The Bitterroot National Forest is proposing this project to increase the pace and scale of prescribed burning in an effort to restore fire to the landscape, improve resiliency of existing vegetation groups, improve wildlife habitats, and improve firefighter and public safety.
Bitterroot National Forest
Lost Trail Ski area proposes to expand the parking lot and replace chairlifts #1. 2#. and #4 with high speed quad lifts. The existing chair #1 infrastructure will be moved to a new location in the beginner area where beginner runs will be cleared to provide beginner skiers more terrain options.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | USDA-44d-USFS; USDA-46d-USFS |
This project is being conducted to address wildfire risk to communities and promote forest restoration on lands administered by the Stevensville and Darby-Sula Ranger Districts.
This project would establish fuel breaks in approximately 1,866 acres along approximately 24 miles of roads, of which 95% were affected by wildfires in 2000.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.3(11) |
| Special Authority | 2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions; 2021 Infrastructure: Fuel Break Ce |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions |
| Project Activity | Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels) |
| Rye Creek Fuel Break Categorical Exclusion DM | Decision Signed Date: 05/14/2026 |
| Forests | Bitterroot National Forest |
| Districts | Darby Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
This project would establish fuel breaks in approximately 2,130 acres along approximately 24 miles of roads in areas that were affected by wildfires in 2000.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.3(11) |
| Special Authority | 2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions; 2021 Infrastructure: Fuel Break Ce |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions |
| Project Activity | Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels) |
| Sleeping Child Fuel Break Categorical Exclusion DM | Decision Signed Date: 05/14/2026 |
| Forests | Bitterroot National Forest |
| Districts | Darby Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
This project would establish fuel breaks in approximately 3,000 acres along existing roads, of which 95% were affected by wildfires in 2000.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.3(11) |
| Special Authority | 2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions; 2021 Infrastructure: Fuel Break Ce |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions |
| Project Activity | Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels) |
| Forests | Bitterroot National Forest |
| Districts | Sula Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
The Bitterroot National Forest received a draft initial Plan of Operations for the Sheep Creek project. The Forest will assess the Plan and work with the proponent, US Critical Materials, to develop a final proposal. Level of analysis pending.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 218 (2013) Non-HFRA |
| Project Activity | Minerals Or Geology Plans Of Operations |
| Forests | Bitterroot National Forest |
| Districts | West Fork Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
This project would establish fuel break in approximately 2,378 acres.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.3(11) |
| Special Authority | 2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions; 2021 Infrastructure: Fuel Break Ce |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions |
| Project Activity | Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels) |
| Forests | Bitterroot National Forest |
| Districts | West Fork Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | T2N, R21W, Sections 27-30 & 32-34, T1N, R21W, Sections 5-9 & 16-20, T1N, R22W, Sections 22-29 & 32-34 |
This project proposes to reduce fuels and wildfire risk within the Wildland Urban Interface, promote insect and disease resiliency and increase the health and vigor of early seral species (ponderosa pine) across approximately 466 acres.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (6), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(6); 32.2 (12), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(12) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Forest Vegetation Improvements; Timber Sales (Green) |
| Forests | Bitterroot National Forest |
| Districts | West Fork Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
This SEIS for the Gold Butterfly Project will analyze a project-specific forest plan amendment related to management of old growth within the project area.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Hfra Title I: Wildland-Urban Interface; Hfra Title I: Municipal Watersheds; Hfra Title I: Threats To Ecosystem Components (Such As Insect Or Disease Epidemics) |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 218 (2013) HFRA |
| Project Activity | Road Decommissioning; Developed Site Management; Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Forest Vegetation Improvements; Trail Management; Road Maintenance; Road Improvements/Construction; Timber Sales (Salvage); Timber Sales (Green) |
| Gold Butterfly Project - Record of Decision | Decision Signed Date: 08/08/2023 |
| Forests | Bitterroot National Forest |
| Districts | Stevensville Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
The Bitterroot National Forest is proposing to improve three water systems in recreational and administrative facilities.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (21), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(21); 32.2 (22), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(22) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Developed Site Management; Facility Improvements/Construction; Facility Maintenance |
| Forests | Bitterroot National Forest |
| Districts | Darby Ranger District; Sula Ranger District; West Fork Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
This project would use boulders to create a parking area and prevent unauthorized, motorized access to a user-created route that is currently causing damage to a wetland along the East Fork Bitterroot River.
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (20), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(20) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Watershed Improvements |
| Forests | Bitterroot National Forest |
| Districts | Sula Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |