Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA)
10/01/2014 to 12/31/2014
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
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
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
Walk and Roll Trail
Management Project
- Recreation management
Developing Proposal
Est. Notice of Initiation 11/2014
Project Contact
Expected:05/2015
06/2015
EA
Jan Franks
870-269-3228
jlfranks@fs.fed.us
Description: Maintenance and improvement of system hiking and bicycle trails on the Sylamore-St. Francis Ranger Districts to
include realignment, manual & mechanical actions, planting native species and limited herbicide use on
encroaching vegetation.
Location:
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Southwestern Power
Administration Vegetation
Management Project
UNIT - Sylamore Ranger District, St. Francis Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Baxter, Lee,
Phillips, Stone. LEGAL - Not Applicable. 400' corridors centered on system trail treads; 400' corridors centered on
the original entrance into Blanchard Rec Area, and <1 acre off FS Rd 1900 near the LA Purchase Baseline Trail
for parking.
R8 - Southern Region
Bayou Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
- Special use management
In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice
06/22/2014
Expected:08/2014
EA
10/2014
Michael Mulford
870-446-5122 ext.
5136
mmulford@fs.fed.us
Description: Use of herbicides on a 20-mile by 100ft powerline right-of-way easement.
Location:
10/01/2014 08:54 am MT
UNIT - Bayou Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Pope, Searcy. LEGAL - Not Applicable.
ThePermit area enters the Forest 1.5 miles south of Long Pool Rec Area & exits 1 mile southwest of Witt Springs,
AR. This area includes the communication site on White Oak Mtn.
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Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Project Name
Project Purpose
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Three Knob Project
EA
Decision
Expected
Implementation
Bayou Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Project Contact
R8 - Southern Region
Michael Mulford
- Recreation management
In Progress:
Expected:09/2014
12/2014
870-446-5122
- Heritage resource
Comment Period Public Notice
mmulford@fs.fed.us
management
05/07/2014
- Special area management
Est. Objection Period Legal
- Forest products
Notice 07/2014
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management
Description: Landscape scale project which includes; timber management, reforestation, travel management, recreation
access, prescribed burning, and wildlife improvements.
Location:
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
District)
10/01/2014 08:54 am MT
Planning Status
UNIT - Bayou Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Johnson, Pope. LEGAL - Not Applicable. North
of Broomfield Rd, in the area of Three Knob Mtn., and on the west side of Big Piney Creek north on the east side
of Meadows Knob road to Bill Jack Phillips ford.
Boston Mountain Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one
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R8 - Southern Region
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Project Name
Project Purpose
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
District)
Ford Project
EA
Project Contact
R8 - Southern Region
UNIT - Boston Mountain Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Crawford, Franklin. LEGAL - multiple
sections in townships 11N 28W, 11N 29W, 11N 30W, 12N 28W, 12N 29W, 12N 30W. On main division in vicinity
of Mountainburg and Chester Arkansas. Aboout 10 miles south of Winslow, AR and 15 miles North of Alma, AR.
East of interstate I49 and north of interstate I40.
- Recreation management
Completed
Actual: 09/08/2014
10/2014
Jobi Brown
479-667-2191
jobibrown@fs.fed.us
Description: Arkansas Parks and Tourism is developing approximately 8.52 miles of combination hiking/mountain bike trail at
Lake Fort Smith State Park. A portion of the trails (3.69 miles or 2.29 acres) meanders through USFS property.
Location:
10/01/2014 08:54 am MT
Expected
Implementation
Mike Hennigan
07/2015
- Recreation management
In Progress:
Expected:06/2015
479-667-2191
- Heritage resource
Notice of Initiation 07/01/2014
mhennigan@fs.fed.us
management
Est. Comment Period Public
- Special area management
Notice 12/2014
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Special use management
- Road management
Description: Multi-resource project to help improve forest conditions with trees that are more resilient to insects, diseases,
weather events; improve habitat for threatened, endangered and sensitive species; improve watershed conditions.
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Decision
Boston Mountain Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one
Location:
Lake Fort Smith Bike Trail
Corridor Project
Planning Status
UNIT - Boston Mountain Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Crawford. LEGAL - T 12N R 29W
sections 18, 19; T 12N R 30W section 13. North of Lake Fort Smith and Lake Fort Smith State Park.
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Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Project Name
Project Purpose
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
District)
Lee Creek Fuels Treatment
Project
EA
EA
Expected
Implementation
Project Contact
R8 - Southern Region
03/2015
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress:
Expected:03/2015
- Grazing management
Notice of Initiation 05/08/2014
- Vegetation management
Est. Comment Period Public
(other than forest products)
Notice 10/2014
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
Description: Prescribed burns on the Lee Creek Unit of the Boston Mountain Ranger District.
