Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) 04/01/2016 to 06/30/2016 National Forests in Alabama This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact. Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R8 - Southern Region National Forests in Alabama, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest) NFsAL Forest Plan Monitoring Plan Transition - Land management planning CE In Progress: Scoping Start 10/01/2015 This project has changed to a CE that does not require a written decision document and will be removed from the SOPA. Project Contact Expected:05/2016 05/2016 Felicia Humphrey 334-241-8146 fhumphrey@fs.fed.us Description: Update Forest Plan Monitoring Plan to meet requirements of 2012 Planning Rule. This effort will result in an Administrative Change to the Forest Plan and is NOT a NEPA decision. NEPA project webpage used to increase visibility for public convenience. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48481 Location: UNIT - National Forests in Alabama All Units. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Bibb, Calhoun, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Covington, Escambia, Franklin, Hale, Lawrence, Macon, Perry, Talladega, Tuscaloosa, Winston. LEGAL - Not Applicable. National Forests in Alabama. National Forests in Alabama, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide) Talladega Division New Prescribed Burn Units Environmental Assessment EA Scott Layfield - Vegetation management In Progress: Expected:08/2016 08/2016 256-362-2909 (other than forest products) Comment Period Public Notice slayfield@fs.fed.us - Fuels management 07/03/2014 Description: Addition of 9900 acres to its prescribed burning program for fuel reduction, ecosystem restoration and wildlife habitat improvement Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45542 Location: National Forests in Alabama 04/01/2016 04:09 am MT R8 - Southern Region UNIT - Talladega Ranger District, Shoal Creek Ranger District. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Talladega. LEGAL - Not Applicable. A total of 10 new burn unit as show on associated maps. Bankhead Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Page 1 of 7 R8 - Southern Region National Forests in Alabama Project Name National Forests in Alabama Bankhead 2016 Forest Health Project CE Project Purpose EA *UPDATED* Shelton ROW SUP Project Contact R8 - Southern Region UNIT - Bankhead Ranger District. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Winston. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The northern and southern portions of Bankhead RD encompassing Areas 1 and 3 as defined in the Bankhead Forest Health and Restoration Project. - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: - Forest products Scoping Start 08/20/2014 - Vegetation management Est. Comment Period Public (other than forest products) Notice 04/2016 - Watershed management Description: Longleaf Pine and Oak-Pine Woodland Restoration Expected:06/2016 07/2016 Lorenzo Walton 205-489-5111 lwalton03@fs.fed.us Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45918 Location: UNIT - Bankhead Ranger District. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Winston. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Southern portion of Bankhead RD. Area 3-as defined in the Bankhead Forest Health and Restoration Project. - Special use management Completed Actual: 11/12/2015 12/2015 Mike Cook 205-489-5111 mcook01@fs.fed.us Description: Grant a permanent ROW to Mr. Shelton off of FS road 239 to his private property. A current road exists where the ROW will be granted. An access gate will be installed along the ROW. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47138 Location: 04/01/2016 04:09 am MT Expected Implementation Lorenzo Walton - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Expected:09/2016 10/2016 205-489-5111 - Forest products Scoping Start 11/24/2015 lwalton03@fs.fed.us - Vegetation management (other than forest products) - Fuels management Description: Improve forest health while concurrently reducing the risk of Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) outbreak through the thinning of overstocked pine stands. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48347 CE *UPDATED* Decision Bankhead Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Location: Houston Longleaf Restoration Project Planning Status UNIT - Bankhead Ranger District. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Winston. LEGAL - Not Applicable. ROW is located off of FS road 239 in Winston County Alabama. T9S R8W Section 11. Page 2 of 7 National Forests in Alabama Project Name National Forests in Alabama Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact R8 - Southern Region Bankhead Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Mike Cook 205-489-5111 mcook01@fs.fed.us Special Use Permit - Alabama Power Company Distribution Line, Winston County Road 91. - Special use management CE Description: Special use permit to install new single phase power line within the existing 15' right-of-way along Winston County Road 91. *UPDATED* Location: Special Use Permit - Reggie Watts Right-of-way In Progress: Scoping Start 07/14/2012 Expected:09/2016 10/2016 UNIT - Bankhead Ranger District. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Winston. