Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2022 to 03/31/2022
Monongahela 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
-  Projects Occurring in more than one Region (excluding Nationwide)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Monongahela National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Monongahela National Forest,  Cheat/Potomac Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Monongahela National Forest,  Gauley Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Monongahela National Forest,  Greenbrier Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Monongahela National Forest,  Marlinton Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Monongahela National Forest,  POTOMAC 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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Projects Occurring in more than one Region (excluding Nationwide)  

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Zayo Fiber Optic Line Project
EA
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 08/09/2021  		Expected:09/2021
  		10/2021 Jessie Howard
540-265-5130
jessie.howard@usda.gov 
Description: This proposal includes the installation of 7 miles (4.5 acres of impact) of fiberoptic telecommunications line in Tucker & Hardy, County West Virginia and Frederick County, Virginia on both the Monongahela and the George Washington National Forest.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59879
Location: UNIT - Cheat Ranger District, Lee Ranger District. STATE - Virginia, West Virginia. COUNTY - Hardy, Frederick, Tucker. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Tracts 1403M, 113, 332-I and 1403L in Tucker County, WV. Tracts P-135, G-1067, P-66 and P-64 in Hardy County, WV. Tracts P-73 and P-404 in Frederick County, VA.
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Monongahela National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
2021 Reauthorization of Expiring Special Use Permits (Forestwide)
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 11/02/2021  11/2021 Carol Whetsell
304-635-4489
carol.whetsell@usda.gov 
Description: Reauthorization of 14 expiring special use permits for: access roads, springs/waterline/water storage tanks, radio antenna sites, telephone and fiberoptic line, oil and gas pipeline, a septic tank, and a light pole. Terms range from 1-30 years.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60386
Location: UNIT - Cheat Ranger District, Greenbrier Ranger District, Marlinton Ranger District, Potomac Ranger District, Gauley Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Grant, Greenbrier, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph, Tucker, Webster. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Thirteen existing/expiring permits located across the Forest.
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Monongahela National Forest,   Cheat/Potomac Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Blackwater River Loop FY19 Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Road management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2022  		Expected:06/2022  06/2022 Amy Albright
304-257-4488 x7128
amy.albright2@usda.gov 
Description: Friends of Blackwater received a grant through Office of Surface Mining (administered by WVDEP) to develop this project o promote hiking, biking and tourism in the Blackwater River area by creating a loop trail to link the towns of Davis & Thomas.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60885
Location: UNIT - Cheat Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Tucker. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Located south of the towns of Davis and Thomas, WV, on land owned by the WV Division of Natural Resources (Blackwater Falls State Park) and US Forest Service (Monongahela National Forest).
Camp Horseshoe Improvements
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Facility management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2022  		Expected:02/2022  03/2022 Brooke Andrew
304-257-4488 ext 7124
brooke.andrew@usda.gov 
Description: This project proposes Two Camp Trail #111 addition, McKinley Run Tr #154 reroute, cabin restoration, lodge addition, demolition of the "little house" and privies at the YLA Camp, and a wastewater treatment system replacement at the Rec Area/YLA Camp.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56943
Location: UNIT - Cheat Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Tucker. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Horseshoe Recreation Area and Horseshoe YLA Camp located near the intersection of County Route 7 and County Route 9, approx. 2 miles southwest of Lead Mine, WV.
Camp Horseshoe Special Use Permit Reissue
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/23/2021  		Expected:01/2022
  		01/2022 Zachary Adkins
304-257-4488
zachary.c.adkins@usda.gov 
Description: This project would reissue a special use permit (20-year term) to Ohio-West Virginia Youth Leadership Association (YLA) to continue to operate youth development residential camp programs and maintain facilities at Camp Horseshoe organizational camp.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60884
Location: UNIT - Cheat Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Tucker. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Camp Horseshoe organizational camp is located along Horseshoe Run, just south of the town of Lead Mine, WV.
