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Note: Not all projects may appear on map. See list below for complete list of projects with more information or documentation.
SOPA Reports
The Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) contains a list of proposed
actions for National Forests in Alabama that will soon begin or are currently undergoing environmental
analysis and documentation. It provides information so that you can become
aware of and indicate your interest in specific proposals. We encourage your
early and ongoing involvement in any proposals of interest to you.
temporary special use permit to the Anniston Runner Club to conduct a 100 mile foot race on the Talladega and Shoal Creek Ranger Districts, Talladega National Forest, Alabama. The race is scheduled to take place on November 7 & 8.
To remove a portion of the trees in the Clary Hill area of the Talladega National Forest, Oakmulgee District, that were uprooted, blown down, broken or otherwise severely damaged by an EF 3 tornado that occurred on April 27, 2011.
This project proposes to remove dead, down, broken and damaged trees from the Friendship area of the Oakmulgee Ranger District. The damage occurred when tornadoes moved through the area on April 15, 2011 and April 27, 2011.
This project proposes to remove a portion of the trees in and around the Pine Flat Church area of the Talladega National Forest, Oakmulgee District that were uprooted, blown down, broken, or otherwise severly damaged by a EF 3 tornado on 4/27/2011.
The Forest Service is proposing to enhance and maintain the development 577 acres of the fire dependent pine-grassland ecosystem by removing un-merchantable hardwood and thinning off site pines.
Commercially thin unthinned southern yellow pine stands in order reduce the risk of damage by southern pine beetles, improve wildlife habitat, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and restore area to their desired future condition.
Promote resiliency of forest lands susceptible to disease and insect infestations by thinning overcrowded plantations and natural stands of longleaf, shortleaf, loblolly and mixed pine hardwood forest types.
Special Use Recreation Event involving team based competition which includes hiking, geocaching, survival skills, orienteering. The course will run from Cheaha Trailhead to the intersection of the Pinhoti and US 431 and then back to Cheaha Trailhead.
A decision to issue a Special Use Permit authorizing the North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) %u2013 Region 5, Paula Riley to conduct a two-day competitive horse riding event scheduled for March 10-11, 2017.
Promote resiliency of forest lands susceptible to disease and insect infestations by thinning of overcrowded plantations and natural stands of longleaf, shortleaf, loblolly and mixed pine hardwood forest types.
Three open wells associated with abandoned home sites will be decommissioned to protect public health and safety. 500 feet of temporary road will be constructed to access the project areas.
This project will involve the construction of a new water well and associated water lines at Coleman Lake Campground. The current well can not keep up with user demands during drought conditions resulting in the need to shut down or ration water.
This event is a 100 mile foot race utilizing the Pinhoti National Recreation trail and forest service roads. The event is scheduled for 11/03/2018 and 11/04/2018.
100 mile foot race from Pine Glen Recreation Area to the City of Sylacauga that utilizes portions of USFS Roads and Trails for the course. The race will begin on 11/02/2019 and end on 11/03/2019.
Planting of containerized longleaf pine seedlings on 51 acres in Compartment 232 stands 19, 22 & 35 on the Talladega Ranger District. Use of prescribed fire in Compartment 14 stand 12 on the Shoal Creek Ranger District.
Application request is for a private landowner to utilize national forest lands to access private property within and adjacent to the Conecuh National Forest.
Placement of buried (2) 1.50-inch duct containing 288ct fiber optic cable via plow and directional bore at a depth of 36 inches and a crossing at a depth of 48 inches with handhole placements.
Propose treatment of at-risk pine stands to reduce susceptibility of southern pine beetle infestation, and to restore these stands to the desired future condition.
The proposal is for the placement of buried conduit within existing rights-of-way on ~6 acres, containing either a 144 or 288 count fiber optic cable via plow and directional bore at a depth of 36 inches with handhole placements every 1500 feet.
2100 acres within Compartments 30, 31, 40 and 47 on the Shoal Creek Ranger District. Include approximately 1600 acres of thinning and 500 acres of clearcuts with reforestation, including chemical site preparation, site prep burning and release.
