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The Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) contains a list of proposed actions for Ozark-St. Francis National Forest 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. Special Use projects are included in the SOPA, but can also be found on the Special Uses Page.
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 Ozark-St. Francis National Forest 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.
Wind and storm events have resulted in several areas which have blown down and wind thrown trees. Salvage of these trees will remove hazardous fuels, improve safety for forest visitors and deter forest insect and disease outbreak.
The Big Piney Ranger District is proposing a timber salvage project to remove uprooted, broken, wind thrown or other wise damaged trees as a result of a severe wind event in and around the Brock Creek Trail system that occurred on May 1, 2019.
This project would replace a undersized culvert on Copper Springs Road(site 2), replace a low water crossing with a large culvert on lower brock (site 1), and stabilize scouring downstream of a concrete box culvert on Campbell hollow county road 3.
This project would attempt to restore native shortleaf pine in areas where offsite loblolly pine currently is growing. Some areas are lands that have been acquired by the Ozark-St Francis NFs. Eastern red cedar and firewood may be included in this.
Changing management of Alum Cove Recreation area, Haw Creek and Bayou Bluff Campgrounds.This project is being considered to focus management on higher use areas and address areas with less use.
Stabilize a section of Searcy County Road 1205 and remove material sliding down onto the road. Approximately 1 mile to the South another project is being analyzed to relocate the road out of Falling Water Creek. These are 2 separate projects.
Ensuring the Blue Hole Special Interest Area retain its undisturbed and natural conditions for primitive and non-mechanized recreational enjoyment, to improve water quality, and protect the geological and scenic values.
Project is designed to increase hardwood resiliency, to improve forest health, promote species diversity, increase productivity and promote a more resilient forest. This area has also had several storm events occur within the past 10 years.
The Big Piney Ranger District is considering a project to construct a gate at the entrance of a cave that has several species of bats, including endangered, proposed endangered, and sensitive-listed species, that utilize the cave for hibernation.
Review of the Surface Plan of Operations portion of the Application for Permit Drill associated with ARES 050771 and 050611 gas wells 3-4H3 and 5-4H submitted by Lime Rock Resources for approval, subject to conditions, or disapproval.
An electric company has requested to install and maintain 1,233 feet of new overhead, 7200-volt single-phase power line to provide electricity to a private landowner.
Respond to a special uses request to amend an existing special use authorization to allow the use of selected herbicides during the vegetation management of an existing natural gas pipeline right-of-way.
Amend existing special use permit SYL0026 to fully authorize an additional 4.5 miles of water transmission line on NFS lands to provide a reliable source of potable water for a rural community.
Arkansas Valley Electric has requested to amend their existing special use permit, PLE0166, in order to provide electrical service requested by private individuals and the Forest Service.
This project would open some roads to OHV access for the purpose of improving overall connectivity of roads in the area. It will provide a more sustainable and better connected system of roads in the area around McConnell and Apple Roads,
Arkansas Valley Electric requests an amendment to their special use permit in order to install approximately 1,672 feet of a single-phase, overhead, electric powerline with 30 feet of clearance to a neighboring private landowner.
An integrated resources project encompassing forest health and ecosystem management, wildlife and aquatic habitat management, silvicultural treatments, and road and trail management.
Forest Health, Timber Harvest of pine & hardwood; wildlife habitat & fishery improvements; road stability; protection of heritage resources; fuel reduction; non-native invasive species control
A project proposed to reduce fuels, improve forest health and restore ecosystems. This project includes activities such as prescribed burning, commercial and noncommercial thinning, herbicide use to control NNIS and to control understory species..etc
Forest Health; Timber Harvest of pine and hardwood; wildlife habitat and fishery improvements; road stabilization; protection of heritage resources; fuels reductions; NNIS control; recreation management
Installation of a cave gate to protect endangered bat species that utilize the cave at different times throughout the year from human disturbance. The gate would also serve to prevent further vandalism from occurring.
Forest health and ecosystem management, endangered species management, silviculture treatments, road and trail management, and wildlife habitat management .
Harvest, TSI & Rx burning to reduce stress & improve resilience against disease & other stressors & NNIS treatments to control spread on 2978 acres. Overstocked stands, Oak decline, Hypoxylon canker & NNIS are present throughout this area.
Forest health timber harvest of pine & hardwood; wildlife habitat & fishery improvements; road stability; protection of heritage resources; fuel reduction; recreation enhancement; riparian stand improvement; non-native invasive species control.
ARDOT, in cooperation with the Forest Service and the Federal Highway Administration, is planning improvements to County Road 73 including the crossing over Coldwater Creek. The total length of the project is 1.5 miles.
Issue special use permits authorizing (1) an ATV Outfitting and Guide service, and (2) a Campground and Granger-Thye Concessions for Cove Lake Recreation Area.
An integrated resources project encompassing forest health and ecosystem management, wildlife and aquatic habitat management, silvicultural treatments, road and trail management, and communication site management.
An amendment would be added to the current special use permit authorizing Entergy to install and maintain approximately 200 feet of a single-phase, overhead, electric powerline across National Forest System lands to a neighboring private landowner.
Amendment to Revised Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) for Ozark-St. Francis NFs to update bat conservation practices, with a specific focus on Indiana Bat.
