Environmental Assessment · Bessemer Ranger District · updated 5/4/2026
The BRRA Project is located on the Bessemer Ranger District in Gogebic County, Michigan. The project area is located along the Black River National Forest Scenic Byway (Gogebic County Road 513) and terminates at the Black River Recreation Area on Lake Superior. · Gogebic, Michigan
This project intends to improve safety, repair damaged and aging infrastructure, and increase access throughout the Black River Recreation Area.
Facility managementRecreation managementRoad management
NEPA Start Date
5/15/2025
Finding/Decision Date
5/4/2026
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Decision Signed Date | 5/4/2026 |
Decision Memo · Watersmeet Ranger District · updated 9/29/2025
Project 1)A non-system road at the end of Fire Tower Road. Project 2) FR 4507 near Burnt Dam Campground · Gogebic, Michigan
To Use a maintain a road on NFS lands in order to access private property.
Special use management
Scoping Start
10/2025 (Estimated)
Decision
11/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
11/2025 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (3), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(3) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Road Maintenance |
| Forests | Ottawa National Forest |
| Districts | Watersmeet Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Environmental Assessment · Ontonagon Ranger District · updated 9/29/2025
The North Victoria VMP is located in the Bergland and Ontonagon Ranger Districts, in Ontonagon County, Michigan. The project area is approximately 5 miles west of Rockland, Michigan. · Ontonagon, Michigan
This project includes vegetation and old growth management, transportation system modifications, and recreation and wildlife improvements on the Ontonagon Ranger District.
Recreation managementWildlife, fish, rare plantsForest productsVegetation management (other than forest products)Watershed managementRoad management
Comment Period
05/09/2024
Objection Period Start
05/09/2025
Decision
08/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
08/2025 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 218 (2013) Non-HFRA |
| Project Activity | Road Decommissioning; Forest Vegetation Improvements; Species Habitat Improvements; Trail Management; Road Maintenance; Road Improvements/Construction; Scenery Management; Travel Management; Timber Sales (Green); Watershed Improvements |
| Forests | Ottawa National Forest |
| Districts | Ontonagon Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Decision Memo · Watersmeet Ranger District · updated 9/29/2025
Approximately 3 3/4 mile west of intersection of US2 and US45 in Watersmeet. · Gogebic, Michigan
Install 6 wooden poles and attach distribution power lines in order to provide electrical service to the public.
Special use management
Scoping Start
10/2025 (Estimated)
Decision
11/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
01/2026 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (2), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(2) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Electric Transmission |
| Forests | Ottawa National Forest |
| Districts | Watersmeet Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | T45, R40W, NWSW, Section 21 |
Decision Memo · Watersmeet Ranger District · updated 9/18/2025
8 locations requiring the use of 6 Forest Service Roads located along their pipeline on the Bessemer, Watersmeet, and Iron River Ranger District · Gogebic; Iron, Michigan
Forest Road Access to their permitted right-of-way in order to conduct 8 maintenance activities on their oil and gas pipeline.
Special use management
Decision
09/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
10/2025 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (8), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(8) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Oil |
| Decision Decided Date | 09/18/2025 |
| Forests | Ottawa National Forest |
| Districts | Bessemer Ranger District; Iron River Ranger District; Watersmeet Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Decision Memo · Watersmeet Ranger District · updated 7/28/2025
Across multiple locations across the Bessemer, Bergland, Iron River, and Watersmeet Ranger District. Maps Available upon requests. · Gogebic; Iron; Ontonagon, Michigan
Proposal for installation of Fiber Optic cable to provide high speed broadband to the public on the Bessemer, Bergland, Iron River, and Watersmeet Ranger District.
Special use management
Decision
07/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
09/2025 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (3), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(3) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations |
| 2025 Merit Network Fiber Optic Installation Project | Decision Signed Date: 07/25/2025 |
| Forests | Ottawa National Forest |
| Districts | Bergland Ranger District; Bessemer Ranger District; Iron River Ranger District; Watersmeet Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Environmental Assessment · Ottawa National Forest All Units · updated 6/4/2025
The Silver Branch VMP is located in the Watersmeet/Kenton Ranger Districts, in Iron/Houghton/Baraga Counties, Michigan. The project area extends approximately 10 miles north and south of Sidnaw, MI. · Gogebic, Michigan
This project includes vegetation management, transportation system modifications, and recreation, fisheries and wildlife improvements on the Watersmeet and Kenton Ranger Districts.