Issuing an Outfitter Guide Permit which will allow Alabama Outward Bound to operate on National Forests lands. The goal of this program is to teach environmental education.
Special use permit to install approximately 1/2 mile of underground powerline to provide electrical service to a private residence in an existing roadbed.
Requests access across national forest lands in the NW ? of section 19, T17S, R8E in Talladega County for residential electrical service. The maintained corridor will be about 2646 feet long and 20-30 feet wide with the total permit area of ~1.3 ac
The existing culvert will be replaced with a single span bridge, with abutment walls and wingwalls designed to pass a 50-year flood event and span the bankfull width of Rush Creek.
Remove midstory vegetation with hand tools on approximately 48 acres to improve wildlife habitat and restore native forest communities, specifically oak woodlands.
Commercial thinning of 63 acres in Management Compartments 32, 37 and 38 to improve and maintain the health of three loblolly pine stands, reduce the risk of SPB infestation, and facilitate restoration of native forest communities.
Conduct midstory removal on 344 acres (3 areas) to improve wildlife and native plant habitat and facilitate restoration of fire adapted woodlands. Midstory removal will use mechanical equipment and hand tools to cut brush and trees up to 6" DBH.
Implement an erosion control project along the Tennessee Valley Authority transmission line corridor crossings at Forest Service Road 249S and 249V. Rehabilitate and control erosion on user created trails in the transmission line right-of-way.
This is a project that further enhances RCW habitat quality in the BeeGum area on the south end of the Talladega Ranger District. It will also enhance the vegetation conditions near Georgia Aster locations in order to expand existing populations.
Vegetation management to restore ecological resilience longleaf and shortleaf forested systems on the Big Oak Project area using thinning, shelterwood, clearcut with reserves, herbicide management of mesics, and installation of a vaulted toilet
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.
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.
To restore and maintain desired conditions of fire-maintained longleaf pine forest and to improve habitat for red-cockaded woodpeckers and other featured species that are dependent on these conditions.
Special Use right-of-way across national forest system lands to access private property. Currently, a woods road is present but is not identified as a Forest Service system road.
The project addresses areas in Cave Mtn impacted by a tornado for restoration, improving forest health through reducing insect threats and increasing resiliency to insects and disease, and reducing heavy, hazardous fuel loadings.
Commercially thin 71 stands (2692 acres) of overstocked loblolly pine stands in the Rush/Brushy watershed. The project purpose is to restore native sytems to improve function and resiliency; improve fire regime condition class and wildlife habitat.
Commercially thin approximately 70 acres of overstocked pine stands to improve forest health and wildlife habitat and to reduce fuel loading and the risk of SPB infestation.
Commercially thin approximately 70 acres of overstocked pine stands to improve forest health and wildlife habitat and to reduce fuel loading and the risk of SPB infestation.
Commercially thin approximately 70 acres of overstocked pine stands to improve forest health and wildlife habitat and to reduce fuel loading and the risk of SPB infestation.
Commercially thin approximately 70 acres of overstocked pine stands to improve forest health and wildlife habitat and to reduce fuel loading and the risk of SPB infestation.
Due to Hurricane Sally producing large amounts of rainfall totals around the Conecuh District, the Conecuh hiking trail and bridges suffered damage. This damage created safety concerns on 4 bridges, requiring them to be replaced.
Mechanically reduce the density and continuity of small diameter vegetation (woody stems) on approximately 300 acres to lower the risk of catastrophic wildfires and improve wildlife habitat.
The Forest Service would continue the maintenance and restoration of the fire-dependent ecosystem of the Conecuh National Forest by implementing a systematic controlled burning regime that would treat each area at least twice over the next few years.
Establish a shooting range near the intersection of Escambia Co (AL) Rds 4 & 11; remove trees as needed for site, parking, and access; thin trees near site for visibility and RCW habitat improvement; amend Forest Plan to change mgt prescription.
Prepare a special use permit(s) to transfer an existing permit for driveway right-of-way/easement and existing waterline to a new landowner, about 0.25 miles in length.
