Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Butte Ranger District

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1 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest 1820 Meadowlark Lane Butte, MT File Code: 1950 Date: September 1, 2010 Dear Interested Party: The Butte and Jefferson Ranger Districts of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest are proposing several projects. The following is the background information on the projects, a description of the Purpose and Need, and the Proposed Action. Maud S Canyon Trail #4815 Relocation T 2 N, R 7 W. sec. 27 and 34 This proposal would relocate and construct approximately 2 miles of Maud S Trail #815 to connect with the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST). The trail is located east of I-90 at the Continental Drive Interchange and extends from the Maud S Canyon Trailhead east to the top of the continental divide where it meets with the newly constructed CDNST. The existing trail is a primitive trail that is steep with several areas that are highly eroded and has two unprotected stream crossings. The trail would be reconstructed to meet Forest Service design standards for non-motorized uses (foot, horse, and mountain bicycle). Motorized use would not be allowed. The existing 1.5 mile trail would be obliterated with this project. Southwest Montana Telephone T. 1 N., R. 9 W., Sec. 4, 5, 8, and 9 T 2 N., R 9 W., sec. 33 and 34 Southwest Montana Telephone proposes to bury fiber optic cable on the. Approximately 5.18 miles of fiber optic cable would be buried within current road and telephone rights-of-ways along FS road nos. 96, 447, and The cable would be installed with a static plow that lays the cable at the same time the trench is dug. The line would be buried parallel to the existing line. Above ground pedestals (splice points) will be installed approximately every.85 miles. The old pedestals would remain in place to provide battery backup for the system. SW Montana Telephone has an existing special use authorization for telephone lines. Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper

2 Jefferson Ranger District Homestake Trail #7071 Relocation T2N, R6W; sections 13 and 17/20 The Forest Service is proposing to relocate two segments of Homestake Trail No in the Whitetail-Pipestone area. The trail begins at Homestake Trailhead and continues to the Four Corners Trailhead north of the Pipestone exit on Interstate 90. This project will address public safety issues associated with the Burlington Northern Santé Fe RR (BNSF) and Homestake Trail #7071. Currently the two segments are located on the railroad bed which that were identified as a safety concern to BNSF as a result of a review of the trails with Forest Service and BNSF personnel. The first segment is located approximately 500 feet east of the Homestake Trailhead that would cross at the same location, but would cross both sets of tracks and continue for approximately 500 feet. A new trail approximately 500 feet long would be constructed. It would include construction of a raised puncheon bridge (6 feet wide) approximately 200 feet long to protect a wet meadow area. Curbing would be installed on the puncheon to keep trail users from going off the puncheon bridge. The second segment is located 1.6 miles east of Homestake Trailhead. The proposal is to relocate and construct a new trail approximately 1,300 feet long to avoid use of the railroad. It would include construction of a raised puncheon bridge (6 feet wide) approximately 200 feet long to protect a wet meadow area. Curbing would be installed on the puncheon to keep trail users from going off the puncheon bridge. The new trail segments would be constructed to a motorized trail standard of 48 inches; which is the Forest Service design standards for motorized trails. Approximately 1,900 feet of existing trail routes would be blocked and/or obliterated to keep the public from using the trails. The trail projects are not located within an inventoried roadless area. The reasons we determined the project does not require notice, comment and appeal are that first, the project would not designate a new travel route for OHVs. The Homestake Trail and adjacent trails in the area currently allow OHV uses as identified on the 2009 Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Plan and Beaverhead-Deerlodge Forest Visitor Map. No new designation for OHV use is being proposed with this project. Second, the project does not construct new OHV routes or facilities. It would relocate existing OHV routes to address safety concerns associated with the BNSF railroad. The abandoned segments would be closed to the public as they are located on BNSF property. Third, the project would not increase the levels or types of OHV use. Use levels and types would likely remain the same as the trail is currently open and in use because the new section merely replaces, not improves the OHV recreation opportunity. The relocated trails will continue to accommodate similar ATV and motorcycle uses.

3 Spring Creek Trail #7093 Relocation T3N, R5W; sections 10 and 15 The Forest Service is proposing to relocate approximately 2,500 feet of Spring Creek Trail no to move the trail off private land. Spring Creek Trail is open to motorized ATV and motorcycle uses. Approximately 2,300 feet of new trail would be constructed to a motorized trail standard of 48 inches; which is the Forest Service design standards for motorized trails. The trail project is not located within an inventoried roadless area. The reasons we determined the project does not require notice, comment and appeal are that first, the project would not designate a new travel route for OHVs. The Spring Creek Trail and adjacent trails currently allow OHV uses as identified on the 2009 Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Plan and Beaverhead-Deerlodge Forest Visitor Map. No new designation for OHV use is being proposed with this project. Second, the project does not construct new OHV routes or facilities. It would relocate an existing OHV route to address private land issues. The abandoned segment would be closed to the public as it located on private land. Third, the project would not increase the levels or types of OHV use. Use levels and types would likely remain the same as the trail is currently open and in use because the new section merely replaces, not improves the OHV recreation opportunity. The relocated trail will continue to accommodate similar ATV and motorcycle uses. Homestake Lodge Cross Country Ski Trails Permit Amendment T. 2 N., R. 6 W., Sec. 19, 20, 29, and 30 A proposal from Homestake Lodge to amend their special use authorization to maintain and groom approximately 3.23 miles of cross country ski trails using a 10-foot wide groomer. The authorization would also permit certain cross-country skiing events consistent with approved operating plans. The proposal would create loop opportunities connecting with trails located on private lands owned by Homestake Lodge to provide for a type of skiing experience and trip distance commonly desired by cross-country skiers. The trail routes consist of unclassified routes and open areas. The permitted use would include non-motorized (foot and mountain bike) summer use on existing routes only. Signs and barriers are used in the winter to discourage motorized use on the trails. Comments Please share your comments, concerns, or ideas with us by Friday September 17, 2010 by hardcopy, phone, fax, or electronically. The Butte District Ranger is the deciding official.

4 Any Questions or Comments You can send comments to: Janet L.Krivacek District Ranger 1820 Meadowlark Butte, MT Fax: If you wish to receive information on the decision for this proposal you must respond to this scoping notice. For additional information please contact Jocelyn Dodge at (406) or To be removed from this mailing list call (406) or /S/ JANET L KRIVACEK 9/1/2010 JANET L. KRIVACEK District Ranger DATE

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