Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2025 to 03/31/2025
Daniel Boone National Forest

This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.
Report Contents (click to jump to a section) :
-  Projects Occurring Nationwide
-  R8 - Southern Region, Daniel Boone National Forest,  Cumberland Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R8 - Southern Region, Daniel Boone National Forest,  London Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R8 - Southern Region, Daniel Boone National Forest,  Redbird Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R8 - Southern Region, Daniel Boone National Forest,  Stearns Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

Projects Occurring Nationwide  

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Land Management Plan Direction for Old-Growth Forest Conditions Across the National Forest System
EIS
 - Land management planning  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 06/21/2024
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 12/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		01/2025 Jennifer McRae
202-791-8488
SM.FS.NFSWONGA@usda.gov 
Description: Amend all land management plans for units of the National Forest System to include consistent direction to conserve and steward existing and recruit future old-growth forest conditions and to monitor their condition across planning areas of NFS.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65356
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. LEGAL - Not Applicable. National Forests and Grasslands (128 units).
Locatable Mining Rule - 36 CFR 228, subpart A.
EIS
 - Regulations, Directives, Orders  On Hold  N/A  N/A Sarah Shoemaker
907-586-7886
sarahshoemaker@fs.fed.us 
Description: The U.S. Department of Agriculture proposes revisions to its regulations at 36 CFR 228, Subpart A governing locatable minerals operations on National Forest System lands.A draft EIS & proposed rule should be available for review/comment in late 2020
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57214
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. LEGAL - Not Applicable. These regulations apply to all NFS lands open to mineral entry under the US mining laws. More Information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/geology/minerals/locatable-minerals/current-revisions.
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Daniel Boone National Forest,   Cumberland Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R8 - Southern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Mountain Rural Fiberoptic Line Special Use Permit amendment
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management
- Environmental Justice 		 Cancelled  N/A  N/A Heather Ellison
352-625-2520 x2526
heather.ellison@usda.gov 
Description: Application to amend special use permit for extending a fiberoptic line from the Frenchburg Job Corps Center to the Gladie Visitor Center.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63405
Location: UNIT - Cumberland Ranger District. STATE - Kentucky. COUNTY - Menifee. LEGAL - Not Applicable. From Frenchburg Job Corps Center to Gladie Vistor Center.
Mountain Rural Telephone- SUP Amendment 3 for Fiber Optics
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 11/2024  		Expected:12/2024  12/2024 Donovan Epperson
606-401-6981
Donovan.Epperson@usda.gov 
Description: Mountain Rural Telephone is adding 5.5 miles of fiber optic line to an existing permit to serve the West Liberty area in Morgan and Menefee Counties.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66828
Location: UNIT - Cumberland Ranger District. STATE - Kentucky. COUNTY - Menifee, Morgan. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Old Beaver Rd/Highway 1274 from approximately Hog Branch Road to Coolidge Combs Road for 5.21 miles and along Dan Ridge Rd/Highway 1693 near Spaws Creek for 0.28 miles.
Pine Ridge Communications Site Reconstruction Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management
- Facility management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 11/2024  		Expected:12/2024  12/2024 Donovan Epperson
859-745-3100
Donovan.Epperson@usda.gov 
Description: Replacement and expansion of a communications tower and related infrastructure on Pine Ridge, Wolfe County, KY.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66742
Location: UNIT - Cumberland Ranger District. STATE - Kentucky. COUNTY - Wolfe. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Pine Ridge Road, Wolfe County, KY.
Ruffed Grouse Habitat Enhancement Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2024  		Expected:11/2024  12/2024 Jameson Pierce
606-784-6428 x 108
Jameson.Pierce@usda.gov 
Description: The Cumberland District would create and maintain a mosaic structure on approximately 5,000 acres of their designated 3.H. Ruffed Grouse Habitat Prescription Area through silvicultural treatments and prescribed fire.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64521
Location: UNIT - Cumberland Ranger District. STATE - Kentucky. COUNTY - Rowan. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Northeast of Cave Run Lake in Rowan County, Kentucky, Cumberland Ranger District.
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Daniel Boone National Forest,   London Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R8 - Southern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
McKee Dam Removal Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Facility management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/08/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		01/2025 Donovan Epperson
606-864-4163
Donovan.Epperson@usda.gov 
Description: The City of McKee needs to remove a dam and related infrastructure for health and human safety issues and restore the reservoir to a more natural state.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66156
Location: UNIT - London Ranger District. STATE - Kentucky. COUNTY - Jackson. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Near the City of McKee at the southernmost dam at the Lower Bill%u2019s Branch site.
Middle Ridge Storm Salvage Forest Restoration Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/04/2024  		Expected:11/2024
  		11/2024 Jared Calvert
606-598-2192 x107
jared.calvert@usda.gov 
Description: 1.Commercial timber harvesting of salvageable timber on approximately 287 acres, site prep with herbicide, mastication of debris, and prescribed fire. 2.Non-commercial treatments on 313 acres. 3. 1.3 miles temporary roads
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67047
Location: UNIT - London Ranger District. STATE - Kentucky. COUNTY - Laurel, Whitley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Near the Cumberland State Park and USFS Dog Slaughter trail.
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Daniel Boone National Forest,   Redbird Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R8 - Southern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Hyden-Leslie Water SUP
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/01/2023  		Expected:10/2024
  		11/2024 Steven Mayle
606-598-2192
Steven.Mayle@usda.gov 
Description: Hyden-Leslie Water has requested a Special Use Permit for use of ~ 0.06 acres of NFS Lands along Wilder Branch and Trace Fork Road to construct and maintain a 10'x10' concrete pump house and new 4" water line to existing water line.
Location: UNIT - Redbird Ranger District. STATE - Kentucky. COUNTY - Leslie. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Wilder Branch 37.263782/ -83.397805 and Trace Fork Road 37.270996/-83.393967.
Ricky Skidmore Special Use Authorization
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/01/2023  		Expected:11/2024
  		11/2024 Steven Mayle
606-598-2192
Steven.Mayle@usda.gov 
Description: A Special Use Permit has been requested for use of an existing road on FS Lands to access land locked private property by Ricky Skidmore. Use of road will require minimal improvements and maintence to be provided by permitee to FS Standards.
Location: UNIT - Redbird Ranger District. STATE - Kentucky. COUNTY - Clay. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Beginning section of road latitude 37.124736 and longitude -83.902392.
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Daniel Boone National Forest,   Stearns Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R8 - Southern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Bear Creek Access Road Special Use Permit
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management
- Road management 		 Completed  Actual: 09/27/2024  10/2024 Nicholas Parker
208-476-8214
nicholas.parker@usda.gov 
Description: A special use permit request to improve an existing roadbed across Federal lands to access private property.
Location: UNIT - Stearns Ranger District. STATE - Kentucky. COUNTY - Pulaski. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Along Bear Creek Road (FSR 5138).
Biochar Effects on Revegetating Disturbed Soil
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Research and Development
- Climate Change Adaptation
- Carbon Stewardship 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2024  		Expected:02/2025  03/2025 Claudia Cotton
859-745-3115
claudia.cotton@usda.gov 
Description: Research studies on the effects of biochar soil amendments on re-vegetation response in timber sale landings and areas affected by acid mine drainage (AMD).
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67022
Location: UNIT - Stearns Ranger District. STATE - Kentucky. COUNTY - McCreary. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Both sites located on the Stearns Ranger District. Exact locations undisclosed to prevent tampering or vandalism of study sites.
Jellico Vegetation Management Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 04/24/2024  		Expected:05/2025
  		05/2025 John Hull
606-376-5323 x105
john.hull@usda.gov 
Description: Silvicultural management including commercial harvest, road work, salvage, and intermediate vegetation treatments to adjust conditions such that all desired age classes, structures, and species compositions are represented in the project area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63037
Location: UNIT - Stearns Ranger District. STATE - Kentucky. COUNTY - McCreary, Whitley. LEGAL - Not Applicable. NFS lands located south of Kentucky Highway 92 and between Interstate 75 and US Highway 27.
Special Use Permit STE 040-01
CE
 - Special use management
- Road management 		 Completed  Actual: 09/27/2024  09/2024 Nicholas Parker
208-476-8214
nicholas.parker@usda.gov 
Description: Request for a special use permit for construction, improvement, use, and maintenance of an existing, non-system road located on National Forest System Lands to access private property.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66545
Location: UNIT - Stearns Ranger District. STATE - Kentucky. COUNTY - McCreary. LEGAL - Not Applicable. County Road 1236 (Rock Creek Rd.) approximately .4 miles southeast of White Oak Junction/McCreary County, Kentucky.
Special Use Permits STE5019 and STE5041-01
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management
- Facility management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/04/2024  		Expected:10/2024
  		11/2024 Nicholas Parker
208-476-8214
nicholas.parker@usda.gov 
Description: Proposal to authorize two Special Use Permits: STE5019 for construction, use, and maintenance of an addition to an existing building; and STE5041-01 to allow access to private property via an existing road on National Forest System lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67010
Location: UNIT - Stearns Ranger District. STATE - Kentucky. COUNTY - McCreary. LEGAL - Not Applicable. STE5019- Roberts Chapel located on Beulah Heights Rd. in McCreary County, Kentucky. STE5041- Off McCreary County Road 1036 (Dude Taylor Rd.).
Stearns Ruffed Grouse Habitat Management
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/18/2024
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 10/2024  		Expected:03/2025
  		04/2025 Kathryn Fitzsimmons
606-376-5323 x125
kathryn.fitzsimmons@usda.gov 
Description: A vegetation management project with an emphasis on providing high-quality ruffed grouse habitat in alignment with Daniel Boone Forest Plan goals for the Ruffed Grouse Emphasis Prescription Area (3.H.1).
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66719
Location: UNIT - Stearns Ranger District. STATE - Kentucky. COUNTY - McCreary, Pulaski. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Located west of the Beaver Creek Wildlife Management Area and east of Big South Fork of the Cumberland River within the 3.H.1 Ruffed Grouse Emphasis Prescription Area (3.H.1 Prescription Area).
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