Covington Electric Coop has requested to amend a special use permit to install broadband internet line. The line will be buried underground and on the existing power poles, all within the current powerline right-of-way.
A decision to implement the actions listed below to reduce the risk to insect and disease and to improve the resilience of 2,463 acres within the Cow Pen Planning Area of the Talladega National Forests, Oakmulgee District.
The Department of Energy has applied for a special use permit to install an Atmospheric Radiation Measurement user facility and a mobile facility on Bankhead for the purpose of understanding the physics related to radiative feedback in the atmosphere
The Talladega Ranger District is proposing to remove the unused and deteriorated water system at Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area. The project area is located approximately ½ mile from Cheaha Blacktop on the Lake Chinnabee Access Road, NFSR 646.
Decommission the current building due to it no longer being in usable condition; maintenance to restore it to such a condition is not in the fiscal best interest of the U.S. Forest Service. The building has reached the end of its usable life.
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
Issue a 30 year Special Use permit to Dixie Electric to install approximately 5000 feet of overhead power line along FDR 904 to restore electric service to the Tuskegee NF District Office.
Temporary access to the public for 4752 feet of non-system unclassified road which is currently designated as the administrative use only portion of NFSR 637U. The travel way will be open from 11/17/2018 to 01/15/2019.
Removal undesirable small diameter hardwoods such as red maple, sourwood, sweet gum, poplar, and a few dense patches of pine in planted longleaf pine stands using chainsaws and brush saws.
Removal undesirable small diameter hardwoods such as red maple, sourwood, sweet gum, poplar, and a few dense patches of pine in planted longleaf pine stands using chainsaws and brush saws.
The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to remove dead and dying trees along approximately 10.5 miles of highway and powerline rights-of-way in Covington County. The total acreage is less than 30 acres.
Alabama Power Company has submitted a special use application to apply herbicide to existing lines for your special use permit renewal on the Oakmulgee Ranger District.
A fixed Aircraft transponder (beacon parrot), two antennas and power distribution panel within the equipment room shed, ground plate lightning surge arrestor located on the central fire tower.
A forest order is proposed to meet the goal of public safety and health as related to recreation to reduce the risk of dispersed campers being within the line of fire of hunters and will eliminate hunters from setting up camp at specific locations.
A forest order is being proposed to meet the goal of public safety and health, and minimize natural resource damage. To ensure visitors a safe experience and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other visitors.
Special Use Permit for private landowner to use a non-system road to access property for timber harvest operations. This permit will be a short term for one year or less.
Remove upland pine trees damaged from Hurricane Ivan on up to 8,000 acres. Provide suitable nesting and foragaing habitat for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker to systematically promote population growth and expansion through the next decade.
Analysis for requested modification of a special use permit, currently held by Kinder Morgan / Southern Natural Gas, to allow for the use of pesticide along existing gas pipeline right-of-way.
Exchange two tracts of national forest land for a total of 80 acres for one tract of private land totaling 81.5 acres. The legal description and location of these tract may be obtained by contacting the district office.
This project includes handplanting seedlings to restore native longleaf pine to approximately 378 acres previously damaged by a tornado in April of 2011.
The Longleaf Restoration EIS (1999) documents the need for a 30-year program to complete conversion of off-site species to restore the native longleaf ecosystem and proposed the first 5-year plan of action. This project continues this work.
Restore appropriate BMP's and control access along FS234WE to reduce sedimentation into the Sipsey Fork while providing appropriate level of access for visitors.
Private landowner has submitted special use application for crossing National Forest land to access property, Southern Pine EC submitted application to install overhead powerline across National Forest land to provide power to a private landowner
Mechanically reduce density and continuity of small diameter (understory and midstory) vegetation. The project will reduce fuel loading and is a first step in restoring fire-adapted pine woodlands. The project includes two units and is 380 acres.
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.
Treat approximately 490 acres of midstory vegetation in longleaf pine stands currently used by red-cockaded woodpeckers (RCW) as either nesting or foraging habitat. Treatment areas are located within or adjacent to 13 active RCW clusters.
