Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA)
07/01/2014 to 09/30/2014
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
Project Contact
R8 - Southern Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)
Southern Region Caves and
Mine Closures
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
Completed
Actual: 06/02/2014
07/2014
CE
Dennis Krusac
404-347-4338
dkrusac@fs.fed.us
Description: The purpose of the action is to close caves and mines to minimize the transmission potential of white nose
syndrome and for the protection of associated wildlife species.
Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44053
Location:
UNIT - Cherokee National Forest All Units, National Forests In Florida All Units, Kisatchie National Forest All
Units, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest All Units, National Forests In North Carolina All Units, Savannah
River Natural Resource Management and Res All Units, National Forests In Mississippi All Units, Ouachita
National Forest All Units, Francis Marion and Sumter National Forest All Units, National Forests In Texas All Units,
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area All Units, Daniel Boone National Forest All Units, George
Washington and Jefferson National Forest All Units, National Forests in Alabama All Units, Ozark-St. Francis
National Forest All Units. STATE - Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North
Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia. COUNTY - Lake, Okaloosa,
Santa Rosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Covington, Hale, Lawrence, Macon, Ashley, Benton, Montgomery, Murray,
Oglethorpe, Chickasaw, Randolph, Pontotoc, Jackson, Morgan, Whitley, Natchitoches, Vernon, Winn, Roanoke,
Berkeley, Edgefield, Newberry, Cocke, Monroe, Unicoi, Angelina, Nacogdoches, San Augustine, Craven,
Botetourt, Charlotte, Roanoke, Shenandoah. LEGAL - Not Applicable. National Forest Systems lands: KY, VA,
TN, NC, SC, MS, AL, GA, FL, LA, TX, AR, OK.
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 08/2014
EA
*NEW LISTING*
03/2015
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:
07/01/2014 03:36 am MT
Expected:02/2015
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.
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Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Project Name
Project Purpose
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R8 - Southern Region
Bayou Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
2013 New Existing Special Uses - Special use management
Completed
Actual: 02/25/2014
Project Contact
04/2014
CE
Terrell Hope
870-446-5122
thope@fs.fed.us
Description: This decision would consider up to 13 different linear special use requests which are existing but have not been
permitted by a Special Use permit. The types of uses vary from roads for access to private to water lines and
power lines.
Location:
Southwestern Power
Administration Vegetation
Management Project
UNIT - Bayou Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Conway, Johnson, Newton, Pope, Van Buren.
LEGAL - See the Scoping letter for specific legal land locations of each special use proposal. The existing uses
are scattered across the Big Piney Ranger 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:
Three Knob Project
EA
Michael Mulford
- Recreation management
In Progress:
Expected:08/2014
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 06/2014
- 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:
07/01/2014 03:36 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.
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.
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Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Project Name
Project Purpose
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
District)
Lee Creek Prescribed Burning
Project
EA
EA
Expected
Implementation
Project Contact
R8 - Southern Region
09/2014
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
Developing Proposal
Expected:08/2014
- Grazing management
Est. Notice of Initiation 04/2014
- Vegetation management
(other than forest products)
- 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
10/2014
- Recreation management
In Progress:
Expected:08/2014
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 05/2014
- 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:
07/01/2014 03:36 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
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
Project Contact
R8 - Southern Region
Boston Mountain Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one
Mike Hennigan
08/2014
- Recreation management
In Progress:
Expected:07/2014
479-667-2191
- Heritage resource
Notice of Initiation 07/22/2013
mhennigan@fs.fed.us
management
Est. Comment Period Public
- Special area management
Notice 04/2014
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- 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.
Location:
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
District)
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.
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:
07/01/2014 03:36 am MT
On Hold
N/A
N/A
UNIT - Magazine Mountain Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Logan, Yell. Mt. Magazine Ranger
District in Logan and Yell Counties, Arkansas.
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Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Project Name
Project Purpose
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
District)
Stephens USA 1-15H, ARES
54692 Gas Well
Planning Status
Decision
Expected
Implementation
R8 - Southern Region
Magazine Mountain Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one
- Minerals and Geology
EA
In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice
02/04/2014
Expected:05/2014
Project Contact
06/2014
Len Weeks
479-964-7231
lweeks@fs.fed.us
Description: Construction of the Stephens USA 1-15H Gas Well Pad. The well pad would not exceed 3.88 acres. There would
be approx. 3,483'gathering line, 657' road construction, and 3-inch temporary waterline above ground.
Location:
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Cass-WWUA Connection
CE
UNIT - Magazine Mountain Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Logan. LEGAL - Section 15 of
T6N, R25W. The site is located approximately 3.2 miles west of the HWY 309 and Green Bench Road intersection
in Logan County.
R8 - Southern Region
Pleasant Hill Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Special use management
- Facility management
Cancelled
N/A
N/A
Tom Cravens
479-754-2864
tcravens@fs.fed.us
Description: This is a duplicate project. The correct project name is Cass-Watalula Waterline Extension Project #44178.
Location:
Locust Gap
EA
Matthew Pfeifler
- Heritage resource
In Progress:
Expected:11/2014
01/2017
479-754-2864
management
Notice of Initiation 01/15/2014
mtpfeifler@fs.fed.us
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
Est. Comment Period Public
- Forest products
Notice 09/2014
- Vegetation management
(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:
07/01/2014 03:36 am MT
UNIT - Pleasant Hill Ranger District. STATE - Arkansas. COUNTY - Franklin. LEGAL - Sections 24-26 and
35, Township 12 North, Range 27 West. Approximately 15 miles north of Ozark, AR on State Highway 23.
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
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
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.
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Fish Cover Structure Project
Planning Status
R8 - Southern Region
St. Francis Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
CE
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 06/2014
Expected:07/2014
08/2014
*NEW LISTING*
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:
Recreation Residence Permit
Modifications for Use Areas
10B and 12
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.
- Special use management
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 07/2014
CE
*NEW LISTING*
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:
07/01/2014 03:36 am MT
Expected:08/2014
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
Modifications 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
In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/03/2014
Expected:06/2014
07/2014
CE
*NEW LISTING*
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
In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/03/2014
Expected:06/2014
07/2014
CE
*NEW LISTING*
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
In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/03/2014
CE
*NEW LISTING*
Expected:06/2014
07/2014
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:
07/01/2014 03:36 am MT
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
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
Project Contact
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
*NEW LISTING*
EA
R8 - Southern Region
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.
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
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 07/2014
CE
Expected:08/2014
08/2014
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:
07/01/2014 03:36 am MT
Project Contact
Mary Maercklein
- Land management planning
Developing Proposal
Expected:02/2015
04/2015
906-474-6442 ext. 117
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
Est. Notice of Initiation 09/2014
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
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
*NEW LISTING*
Expected
Implementation
Jessica Hawkins
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
Developing Proposal
Expected:02/2015
03/2015
870-269-3228
- Grazing management
Est. Notice of Initiation 08/2014
jessicamhawkins@fs.fe
- Vegetation management
d.us
(other than forest products)
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.
Location:
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 - 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
CE
In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/25/2014
Expected:08/2014
Project Contact
08/2014
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:11/2014
11/2014
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 08/2014
- 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.
07/01/2014 03:36 am MT
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Ozark-St. Francis National Forests