Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
04/01/2024 to 06/30/2024
Shawnee 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
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Shawnee National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Shawnee National Forest,  Hidden Springs Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Shawnee National Forest,  Mississippi Bluffs 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:
NOI in Federal Register 12/20/2023
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 06/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		01/2025 Jennifer McRae
505-377-3145
Jennifer.McRae@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.
Nationwide Aerial Application of Fire Retardant on National Forest System Land.
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Regulations, Directives, Orders  Completed  Actual: 02/06/2024  02/2024 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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Shawnee National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Aquatic Habitat Creation and Enhancement
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  Completed  Actual: 02/22/2024  02/2024 Leonard Pitcher
618-833-8576
leonard.j.pitcher@usda.gov 
Description: This project proposes to facilitate or allow for the creation and enhancement of aquatic habitat. on the Forest.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65408
Location: UNIT - Shawnee National Forest All Units. STATE - Illinois. COUNTY - Alexander, Gallatin, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, Williamson. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Could occur on lakes and ponds within the Shawnee National Forest.
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Shawnee National Forest,   Hidden Springs Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
River to River Trail Reroute at Dutchman Lake
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 03/04/2024  05/2024 Chad Deaton
618-253-1038
chad.deaton@usda.gov 
Description: This project proposes to address trail access problems, soil erosion, and frequent maintenance needs on the existing trail by relocating two segments of the River to River Trail around Dutchman Lake for a total of 3.2 miles.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65407
Location: UNIT - Hidden Springs Ranger District. STATE - Illinois. COUNTY - Johnson. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Located at Dutchman Lake in Johnson County, IL.
Shawnee Telephone Amendment
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/27/2024  		Expected:05/2024
  		05/2024 Sean Emery
618-658-1318
Sean.Emery@usda.gov 
Description: Proposal to amend special use permit VIE201702 held by the Shawnee Telephone Co. to construct, maintain, and operate a buried fiber optic line within an existing right of way.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65950
Location: UNIT - Hidden Springs Ranger District. STATE - Illinois. COUNTY - Pope. LEGAL - Township 12 South, Range 7 East, Section 15. Approximately 1 mile northwest of Humme Wye, IL.
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Shawnee National Forest,   Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Kinkaid Lake Trail System Improvements Phase 1
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 01/04/2024  02/2024 Kyle Varel
618-658-1330
kyle.varel@usda.gov 
Description: Proposal to reroute, construct, and maintain and add biking designation to Trail 377 and a section of Trail 382.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64955
Location: UNIT - Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District. STATE - Illinois. COUNTY - Jackson. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Southwest of Kinkaid Lake. Section of Trail 382 is from Forest Service boundary just west of Crisenberry Dam to Hidden Cover Trailhead. Trail 377 is from Buttermilk Hill Trailhead to Trail 382.
Oakwood Bottoms Greentree Reservoir Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 10/23/2020  		Expected:06/2024
  		01/2025 Leonard Pitcher
618-833-8576 x108
leonard.j.pitcher@usda.gov 
Description: Proposed project is a combined effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as the lead agency, and the Forest Service, as the cooperating agency to restore the natural ecosystem functions of the Oakwood Bottoms Greentree reservoir system.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58977
Location: UNIT - Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District. STATE - Illinois. COUNTY - Jackson. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Located in Jackson County, Illinois.
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