Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2023 to 03/31/2023
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
-  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)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Monongahela National Forest,  White Sulphur 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.
Nationwide Aerial Application of Fire Retardant on National Forest System Land.
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/11/2022
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 01/2023  		Expected:01/2023
  		02/2023 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. .
Back To Top

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 01/2023  		Expected:06/2023  07/2023 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 		 Completed  Actual: 10/27/2022  10/2022 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.
Pheasant Mountain Trail System Improvements
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2023  		Expected:06/2023  07/2023 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 01/2023  		Expected:06/2023  07/2023 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:
Objection Period Legal Notice 09/13/2022  		Expected:02/2023
  		03/2023 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.
Back To Top

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 04/2023  		Expected:07/2023
  		07/2023 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.
GAU260: Encroachment Maintenance Special Use Permit
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/04/2022  		Expected:01/2023
  		01/2023 Sarah Dezelin
304-846-2695
Sarah.Dezelin@usda.gov 
Description: To authorize a special use permit to use and maintain encroachments on a total of .2 acres
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62957
Location: UNIT - Gauley Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Nicholas. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Located North of Richwood, South of Webster Springs, and East of Cowen.
Back To Top

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
Deer Creek Integrated Resource Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management
- Climate Change Adaptation 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/27/2022
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 05/2023  		Expected:10/2023
  		11/2023 Amy Albright
304-257-4488 x7128
amy.albright2@usda.gov 
Description: This project seeks to improve stream habitat, riparian corridors, and hydrologic connectivity, improve public recreation and interpretive opportunities, reduce fuel loads, encourage oak regeneration, and improve forest diversity and wildlife habitat.
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 Green Bank, WV & contains Deer Creek, Greenbrier River, and a portion of Sitlington Creek headwaters. Approx 39% is National Forest System land.
Back To Top

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:02/2023
  		03/2023 Chad Stachowiak
304-799-4334 x7995535
Chad.Stachowiak@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.
Laurel Creek Transportation Management
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Road management 		 Completed  Actual: 07/19/2022  11/2022 Darrell Wright
304-799-4334
darrell.wright@usda.gov 
Description: Construction of two temporary roads totaling 0.5 mile that will be used to facilitate wildlife habitat enhancement and timber stand improvements.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61937
Location: UNIT - Marlinton Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Greenbrier. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Adjacent to Laurel Run Creek in Greenbrier County, north of National Forest System Road 797.
MAR2030 Pocahontas County OEM Special Use Permit
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/24/2022  		Expected:01/2023
  		01/2023 Sarah Dezelin
304-846-2695
Sarah.Dezelin@usda.gov 
Description: To issue a special use permit to the Pocahontas County Office of Emergency Management for right-of-way (ROW) of road 438A for approximately 2.5 miles, allowing ingress/egress, routine maintenance, and limited road upgrades.
Location: UNIT - Marlinton Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Road 438A on Day Mountain. Approximately 9 miles north of Mill Point.
Pocahontas County Emergency Management Commission Road Access Special Use Authorization
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2023  		Expected:02/2023  03/2023 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.
Sitlington Creek - Greenbrier River Watershed Improvement
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 03/2023  		Expected:11/2023  12/2023 Sarah Dezelin
304-846-2695
Sarah.Dezelin@usda.gov 
Description: Needs exist in the project area include wildlife habitat improvement. Possible treatments include vegetation management and prescribed fire.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62246
Location: UNIT - Marlinton Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Greenbrier, Pocahontas. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Boundary includes all of the Sitlington Creek-Greenbrier River watershed within the forest proclamation boundary. It centers around 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:01/2023
  		02/2023 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.
Back To Top

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
2022 Cheat-Potomac Allotment Burn Piles
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/12/2022  		Expected:01/2023
  		01/2023 Nathaniel Dulaney
906-884-2085 x88420
Nathaniel.Dulaney@usda.gov 
Description: This project would authorize pile burning in the Mowery-Glover, Hartman Heirs, and Smoke Hole Champ South Grazing Allotments. Previous NEPA analysis authorized the clearing of encroaching brush/trees but not the use of fire to eliminate brush piles.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62907
Location: UNIT - Potomac Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pendleton. LEGAL - Tract 1199 and 920 (Mowery-Glover), Tract 868 (Hartman Heirs), Tract 999 and 998A (Smoke Hole Champ South). Mowery-Glover Grazing Allotment off Reeds Creek Road, Hartman Heirs Grazing Allotment off Pretty Ridge Road and Smoke Hole Champ South Grazing Allotment off Smoke Hole Road.
2022 Seneca Rocks Area Trail Maintenance Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/28/2022  		Expected:01/2023
  		01/2023 Nathaniel Dulaney
304-478-3251 ex. 5552123
Nathaniel.Dulaney@usda.gov 
Description: Repair and maintenance to the areas of damage along the Seneca Rocks Trail. Repair and replacement of the footbridge along the Roy Gap Run trail.
Location: UNIT - Potomac Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pendleton. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Seneca Rocks and Roy Gap Run Trails within the Seneca Rocks-Spruce Knob National Recreation Area, near Seneca Rocks.
Grassy Ridge
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 11/01/2022  		Expected:01/2023
  		01/2023 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:01/2023
  		01/2023 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.
POT2611 Special Use Authorization
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/20/2022  		Expected:01/2023
  		01/2023 Thomas Craig
304-635-4453
Thomas.Craig@usda.gov 
Description: Authorization for use of an existing, unclassified road on federal lands for approximately 2,085 feet across two segments. This road is needed for access their private land. This does not create right of ways across other private land along the road.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62908
Location: UNIT - Potomac Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pendleton. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Located within Smoke Hole Canyon off of Smoke Hole Road.
Back To Top

Monongahela National Forest,   White Sulphur Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Lake Sherwood Sewer Line Replacement
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Facility management 		 Completed  Actual: 11/09/2022  11/2022 Sarah Dezelin
304-846-2695
Sarah.Dezelin@usda.gov 
Description: Replace approximately 600 feet of pressurized sewer line at Lake Sherwood. The current pressurized sewer line will be removed from its current trench and replaced with a new pressurized sewer line.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62914
Location: UNIT - White Sulphur Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Greenbrier. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Approximately 650 feet before the gate house on Lake Sherwood Road, approximately 10.0 miles from Neola.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.