Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA)
01/01/2015 to 03/31/2015
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)
In Progress:
Notice of Initiation 11/21/2014
Est. Comment Period Public
Notice 04/2015
Project Contact
Expected:10/2015
11/2015
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)
Stone Pile
EA
*NEW LISTING*
Mark Pistrang
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress:
Expected:04/2016
04/2017
423-476-9757
- Forest products
Notice of Initiation 10/24/2014
comments-southern- Vegetation management
Est. Comment Period Public
cherokee-ocoee(other than forest products)
Notice 07/2015
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
Location:
01/01/2015 06:04 am MT
R8 - Southern Region
UNIT - Hiwassee Ranger District, Ocoee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Polk. LEGAL - Not
Applicable. Northwest of Turtletown.
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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)
ConaCat
EA
EA
01/01/2015 06:04 am MT
R8 - Southern Region
UNIT - Hiwassee Ranger District, 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.
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
Project Contact
Janan Hay
- Recreation management
In Progress:
Expected:04/2015
05/2015
(423) 253-8400
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
Comment Period Public Notice
comments-southern- Forest products
10/01/2014
cherokee- Vegetation management
Est. Objection Period Legal
tellico@fs.fed.us
(other than forest products)
Notice 01/2015
- 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:
North Zone Open Area
Management II
Expected
Implementation
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)
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R8 - Southern Region
Cherokee National Forest
Project Name
Cherokee National Forest
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
Project Contact
R8 - Southern Region
Ocoee Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Eric Taylor
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress:
Expected:09/2015
07/2016
423-338-3302
- Forest products
Notice of Initiation 12/09/2013
comments-southern- Vegetation management
Est. Comment Period Public
cherokee-ocoee(other than forest products)
Notice 01/2015
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
Dinkey
EA
Location:
Polk County Communications
Tower
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.
- Special use management
Completed
Actual: 11/17/2014
01/2015
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Debbie Abel
423-476-9700
comments-southerncherokee-ocoeehiwassee@fs.fed.us
Description: Install 150' communications tower and associated 20'X 25' building.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45667
Location:
Thunder Rock 100
UNIT - Ocoee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Polk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Oswald Dome
Electronic Site.
- Special use management
CE
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2015
Expected:04/2015
*NEW LISTING*
05/2015
Matthew Henry
423-338-3300
comments-southerncherokee-ocoeehiwassee@fs.fed.us
Description: This is a 100 mi. foot race that would utilize National Forest System Roads and Trails, private and state lands, and
less than 1 mi of non-system roads and trails. The event would occur 2 days in May with less than 300
participants.
Location:
Cherokee National Forest
01/01/2015 06:04 am MT
UNIT - Ocoee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Polk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Ocoee Ranger
District.
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
Big Ridge Prescribed Burn
CE
Project Purpose
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R8 - Southern Region
Tellico Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/09/2013
Expected:07/2014
Project Contact
10/2014
Stephen Carlson
423-338-3303
comments-southerncherokeetellico@fs.fed.us
Description: Prescribe burn approximately 2,034 acres.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=42311
Location:
Towee Falls Baptist Church
Land Exchange
UNIT - Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Monroe. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Big Ridge
area approximately 2 miles southest of Tellico Plains, TN.
- Land ownership management
- Land acquisition
Completed
Actual: 11/17/2014
12/2014
CE
Janan Hay
423-253-8400
comments-southerncherokeetellico@fs.fed.us
Description: The FS is proposing to exchange an approximately 71-acre tract containing the church, cemetery and picnic
pavilion for an approximately 71-acre tract containing a portion of the Unicoi Turnpike and the Trail of Tears
National Historic Trail.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41411
Location:
Wildcat Prescribed Burn
CE
UNIT - Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Monroe. LEGAL - Federal Tract: FT1N R4E
Section 33. The federal tract is near the intersection of Towee Falls Road and Fingerboard Road. The non-federal
tract is located off of Joe Brown Highway in the Coker Creek area.
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
Completed
Actual: 11/03/2014
10/2014
Stephen Carlson
423-338-3303
comments-southerncherokee-ocoeehiwassee@fs.fed.us
Description: Prescribe burn approximately 767 acres.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=42320
Location:
Cherokee National Forest
01/01/2015 06:04 am MT
UNIT - Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Monroe. LEGAL - Not Applicable. .
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
Farnor Land Exchange
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Project Purpose
Decision
Expected
Implementation
- Land ownership management
- Land acquisition
Completed
Actual: 12/10/2014
Project Contact
R8 - Southern Region
Unaka Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
01/2015
David Ferguson
423-735-1572
drferguson@fs.fed.us
Description: Federal Property Tract U-1598 disposal to be covered for land for land exchange to Paul Farnor; 53 acres
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45825
Location:
Katy Branch
Planning Status
UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Unicoi. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The property
to be exchanged is located north of Gilbert Br. Rd, near the intersection of Gilbert Br Rd and Spivey Mtn Rd, US
Hwy 19W/St Rt 36; Tract U-1598.
- Forest products
CE
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 02/2015
Expected:03/2015
04/2015
Jim Stelick
423-735-1500
jstelick@fs.fed.us
Description: forest health
Location:
Paint Creek Project
EA
Jim Stelick
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress:
Expected:12/2014
02/2015
423-735-1500
- Forest products
Objection Period Legal Notice
jstelick@fs.fed.us
- Vegetation management
08/11/2014
(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
Location:
Rock Creek Camp Store
UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Washington. LEGAL - Not Applicable. near
Hwy 107.
UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Greene. LEGAL - Not Applicable.
Approximately 10 (linear) miles south of Greeneville, TN.
- Special use management
Completed
CE
Actual: 12/10/2014
01/2015
Cheryl Summers
423-638-4109
csummers@fs.fed.us
Description: conversion of a portion of the existing Rock Creek YCC Bathhouse to a camp store. Store would be operated by
concessionaire. No structural changes to the building. Any changes would non-permanent changes to the interior.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45193
Location:
01/01/2015 06:04 am MT
UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Unicoi. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Rock Creek
YCC Bathhouse.
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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)
William's Mine
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
Completed
Actual: 12/10/2014
Project Contact
01/2015
CE
Joe McGuiness
423-735-1500
jmcguiness@fs.fed.us
Description: public safety; fence off 3 entrances
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45194
Location:
Wolf Creek Rx Burn
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Fuels management
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Expected:02/2015
02/2015
Greg Salansky
423-638-8731
gregsalansky@fs.fed.us
UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Cocke. LEGAL - Not Applicable. C232 and
239.
R8 - Southern Region
Watauga Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Beaverdam Creek Project
EA
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
On Hold
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
Description: Wildlife Habitat and Forest Health projects
Location:
Cherokee Mountain (midstory)
CE
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2015
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
UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Cocke. LEGAL - Not Applicable.
Compartment 234.
N/A
N/A
Vern Maddux
423-735-1500
vmaddux@fs.fed.us
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Johnson. Shady Valley in Johnson Co.
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/10/2014
Expected:12/2014
01/2015
Jim Stelick
423-735-1500
jstelick@fs.fed.us
Description: non=commercial thinning; move stand toward open woodland condition & promote shortleaf pine
Location:
01/01/2015 06:04 am MT
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Unicoi. LEGAL - Not Applicable.
Compartment 353.
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Cherokee National Forest
Project Name
Cherokee National Forest
Green Mountain Project
CE
Project Purpose
Decision
Expected
Implementation
Project Contact
R8 - Southern Region
Watauga Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Jim Stelick
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress:
Expected:01/2015
02/2015
423-735-1500
- Forest products
Scoping Start 05/15/2014
jstelick@fs.fed.us
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
Description: Variable density thin approx. 70 acres in Comp 53, Stands 8, 9, 21 and 32. After thinning, conduct repeat lowintensity prescribed burns, totaling 144 ac. Burn block in Compartment 53, includes all or portions of Stands 8
through 13, 23, and 32.
Location:
Lower Higgin's Creek
Access/Trailhead Parking
Planning Status
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Johnson. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The
Project is located approximately 2.0 (straight line) miles south of Harmon, TN within Johnson County.
- Land acquisition
Completed
CE
Actual: 12/10/2014
01/2015
David Ferguson
423-735-1572
drferguson@fs.fed.us
Description: Grading, graveling, & tree removal to improve the existing woods road for ingress/egress and providing a small
trailhead parking area on a portion of USA Tract U-1241e.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45196
Location:
Offset Project
EA
Jeff Chynoweth
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress:
Expected:08/2015
09/2015
423-638-4109
- Forest products
Notice of Initiation 02/28/2014
jjchynoweth@fs.fed.us
- Vegetation management
Est. Comment Period Public
(other than forest products)
Notice 02/2015
- 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:
01/01/2015 06:04 am MT
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Unicoi. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Tract U1241e.
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Sullivan. LEGAL - Not Applicable.
northeastern Sullivan County, TN.
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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)
Otherside Forest Health Project - Forest products
CE
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2015
Expected:03/2015
Project Contact
04/2015
Jim Stelick
423-735-1500
jstelick@fs.fed.us
Description: Stands are mixed pine/hardwood forest with pockets of almost pure white pine; coordination with AT Community
will occur;
Location:
Otherside Rx Burn
CE
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Carter. LEGAL - Not Applicable.
Compartment 301.
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2015
Expected:03/2015
04/2015
Jim Stelick
423-735-1500
jstelick@fs.fed.us
Description: low intensity burn; develop open woodland conditions; 92 acres
Location:
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Carter. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Comp
301.
Peninsula Forest Health Project - Forest products
On Hold
N/A
N/A
CE
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:
Peninsula Prescribed Burn
Project
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Sullivan. Sullivan County, Compartment
118.
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Fuels management
On Hold
CE
N/A
N/A
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:
01/01/2015 06:04 am MT
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Sullivan. Compartment 118, Sullivan
County.
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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)
Rich Mountain
CE
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 02/2015
Expected:03/2015
Project Contact
03/2015
Jim Stelick
423-735-1500
jstelick@fs.fed.us
Description: non-commercial thinning
Location:
Rogers Ridge Prescribed Burn
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Unicoi. LEGAL - Not Applicable. noncommercial thinning.
- Fuels management
On Hold
N/A
EA
N/A
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:
UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Johnson. Rogers Ridge Burn Unit W-08 in
upper East Tennessee.
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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.
01/01/2015 06:04 am MT
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Cherokee National Forest