Pheasant Mountain Trail System Improvements
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 02/2022  		Expected:03/2022  05/2022 Brooke Andrew
304-257-4488 ext 7124
brooke.andrew@usda.gov 
Description: This proposal includes new trail construction and overlook creation, existing trail maintenance, trail rerouting, and trailhead maintenance and expansion in order to protect natural resources and improve user experience.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59788
Location: UNIT - Cheat Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Tucker. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project is located in Tucker County, approximately two miles east of Parsons, WV and encompasses Shingletree Trail (#121), Pheasant Mtn Trail (#120), and Clover Trail (#124) and trailheads.
Stuart Bike Trail System
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 05/2022  		Expected:06/2022  08/2022 Brooke Andrew
304-257-4488 ext 7124
brooke.andrew@usda.gov 
Description: Construction of a 5 to 10 mile pedestrian/non-motorized vehicle trail system in the Stuart Recreation Area to meet the need for more mountain bike trails on the Forest in order to enhance recreation and tourism.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60389
Location: UNIT - Cheat Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Randolph. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The proposed trail system would be located in the vicinity of Stuart Recreation Area, approx. 4 miles to the east of the town of Elkins, WV. Trails would be planned both E and W of Shavers Fork Rd.
Upper Cheat River EA
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/29/2021
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 01/2022  		Expected:05/2022
  		06/2022 Amy Albright
304-257-4488 x 7128
amy.albright2@usda.gov 
Description: This project aims to move the Upper Cheat watershed closer to the Forest Plan desired conditions by improving forest health & age class diversity, providing recreation opportunities, and improving wildlife habitat & stream/riparian conditions.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58364
Location: UNIT - Cheat Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Barbour, Preston, Tucker. LEGAL - Not Applicable. This 86,138-acre project area is located north of Parsons, WV. The area encompasses 33,991 acres of National Forest System land within the Upper Cheat River watershed.
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Monongahela National Forest,   Gauley Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Cranberry Spring Creek
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Heritage resource management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/29/2021
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 02/2022  		Expected:05/2022
  		06/2022 Sarah Dezelin
304-846-2695
Sarah.Dezelin@usda.gov 
Description: The focus of the proposed action is on improving forest health and resiliency, restoring red spruce/northern hardwood forests, improving wildlife habitat and increasing age class diversity based on the specific Forest Plan Desired Future Conditions.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58824
Location: UNIT - Gauley Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Nicholas, Pocahontas, Webster. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Within the Cranberry River/Spring Creek watersheds. Includes Cranberry Glades, the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center, part of the Cranberry Wilderness and the Falls of Hills. East of Richwood, WV.
Gauley Healthy Forest Restoration Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/05/2019  		Expected:01/2022
  		01/2022 Jane Bard
304-846-2695 x5552112
jane.bard@usda.gov 
Description: Reduce the expansion and threat of significant, damaging forest insects and disease; and reduce fuels buildup that cause uncharacteristic wildfire conditions. Treatments may include prescribed fire, timber harvest and temporary road construction.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57335
Location: UNIT - Gauley Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Nicholas, Pocahontas. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project is adjacent to, and east of Richwood, WV and extends eastward to the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center.
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Monongahela National Forest,   Greenbrier Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Allegheny Trail Improvements
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/13/2021  		Expected:01/2022
  		05/2022 Jonathan Wheeler
304-456-3335 x 115
jonathan.wheeler@usda.gov 
Description: This project proposes improvements along the Allegheny Trail in the Greenbrier Ranger District. Improvements could include: shelter construction, footbridge construction, and trail reroutes.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59786
Location: UNIT - Greenbrier Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas, Randolph. LEGAL - Not Applicable. All improvements would be located along the Allegheny Trail on the North Zone of the MNF (Greenbrier and Cheat-Potomac Ranger Districts).
