Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2025 to 03/31/2025
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
 - 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
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management
- Road management
- Projects that may affect Wilderness (for mailing list contacts) 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/01/2024
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 11/2024  		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
Red Spruce Restoration Project
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management
- Road management
- Projects that may affect Wilderness (for mailing list contacts)
- Climate Change Adaptation
- Carbon Stewardship 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/06/2024
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 01/2025  		Expected:07/2025
  		09/2025 Jessie Howard
540-492-1728
jessie.howard@usda.gov 
Description: The Cherokee National Forest, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Monongahela National Forest, and the National Forests in North Carolina seek to implement large landscape red spruce - fir ecosystem restoration.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66547
Location: UNIT - Nolichucky Ranger District, Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Carter, Monroe, Unicoi. LEGAL - Not Applicable. High elevation red spruce-fir systems on the Cherokee National Forest.
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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
GAOA Parksville Water System Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Facility management  Completed  Actual: 10/03/2024  11/2024 Justin Feeman

 
Description: The GAOA Parksville Water System Project would construct a new buried reservoir and a linear corridor used for an access road, the feed, and the distribution pipes of the reservoir.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67119
Location: UNIT - Ocoee - Hiwassee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Polk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project is located approximately 20 miles east of Cleveland, TN adjacent to the Ocoee Work Center.
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.
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.
TVA L5144 Utility Line Access Road Stream Ford Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 11/01/2024  12/2024 Justin Feeman
423-397-8405
justin.feeman@usda.gov 
Description: The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) proposes to construct a ford on an existing utility access road that crosses a tributary of Loss Creek. Currently, vehicles cannot cross the stream to conduct vegetation maintenance on power line L5144.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67221
Location: UNIT - Ocoee - Hiwassee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Polk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project is located in Polk County, TN on a tributary to Loss Creek.
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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
FY25 Citico Trail Management Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/23/2024  		Expected:12/2024
  		02/2025 Justin Feeman
423-397-8405
justin.feeman@usda.gov 
Description: The FY25 Citico Trail Management Project would conduct trail reconstruction, trail reroutes, trail closures, and complete trail removal/recontouring on Little Citico Horse Trails 3 and 4 and Tavern Branch Trail.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67173
Location: UNIT - Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Monroe. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project is located in east of Tellico Plains, TN in Monroe County.
FY25 Prescribed Fire Project
CE
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/25/2024  		Expected:09/2024
  		10/2024 Justin Feeman
423-397-8405
justin.feeman@usda.gov 
Description: The FY 2025 South Zone Prescribed Fire Project would conduct prescribed fire on approximately 22,949 acres within 15 burn units: 8 burn units on the Ocoee/Hiwassee District and the 7 burn units on the Tellico District.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66618
Location: UNIT - Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - McMinn, Monroe, Polk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project is located in multiple areas on the Tellico and Ocoee Ranger Districts. See project maps for more detailed location information.
Lower Citico Dam Removal Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Watershed management  Completed  Actual: 10/17/2024  01/2025 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.
Restoration of Dry Forest Communities- Bell Mountain
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 08/07/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		04/2025 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=66641
Location: UNIT - Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Monroe. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area is located north and east of Tellico Plains, TN in Monroe County.
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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
Horse Creek Campground Improvement Project
CE
 - Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 08/2024  		Expected:09/2024  12/2024 Seong Hopkins
706-338-2935
seong.hopkins@usda.gov 
Description: The Forest Service have developed a proposal to make improvements to the campground and associated infrastructure at the Horse Creek Recreation Area. The reconfiguration would increase accessibility for recreational vehicle camping.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66702
Location: UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Greene. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Horse Creek Recreation Area is located in Greene County, TN on the Unaka Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest.
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.
Temple Hill U-1638 Land Acquisition Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Land acquisition  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/04/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		01/2025 Jay Chapman
423-476-9782
jay.chapman@usda.gov 
Description: The Temple Hill U-1638 Land Acquisition Project would acquire approximately 65.5 acres of land near the Temple Hill Elementary School on Tipton Olsen Drive. The parcel would be managed under the 7.E Dispersed Recreation areas- Suitable.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67354
Location: UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Unicoi. LEGAL - Not Applicable. This project is on the Unaka Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest.
Walnut Mountain Shelter Decommissioning Project
CE
 - Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 08/2024  		Expected:08/2024  09/2024 Seong Hopkins
706-338-2935
seong.hopkins@usda.gov 
Description: The Carolina Mountain Club have proposed to decommission and remove the Walnut Mountain shelter and associated infrastructure from national forest system lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66731
Location: UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Cocke. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Walnut Mountain shelter is located on the Unaka Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest in Cocke County, Tennessee.
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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
Dennis Cove U-1640 Land Acquisition Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Land acquisition  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/04/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		01/2025 Jay Chapman
423-476-9782
jay.chapman@usda.gov 
Description: The Dennis Cove U-1640 Land Acquisition Project would acquire approximately 129.5 acres of adjoining the Pond Mountain Wilderness. The parcel would be managed under the 4.A Appalachian Trail Corridor management prescription.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67369
Location: UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Carter. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project is located on Dennis Cove Road in Hampton, 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.
White Rocks Horse Trail Connector Project
CE
 - Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 08/2024  		Expected:09/2024  09/2024 Chad Ingle
270-924-2028
chadwick.ingle@usda.gov 
Description: Backcountry Horsemen of East Tennessee have submitted a new proposal to build a connector trail between FSR303 and FSR530211 in Carter County, TN.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66795
Location: UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Carter. LEGAL - Not Applicable. This project is located in the White Rocks/Walnut Mountain area of the Watauga Ranger District.
White Rocks Tower Reconstruction Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2024  		Expected:11/2024  12/2024 Matthew Gilbert
423-743-5925
matthew.gilbert2@usda.gov 
Description: The purpose of this project is to authorize the decommissioning of an existing communications tower and the construction of a new tower and associated improvements on White Rocks mountain in Carter County, TN.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67152
Location: UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Carter. LEGAL - Not Applicable. White Rocks mountain on the Watauga Ranger District in Carter County, Tennessee.
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