Idaho Panhandle National Forests — Project Detail

12 projects with crawled detail · milestones · contacts · documents

Idaho Panhandle National Forests

R01 Northern · 12 projects · crawled 2026-06-17
Developing Proposal 3 Completed 9
Environmental Assessment 8 Categorical Exclusion 3 Decision Memo 1
9 with documents 12 with comments page
Categorical Exclusion · Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District · updated 6/11/2026
Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area near Mullan, Idaho in Shoshone County, Idaho and Mineral County, Montana. · Mineral; Shoshone, Montana; Idaho

The project proposes to reduce hazardous fuel loading and the extent of insects and disease through salvage and fuels reduction activities on 560 acres within and adjacent to Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area.

Forest productsFuels management
NEPA Start Date
4/27/2026
Finding/Decision Date
6/2/2026
Project documents
ANDREA TRAEUMER · andrea.traeumer@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Categorical ExclusionSection 603 of HFRA (16 U.S.C. 6591b)
Decision Signed Date6/2/2026
Chloride Gold Restoration Developing Proposal
Environmental Assessment · Sandpoint Ranger District · updated 5/28/2026
Adjacent to the southeast part of Lake Pend Oreille

The primary focus of this project would be initiating the restoration of ecosystem components in the project area where prudent and economically feasible, as well as guiding the project towards objectives listed in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests Land Management Plan.

Forest productsFuels managementVegetation management (other than forest products)
NEPA Start Date
Finding/Decision Date
c/o Sandpoint Ranger District
Categorical Exclusion · St. Joe Ranger District · updated 5/28/2026
Approximately 12 miles east of Avery, Idaho, between Malin and Eagle Creeks, primarily within the previous Halfway Malin EA NEPA decision. · Shoshone, Idaho

This project proposes to implement salvage activities in areas affected by a recent blowdown event. Windthrow resulted in concentrations of downed and damaged trees that present elevated risks related to insect infestation, hazardous fuel loading, and public and firefighter safety.

Forest productsFuels managementVegetation management (other than forest products)
NEPA Start Date
3/17/2026
Finding/Decision Date
5/28/2026
Project documents
Bennett Thomas · bennett.thomas@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Categorical ExclusionUSDA-36d-USFS
Decision Signed Date5/28/2026
IPNF Forest-wide Prescribed Fire Developing Proposal
Environmental Assessment · Idaho Panhandle National Forests · updated 5/28/2026

The project proposes to increase the application of prescribed fire across landscapes to reduce the risk of uncharacteristically severe and large wildfires, promote forest resiliency, and reduce impact risk on local communities and valued resources.

NEPA Start Date
Finding/Decision Date
Sarah Brackebusch · sarah.brackebusch@usda.gov
Bonehead Hill Blowdown Salvage Developing Proposal
Environmental Assessment · St. Joe Ranger District · updated 5/13/2026
The Project is located five to seven miles south and southeast of Avery, Idaho in the vicinity of Jacksons Knob, Bonehead Hill, Sisters Creek, Siwash Creek, Blue Grouse Cree, Shoepack Creek and East Fork Fishhook Creek. · Shoshone, Idaho

We propose to utilize blown down and damaged trees in response to substantial mortality and damage to forested vegetation due to a severe wind event near Avery, ID in December 2025.

Forest productsFuels managementRegulations, directives, ordersVegetation management (other than forest products)
NEPA Start Date
Finding/Decision Date
Project documents
Jason Jerman · jason.jerman@usda.gov
Moyie Meadow Completed
Categorical Exclusion · Bonners Ferry Ranger District · updated 5/8/2026
Moyie River and Meadow Creek County Roads, from Highway 2 north to Highway 95. Some powerline treatment proposed along Deer Creek and Perkins Lake Rd. Project Documents available at https://usfs.app.box.com/folder/378932629409 · Boundary, Idaho

This project will create a fuel break on National Forest lands in Boundary County with the intention to reduce wildfire severity by thinning and burning along roads and powerlines, to help protect communities and create a safer area for firefighters.