Deer Creek
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management
- Climate Change Adaption 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 05/2022  		Expected:04/2023  05/2023 Amy Albright
304-257-4488 x7128
amy.albright2@usda.gov 
Description: Project would: improve forest stand health, species composition, and age class distribution; improve wildlife habitat; restore oak and prevent mesophication, enhance stream and riparian habitat; improve recreational and heritage opportunities.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60882
Location: UNIT - Greenbrier Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The 89,050-acre project area is centered on the town of Arborvale, WV & contains Deer Creek, Greenbrier River, and a portion of Sitlington Creek headwaters. Approx 39% is National Forest System land.
Forest Road 235 Overlook Creation
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/13/2021  		Expected:01/2022
  		02/2022 Jonathan Wheeler
540-291-2188
jonathan.wheeler@usda.gov 
Description: Create up to 8 overlooks on Forest Road 235 to enhance the viewshed for vehicular recreation users.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60881
Location: UNIT - Greenbrier Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas, Randolph. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Up to eight locations along Forest Road 235. Cass and Snyder Knob USGS Quads.
Greenbrier Southeast
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 11/18/2021  		Expected:01/2022
  		02/2022 Amy Albright
304-257-4488 x7128
amy.albright2@usda.gov 
Description: This project seeks to improve forest stand health and composition to improve future wildlife habitat and to provide for future commercial timber sales and economic projects.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=55797
Location: UNIT - Greenbrier Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area is located in Pocahontas County, WV, approximately 2 miles east of Bartow, WV.
Little Ridge Prescribed Fire for Ecosystem Restoration
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/30/2020  		Expected:03/2022
  		03/2022 Amy Albright
304-257-4488 x7128
amy.albright2@usda.gov 
Description: This project would implement a prescribed fire program on 4,665 acres on Little Ridge to restore, maintain, or enhance wildlife habitat and restore the ecological role of fire for oak systems.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57953
Location: UNIT - Greenbrier Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Little Ridge and Elliber Ridge, Pocohontas County, West Virginia. Bounded by Forest Service (FS) Road 90J, FS Road 1678, and FS Road 1681.
Stonecoal Culvert Replacement
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 02/2022  		Expected:03/2022  06/2022 Adam Taylor
304-456-3335
adam.taylor@usda.gov 
Description: The project proposes replacement of a culvert with a bridge on FR209 at the Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area to improve aquatic organism passage in Red Run (trib to Shavers Fork) and to maintain recreational access.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59785
Location: UNIT - Greenbrier Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Randolph. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Culvert is located in Randolph County, WV at Forest Road 209 and Red Run, near the entrance to Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area.
Underplanting for Oak Regeneration near Camp Pocahontas
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2022  		Expected:03/2022  05/2022 Michael Elza
304-456-3335 x112
Michael.Elza@usda.gov 
Description: Plant 16,000 white/red oaks in timber harvest helicopter unit (harvest activities approved under Upper Greenbrier North decision). Planting would occur prior to harvest, and slash from harvest would remain to protect from deer browse.
Location: UNIT - Greenbrier Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The planting would occur in a 40-acre helicopter timber harvest unit (harvest activities were approved in the UGN decision), located off of Forest Road 14, near Camp Pocahontas.
Varner Construction Special Use Permit Road
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2022  		Expected:02/2022  03/2022 Thomas Craig
304-635-4453
Thomas.Craig@usda.gov 
Description: Landowner has requested authorization to access private land through a portion of the West Fork Trail. Approximate acreage for permit would be 0.5 acres.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61277
Location: UNIT - Greenbrier Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Authorization would include approximately 2,400 feet of the West Fork Trail in Durbin, WV off Route 92.
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Monongahela National Forest,   Marlinton Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Brushy Mountain Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/07/2018  		Expected:01/2022
  		01/2022 James McCormick
304-799-4334 x7995527
james.mccormick@usda.gov 
Description: Create early successional wildlife habitat by mulching and enhance tree regeneration for species preferred by wildlife.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=54154
Location: UNIT - Marlinton Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Greenbrier. LEGAL - Not Applicable. South of Minnehaha Springs, West Virginia in Greenbrier County.
