Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) 10/01/2013 to 12/31/2013 National Forests In North Carolina This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact. Expected Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Implementation Project Contact R8 - Southern Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide) Chattooga River Boating - Recreation management In Progress: Expected:03/2014 04/2014 James Knibbs Access Notice of Initiation 07/24/2013 803-561-4078 EA Est. Comment Period Public [email protected] *NEW LISTING* Notice 01/2014 Description: The Forest Service is proposing to establish access points for boaters on the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River within the boundaries of three National Forests (Chattahoochee, Nantahala and Sumter). Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=42568 Location: UNIT - Chattooga River Ranger District, Nantahala Ranger District, Andrew Pickens Ranger District. STATE - Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina. COUNTY - Jackson, Macon, Oconee, Rabun. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Access points for boaters:Nantahala RD - Green Creek; Norton Mill and Bull Pen Bridge; Chattooga River RD - Burrells Ford Bridge; and, Andrew Pickens RD - Lick Log. Limits of Stay at Appalachian - Recreation management In Progress: Expected:10/2013 10/2013 Michelle Mitchell National Scenic Trail Shelters Comment Period Public Notice 404-347-1749 and Designated Campsites 08/16/2013 [email protected]. EA Est. Objection Period Legal us Notice 09/2013 Description: The Southern Region of the Forest Service is proposing to change its limits of stay at shelters and designated dispersed campsites along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail on several forests of the Southern Region. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=41489 Location: UNIT - Cherokee National Forest All Units, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest All Units, Pisgah Ranger District, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest All Units. STATE - Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia. COUNTY - Appling. Chattahoochee National Forest, Cherokee National Forest , Pisgah National Forest, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. National Forests In North Carolina Appalachian Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) R8 - Southern Region 10/01/2013 03:36 am MT Page 1 of 25 National Forests In North Carolina Expected Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Implementation Project Contact National Forests In North Carolina Appalachian Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) R8 - Southern Region Appalachian RD Special Uses - Special use management In Progress: Expected:09/2012 09/2012 Linda Randolph CE/DM Scoping Start 10/08/2007 828-682-6146 CE [email protected] Description: The proposed action is to issue district-wide special use permits, typically for research and filming. Location: UNIT - Appalachian Ranger District. STATE - North Carolina. COUNTY - Mitchell, Yancey, Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Madison. Appalachian Ranger District. Black Mtn Crest Trail - Recreation management On Hold N/A N/A David McFee Relocation 828-682-6146 CE [email protected] Description: The proposed action is to relolocate about one mile of the northern portion of the Black Mountain Crest trail and develop a new trailhead to accomodate users. The existing portion of the trail would be rehabilitated. Location: UNIT - Appalachian Ranger District. STATE - North Carolina. COUNTY - Yancey. Appalachian RD. Hughes Gap Road, SR 1330, - Special use management On Hold N/A N/A Karen Compton NCDOT Project 828-257-4230 CE [email protected] Description: NCDOT has requested a 50 foot right-of-way and to make improvements to Hughes Gap Road, in Mitchell County. Proposed improvements include grading, improving drainage, and paving across about 2600 feet of FS lands. Location: UNIT - Appalachian Ranger District. STATE - North Carolina. COUNTY - Mitchell. Hughes Gap Road, SR 1330, at Hughes Gap just south of Little Rock Knob. NCDOT Bridge #84/SR1349 - Special use management Developing Proposal Expected:02/2014 05/2014 Karen Compton CE Est. Scoping Start 09/2013 828-257-4230 [email protected] Description: The proposed action is to replace Bridge #84 on SR 1349 Location: UNIT - Appalachian Ranger District. STATE - North Carolina. COUNTY - Mitchell. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Bridge #84 over Pigeon Roost Creek on SR 1349 (Pigeon Roost Road). 