Michael Klick
479-667-2191
mklick@fs.fed.us
UNIT - Boston Mountain Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Crawford, Washington. LEGAL multiple townships in the Lee Creek Unit. Lee Creek Unit of Western Arkansas bordering Oklahoma.
John Lane
04/2015
- Recreation management
In Progress:
Expected:03/2015
479-667-2191
- Heritage resource
Notice of Initiation 06/24/2013
johnlane@fs.fed.us
management
Est. Comment Period Public
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
Notice 11/2014
- Grazing management
- Watershed management
- Facility management
- Road management
Description: Improvements to recreational access to the Mulberry River at multiple locations along the WiId and Scenic
Corridor. Also includes Turner Bend Small Game area habitat improvements and improved hunter access
including wheelchair accessible areas.
Location:
10/01/2014 08:54 am MT
Decision
Boston Mountain Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one
Location:
Mulberry River Watershed
Improvement and Access
Project
Planning Status
UNIT - Boston Mountain Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Franklin. LEGAL - Multiple sections
in T 11N R 28W and T 11N R 27W. Multiple access sites along Wild and Scenic Corridor of the Mulberry River.
Between stream miles 18 and 36.
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Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Project Name
Project Purpose
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
District)
Spirits Project
EA
*NEW LISTING*
Project Contact
R8 - Southern Region
UNIT - Boston Mountain Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Franklin. LEGAL - multiple sections
in T 12N R 28W, T 12N R 27W, T 11N R 28W, T 11N R 27W, T 11N R26W. Main Unit on Boston Mountain
Ranger District in Franklin County.
Magazine Mountain Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one
R8 - Southern Region
Rob Kopack
- Recreation management
In Progress:
Expected:02/2015
03/2015
479-963-3076
- Heritage resource
Notice of Initiation 05/02/2014
rkopack@fs.fed.us
management
Est. Comment Period Public
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
Notice 10/2014
- Forest products
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management
Description: Forest health and ecosystem management, endangered species management, silviculture treatments, road and
trail management, and wildlife habitat management.
Location:
10/01/2014 08:54 am MT
Expected
Implementation
Mike Hennigan
- Recreation management
In Progress:
Expected:11/2014
12/2014
479-667-2191
- Heritage resource
Comment Period Public Notice
mhennigan@fs.fed.us
management
06/17/2014
- Special area management
Est. Objection Period Legal
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
Notice 10/2014
- Forest products
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Special use management
- Road management
Description: Timber and Wildlife habitat improvement proposal including thinning pine stands, regeneration, sanitation thinning
and prescribed burning.
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
District)
EA
Decision
Boston Mountain Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one
Location:
Calico Rock Project
Planning Status
UNIT - Magazine Mountain Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Logan. LEGAL - T6N, R25 &
26W, T7N R25 & 26W. Compartments 42, 47, 53, 54, 71, and 72.
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Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Project Name
Project Purpose
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
District)
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
Project Contact
R8 - Southern Region
Magazine Mountain Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one
Vicki Weindel
479-963-3076
vweindel@fs.fed.us
Distsrictwide Non-Native
Invasive Plant Treatment
Project
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
EA
Description: Control of non-native invasive plant species infestations across the Mt. Magazine Ranger District
Location:
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Locust Gap
EA
N/A
N/A
UNIT - Magazine Mountain Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Logan, Yell. Mt. Magazine Ranger
District in Logan and Yell Counties, Arkansas.
Pleasant Hill Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
R8 - Southern Region
Matthew Pfeifler
- Heritage resource
In Progress:
Expected:12/2014
01/2017
479-754-2864
management
Comment Period Public Notice
mtpfeifler@fs.fed.us
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
09/25/2014
- Forest products
Est. Objection Period Legal
- Vegetation management
Notice 11/2014
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Minerals and Geology
- Road management
Description: Forest health timber harvest of pine &amp; hardwood; wildife habitat &amp; fishery improvements; road stability;
protection of heritage resources; fuel reduction; non-native invasive species control
Location:
10/01/2014 08:54 am MT
On Hold
UNIT - Pleasant Hill Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Madison. LEGAL - T13N R24W, sections
1, 12; T13N R24W, sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,15,16,17,18; T14N R25W, sections 26, 35, 36; T14N R24W,
sections 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33. Hwy 16 on north, east, and west; CR 4310 and Clifty Creek on south.
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Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Project Name
Project Purpose
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Pleasant Hill Wildlife Habitat
Improvement
EA
Decision
Expected
Implementation
Gregory Taylor
479-754-2864
gregorytaylor@fs.fed.us
Web Link:
http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=43274
Location:
UNIT - Pleasant Hill Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Franklin, Johnson, Madison, Newton.
LEGAL - Not Applicable. Pleasant Hill Ranger District.
