Bitterroot National Forest — Project Detail

12 projects with crawled detail · milestones · contacts · documents

Bitterroot National Forest

R01 Northern · 12 projects · crawled 2026-06-17
In Progress 3 Developing Proposal 3 Completed 6
Decision Memo 7 Environmental Assessment 3 Categorical Exclusion 1 Environmental Impact Statement 1
10 with documents 11 with comments page
Environmental Assessment · West Fork Ranger District · updated 5/28/2026 · decision 3/2027 (Estimated)
The entire Bitterroot National Forest. · Beaverhead; Deer Lodge; Granite; Idaho; Lemhi; Missoula; Ravalli, Montana; Idaho

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.

Fuels managementRegulations, directives, ordersVegetation management (other than forest products)
NEPA Start Date
3/24/2026
Finding/Decision Date
Pao Vue · pao.vue@usda.gov
Lost Trail Ski Area Expansion Developing Proposal
Categorical Exclusion · Darby Ranger District · updated 5/27/2026 · decision 5/2022 (Estimated)
Lost Trail Ski Area is located on the Bitterroot and Salmon-Challis National Forests; Lost Trail Pass near US Hwy 93 jct. with US Hwy 43 on the Montana/Idaho border · Lemhi; Ravalli, Idaho; Montana

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.

Recreation managementSpecial use management
NEPA Start Date
11/18/2021
Finding/Decision Date
Erica Strayer · erica.strayer@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Categorical ExclusionUSDA-44d-USFS; USDA-46d-USFS
Bitterroot Front In Progress
Environmental Assessment · Bitterroot National Forest · updated 5/26/2026 · decision 4/2023 (Estimated)
Ravalli County, MT · Idaho; Missoula; Ravalli, Idaho; Montana

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.

Fuels managementVegetation management (other than forest products)Wildlife, fish, rare plants
NEPA Start Date
4/20/2022
Finding/Decision Date
Project documents
Steve Brown · steve.brown2@usda.gov
Decision Memo · Bitterroot National Forest All Units · updated 5/18/2026
The project is located 10 miles SE of Hamilton, Montana (Ravalli County) in the Sleeping Child watershed. · Ravalli, Montana

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.

Fuels management
Scoping Start
08/31/2023
Comment Period
08/31/2023
Decision
05/2026 (Estimated)
Implementation
05/2026 (Estimated)
Project documents
Jacquie Parks · jacquie.parks@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Categorical Exclusion32.3(11)
Special Authority2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions; 2021 Infrastructure: Fuel Break Ce
Notice and Comment Regulation2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions
Project ActivityFuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels)
Rye Creek Fuel Break Categorical Exclusion DMDecision Signed Date: 05/14/2026
ForestsBitterroot National Forest
DistrictsDarby Ranger District
Legal Land DescriptionNot Applicable
Decision Memo · Bitterroot National Forest All Units · updated 5/18/2026
The project is located 10 miles SE of Hamilton, Montana (Ravalli County) in the Sleeping Child watershed. · Ravalli, Montana

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.

Fuels management
Scoping Start
08/31/2023
Comment Period
08/31/2023
Decision
05/2026 (Estimated)
Implementation
05/2026 (Estimated)
Project documents
Jacquie Parks · jacquie.parks@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Categorical Exclusion32.3(11)
Special Authority2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions; 2021 Infrastructure: Fuel Break Ce
Notice and Comment Regulation2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions
Project ActivityFuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels)
Sleeping Child Fuel Break Categorical Exclusion DMDecision Signed Date: 05/14/2026
ForestsBitterroot National Forest
DistrictsDarby Ranger District
Legal Land DescriptionNot Applicable
Decision Memo · Bitterroot National Forest All Units · updated 5/18/2026
This project is located 17 miles SE of Darby, Montana, in the Sleeping Child watershed. · Ravalli, Montana

This project would establish fuel breaks in approximately 3,000 acres along existing roads, of which 95% were affected by wildfires in 2000.

Fuels management
Scoping Start
08/31/2023
Comment Period
08/31/2023
Decision
05/2026 (Estimated)
Implementation
05/2026 (Estimated)
Project documents
Jacquie Parks · jacquie.parks@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Categorical Exclusion32.3(11)
Special Authority2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions; 2021 Infrastructure: Fuel Break Ce
Notice and Comment Regulation2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions
Project ActivityFuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels)
ForestsBitterroot National Forest
DistrictsSula Ranger District
Legal Land DescriptionNot Applicable
Environmental Assessment · Bitterroot National Forest All Units · updated 3/27/2026
This Rare Earth Exploration Proposal would take place in the Sheep Creek area of the West Fork Ranger District of the Bitterroot National Forest · Ravalli, Montana

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.