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Bankhead National Forest, Winston County Road 91. - Special use management On Hold N/A N/A CE Mike Cook 205-489-5111 mcook01@fs.fed.us Description: Issue a special use permit for right-of-way to Reggie Watts for driveway and utility installation to private property. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=40043 Location: UNIT - Bankhead Ranger District. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Winston. LEGAL - Section 23, T10S, R7W. Bankhead National Forest, Horseshoe Bend Area, Houston, Alabama, FS Road 123D1 and unnamed woods road. Mike Cook 205-489-5111 mcook01@fs.fed.us Special Use Permit- Alabama Power Company Distribution Line, Franklin County Road 138 - Special use management CE Description: Special use permit to install a new distribution power line with 3 poles and 2 guys and 860 ft. /- of overhead conductor adjacent to Franklin County Highway #138. Line clearing of trees will be 15 ft from line where needed. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43130 Location: Upland Hardwood Restoration Project EA *UPDATED* On Hold N/A N/A UNIT - Bankhead Ranger District. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Franklin. LEGAL - Section 36, Township 7 South, Range 10 West. Off of Franklin County Road 138. Alton Gaskins - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Cancelled N/A N/A 205-489-5111 - Forest products agaskins@fs.fed.us - Vegetation management (other than forest products) Description: This project will focus on converting offsite loblolly pine plantations to upland hardwood forests. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45919 Location: UNIT - Bankhead Ranger District. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Winston. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Northern portion of Bankhead RD. Area 1- as defined in the Bankhead Forest Health and Restoration Project. R8 - Southern Region 04/01/2016 04:09 am MT Page 3 of 7 National Forests in Alabama Project Name National Forests in Alabama Blue Springs West EA *NEW LISTING* Project Purpose EA *UPDATED* 04/01/2016 04:09 am MT Expected Implementation Project Contact R8 - Southern Region Jaime Hernandez - Recreation management Developing Proposal Expected:12/2016 01/2017 334-222-2555 x103 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Est. Scoping Start 05/2016 jahernandez@fs.fed.us - Forest products - Vegetation management (other than forest products) - Fuels management Description: Conecuh National Forest proposes to thin stands to increase early successional habitat, mostly located within the Blue Springs WMA, west of Highway 137. The project area is approximately 9,000 acres of National Forest Land. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=49198 UNIT - Conecuh Ranger District. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Covington, Escambia. LEGAL - T1N, R14E, Sections 1,5,6,12,19,20,24,25,30,31,32,36. T2N, R14E, Sections 7,8,12,13,17,18. The project area is located west of Highway 137, which majority of the project is within the Blue Springs Wildlife Management Area. Jaime Hernandez - Recreation management In Progress: Expected:09/2016 01/2017 334-222-2555 x103 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Comment Period Public Notice jahernandez@fs.fed.us - Forest products 03/15/2016 - Vegetation management (other than forest products) - Fuels management - Road management Description: To restore and maintain desired conditions of fire-maintained longleaf pine forest and to improve habitat for redcockaded woodpeckers and other featured species that are dependent on these conditions. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46778 Location: National Forests in Alabama Decision Conecuh Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Location: Boggy Hollow Longleaf Pine Management Project Planning Status UNIT - Conecuh Ranger District. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Covington, Escambia. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Boggy Hollow Project Area is located in Covington County, Alabama, west of Wing, Alabama, and north and south of County Road 4. It is composed of compartments 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, and 59. Oakmulgee Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Page 4 of 7 R8 - Southern Region National Forests in Alabama Project Name National Forests in Alabama Blueberry Hill Land Acquistion Project Purpose Planning Status - Land acquisition Completed CE *UPDATED* CE *NEW LISTING* 03/2016 Cynthia Ragland 205-926-9765 ext 226 cragland@fs.fed.us UNIT - Oakmulgee Ranger District. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Chilton. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Chilton County, Alabama. UNIT - Oakmulgee Ranger District. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Bibb. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Compartments 31, 32 and 44 and locally known as the Highfield area. Michael Caylor - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Expected:04/2016 05/2016 205-926-9765 - Forest products Scoping Start 02/19/2016 mcaylor@fs.fed.us - Vegetation management (other than forest products) Description: The Pearson Gap project is designed to improve the resiliency of important red-cockaded woodpecker habitat to southern pine beetle infestations, while moving the area toward the desired condition of longleaf woodlands with intermixed savannahs. