Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2024 to 03/31/2024
Allegheny 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, Allegheny National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Allegheny National Forest,  Bradford Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Allegheny National Forest,  Marienville 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

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Land management planning  Developing Proposal
Est. NOI in Federal Register 12/2023  		Expected:01/2025  01/2025 Jennifer Ruyle
520-388-8351
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
 - Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/11/2022
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/2023  		Expected:09/2023
  		01/2024 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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Allegheny 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
Invasive Plant and Interfering Vegetation Treatment
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 08/15/2023  		Expected:09/2024
  		10/2024 Glenn Howard
814-728-6186
glenn.howard@usda.gov 
Description: Treat invasive plants and interfering vegetation to conserve native plants, wildlife habitat, and desirable vegetation. Includes a Forest Plan amendment.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62459
Location: UNIT - Allegheny National Forest All Units. STATE - Pennsylvania. COUNTY - Elk, Forest, McKean, Warren. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Within the proclamation boundary of the Allegheny National Forest, with a potential to slightly expand to adjacent watersheds by partnership.
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Allegheny National Forest,   Bradford Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Class 1 E-Bikes on the Trails at Jakes Rocks
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Completed  Actual: 09/15/2023  10/2023 Justin Woldt
814-363-6089
Justin.Woldt@usda.gov 
Description: This project will analyze Class 1 e-bike use on the Jakes Rocks Trail System
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63373
Location: UNIT - Bradford Ranger District. STATE - Pennsylvania. COUNTY - McKean, Warren. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Jakes Rocks Trails.
Dewdrop Recreation Area Improvements
CE
 - Facility management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/13/2022  		Expected:09/2022
  		10/2022 Jamie Klebanski
814-927-6628
Jamie.Klebanski@usda.gov 
Description: Update and modernize the Dewdrop Recreation Area with a focus on the built environment (restrooms, shower buildings, etc.)
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62309
Location: UNIT - Bradford Ranger District. STATE - Pennsylvania. COUNTY - Warren. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Mead Township, Warren County, Pennsylvania.
Porcupine Run
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 12/01/2023  		Expected:04/2024
  		04/2024 Wendy Andersen
814-363-6012
wendy.andersen@usda.gov 
Description:  Land management activities including vegetation management, stream and fisheries improvements, wildlife habitat improvements, invasive plant treatments, transportation management, and other activities to achieve desired conditions.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63540
Location: UNIT - Bradford Ranger District. STATE - Pennsylvania. COUNTY - Warren. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area is located on the Bradford Ranger District in Cherry Grove, Limestone, and Watson Townships, Warren County, Pennsylvania and Hickory, Howe, and Kingsley Townships, Forest County, Pennsylvania.
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Allegheny National Forest,   Marienville Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Forest Road 376 Decommissioning
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management
- Road management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 02/2024  		Expected:04/2024  05/2024 Kevin Treese
814-927-5759
kevin.treese@usda.gov 
Description: To decommission the Forest Road 376 trailhead, 0.2 miles of Forest Road 376, and 0.4 miles of hiking trail, which is part of the Buzzard Swamp Trall System.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65185
Location: UNIT - Marienville Ranger District. STATE - Pennsylvania. COUNTY - Forest. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Warrant 3643, Jenks Township.
Loleta Recreation Area Improvement
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Heritage resource management
- Facility management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/20/2023  		Expected:05/2024
  		06/2024 Kevin Treese
814-927-5759
kevin.treese@usda.gov 
Description: Proposing to update and restore facilities within the Loleta Recreation Area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63611
Location: UNIT - Marienville Ranger District. STATE - Pennsylvania. COUNTY - Elk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Warrant 2545, Millstone Township.
Madlick
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 11/16/2023  		Expected:08/2024
  		09/2024 Kevin Treese
814-927-5759
Kevin.treese@usda.gov 
Description: Proposed management activities include vegetation treatments, timber harvesting, wildlife habitat improvements, aquatic habitat improvements, non-native invasive plant species treatments, and transportation activities.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63444
Location: UNIT - Marienville Ranger District. STATE - Pennsylvania. COUNTY - McKean. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Hamilton and Wetmore Townships.
Penoke ATV Trail Stabilization
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Watershed management 		 Completed  Actual: 11/08/2023  11/2023 Kevin Treese
814-927-5759
kevin.treese@usda.gov 
Description: Forest Service is proposing to stabilize the stream bank along Gilfoyle Run by felling or uprooting six trees (spruce and red pine) to create a large wood structure to stabilize the bank and trail.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64851
Location: UNIT - Marienville Ranger District. STATE - Pennsylvania. COUNTY - Forest. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Warrant 2021, Howe Township.
Thomas Life Estate Restoration
CE
 - Recreation management
- Heritage resource management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management
- Land ownership management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/27/2023  		Expected:08/2024
  		09/2024 Kevin Treese
814-927-5759
kevin.treese@usda.gov 
Description: Proposing to restore the recently acquired Tract 992TK (Thomas Life Estate) in Warrant 4042, Millstone Township, Elk County, Pennsylvania to a more natural setting.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63599
Location: UNIT - Marienville Ranger District. STATE - Pennsylvania. COUNTY - Elk. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Tract 992TK in Warrant 4042, Millstone Township.
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