R8 - Southern Region
St. Francis Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Special use management
Completed
Actual: 08/25/2014
09/2014
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Project Contact
R8 - Southern Region
Pleasant Hill Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
08/2014
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress:
Expected:08/2014
- Vegetation management
Notice of Initiation 12/18/2013
(other than forest products)
Est. Comment Period Public
- Fuels management
Notice 05/2014
- Watershed management
Description: Wildlife habitat and fishery improvements, non-native invasive species, fuels management
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Amendment of Recreation
Residence Permit STF 0072
Planning Status
Mary Maercklein
870-757-2211
mmaercklein@fs.fed.us
Description: Enlarge the authorized dock on recreation residence use area 1A of the Bear Creek Lake Recreation Residence
Tract
Location:
UNIT - St. Francis Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Lee. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Lot 1A on
the Bear Creek Lake Recreation Residence Tract.
Mary Maercklein
870-295-5278
mmaercklein@fs.fed.us
Amendment to the Original
Environmental Assessment for
the Louisiana Purchase
Baseline Trail
- Recreation management
EA
Description: Expand the parking areas: on the west side of FS1900 to accommodate a bus and on the east side of FS1900 to
comply with new accessibility regulations concerning spacing for each vehicle in the accessible parking area.
*NEW LISTING*
Location:
10/01/2014 08:54 am MT
In Progress:
Notice of Initiation 09/15/2014
Est. Comment Period Public
Notice 11/2014
Expected:02/2015
04/2015
UNIT - St. Francis Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Phillips. LEGAL - T1S-R4E, Section 2.
Existing parking areas on the east and west sides of FS Road 1900 at the Louisiana Purchase Baseline Trail
trailheads.
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Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Project Name
Project Purpose
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Fish Cover Structure Project
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R8 - Southern Region
St. Francis Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
Completed
Actual: 07/31/2014
Project Contact
08/2014
CE
Jessica Hawkins
870-269-3228
jessicamhawkins@fs.fe
d.us
Description: In Bear Creek & Storm Creek Lakes, trees will be submerged, brush or man-made structures will be placed in the
basins & trees will be hinged along the lake shores and allowed to fall into the lakes to provide spawning habitat
and cover for fish.
Location:
Louisiana Purchase Baseline
Trail Environmental
Assessment Amendment
UNIT - St. Francis Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Lee, Phillips. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Bear
Creek & Storm Creek Lakes are located near the communities of Marianna, AR in Lee County and Helena-West
Helena, AR in Phillips County respectively.
- Recreation management
EA
*NEW LISTING*
In Progress:
Notice of Initiation 09/15/2014
Est. Comment Period Public
Notice 11/2014
Expected:02/2015
03/2015
Mary Maercklein
870-295-5278
mmaercklein@fs.fed.us
Description: Project is limited to expanding existing parking areas. Parking on the east side of FS Road 1900 will be expanded
to incorporate new accessibility regs. Parking on the west side will be expanded to safely accommodate a bus or
RV.
Location:
UNIT - St. Francis Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Phillips. LEGAL - T1S-R4E, Section 2.
Trailheads of the Louisiana Purchase Baseline Survey Trail.
Recreation Residence Permit
- Special use management
Amendments for Use Areas 10B
and 12
Completed
CE
Actual: 08/01/2014
08/2014
Mary Maercklein
870-295-5278 ext
5244
mmaercklein@fs.fed.us
Description: Modification of authorized improvements on 2 recreation residence permits: Use Area BCL10B-replace existing
dock with a larger dock & add a walkway on the lot; Use Area BCL12-add a storage shed.
Location:
10/01/2014 08:54 am MT
UNIT - St. Francis Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Lee. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Recreation
Residence use areas 10B and 12 on the Bear Creek Lake Recreation Residence Tract.
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Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Project Name
Project Purpose
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Recreation Residence Permit
Amendments on Use Areas
BCL 6, 13, 13A, 15, 18B and 19
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R8 - Southern Region
St. Francis Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Special use management
Completed
Actual: 07/14/2014
Project Contact
08/2014
CE
Mary Maercklein
870-295-5278 ext
5244
mmaercklein@fs.fed.us
Description: Modification of improvements listed on 6 recreation residence permits: BCL6-increase deck space; BCL13-extend
dock roof; BCL 13A-replace patio w/deck; BCL15-construct deck; BCL 18B-construct storage shed; BCL 19replace storage shed
Location:
Special Use Permit Reissue to
the AR Army National Guard
UNIT - St. Francis Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Lee. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Recreation
Residence Use Areas 6, 13, 13A, 15, 18B and 19 on the Bear Creek Lake Recreation Residence Tract.
