Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA)
10/01/2015 to 12/31/2015
Cherokee National Forest
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
Cherokee National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
Vegetation Management in
Open Areas
EA
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
*UPDATED*
In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/21/2014
Est. Comment Period Public
Notice 12/2015
Project Contact
Expected:08/2016
10/2016
Mary Miller
423-476-9756
mcmiller@fs.fed.us
Description: manage permanent grassy & herbaceous openings using a combination of treatment methods; openings include
permanent openings benefiting wildlife species & utility corridors under special use permit by utility agencies
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45222
Location:
UNIT - Cherokee National Forest All Units. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson,
McMinn, Monroe, Polk, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Cherokee National Forest.
Cherokee National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
ConaCat
EA
*UPDATED*
Janan Hay
- Recreation management
In Progress:
Expected:05/2016
10/2017
(423) 253-8400
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
Comment Period Public Notice
comments-southern- Forest products
10/01/2014
cherokee- Vegetation management
tellico@fs.fed.us
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management
Description: Vegetation Management through various tools for forest health and wildlife habitat improvement. Also, watershed
and trail improvements with connected road management.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=42332
Location:
10/01/2015 04:25 am MT
R8 - Southern Region
UNIT - Ocoee Ranger District, Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Monroe. LEGAL - Not
Applicable. Project area is 6 to 18 miles east of Etowah, TN and 1 to 7 miles south of Tellico Plains, TN.
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Cherokee National Forest
Project Name
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Cherokee National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
North Zone Open Area
Management II
EA
Stone Pile
EA
*UPDATED*
EA
*UPDATED*
R8 - Southern Region
Mark Pistrang
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress:
Expected:06/2017
05/2018
423-476-9757
- Forest products
Scoping Start 10/24/2014
comments-southern- Vegetation management
Est. Comment Period Public
cherokee-ocoee(other than forest products)
Notice 09/2016
hiwassee@fs.fed.us
- Fuels management
- Road management
Description: The project is designed to improve or maintain wildlife habitat, species diversity of stands, and forest health
through vegetation management and other treatments.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45677
UNIT - Ocoee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Polk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Northwest of
Turtletown.
Janan Hay
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress:
Expected:10/2016
05/2018
423-253-8405
- Forest products
Scoping Start 12/09/2013
comments-southern- Vegetation management
Est. Comment Period Public
cherokee-ocoee(other than forest products)
Notice 02/2016
hiwassee@fs.fed.us
- Fuels management
- Road management
Description: The project is designed to improve or maintain wildlife habitat, species diversity of stands, and forest health
through vegetation management and other treatments.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43080
Location:
10/01/2015 04:25 am MT
R8 - Southern Region
UNIT - Nolichucky Ranger District, Unaka Ranger District, Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee.
COUNTY - Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington. Throughout north zone (Nolichucky,
Unaka, and Watauga Districts) of Cherokee National Forest.
Ocoee Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Location:
Dinkey
Project Contact
Marcia Carter
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
On Hold
N/A
N/A
(423) 638-4109
- Vegetation management
mscarter@fs.fed.us
(other than forest products)
Description: Maintain open areas (fields, balds, overlooks, and linear wildlife openings) by controlling woody vegetation using
herbicides.
Location:
Cherokee National Forest
Expected
Implementation
UNIT - Ocoee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Polk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. East of Big
Frog Wilderness, west of State Highway 68, south of State Highway 64 and north of the Georgia state line.
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Cherokee National Forest
Project Name
Cherokee National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R8 - Southern Region
Ocoee Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Outfitting and Guiding Fishing
permits on the Hiwassee River
- Special use management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/26/2015
Expected:10/2015
Project Contact
11/2015
CE
*UPDATED*
Debbie Abel
423-476-9700
comments-southerncherokee-ocoeehiwassee@fs.fed.us
Description: The CNF will advertise,though a prospectus,to fill 2 vacant outfitter guide, fly-fishing permits.The permits will
initially be issued for a 2-yr probationary period and upon reaching a successful operation and permit compliance
will be extended 8 yrs
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47200
Location:
Polk County Communications
Tower
UNIT - Ocoee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Polk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Hiwassee
River from Apalachia Powerhouse east to Hwy 411. Access to the river will include both the Apalachia and Towee
Creek Boat Launch sites accessed by NFSR 108 (Hiwassee River Road).
- Special use management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/20/2014
Expected:10/2015
Actual: 11/17/2014
CE
*UPDATED*
11/2015
Debbie Abel
423-476-9700
comments-southerncherokee-ocoeehiwassee@fs.fed.us
Description: Install 150' communications tower and associated 20'X 25' building. Proposal changed to: 180' self supporting
tower; 8'X18' building; install generator; install 500 gal in-ground propane tank; and install 8' fence around facility.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45667
Location:
Cherokee National Forest
10/01/2015 04:25 am MT
UNIT - Ocoee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Polk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Oswald Dome
Electronic Site.