Recreation managementWildlife, fish, rare plantsForest productsFuels managementWatershed managementRoad management
Comment Period
05/30/2025
Objection Period Start
03/2026 (Estimated)
Decision
05/2026 (Estimated)
Implementation
06/2026 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 218 (2013) Non-HFRA |
| Project Activity | Road Decommissioning; Developed Site Management; Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Dispersed Recreation Mgmt.; Trail Management; Road Maintenance; Road Improvements/Construction; Scenery Management; Travel Management; Timber Sales (Green); Watershed Improvements; Wilderness Management |
| Forests | Ottawa National Forest |
| Districts | Kenton Ranger District; Watersmeet Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Environmental Assessment · Watersmeet Ranger District · updated 4/11/2025
The project area is located between the towns of Marenisco and Watersmeet, Michigan, north of the Michigan-Wisconsin state boundary and mostly south of US Highway 2. · Gogebic, Michigan
This project proposes to address gaps between the existing conditions and the range of desired conditions described in the Forest Plan through a variety of proposed activities, including vegetation management, hazardous fuel reduction and others.
Regulations, directives, ordersRecreation managementWildlife, fish, rare plantsForest productsVegetation management (other than forest products)Fuels managementWatershed managementMinerals and geologyRoad management
Comment Period
06/27/2024
Objection Period Start
11/26/2024
Decision
04/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
05/2025 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 218 (2013) Non-HFRA |
| Project Activity | Road Decommissioning; Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Forest Vegetation Improvements; Species Habitat Improvements; Heritage Resource Management; Trail Management; Road Maintenance; Road Improvements/Construction; Travel Management; Timber Sales (Green); Watershed Improvements |
| Forests | Ottawa National Forest |
| Districts | Bessemer Ranger District; Watersmeet Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Decision Memo · Kenton Ranger District · updated 12/26/2024
Kenton Ranger District · Houghton, Michigan
Upper dam is located on the East Branch Ontonagon River. Upper dam consists of old timber, metal pipes, as well as tree material placed by beavers. This project proposes to remove the dam to restore the area to natural conditions and allow for
Watershed management
Decision
02/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
05/2025 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (18), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(18) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Watershed Improvements |
| Forests | Ottawa National Forest |
| Districts | Kenton Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Decision Memo · Bessemer Ranger District · updated 12/12/2024
SUP #1 Off of M64 traveling west on non-system road to private property. SUP #2-Off of FR 8100 on FR 8105 to private property on Hawk Lake · Gogebic, Michigan
Re-issue road special use permit #1 1003.2 feet (.19 miles) in length by 24 ft wide for .6 acres; special use permit #2 4,247 feet (.80 miles) 14 feet wide for 1.36 acres
Special use management
Decision
12/2024 (Estimated)
Implementation
12/2020 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (11), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(11) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations |
| Decision Decided Date | 12/12/2024 |
| Forests | Ottawa National Forest |
| Districts | Bessemer Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | SUP #1 T45N R44W Sec 25 SESE and T45N R43W Sec 30 W1/2SW; SUP #2 T45N R43W Sec 7, NENW,SWNW, W1/2NWSW,T45N R44W Sec12 NENESE |
Decision Memo · Bessemer Ranger District · updated 3/21/2024
The main portion of the pipeline location will be 45 feet west of the centerline of M-64 south of the Norco Road to Forest Road 8220 where travels east to the Prison · Gogebic, Michigan
Re-Issue a special use permit for the operation and maintenance of a 4" steel gas line from North of Marenisco, MI to the former Department of Correction Camp Ojibway. Project area is 26,400 feet in length by 8 feet wide for 4.8 acres
Special use management
Decision
03/2024 (Estimated)
Implementation
02/2024 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (11), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(11) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations |
| Decision Decided Date | 03/21/2024 |
| Forests | Ottawa National Forest |
| Districts | Bessemer Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | T46N-R43W. Section 9, SENW; Section 20, SWSE; Section 29, NWNE and W1/2: Section 32 SW1/4 - T45N-R43W. Section 5 W1/2NW; Section 6 E1/2: Section 7 e1/2: Section 8 S1/2 |
Decision Memo · Watersmeet Ranger District · updated 3/21/2024
Located across the Bessemer and Watersmeet Ranger Districts within road right-of-ways · Gogebic; Ontonagon, Michigan
Operate and Maintain buried copper telephone line and buried Fiber Optic cable. The Project area is located in/near roadways in a 10 feet wide right-of-way.
Special use management
Decision
03/2024 (Estimated)
Implementation
02/2024 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (11), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(11) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations |
| Decision Decided Date | 03/21/2024 |
| Forests | Ottawa National Forest |
| Districts | Bessemer Ranger District; Watersmeet Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
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Bergland Ranger District
#1 -A Private Road Special Use Permit leading to private property. The permitted area is 401 feet (0.076 miles) in length by 15 feet wide, for approximately 0.09 acres. #2- 1056 feet (0.2 miles) in length and 15 feet wide for approx .3 ac
Special use management