10/01/2013 03:36 am MT Page 2 of 25 National Forests In North Carolina Expected Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Implementation Project Contact National Forests In North Carolina Appalachian Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) R8 - Southern Region White Pine Cabin Removal - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Developing Proposal Expected:07/2013 07/2013 David McFee CE Est. Scoping Start 05/2013 828-682-6146 [email protected] Description: The proposed action is to remove, deconstruct, or burn White Pine cabin and garage. Location: UNIT - Appalachian Ranger District. STATE - North Carolina. COUNTY - Yancey. Appalachian RD, FSR 472. National Forests In North Carolina Cheoah Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) R8 - Southern Region Appalachian Trail Relocation at - Recreation management In Progress: Expected:01/2014 05/2014 Jeremy Waite Grassy Gap 215 Comment Period Legal 828-479-6431 CE Notice 07/12/2012 ext.4106 [email protected] Description: The proposed action is to reroute two short sections of the Appalachian Trail (0.4 miles and 0.25 miles) near Grassy Gap, approximately 2.9 miles north of Wesser/Nantahala Gorge on the Cheoah Ranger District. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=42454 Location: UNIT - Cheoah Ranger District. STATE - North Carolina. COUNTY - Graham. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Cheoah River Gravel Additions - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants On Hold N/A N/A Jason Farmer CE 828-479-6431 [email protected] Description: The proposed action is to improve the gravel component of the Cheoah River to accommodate the federally endangered Appalachian elktoe (a freshwater mussel) and the native fish spawning habitat. Location: UNIT - Cheoah Ranger District. STATE - North Carolina. COUNTY - Graham. LEGAL - Graham County. Cheoah River/ CheoahRanger District. Cheoah River Put Ins - Recreation management Completed Actual: 06/26/2013 07/2013 Todd Sharkey CE 828-837-5152 ext. 118 [email protected] Description: The proposed action is to develop boat access points for river use on the Cheoah river. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=35762 Location: UNIT - Cheoah Ranger District. STATE - North Carolina. COUNTY - Graham. Cheoah River, Graham County, NC. 10/01/2013 03:36 am MT Page 3 of 25 National Forests In North Carolina Expected Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Implementation Project Contact National Forests In North Carolina Cheoah Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) R8 - Southern Region EBCI Long-Lambert Road - Special use management Completed Actual: 07/02/2013 08/2013 Julie Moore Easement Project 828-257-4859 CE [email protected] Description: The proposed action is to expand a road easement to enable Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to access tribal lands in Graham County, North Carolina. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=33659 Location: UNIT - Cheoah Ranger District. STATE - North Carolina. COUNTY - Graham. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Cheoah Ranger District, Graham County, NC off Forest Road 385. Fontana Multiple Resource - Land management planning In Progress: Expected:12/2013 02/2014 Steverson Moffat Management Project - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Notice of Initiation 08/20/2013 828-837-5152 EA - Forest products Est. Comment Period Public [email protected] - Vegetation management Notice 10/2013 (other than forest products) - Fuels management Description: The proposal is to conduct silvicultural activities designed to improve wildlife habitat, restore vegetation communities, and provide timber for the local economy. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=38849 Location: UNIT - Cheoah Ranger District. STATE - North Carolina. COUNTY - Graham. LEGAL - Not Applicable. National Forest lands near Fontana Lake in Graham County, North Carolina. NC 143, NCDOT Project - Special use management In Progress: Expected:04/2015 06/2018 Karen Compton EA Scoping Start 11/29/2012 828-257-4230 Est. 215 Comment Period Legal [email protected] Notice 04/2014 Description: NCDOT has proposed making improvements to NC 143 from the Cherohala Skyway to SR1127 at Robbinsville in Graham County. Portions of this project are located on National Forest system lands. Location: UNIT - Cheoah Ranger District. STATE - North Carolina. COUNTY - Graham. LEGAL - Not Applicable. NC 143 from the Cherohala Skyway to SR1127 at Robbinsville. 10/01/2013 03:36 am MT Page 4 of 25 National Forests In North Carolina Expected Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Implementation Project Contact National Forests In North Carolina Cheoah Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District) R8 - Southern Region US Highway 74 (A-9) Project - Special use management In Progress: Expected:06/2016 12/2017 Karen Compton Sections BA and CA, NCDOT DEIS NOA in Federal Register 828-257-4230 Project 08/29/2008 [email protected]