Forest productsFuels managementVegetation management (other than forest products)
NEPA Start Date
10/29/2025
Finding/Decision Date
4/24/2026
Jennifer Anderson · jennifer.anderson3@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Categorical ExclusionPub. L. 117-58, Sec. 40806
Decision Signed Date4/24/2026
Sandpoint South Completed
Environmental Assessment · Idaho Panhandle National Forest All Units · updated 12/22/2025
The project area is near the town of Sandpoint, Idaho, along Highway 95 and Lake Pend Oreille, in Bonner County. · Bonner, Idaho

Reduce hazardous fuels through fuels and vegetation treatment in the vicinity of communities and values at risk to move forest health and ecological functions towards desired conditions and objectives identified in the 2015 Idaho Plan.

Fuels management
Scoping Start
03/20/2025
Comment Period
06/27/2025
Decision
12/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
08/2026 (Estimated)
Project documents
Jennifer Cinq-Mars · jennifer.cinq-mars@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Special AuthorityNot Applicable / Other
Notice and Comment Regulation218 (2013) Non-HFRA
Project ActivityFuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Road Maintenance; Road Improvements/Construction; Timber Sales (Green)
ForestsIdaho Panhandle National Forest
DistrictsSandpoint Ranger District
Legal Land DescriptionPortions of T53N to T57N, R4W to R1W.
Katkee Fuels Completed
Environmental Assessment · Idaho Panhandle National Forest All Units · updated 11/26/2025
Located within the Bonners Ferry Ranger District about seven miles southeast of Bonners Ferry. · Boundary, Idaho

Reduce hazardous fuels and address the concerns of our communities and partners; the IPNF is considering activities that will create fuel breaks along private land, infrastructure, and egress routes adjacent to priority firesheds.

Wildlife, fish, rare plantsFuels management
Scoping Start
02/02/2024
Comment Period
06/23/2025
11/18/2025
Decision
11/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
07/2026 (Estimated)
Project documents
Joshua Baker · joshua.baker@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Special Authority2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions
Notice and Comment Regulation2021 Infrastructure: Emergency Actions
Project ActivityRoad Decommissioning; Electric Transmission; Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Forest Vegetation Improvements; Species Habitat Improvements; Roadless Area Management; Road Maintenance; Road Improvements/Construction; Timber Sales (Salvage); Timber Sales (Green)
ForestsIdaho Panhandle National Forest
DistrictsBonners Ferry Ranger District
Legal Land DescriptionNot Applicable
Granite Fuels Completed
Environmental Assessment · Idaho Panhandle National Forest All Units · updated 11/3/2025
The project is located in the southeastern corner of the St. Joe Ranger District in Shoshone County. Most of the project area consists of Recommended Wilderness and Backcountry Areas. · Shoshone, Idaho

To reduce the risk of uncharacteristically severe wildfire and influence how wildfire and other disturbances shape the landscape the Forest Service proposes to authorize prescribed burns on up to 10,000 acres over the next 10 years.

Special area managementVegetation management (other than forest products)Fuels managementSpecial use managementProjects that may affect wilderness (for mailing list contacts)
Scoping Start
10/01/2024
Comment Period
10/16/2024
Objection Period Start
01/01/2025
Decision
10/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
06/2026 (Estimated)
Project documents
Jennifer Cinq-Mars · Jennifer.Cinq-Mars@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Special AuthorityNot Applicable / Other
Notice and Comment Regulation218 (2013) Non-HFRA
Project ActivityFuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Forest Vegetation Improvements; Roadless Area Management; Special Area Management
ForestsIdaho Panhandle National Forest
DistrictsSt. Maries Ranger District
Legal Land DescriptionThe project center is T42N, R8E, Sec 3, from there the project spans 112,146 acres across T42N, R6E and T43N, R6E to T43N, R10E and T42N, R10E.
Decision Memo · Sandpoint Ranger District · updated 7/15/2025
Located along Forest Service Trail 2240 in the Auxor Basin. · Bonner, Idaho

Two temporary drill pads would be constructed to delineate a known mineral deposit. Drill pads would be 50' X 50' and would each include a 10'x10'x5' sump. The Auxer Mine portal would also be reestablished to facilitate future underground work.

