Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
10/01/2023 to 12/31/2023
Cherokee 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, Cherokee National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  R8 - Southern Region, Cherokee National Forest,  Ocoee - Hiwassee Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R8 - Southern Region, Cherokee National Forest,  Unaka Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R8 - Southern Region, Cherokee National Forest,  Watauga Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

Projects Occurring Nationwide  

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
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.
Nationwide Aerial Application of Fire Retardant on National Forest System Land.
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/11/2022
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/2023  		Expected:09/2023
  		01/2024 Laura Conway
406-802-4317
laura.conway@usda.gov 
Description: Programmatic Supplemental EIS for the Nationwide Aerial Application of Fire Retardant on National Forest System Land.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60450
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The direction in the SEIS will apply to use of aerially delivered fire retardant on all National Forest System land. .
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Cherokee National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R8 - Southern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Fiscal Year 2024 Prescribed Fire Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/11/2023  		Expected:09/2023
  		10/2023 Justin Feeman
423-397-8405
justin.feeman@usda.gov 
Description: The Fiscal Year 2024 Prescribed Fire Project would conduct prescribed fire on 41,919 acres on 28 burn units: 15 burn units on the Ocoee/Hiwassee Ranger District and 13 burn units on the Tellico Ranger District.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64609
Location: UNIT - Ocoee - Hiwassee Ranger District, Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Monroe, Polk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project is located in multiple locations in Polk and Monroe Counties in Tennessee.
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Cherokee National Forest,   Ocoee - Hiwassee Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R8 - Southern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
2023 Chilhowee Communications Tower Extension Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special area management  Completed  Actual: 08/04/2023  09/2023 Justin Feeman
423-397-8405
justin.feeman@usda.gov 
Description: Crown Castle proposes to increase the height of their cellular tower from 180' to 210' and add 3 new guyed anchor rods to the existing guyed anchor blocks. Crown Castle has a communication site lease. There would be no new ground disturbance.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64577
Location: UNIT - Ocoee - Hiwassee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Polk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project is located on Oswald Road in Polk County, TN.
Ocoee Hiwassee Admin Site Area Release
CE
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/05/2019  		Expected:11/2019
  		01/2020 Stephanie Medlin
423-476-9740
sm.fs.r8chertelcom@usda.gov 
Description: Treatments would include the severing of selected stems (chainsaw/manual), application of herbicide, and the use of prescribed fire within the designated unit (212 acres.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56628
Location: UNIT - Ocoee - Hiwassee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Polk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Around the Ocoee/Hiwassee District Office.
Restoration of Dry Forest Communities Kirkland Gap Project
EA

