Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
07/01/2025 to 09/30/2025
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
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:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/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:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/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
2025 RallyUSA Rally Car Race Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/09/2025  		Expected:06/2025
  		09/2025 Mary Vinson
423-338-3300
Mary.Vinson@usda.gov 
Description: Project is for a late summer 2025 rally car race and potential future rally car races through December 2030. A rally car race is a timed motorsport event where vehicles do not race side by side but are timed for overall time.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=68148
Location: UNIT - Ocoee - Hiwassee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - McMinn, Polk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project is located in multiple locations in Polk and McMinn Counties.
FY25 Prescribed Fire Project- Ocoee Ranger District
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 Completed  Actual: 04/04/2025  08/2025 Justin Feeman
423-397-8405
justin.feeman@usda.gov 
Description: The FY 2025 South Zone Prescribed Fire- Ocoee Ranger District Project would conduct prescribed fire on approximately 13,332 acres on 8 burn units on the Ocoee/Hiwassee Ranger District.
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/66618
Location: UNIT - Ocoee - Hiwassee Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - McMinn, Polk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project is located in multiple areas on the Ocoee Ranger District. See project maps for more detailed location information.
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:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/archive/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:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/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:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/archive/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
Caney Branch Prescribed Fire Interpretive Trail
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 05/14/2025  08/2025 Justin Feeman
423-397-8405
justin.feeman@usda.gov 
Description: The project would construct a 36-48 inch wide, 1.1-mile-long, native surface trail in the Buck Branch burn unit. The trail would include viewing areas, fire interpretive kiosks,native plantings, selective tree removal, and trail signs.
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/67973
Location: UNIT - Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Monroe. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project is located east of Tellico Plains, TN near the Tellico Ranger Station and the Caney Branch Overlook.
FY25 Citico Trail Management Project
CE
 - 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:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/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.
Indian Boundary Recreation Area Administrative Site and Overflow Camping Area Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 05/14/2025  04/2026 Justin Feeman
423-397-8405
justin.feeman@usda.gov 
Description: The project would remove the current administration sites at the existing administration area, construct a new administration area, and construct defined camping sites in the overflow camping area.
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/67528
Location: UNIT - Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Monroe. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project is located approximately 16 miles east of Tellico Plains, TN.
K-1635 Sandy Branch Land Acquisition Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Land acquisition  Completed  Actual: 05/14/2025  06/2025 Justin Feeman
423-397-8405
justin.feeman@usda.gov 
Description: The project would acquire a parcel of land in Monroe County, TN that is approximately 341 acres. The parcel would be managed under the Prescription 9.H Management, Maintenance, and Restoration of Plant Associations to their Ecological Potential.
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/67971
Location: UNIT - Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Monroe. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project is located approximately 20 miles north of Tellico Plains, TN in Monroe County.
Panther Branch Bridge Replacement Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Facility management  Completed  Actual: 05/02/2025  06/2025 Jesse English
423-476-9748
jesse.r.english@usda.gov 
Description: The bridge would be replaced with a structure similar to the existing bridge, constructed within the Area of Potential Effect in the attached map. The existing bridge would be removed from the site and disposed of at a suitable location off forest.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=68112
Location: UNIT - Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Monroe. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project is located east of Tellico Plains, TN on the Tellico River.
Restoration of Dry Forest Communities- Bell Mountain
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 Completed  Actual: 06/30/2025  06/2025 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:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/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.
Sugar Mountain Project
EA

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/16/2025
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 08/2025  		Expected:12/2025
  		01/2026 Justin Feeman
423-397-8405
justin.feeman@usda.gov 
Description: The Sugar Mountain Project would utilize commercial timber harvest, wildlife opening enhancements, timber stand improvements, prescribed fire, and other associated actions to increase early successional habitat and improve forest health.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=68353
Location: UNIT - Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Monroe. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project is located approximately 18 miles east of Tellico Plains, TN in Monroe County.
Tellico Hatchery Bridge Replacement Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Facility management  Completed  Actual: 04/02/2025  06/2025 Jesse English
423-476-9748
jesse.r.english@usda.gov 
Description: The bridge would be replaced with a structure similar to the existing bridge. The existing bridge would be removed from the site and disposed of at a suitable location off of the forest. The new bridge would be constructed in the disturbed area.
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/67938
Location: UNIT - Tellico Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Monroe. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project is located on Tellico River Road approximately 20 miles east of Tellico Plains, TN.
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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  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/02/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		03/2025 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:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/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.
Iron Mountain Gap Appalachian National Scenic Trail Temporary Reroute Project
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/08/2025  		Expected:03/2025
  		04/2025 Seong Hopkins
423-638-4109
seong.hopkins@usda.gov 
Description: The Cherokee National Forest is proposing a temporary reroute of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail near Iron Mountain Gap due to impacts from Hurricane Helene. The reroute would last until projects that restore connectivity are complete.
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/archive/67730
Location: UNIT - Unaka Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Unicoi. LEGAL - Not Applicable. This project would take place near Iron Mountain Gap on the Unaka Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest in Unicoi County, Tennessee.
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:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/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:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/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
 - 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:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/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  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/12/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		03/2025 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:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/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
 - 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:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/archive/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:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/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.
Watauga Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 Completed  Actual: 06/13/2025  06/2025 Terence Rose
575-885-7407
terence.j.rose@usda.gov 
Description: The Watauga Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest is proposing a series of fuel reduction treatments within the wildland-urban interface to improve forest resiliency to wildfire post-Hurricane Helene.
Web Link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/67960
Location: UNIT - Watauga Ranger District. STATE - Tennessee. COUNTY - Carter, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project units are located throughout the Watauga Ranger District within Johnson, Carter, Sullivan and Unicoi Counties.
White Rocks Horse Trail Connector Project
CE
 - Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/21/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		04/2025 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:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/cherokee/projects/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.
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