Proposed action of cut and leave midstory removal to restore open woodland conditions on 315 acres. The treatment areas are located within or adjacent to seven red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) clusters.
Amend the Revised Forest Plan(2004)to remove FW-106 which deals with growing season burning and to restructure standards FW-101, FW-102 and FW-104, which deal with snag and roost retention and upland water sources, in Indiana Bat management areas.
To issue two Special Use Permits in support of the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), Inc. proposal to conduct long term (30 years) research (data collection) in the Mayfield Creek area of the Oakmulgee Ranger District.
To issue a 30 year Special Use Permit to NEON, Inc. Domain 08 to install an aquatic sampling array in Mayfield Creek drainage of the Talladega National Forest, Oakmulgee District.
The USDA Forest Service has proposed the thinning of approx. 80 acres of midstory vegetation to promote the presence of herbaceous plants in the understory and improve the quality of the available habitat for numerous sensitive and imperiled species.
Treat NNIS plants on the Tuskegee National Forest using a combination of herbicide and mechanical treatment. Control will address existing infestations as well as new starts through EDRR.
Mechanical, manual, and/or herbicide treatments of non-native invasive plant species of management concern on the Conecuh National Forest (including cogongrass, kudzu, privet, popcorn tree, mimosa, wisteria, and others).
The project addresses areas near Oakmulgee Creek that was impacted by a tornado for restoration and for improving forest health through reducing insect threats and increasing resiliency to insect and diseases, and reducing heavy and hazardous fuel.
Longleaf Pine ecosystem and associated species restoration, Red-Cockaded Woodpecker habitat improvement, and increase resiliency to natural disasters, invasive species and native insects, such as the Southern Pine Beetle.
Decommissioning of the existing cement block bathhouse, removal and restoration of the adjacent parking lot, and installation of a double SST facility.
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.
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.
The proposed action would widen two sections of Perry County RD 51 that currently pose safety and environmental concerns. The sections total approximately 0.4 mles in Compartments 113 and 118.
To issue a Special Use Permit authorizing the Perry Mountain Motorcycle Club, Inc. to conduct a one-day motorcycle endurance (enduro) event scheduled for November 3, 2013. The requested permit is to allow a 5.2 mile enduro race on NF lands.
The Perry Mountain Motorcycle Enduro Special Use Event is an annual "enduro race" occurring on a 5.2 mile route on National Forest System lands. Within this route approximately 4.3 miles are proposed on closed temporary roads and firelines.
The assessment proposes several actions to increase management efficiency and restore forest health. These activities are designed to provide resiliency and sustainability by restoring species composition, structure and function of native sites.
100 mile ultra marathon trail race, by foot travel only. Approximately 150 participants to race on the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail; the Cheaha Blacktop, FS Road 600-2 & 600-3
The EA provides analysis proposed to build a more resilient landscape capable of naturally absorbing natural events such as severe weather, fire and insect infestations. Actions will enhance the ecological function of natural stands.
This project would replace the metal building at the base of the Pondville Lookout Tower with a pre-cast cement building to protect communication equipment that currently fails during summer months due to poor insulation.
This project will cover approximately 75,988 acres of proposed prescribed burning in watersheds outside of the current EIS on the Oakmulgee Ranger District.
To prescribe burn approximately 37,000 acres on the Oakmulgee RD. This decision allow the maintenance of a fire return interval of 1- 4 years across the longleaf ecosystem.
RCW habitat restoration and improvement to be done with vegetation management activities on approximately 1600 acres of the Shoal Creek Ranger District in Cleburne County, Alabama.
Improve forest health conditions and address ecological restoration needs in Compartments 60, 61, 62, 63, and 64: restore 61 acres of longleaf pine, thin 2,192 acres of pines, release 35 acres of advanced natural regeneration in a mixed age stand.
This proposal is to grant access in the form of utilities and road to private land approximately (30' length by 56' width) ~0.039 acres across national forest land.
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.