ARDOT, in cooperation with the USDA, Forest Service, is planning improvements to Highway 123 approximately 7.4 miles south of Highway 7 in Johnson County. Details @ https://vpiph01-job-080499-gee-creek-str-apprs-hwy-123-vphearing-ardot.hub.arcgis.com
ARDOT is conducting maintenance repairs on Highway 23 approximately 2-4 miles north of Cass in Franklin County and Madison County. The total length of the project is 1.8 miles. A portion of the project falls on National Forest in Franklin County.
Construction of a simple 30 x 30 foot concrete slap to provide a firm, level surface that will safely support helicopter landings and loading of injured persons needing air ambulance transport.
Respond to a special use extension request for Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) to continue to conduct cultural resources surveys in the vicinity of state roads on USFS property.
Windstream Arkansas now owns Alltel Arkansas & has an authorization for operation/maintenance of phone cables on the Boston Mtn District. Proposed permit amendment to reflect change of ownership and add Alltel's previously granted permit areas.
Issue of a permit to use or occupy 0.26 acre of National Forest System lands for buried fiber optic cable to provide broadband service to the Mississippi River State Park
Forest health timber harvest of pine & hardwood; wildife habitat & fishery improvements; road stability; protection of heritage resources; fuel reduction; non-native invasive species control
An amendment would be added to the current special use permit authorizing Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism to renovate an historic amphitheater, as well as the adjoining trail and parking area, along Cameron Bluff.
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.
Control NNIPS anywhere they occur and control woody species within corridors such as along roads, overhead transmission lines, pipe lines. Maintain infrastructure by controlling all vegetation in pavement and two feet either side of pavement.
30 yr permit(s) requested by North AR Electric Cooperative to occupy and maintain fiber optic corridors across NFS lands. Involves continued use in existing corridors and a new 12.3 mile corridor to provide high speed internet to Big Flat, AR
Improve riparian conditions and reduce erosion on the Mulberry River in the vicinity of Oark. (New name - previously known as "Mulberry River Stream and
Riparian Restoration Project")
Proposal for timber harvesting, silvicultural, roads, and wildlife/fisheries habitat management treatments to improve forest health and help maintain native ecosystems as well as providing forest products as a by-product of management activities.
Request for a permit to film in Blanchard Springs Caverns on the Wild Cave Tour. Footage would be used as part of an episode of "Rock the Park" featuring public lands in Arkansas.
Request for legal access to private property surrounded by NFS. Involves issue of a permit to use 1.7 miles FSR91012A and 0.2 mile of an existing driveway to the western boundary of the private property for a 20-year term.
Issue a term permit to use FSR1900Q to access private land. The use area would measure 0.37 mile in length x 20 feet in width. The permit holder would maintain the road as part of the agreement.
Issue a special use permit to a landowner to use and maintain FSR91013B and an unnamed NFS road to access his private property which is surrounded by NFS lands.
There are currently 15 linear uses under authorizations on the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests that are expiring by the end of 2019. These uses have been in place for many years, are in good standing, and need to be reissued for existing uses.
Request for changes to authorized improvements on recreation residence permit STF0072: increasing interior living space of cabin & adding a covered porch and walkway to the use area. Amendment of permit required to proceed with changes.
Removal of FS quarters on the Sylamore RD administrative site within the city limits of Mountain View, AR. The quarters caught fire after being struck by lightning and were subsequently condemned by the city.
Watershed level project including a wide range of proposed activities, such as, commercial timber harvesting, fuels management activities, wildlife activities, Mtn. Bike Trails, and wilderness trail activities.
Ross Explorations, Inc. is proposing to drill a second gas well, USA 6-25 #3-2H-3 on the existing gas well pad of USA 6-25 #1-2H in Section 2, T6N, R25W in Logan County, Arkansas. The USA 6-25 #1-2H well was spudded on February 26, 2015.
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.
Amend Entergy Arkansas's existing permit (SYL0023) to authorize an additional 2019 feet of new aerial utility corridor measuring 30 feet in width to provide electric service to a private landowner whose property is surrounded by NFS land.
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.
To approve Stephens Production Company's Surface Use Plan of Operations to drill USA #1-16H, a second well head, on the same pad as USA # 1-15H. This includes a temporary permit for a water-line and a permit for road and pad.
To allow T-Mobile to design, construct, operate, and maintain cellular improvements within the Mt. Magazine Communication Site in order to provide cellular service for the surrounding area.
Thinning of overstocked pine and hardwood stands to improve health and vigor of remaining trees in area which has been subject to insect and disease infestation.
Removal of down and damaged timber covering approximately 191 acres on the Wedington Unit. Damage caused by several wind events in March, April, and May 2019.
Convert water system at the Wedington Recreational Area from the current well water system to the Washington County public water system. Requires the construction of a new waterline along an existing road to tie into municipal line.
Streambank and riparian area restoration activities to exclude cattle from stream using fencing. Plant native species to protect and stabilize streambanks, deter off road vehicles from accessing stream using boulders.
The Big Piney Ranger District is considering a proposal from Entergy Electric Company to relocate approximately 3.7 miles of electric line serving White Oak Mountain. The location is less than a mile northeast of Hector, AR.
Control burn approximately 43,000 acres on main unit. Burns would be divided into smaller units and would be repeated as needed over the course of several years.
Thinning, regeneration, and planting in overstocked stands using vegetation management tools such as pre-commercial thins, wildlife stand improvements, prescribed fire, and herbicide.