Minerals and geology
Scoping Start
02/01/2020
Comment Period
02/28/2020
Decision
06/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
07/2025 (Estimated)
Project documents
Bennett Thomas · Bennett.Thomas@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Categorical Exclusion32.2 (8), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(8)
Special AuthorityNot Applicable / Other
Notice and Comment RegulationNot Subject to Regulations
Project ActivityMinerals Or Geology Plans Of Operations
Auxer Exploratory Drill ProjectDecision Signed Date: 06/30/2025
ForestsIdaho Panhandle National Forest
DistrictsSandpoint Ranger District
Legal Land DescriptionT57N, R2E, Section 20, BM
Lacy Lemoosh Completed
Environmental Assessment · St. Maries Ranger District · updated 6/25/2025
The project area is located south of Emida, Idaho in the Charlie Creek drainage. · Benewah, Idaho

Vegetation management activities, including timber harvest, road construction, prescribed burning and tree planting.

Forest productsFuels managementWatershed managementRoad management
Scoping Start
04/27/2023
Comment Period
08/29/2024
Objection Period Start
02/14/2025
Decision
05/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
06/2025 (Estimated)
Project documents
Amy Thompson · amy.thompson@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Special AuthorityNot Applicable / Other
Notice and Comment Regulation218 (2013) Non-HFRA
Project ActivityFuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Road Maintenance; Timber Sales (Green); Watershed Improvements
ForestsIdaho Panhandle National Forest
DistrictsSt. Maries Ranger District
Legal Land DescriptionT43N, R3W, Sec 12,13, 24 BM. T43N, R2W, Sec 1,2,4,7,9-28,34-36 BM. T43N, R1W, Sec 6,7,17-20, 29-32 BM
Environmental Assessment · R6 - Pacific Northwest Region All Units · updated 12/12/2023
The trail begins at the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park and travels 1,200 miles through 7 National Forests, 3 National Parks, BLM, state, tribal, municipal and private lands in MT, ID, WA. · Bonner; Boundary; Flathead; Glacier; Lincoln; Clallam; Ferry; Island; Jefferson; Okanogan; Pend Oreille; Skagit; Stevens; Whatcom, Idaho; Montana; Washington

The Comprehensive Plan will develop administrative and management objectives and practices and desired conditions for the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail on public lands in Forest Service Regions 1 and Regions 6.

Recreation managementSpecial area management
Scoping Start
11/01/2017
Comment Period
03/16/2023
Objection Period Start
07/13/2023
Decision
11/2023 (Estimated)
Implementation
01/2024 (Estimated)
Project documents
Lisa Romano · lisa.romano@usda.gov
NEPA / regulatory detail
Special AuthorityNot Applicable / Other
Notice and Comment Regulation218 (2013) Non-HFRA
Project ActivityPlan Creation/Revision; Trail Management; Special Area Management
Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Comprehensive Plan Decision NoticeDecision Signed Date: 11/13/2023
ForestsIdaho Panhandle National Forest; Flathead National Forest; Kootenai National Forest; Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest; Olympic National Forest; Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest; Colville National Forest
DistrictsBonners Ferry Ranger District; Priest Lake Ranger District; Glacier View Ranger District; Rexford Ranger District; Fortine Ranger District; Three Rivers Ranger District; Mt Baker Ranger District; Olympic National Forest All Units; Methow Valley Ranger District; Republic Ranger District; Sullivan Lake Ranger District; Tonasket Ranger District; Three Rivers Ranger District
Legal Land DescriptionNot Applicable