Removal and/or reduction of undesirable understory / midstory vegetation and slash for stand / wildlife habitat improvement through the use of mechanical mulching equipment. Area boundary is 20 acres and lies just east of Shoal Creek Ranger Station.
Project includes the removal of gates within the Big Oak Physically Disabled Hunting Area, closing of approximately 6.3 miles of open roads, decommissioning of 20.5 mile of closed roads, and altering seasonal closure dates.
A private family would like to exchange two tracts of land for an equal value of Federal land. The Federal Government would acquire the non-Federal Tracts which are completely surrounded by National Forest System lands.
The project addresses areas in South Sandy impacted by a tornado for restoration, improving forest health through reducing insect threats and increasing resiliency to insects and disease, and reducing hazardous fuel loadings created by a storm.
Southeast Gas has submitted a special use application to install a 6-inch natural gas pipeline across national forest lands on County Road 53 in order to supply the industrial park with the needed natural gas.
Renew existing permit along with the replacement of four (4) existing structures and allow the use of herbicides to maintain vegetation on existing easement
Restoration of loblolly stands to native longleaf; improve resistance of loblolly stands to SPB infestations while providing wildlife habitat; improve resistance to SPB infestations to longleaf while providing habitat to RCW; & SPB suppression.
This project is to allow for the salvage cut of between 1661 and 3000 acres to restore areas of the forest which have been affected by southern pine beetle. After the cut these area will be managed on an individual basis for desired future condition.
Short-term (up to 2 years) closure order for all caves and abandoned mines in the Southern Region (2 exceptions)to minimize transmission potential of the fungus that continues to cause white nose syndrome in bats that has affected populations.
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.
Applicant has requested a special use permit to install, operate and maintain an underground electrical distribution line across Forest Service Road 135C to access an inholding that is surrounded by National Forest System Lands.
A special use permit has been requested to cross National Forest System lands (NFS) to access a private property inholding along Forest Service Road 109A2 in Winston County, Alabama. Presently, motorized access is restricted on this segment of 109A2.
The application request is for motorized access to a tract of private property surrounded by National Forest Systems Lands along the administratively closed portion of Forest Service Road 270C.
The application request is for access to a tract of private property surrounded by National Forest Systems Lands. The application includes road maintenance for FSR 278J and a ROW for utilities.
Application request is for access to a tract of private project surrounded by National Forest Systems lands. Application includes building a road, and ROW for utilities.
Proposing actions to suppress southern pine beetle (SPB) infestations to protect future and maintain current habitat for the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker.
The project would decommision 10 miles of National Forest system and user created roads. The project would also make the following changes to MVUM: Change 9.4 miles of road to seasonal use, add 2.1 miles to seasonal use and remove 3.0 miles of road.
The Talladega Ranger District is proposing activities in the Sherman Cliffs and Taylor Mill analysis areas to restore and maintain longleaf pine and associated native forest communities.
The USDA Forest Service has proposed the thinning of approx. 10 acres of midstory vegetation to promote the presence of herbaceous plants in the understory and improve the quality of the available habitat for numerous species of interest.
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.
Conduct approximately 2100 acres of prescribed burning on the Tuskegee National Forest in Compartments 2,3 & 13 for fuel reduction and wildlife habitat improvement.
Restoration and improvement of Upland Pine Stands using timber harvest, midstory removal, herbicide application, prescribed fire, and integrated NNIS control.
Treatment of midstory for fuels management, wildlife management, and restoration of woodland DFCs. Thinning loblolly pine stands for forest health and restoration objectives.
Project will use mechanical mulching on approx. 228 acres and chainsaw felling on approx. 167 acres to control woody understory particularly Virginia Pine regeneration in the Wade 3&4 units, to restore the native longleaf ecosystem.
Project will create or expand wildlife openings across the district. Treatment methods may include timber sales, dozing, grinding, chopping or mulching.
Thin overly dense stands to increase wildlife habitat development, tree growth, forest health and to reduce susceptibility to southern pine beetle. Project area is approximately 7000 acres.