- Special use management
Completed
Actual: 08/18/2014
09/2014
CE
Mary Maercklein
870-295-5278 ext
5244
mmaercklein@fs.fed.us
Description: Reissue an expired permit authorizing AR Army National Guard's use of all NF System acres on the St. Francis NF
except developed recreation areas & campgrounds for the purpose of conducing training exercises. The permit
term will be 20 years.
Location:
Special Use Permit Reissue to
the Barton-Lexa Water
Association
UNIT - St. Francis Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Lee, Phillips. LEGAL - Not Applicable. All
NF System acres within the proclamation boundary of the St. Francis NF except those within the State Park
Management Area and Recreation Residence Tracts.
- Special use management
Completed
CE
Actual: 08/28/2014
09/2014
Mary Maercklein
870-295-5278 ext
5244
mmaercklein@fs.fed.us
Description: Reissue an expired special use permit to Barton-Lexa Water Association to operate and maintain a water line to
the Storm Creek Lake Recreation Area within an underground utility corridor 10 feet wide and 3 miles long. The
permit term will be 20 yrs.
Location:
10/01/2014 08:54 am MT
UNIT - St. Francis Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Phillips. LEGAL - Not Applicable. T1S,
R5E, Sections 18, 19 and 30 in Phillips County.
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Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Project Name
Project Purpose
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
St. Francis NF Range Allotment
Management
EA
EA
Expected
Implementation
Project Contact
R8 - Southern Region
Jessica Hawkins
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress:
Expected:02/2015
03/2015
870-269-3228
- Grazing management
Notice of Initiation 09/17/2014
jessicamhawkins@fs.fe
- Vegetation management
Est. Comment Period Public
d.us
(other than forest products)
Notice 11/2014
Description: Management of 6 range allotments & associated features to improve & maintain early seral habitat thru
manual/mechanical actions,burning, herbicide use,restoring native grasses, grazing & hay cutting permits.
UNIT - St. Francis Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Lee. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Ranger#1,
Hattie #2, Summer Home #3, Bear Creek #4, Taylor #5 & Mulehead #8 range allotments.
Mary Maercklein
- Land management planning
Developing Proposal
Expected:06/2015
07/2015
906-474-6442 ext. 117
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
Est. Notice of Initiation 11/2014
mmaercklein@fs.fed.us
- Forest products
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
- Fuels management
Description: Vegetation management (harvests, NCT, TSI, reforestation, prescribed burning, mechanical fuel treatments, NNIS
treatments & associated actions) to work toward desired future conditions for bottomland & upland ecosystems as
outlined in the Forest Plan
Location:
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Lone Rock VFD Water Tank
Project
Decision
St. Francis Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
Location:
St. Francis National Forest
Ecosystem Restoration Project
Planning Status
UNIT - St. Francis Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Lee, Phillips. LEGAL - Not Applicable. All
National Forest System lands of the St. Francis National Forest.
R8 - Southern Region
Sylamore Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Special use management
Completed
CE
Actual: 08/22/2014
09/2014
Jan Franks
870-269-3228
jlfranks@fs.fed.us
Description: Installation of a split collection box @ Cold Water Spring that will route water to a water tank and provide a reliable
water source in support of fire suppression efforts in the vicinity of the Lone Rock, AR community.
Location:
10/01/2014 08:54 am MT
UNIT - Sylamore Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Baxter. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Less than 1
acre within T. 17N, R. 12W, Sec. 4 in Baxter, Co Arkansas. Access is via FS Road 1105
.
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Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Project Name
Project Purpose
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Matney Knob Tower Project
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R8 - Southern Region
Sylamore Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Special use management
Completed
CE
Actual: 08/20/2014
Project Contact
09/2014
Jan Franks
870-269-3228
jlfranks@fs.fed.us
Description: Erect a new communication tower at an existing communication site to replace a tower that does not adequately
support the use. The existing tower will be decommissioned when the new tower is functional.
Location:
Sylamore Range Allotment
Management Project
EA
UNIT - Sylamore Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Baxter. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Less than 1
acre total on Matney Knob in Baxter County within Section 12 of T18N, R13W. Access is via FSR 1104A.
Jessica Hawkins
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
In Progress:
Expected:03/2015
04/2015
870-269-3228
- Grazing management
Notice of Initiation 09/30/2013
jessicamhawkins@fs.fe
- Vegetation management
Est. Comment Period Public
d.us
(other than forest products)
Notice 11/2014
- Special use management
Description: Implement Forest Plan direction for range thru hay/grazing permits;mowing;rx burning;herbicide use; fertilizer;
liming; seeding; use of mechanical equipment;restoring native cane populations; access repair; fence and pond
maintenance on 6 allotments
Location:
UNIT - Sylamore Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Baxter, Stone. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Six
range allotments on the Sylamore District located within Baxter (2 allotments) and Stone (4 allotments) County.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial
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.
10/01/2014 08:54 am MT
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Ozark-St. Francis National Forests