.

PolyMet Mining, Inc. proposes to construction and install 22 water monitoring wells and associated access roads at the proposed NorthMet mine site. 15 sites are located on National Forest lands with 7 sites on land in private or county ownership.

Encampment Minerals, Inc. proposes to conduct ground geophysical surveys and drill one exploratory core hole with associated temporary access on National Forest system lands and leased private reserved mineral subsurface.

Encampment Minerals, Inc. has proposed four mineral exploration core holes with related temporary access and leased private reserved mineral subsurface on National Forest System lands .

This project proposes creating a young forest through final harvest, improving stand diversity through intermediate harvest and restoring forest conditions through site preparation and prescribed burning. Temporary roads would be utilized for access.

The 2011 Gypsy Moth Slow-the-Spread Project would slow the spread of the non-native invasive gypsy moth at several locations along the North Shore on the Superior National Forest.

The Tofte District proposes to create young forest and improve stand diversity through harvest, and restore forest conditions and reduce hazardous fuels through site preparation and perscribed burning. Temporary roads would be used for access.

Treatments to slow the spread of the non-native invasive insect, the gypsy moth, on the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Encampment Minerals Inc. proposes to drill four mineral exploration holes on National Forest surface ownership and private reserved mineral ownership.

Encampment Minerals, Inc. has submitted a mineral exploration plan to drill 6 exploration holes on a private reserved mineral estate and National Forest surface ownership.

Encampment Minerals, Inc. has proposed to drill two mineral exploratory core holes with associated temporary access on National Forest system lands and leased private reserved mineral subsurface.

The final draft version of the Record of Decision was on the website from February 23-March 2. The correct and final version is now available on the website and hard copy. The legal notice was published on February 25, 2011 in the Mesabi Daily News.