Tellico Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
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R8 - Southern Region
Cherokee National Forest
Project Name
Cherokee National Forest
TASS (Tellico Area Service
System) water lines
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R8 - Southern Region
Tellico Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Special use management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/01/2015
Expected:07/2016
Actual: 07/27/2015
Project Contact
08/2016
CE
*UPDATED*
Debbie Abel
423-476-9723
comments-southerncherokeetellico@fs.fed.us
Description: Tellico Area Services System (TASS) has requested a permit for approximately 21,000 feet of existing water lines
buried along road right-of-ways in multiple locations.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46863
Location:
TWRA Hatchery Shed
UNIT - Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Monroe. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Tellico
Ranger District.
- Special use management
CE
In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/14/2015
Expected:10/2015
11/2015
*NEW LISTING*
Debbie Abel
423-476-9700
comments-southerncherokeetellico@fs.fed.us
Description: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has requested permission to place a 60' X 36' metal equipment
shed within the Tellico Hatchery compound. This would be granted through an amendment to the existing TWRA
Hatchery permit.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47397
Location:
Upper Citico Creek Dam
Removal
UNIT - Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Monroe. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Tellico
Hatchery special use site on Tellico River Road.
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/24/2015
Expected:10/2015
CE
*UPDATED*
10/2015
Allison Reddington
423-476-9742
comments-southerncherokeetellico@fs.fed.us
Description: Remove dam on Citico Creek just downstream of Doublecamp Creek to restore aquatic organism passage,
natural geomorphology and bedload transport regime.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46434
Location:
Cherokee National Forest
10/01/2015 04:25 am MT
UNIT - Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Monroe. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Citico
Creek downstream of Doublecamp Creek confluence.
Unaka Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
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R8 - Southern Region
Cherokee National Forest
Project Name
Cherokee National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R8 - Southern Region
Unaka Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Hayworth 4x4 Tours Special
Use Permit
- Special use management
Completed
Actual: 09/28/2015
09/2015
CE
*NEW LISTING*
UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Cocke. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Rocky Top,
Hall Top and The Gulf.
- Forest products
CE
*UPDATED*
EA
*NEW LISTING*
Expected:11/2015
11/2015
Jim Stelick
423-735-1500
jstelick@fs.fed.us
UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Washington. LEGAL - Not Applicable. near
Hwy 107.
Thomas Scott
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
Developing Proposal
Expected:01/2017
01/2017
423-783-2416
- Forest products
Est. Scoping Start 08/2015
thomasscott@fs.fed.us
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
- Road management
Description: Create early successional habitat, improve forest health and vigor, promote mast-producing species, prescribed
burning, wildlife habitat improvements, and maintain, decommission, and authorize roads.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47468
Location:
10/01/2015 04:25 am MT
In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/03/2015
Description: forest health
Location:
Meadow Creek Environmental
Assessment
Matthew Gilbert
423-743-5925
mjgilbert@fs.fed.us
Description: The 4x4 tour group is requesting a special use permit that would allow them to lead guided jeep/street legal UTV
tours in and around Rocky Top, Hall Top and The Gulf.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47353
Location:
Katy Branch
Project Contact
UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Cocke, Greene. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The
Meadow Creek analysis area is located in southeastern Cocke and southwestern Greene counties, TN.
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Cherokee National Forest
Project Name
Cherokee National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R8 - Southern Region
Unaka Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Jim Stelick
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress:
Expected:03/2016
03/2016
423-735-1500
- Forest products
Comment Period Public Notice
jstelick@fs.fed.us
- Vegetation management
07/15/2015
(other than forest products)
- Road management
Description: Create early successional habitat, promote mast-producing species, prescribed burning, wildlife habitat
improvements, and maintain, decommission, and authorize roads.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41477
Paint Creek Project
EA
*UPDATED*
Location:
Smokey Mountain Adventures
4x4 Tours Special Use Project
UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Greene. LEGAL - Not Applicable.
Approximately 10 (linear) miles south of Greeneville, TN.
- Special use management
Completed
Actual: 09/28/2015
09/2015
CE
*NEW LISTING*
CE
Matthew Gilbert
423-743-5925
mjgilbert@fs.fed.us
Description: The 4x4 tour group is requesting a special use permit that would allow them to lead guided jeep/street legal UTV
tours in and around Rocky Top, Hall Top and The Gulf.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47354
Location:
Wolf Creek Rx Burn
Project Contact
UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Cocke. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Rocky Top,
Hall Top and The Gulf.
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Fuels management
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 08/2015
Expected:10/2015
11/2015
Greg Salansky
423-638-8731
gregsalansky@fs.fed.us
Description: provide fuel reduction, stimulate new vegetation growth, & increase soft mast and herbaceous plants for wildlife;
dormant and early growing season
Location:
Cherokee National Forest
10/01/2015 04:25 am MT
UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Cocke. LEGAL - Not Applicable. C232 and
239.