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48764 Location: 04/01/2016 04:09 am MT R8 - Southern Region Michael Caylor - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Completed Actual: 12/16/2015 12/2015 205-926-9765 x206 - Vegetation management mcaylor@fs.fed.us (other than forest products) - Fuels management Description: To restore open woodland conditions for the identified areas. A cut and leave treatment will be utilized, which entails a crew using chainsaws and brushcutters to fell and leave undesirable vegetation on the ground. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48073 Location: Pearson Gap Actual: 01/14/2016 Project Contact Description: The National Forests in Alabama is wanting to initiate a land-for-timber (tripartite) exchange in which the U.S. Forest Service will acquire nine non-Federal tracts of land totaling approximately 1,400 acres in Chilton County, Alabama. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48439 Location: Midstory Removal for RCW in the Highfield Area - 2015 Expected Implementation Oakmulgee Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) CE *UPDATED* Decision UNIT - Oakmulgee Ranger District. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Bibb, Tuscaloosa. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Project area is located 15 miles southeast of Tuscaloosa Alabama in Compartments 8 and 12 of the Talladega NF, Oakmulgee District. Page 5 of 7 National Forests in Alabama Project Name National Forests in Alabama Pearson Gap Expanded CE *NEW LISTING* Project Purpose Shoal Creek Healthy Forest Project Decision Expected Implementation Michael Caylor - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Expected:03/2016 05/2016 205-926-9765 - Forest products Scoping Start 12/23/2015 mcaylor@fs.fed.us - Vegetation management (other than forest products) Description: Project activities are designed to provide resiliency and sustainability by restoring species composition, structure, and function through a series of actions designed to favor native species on native sites. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48448 UNIT - Oakmulgee Ranger District. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Bibb, Tuscaloosa. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project Area is located 15 miles southeast of Tuscaloosa, Alabama in Compartments 7, 10, 11, and 13. R8 - Southern Region Shoal Creek Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) - Forest products - Fuels management In Progress: Scoping Start 01/14/2016 Expected:03/2016 03/2016 CE *NEW LISTING* Easement for Justin H. Kenagy UNIT - Shoal Creek Ranger District. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Shoal Creek Ranger District. R8 - Southern Region Talladega Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) - Special use management Completed Actual: 12/08/2015 02/2016 CE *UPDATED* Lesley Hodge 256-463-2273 lhodge@fs.fed.us Description: . The proposed action is for issuing an easement which will allow access to private land. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46841 Location: 04/01/2016 04:09 am MT Jonathan Stober 256-463-2272 jstober@fs.fed.us Description: Thinning of overstocked plantations to reduce southern pine beetle threat Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47939 Location: National Forests in Alabama Project Contact R8 - Southern Region Oakmulgee Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) Location: National Forests in Alabama Planning Status UNIT - Talladega Ranger District. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Cleburne. LEGAL - Township 19 South; Range 6 East; Section 27 in Talladega County, Alabama. End of Forest Service Road 699. Page 6 of 7 National Forests in Alabama Project Name National Forests in Alabama Tallaseehatchee Bridge EA Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation R8 - Southern Region Talladega Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) - Watershed management - Road management On Hold N/A Project Contact N/A Art Henderson 256-362-2909 arthenderson@fs.fed.us Description: Construction of new bridge to replace a 75 year old multi-span bride. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45244 Location: National Forests in Alabama Tuskegee NF P-burning FY16 CE UNIT - Talladega Ranger District. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Clay. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Located at the Tallaseehatchee Creek crossing on FSR 607. Tuskegee Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) R8 - Southern Region Cameron Seals - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Expected:01/2016 01/2016 334-727-2652 - Vegetation management Scoping Start 11/11/2015 cseals@fs.fed.us (other than forest products) - Fuels management Description: Conduct approximately 1350 acres of prescribed burning on the Tuskegee National Forest in Compartments 10,14,and 15 for fuel reduction and wildlife habitat improvement. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=48039 Location: UNIT - Tuskegee Ranger District. STATE - Alabama. COUNTY - Macon. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Compartment 10, 14 and 15. 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This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact. 04/01/2016 04:09 am MT Page 7 of 7 National Forests in Alabama