Chicken House Run
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A James McCormick
304-799-4334 x7995527
james.mccormick@usda.gov 
Description: Reduce the expansion and threat of significant, damaging forest insects and disease; and reduce fuels buildup that cause uncharacteristic wildfire conditions. Treatments may include prescribed fire, timber harvest and temporary road construction.
Location: UNIT - Marlinton Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area is south of Marlinton, WV and State Route 39. It includes FS lands between State Route 219 on the west and State Route 21 on the east and the southern border is Watoga State Park.
Monday Lick Contemporary Trail System
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/26/2021  		Expected:01/2022
  		05/2022 Cynthia Sandeno
812-277-3582
cynthia.sandeno@usda.gov 
Description: The proposed action is to construct 27 miles of single-track trail for all non-motorized uses with a focus on mountain biking.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60685
Location: UNIT - Marlinton Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area is located approximately 0.3 miles south of Marlinton, WV in Pocahontas County, WV. This system of proposed trails would connect to the Greenbrier River State Trail.
Pocahontas County Emergency Management Commission Road Access Special Use Authorization
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2022  		Expected:02/2022  03/2022 Thomas Craig
304-635-4453
Thomas.Craig@usda.gov 
Description: This project seeks to authorize a special use authorization for use of a portion of Forest Road 438 to access a communication tower located on private land.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61278
Location: UNIT - Marlinton Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Forest Service Road 438 (and attached spur) on Day Mountain in Pocahontas County, located to the west of Marlinton, WV.
Upper Elk Ecological Restoration Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 12/09/2021  		Expected:03/2022
  		03/2022 Cynthia Sandeno
812-277-3582
cynthia.sandeno@usda.gov 
Description: The goals of the proposed action include improving forest health and resiliency, restoring red spruce/northern hardwood forests, improving wildlife habitat and increasing age class diversity based on the specific Forest Plan Desired Future Conditions
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57646
Location: UNIT - Marlinton Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas, Randolph, Webster. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area is approximately 6 miles north of Marlinton, WV along US-219. The area encompasses the National Forest System land within the Upper Elk Watershed and is centered near Slaty Fork, WV.
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Monongahela National Forest,   POTOMAC RANGER DISTRICT (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Grassy Ridge
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Comment Period Public Notice 09/29/2020  		Expected:04/2022
  		05/2022 Amy Albright
304-257-4488x7128
amy.albright2@usda.gov 
Description: This project seeks to restore red spruce communities and regenerate hardwood and spruce-hardwood communities, as well manage areas for wildlife.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56948
Location: UNIT - Potomac Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pendleton, Randolph. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area is located in Randolph and Pendleton Counties, WV, adjacent to the recent Spruce Mountain Grouse Management Area EA project area, near the town of Osceola, WV.
Grassy Ridge TSI
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/23/2020  		Expected:02/2022
  		02/2022 Jeff Kochenderfer
304-257-4488x7117
jeff.kochenderfer@usda.gov 
Description: Timber stand improvement will be completed on up to 420 acres by releasing desirable trees by cutting vegetation surrounding them with a chainsaw.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57373
Location: UNIT - Potomac Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pendleton, Randolph. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The project area is located in Randolph and Pendleton Counties, WV, adjacent to the recent Spruce Mountain GMA EA project area, near the town of Osceola, WV.
Seneca Creek/Potomac River Streambank Stabilization
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Watershed management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2022  		Expected:02/2022  03/2022 Chad Landress
304-456-3335 x128
chad.m.landress@usda.gov 
Description: Proposal to repair flood damage on Seneca Creek & North Fork South Branch Potomac River. Areas of degradation/erosion may receive vegetative establishment, rock structures, and/or riprap to stabilize banks and bridge abutments.
Location: UNIT - Potomac Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pendleton. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Work would occur in both reaches of Seneca Creek and North Fork South Branch Potomac River, which converge near the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center and the intersection of US-33 and WV-28.
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