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 07/27/2023  		Expected:01/2024
  		04/2024 Justin Feeman
423-397-8405
justin.feeman@usda.gov 
Description: The project would conduct forest restoration and improvement actions under the programmatic environmental assessment, Restoration of Dry Forest Communities. Additional actions in the project area would include road improvements and prescribed fire.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64455
Location: UNIT - Ocoee - Hiwassee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Polk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project is located in Polk County Tennessee approximately 2 miles north west of Turtletown, TN.
South Zone Trail Maintenance Project
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/02/2022  		Expected:03/2022
  		04/2022 Justin Feeman
423-397-8405
SM.FS.r8chertelcom@usda.gov 
Description: This project would allow routine maintenance on existing trails on the south zone of the Cherokee National Forest and minor reroutes where ground disturbance from natural events, such as tree windfall or landslide, are causing resource damage.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61551
Location: UNIT - Ocoee - Hiwassee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - McMinn, Monroe, Polk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project includes all existing trails on the south zone of the Cherokee National Forest.
Starr Mountain Land Purchase
CE
 - Land acquisition  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/24/2022  		Expected:03/2022
  		06/2022 Justin Feeman
(423) 338-3300
SM.FS.r8cherococom@usda.gov 
Description: The project would acquire approximately 153 acres on Starr Mountain in McMinn County, TN. The parcel is adjacent to Gee Creek Wilderness and would be managed under the 7.B Scenic Corridor/Sensitive Viewsheds prescription.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61680
Location: UNIT - Ocoee - Hiwassee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - McMinn. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project is located approximately 4 miles south of Etowah, TN.
Stephens Access Road
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Terinda Whisenant
423-338-3300
fs-comments-southern-cherokee-ocoee-hiwassee@fs.fed.us 
Description: Applicant has requested access across NFS lands to an inholding that is completely surrounded. An existing route at the end of NFSR 366C is in place but has grown up and is not drivable. Heavy equipment would be used to clear this 150 ft.
Location: UNIT - Ocoee - Hiwassee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Polk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. East of Hwy 30 and North of Hwy 64 in the Vicinity of the 4-H camp.
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Cherokee National Forest,   Unaka Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R8 - Southern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Appalachian Trail (AT) Kale Gap Shelter Enhancement Project
CE
 - Special area management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Seong Hopkins
423-638-4109
seong.hopkins@usda.gov 
Description: This project proposes to install two AT supporting facilities and provide access to a suitable water source.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62842
Location: UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Cocke. LEGAL - Not Applicable. All sites are shaded to open woodland. The shelter and tent pad site has a slope of 10-15% and the privy site has a slope of 15-20%.
Horse Creek Recreation Area Watershed Restoration and Visitor Access Improvements Project
CE
 - Recreation management
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/18/2022  		Expected:10/2022
  		11/2022 Seong Hopkins
4237822400
seong.hopkins@usda.gov 
Description: This project proposes to implement stream and aquatic habitat restoration, dam removal, low water ford removal, and new bridge installation.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62726
Location: UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Greene. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Horse Creek Recreation Area.
Margarette Falls Trail #189 - Relocation Project
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/17/2023  		Expected:04/2023
  		05/2023 Seong Hopkins
423-782-2400
seong.hopkins@usda.gov 
Description: This project is proposing to relocate approximately a 50 ft long section of trail #189. Waterbars would also be installed to limit stormwater runoff and continued damage to the trail.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63721
Location: UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Greene, Unicoi. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Margarette Falls Trail #189.
North Zone Large Tracts Amendment
CE
 - Land management planning  On Hold  N/A  N/A Jonathan Lampley
423-783-2416
jonathan.lampley@usda.gov 
Description: The proposed forest plan amendment would address the need to assign management prescriptions to four tracts of land that were previously acquired.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62033
Location: UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Carter, Johnson, Unicoi, Washington. LEGAL - Not Applicable. North Zone Cherokee National Forest.
Wolf Creek Rx Burn
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Fuels management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 08/2015  		Expected:10/2015  11/2015 Greg Salansky
423-638-8731
gregsalansky@fs.fed.us 
Description: provide fuel reduction, stimulate new vegetation growth, & increase soft mast and herbaceous plants for wildlife; dormant and early growing season
Location: UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Cocke. LEGAL - Not Applicable. C232 and 239.
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Cherokee National Forest,   Watauga Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R8 - Southern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Coon Den Falls Trail Relocation Project
CE
 - Recreation management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Chad Ingle
270-924-2028
cgingle@fs.fed.us 
Description: Re-location of a section of trail, approx. 150 ft. long, to avoid steep, rocky parts of the trail. East TN Trails Assoc. will be doing the work. Implementation can occur anytime of the year.
Location: UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Carter. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Coon Den Falls Trail.
Hampton Hike/Bike Connector Trail Project
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/17/2023  		Expected:05/2023
  		05/2023 Jonathan Lampley
423-783-2416
jonathan.lampley@usda.gov 
Description: This project is proposing to install an approx. 300%u2019 trail connector from the Forest Service boundary to the top of Cedar Mountain (Cedar Peak)
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63742
Location: UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Carter. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Cedar Mountain (Cedar Peak).
Pond Mountain Project
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/18/2023
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 05/2023  		Expected:09/2023
  		01/2024 Jonathan Lampley
404-347-5264
jlampley@fs.fed.us 
Description: The project would provide early successional forest for wildlife, restore forest and wetland comm., release mast-producing trees, improve forest health, provide wildlife habitat components, and manage NFS system and non-system roads
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63431
Location: UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Sullivan. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project is located in Carter County, TN. The area is bounded by the Walnut Mountain Road on the eastern side, Laurel Fork Road on the Northern edge and the Appalachian Trail on the west and south.
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