Watauga Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Page
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R8 - Southern Region
Cherokee National Forest
Project Name
Cherokee National Forest
Project Purpose
EA
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
On Hold
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
Description: Wildlife Habitat and Forest Health projects
Location:
Flumine Forest Health Project
and Flumine Prescribed Burn
Project
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Heaberlin Forest Health Project
and Heaberlin Prescribed Burn
Project
N/A
Project Contact
R8 - Southern Region
N/A
Vern Maddux
423-735-1500
vmaddux@fs.fed.us
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Johnson. Shady Valley in Johnson Co.
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Johnson. LEGAL - Not Applicable.
Compartment 48.
Jonathan Lampley
- Vegetation management
In Progress:
Expected:11/2015
11/2015
404-347-5264
(other than forest products)
Scoping Start 09/25/2015
jlampley@fs.fed.us
- Fuels management
Description: This project focuses on thinning activities designed to maintain a healthy forest.Also,this project focuses on low
intensity burns to move stand toward an open woodland condition and promote upland oak,shortleaf pine and a
more open forest condition.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47834
Location:
10/01/2015 04:25 am MT
Expected
Implementation
Jonathan Lampley
- Vegetation management
In Progress:
Expected:11/2015
11/2015
404-347-5264
(other than forest products)
Scoping Start 09/25/2015
jlampley@fs.fed.us
- Fuels management
Description: This project focuses on thinning activities designed to maintain a healthy forest.Also,this project focuses on low
intensity burns to move stand toward an open woodland condition and promote upland oak,shortleaf pine and a
more open forest condition.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47833
Location:
*NEW LISTING*
Decision
Watauga Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Beaverdam Creek Project
CE
Planning Status
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Johnson. LEGAL - Not Applicable.
Compartment 80.
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Cherokee National Forest
Project Name
Cherokee National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
Project Contact
R8 - Southern Region
Watauga Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Jonathan Lampley
Ligna Forest Health Project and - Vegetation management
In Progress:
Expected:11/2015
11/2015
Ligna Prescribed Burn Project
404-347-5264
(other than forest products)
Scoping Start 09/25/2015
jlampley@fs.fed.us
Fuels
management
CE
Description: This project focuses on thinning activities designed to maintain a healthy forest.Also,this project focuses on low
*NEW LISTING*
intensity burns to move stand toward an open woodland condition and promote upland oak,shortleaf pine and a
more open forest condition.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47835
Location:
Offset Project
EA
*UPDATED*
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Johnson. LEGAL - Not Applicable.
Compartment 49.
Jeff Chynoweth
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress:
Expected:07/2016
10/2016
423-638-4109
- Forest products
Scoping Start 02/28/2014
jjchynoweth@fs.fed.us
- Vegetation management
Est. Comment Period Public
(other than forest products)
Notice 11/2015
- Fuels management
- Road management
Description: The project would provide early successional forest for wildlife, restore forest and wetland comm., release mastproducing trees, improve forest health, provide wildlife habitat components (nest boxes, etc), and manage NFS
system and non-system roads
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43713
Location:
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Sullivan. LEGAL - Not Applicable.
northeastern Sullivan County, TN.
Peninsula Forest Health Project - Forest products
On Hold
CE
N/A
N/A
Jim Stelick
423-735-1500
jstelick@fs.fed.us
Description: Area 1 - 41 ac; Area 2 - 47 ac; Area 3 - 18 acres. Variable density thinning; damaged/diseased trees followed by
poplar, red maple, scarlet/black oak, white pine. Longer-lived species, such as oaks and hickory, favored.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37357
Location:
10/01/2015 04:25 am MT
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Sullivan. Sullivan County, Compartment
118.
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Cherokee National Forest
Project Name
Cherokee National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R8 - Southern Region
Watauga Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Peninsula Prescribed Burn
Project
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Fuels management
On Hold
N/A
Project Contact
N/A
CE
Jim Stelick
423-735-1500
jstelick@fs.fed.us
Description: Low intensity midstory control burn in three blocks: burn block 1 = 131 acres; block 2 - 270 acres; block 3 - 140
acres. Goal to move area towards open woodland conditions.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=38253
Location:
Rogers Ridge Prescribed Burn
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Sullivan. Compartment 118, Sullivan
County.
- Fuels management
On Hold
N/A
N/A
EA
Mitchell Ketron
423-743-4044
mitchellketron@fs.fed.u
s
Description: Fuel Reduction Prescribed Burn 958 acres
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=30889
Location:
Sullivan Co Communication
Tower
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Johnson. Rogers Ridge Burn Unit W-08 in
upper East Tennessee.
- Special use management
Completed
CE
Actual: 04/07/2015
04/2015
Matthew Gilbert
423-743-5925
mjgilbert@fs.fed.us
Description: remove existing tower/guides and install free standing tower; some road widening and new gravel road;
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46331
Location:
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Sullivan. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Sullivan
County.
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status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited
bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at
(202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA
is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.
10/01/2015 04:25 am MT
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Cherokee National Forest