Minerals and geology
Scoping Start
08/2026 (Estimated)
Decision
07/2027 (Estimated)
Implementation
10/2027 (Estimated)
Project documents
Daniel Pliley · Daniel.Pliley@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Special AuthorityNot Applicable / Other
Notice and Comment Regulation218 (2013) Non-HFRA
Project ActivityMinerals Or Geology Plans Of Operations
ForestsBitterroot National Forest
DistrictsWest Fork Ranger District
Legal Land DescriptionNot Applicable
Decision Memo · Bitterroot National Forest All Units · updated 8/4/2025
The Soda Baker Project is located in the West Fork of the Bitterroot, between Soda Springs Creek and Trapper Creek. The project area is 4 to 14 miles SW of Conner, MT within the #18 ranked fireshed. · Ravalli, Montana

This project would establish fuel break in approximately 2,378 acres.

Fuels management
Scoping Start
12/09/2022
Comment Period
08/31/2023
08/04/2025
Decision
08/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
08/2025 (Estimated)
Project documents
David Fox · david.fox@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Categorical Exclusion32.3(11)
Special Authority2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions; 2021 Infrastructure: Fuel Break Ce
Notice and Comment Regulation2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions
Project ActivityFuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels)
ForestsBitterroot National Forest
DistrictsWest Fork Ranger District
Legal Land DescriptionT2N, R21W, Sections 27-30 & 32-34, T1N, R21W, Sections 5-9 & 16-20, T1N, R22W, Sections 22-29 & 32-34
Thunder Mountain Completed
Decision Memo · Bitterroot National Forest All Units · updated 6/27/2025
The project is located near the community of Alta, MT at the confluence of Hughes Creek and the West Fork. T2S, R22W, Sec 34, T3S, R22W, Sections 2 & 3 · Ravalli, Montana

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.

Forest productsVegetation management (other than forest products)Fuels management
Scoping Start
11/18/2021
Comment Period
02/01/2023
Decision
06/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
06/2025 (Estimated)
Project documents
David Fox · david.fox@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Categorical Exclusion32.2 (6), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(6); 32.2 (12), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(12)
Special AuthorityNot Applicable / Other
Notice and Comment RegulationNot Subject to Regulations
Project ActivityFuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Forest Vegetation Improvements; Timber Sales (Green)
ForestsBitterroot National Forest
DistrictsWest Fork Ranger District
Legal Land DescriptionNot Applicable
Environmental Impact Statement · Stevensville Ranger District · updated 12/1/2023
On the east side of the Bitterroot Valley, from Little Three Mile Creek south to Saint Clair Creek and from the Bitterroot Forest boundary east to the boundary with the Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF. · Ravalli, Montana

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.

Recreation managementWildlife, fish, rare plantsForest productsVegetation management (other than forest products)Fuels managementRoad management
NOI in Federal Register
12/15/2020
DEIS NOA in Federal Register
06/25/2021
FEIS NOA in Federal Register
02/03/2023
Objection Period Start
12/17/2021
Decision
08/2023 (Estimated)
Implementation
08/2023 (Estimated)
Project documents
Matthew Anderson · matthew.anderson3@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Special AuthorityHfra 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 Regulation218 (2013) HFRA
Project ActivityRoad 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 DecisionDecision Signed Date: 08/08/2023
ForestsBitterroot National Forest
DistrictsStevensville Ranger District
Legal Land DescriptionNot Applicable
Decision Memo · Bitterroot National Forest All Units · updated 6/5/2023
Magruder Ranger Station, Paradise Guard Station, Warm Springs Campground · Ravalli, Montana

The Bitterroot National Forest is proposing to improve three water systems in recreational and administrative facilities.

Recreation management
Scoping Start
06/05/2023
Comment Period
06/05/2023
Decision
08/2023 (Estimated)
Implementation
09/2023 (Estimated)
Project documents
Erica Strayer · erica.strayer@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Categorical Exclusion32.2 (21), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(21); 32.2 (22), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(22)
Special AuthorityNot Applicable / Other
Notice and Comment RegulationNot Subject to Regulations
Project ActivityDeveloped Site Management; Facility Improvements/Construction; Facility Maintenance
ForestsBitterroot National Forest
DistrictsDarby Ranger District; Sula Ranger District; West Fork Ranger District
Legal Land DescriptionNot Applicable
Decision Memo · Sula Ranger District · updated 2/27/2023
Forest Service land along the East Fork Bitterroot River at milepost 12.9 of the East Fork Highway. · Ravalli, Montana

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.

Wildlife, fish, rare plantsWatershed management
Scoping Start
03/16/2021
Decision
04/2023 (Estimated)
Implementation
06/2023 (Estimated)
Project documents
Mike Jakober · Michael.Jakober@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Categorical Exclusion32.2 (20), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(20)
Special AuthorityNot Applicable / Other
Notice and Comment RegulationNot Subject to Regulations
Project ActivityWatershed Improvements
ForestsBitterroot National Forest
DistrictsSula Ranger District
Legal Land DescriptionNot Applicable