Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
07/01/2024 to 09/30/2024
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, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  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,  Tellico 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
Land Management Plan Direction for Old-Growth Forest Conditions Across the National Forest System
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- 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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Cherokee National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R8 - Southern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Southern Appalachian Watershed Resiliency Project
EA

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management
- Road management
- Projects that may affect Wilderness (for mailing list contacts) 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 07/2024  		Expected:05/2025  06/2025 Jessie Howard
540-492-1728
jessie.howard@usda.gov 
Description: The Southern Appalachian Forests(Cherokee National Forest, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, National Forests in North Carolina and Chattahoochee - Oconee National Forest seek to implement large landscape watershed resiliency efforts.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66473
Location: UNIT - Cherokee National Forest All Units. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, McMinn, Monroe, Polk, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The entirety of the Cherokee National Forest.
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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
 - 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
Bullet Creek Botanical Area Habitat Enhancement Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  Completed  Actual: 05/16/2024  10/2024 Justin Feeman
423-397-8405
Justin.Feeman@usda.gov 
Description: The project would repair and reconstruct a woven wire fence within the Bullet Creek Rare Community to prevent feral swine / wild boar from entering and damaging this unique and rare ecosystem. The existing fence would be removed from the site.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65840
Location: UNIT - Ocoee - Hiwassee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - McMinn. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project is located east of Etowah, TN.
June 2024 RallyUSA Rally Car Race Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 05/14/2024  06/2026 Philip Earhart
423-253-8416
philip.earhart@usda.gov 
Description: Special Use Permit to host rally car race on the Ocoee Ranger District for June 12-17.The race would utilize National Forest System Roads (NFSR) 23, 44, 55, 67, 99, 103, 220, 221, 302, and 1333. Four areas are identified for spectators.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65892
Location: UNIT - Ocoee - Hiwassee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - McMinn, Monroe, Polk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project is located primarily in Polk County. Small portions are located in McMinn and Monroe Counties.
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

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 05/23/2024  		Expected:07/2024
  		09/2024 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,   Tellico Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

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

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Watershed management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/18/2024  		Expected:07/2024
  		09/2024 Nancy Gibson
530-543-2600
nancy.gibson@usda.gov 
Description: The project would remove an instream concrete dam at river mile 8.3 near Young Branch in Citico Creek. The dam would be removed with heavy machinery in a live or wet stream. All dam materials would be removed from the site.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66092
Location: UNIT - Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Monroe. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project is located approximately 13 miles Northeast of Tellico Plains, TN, at river mile 8.3 on Citico Creek, near Young Branch Campground.
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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
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.
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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
Dry Creek Tract U-1637 Land Acquisition Project
CE
 - Land acquisition  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 03/2024  		Expected:04/2024  05/2024 Jay Chapman
423-476-9782
jay.chapman@usda.gov 
Description: The Forest Service is proposing to acquire 1 parcel in Unicoi County, TN (U-1637), approximately 67 acres.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65825
Location: UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Unicoi. LEGAL - Not Applicable. USA Tract U-1637 on the waters of Dry Creek in Unicoi County, TN.
Johnson County Communication Tower Project
CE
 - Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 02/2024  		Expected:03/2024  04/2024 Matthew Gilbert
423-743-5925
matthew.gilbert2@usda.gov 
Description: Johnson County is proposing to erect a 120-foot free-standing metal power pole and a 10x12 concrete building to house radio components and a generator. The pole and building would be constructed on a gravel pad and surrounded by a chain-link fence.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65670
Location: UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Johnson. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Iron Mountain in Johnson County, TN.
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.
SkyBest Communications Improvement Project
CE
 - Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 02/2024  		Expected:04/2024  04/2024 Matthew Gilbert
423-743-5925
matthew.gilbert2@usda.gov 
Description: SkyBest is proposing to bury fiber optic cable along U.S. Route 321 to increase grid reliability in new service areas in Carter County, TN.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65698
Location: UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Carter. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Near Watauga Point along U.S. Route 321 in Carter County, TN.
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