Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
10/01/2024 to 12/31/2024
Hoosier 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, Hoosier National Forest,  Brownstown Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Hoosier National Forest,  Tell City 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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Hoosier National Forest,   Brownstown Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Chandler Frye Shields Cemetery
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/12/2024  		Expected:10/2024
  		10/2024 Evanna Phelps
812-276-4775
evanna.phelps@usda.gov 
Description: Proposal to issue a special use permit to the Salt Creek Township Trustee to access and maintain the Chandler Frye Shields Cemetery.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66737
Location: UNIT - Brownstown Ranger District. STATE - Indiana. COUNTY - Monroe. LEGAL - Township 8 North, Range 1 East, Section 35. Salt Creek Township, Monroe County, Indiana.
Houston South Vegetation Management and Restoration Project Supplement
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 Completed  Actual: 08/14/2024  08/2024 Kevin Amick
812-276-4746
kevin.amick@usda.gov 
Description: This project proposes to treat vegetation and conduct related management activities improving forest health and sustainability of the oak-hickory ecosystems while also improving wildlife habitat.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64831
Location: UNIT - Brownstown Ranger District. STATE - Indiana. COUNTY - Jackson, Lawrence. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The majority of the project lies in the northwest corner of Jackson County. A small portion overlaps into the northeast corner of Lawrence County.
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Hoosier National Forest,   Tell City Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Buffalo Springs Restoration Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 09/12/2024  		Expected:12/2024
  		01/2025 Kevin Amick
812-276-4746
kevin.amick@usda.gov 
Description: This project proposes to treat vegetation and conduct related management activities improving forest health and sustainability of the oak-hickory ecosystems while also improving wildlife habitat.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60940
Location: UNIT - Tell City Ranger District. STATE - Indiana. COUNTY - Crawford, Orange. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Most of the project area is in southern Orange County. A small portion overlaps into northern Crawford County.
Paoli Tornado Response and Research Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management
- Research and Development 		 Completed  Actual: 08/27/2024  08/2024 Justin Swaim
812-547-9237
justin.swaim@usda.gov 
Description: The Hoosier National Forest proposes to implement salvage logging and removal of stream blockages within the Paoli Experimental Forest. Tree planting and deer exclosure fencing are also proposed for research purposes.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65337
Location: UNIT - Tell City Ranger District. STATE - Indiana. COUNTY - Orange. LEGAL - T1N, R1W; Sections 10 and 15. Paoli Experimental Forest, Orange County, IN.
Youngs Creek/Patoka River AOP
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Watershed management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/17/2024  		Expected:11/2024
  		04/2025 Joshua Egenolf
812-213-2106
Joshua.Egenolf@usda.gov 
Description: The Hoosier National Forest is proposing to replace seven undersized and/or perched culverts, and one stream ford crossing with aquatic organism passage (AOP) structures.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66825
Location: UNIT - Tell City Ranger District. STATE - Indiana. COUNTY - Orange. LEGAL - Not Applicable. These structures are located on tributaries to the following: Hogs Defeat Creek, Patoka River, and Youngs Creek.
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