Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) 10/01/2015 to 12/31/2015 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests 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:10/2015 10/2015 James Knibbs Access 803-561-4078 EA [email protected] 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. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest) R8 - Southern Region Revised LRMP Amendment - Land management planning In Progress: Expected:11/2015 12/2015 Michael Joyce Updating Standards for Comment Period Public Notice 770-297-3032 Federally Listed Bat Species 05/21/2014 [email protected] (LRMP Amendment #4) Description: The proposal would include the addition of eight new standards and modifications to two existing standards in the EA LRMP. *UPDATED* Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44342 Location: UNIT - Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest All Units. STATE - Georgia. COUNTY - Banks, Catoosa, Chattahoochee, Chattooga, Dawson, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Greene, Habersham, Jasper, Jones, Lumpkin, Monroe, Morgan, Murray, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Putnam, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, Walker, White, Whitfield. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Forest-wide, Georgia. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Blueridge Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one R8 - Southern Region District) 10/01/2015 04:25 am MT Page 1 of 14 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Expected Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Implementation Project Contact Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Blueridge Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one R8 - Southern Region District) Appalachian Trail Relocation - Recreation management In Progress: Expected:11/2015 12/2015 Valencia Morris Project Scoping Start 05/15/2015 706-745-6928 CE [email protected] *UPDATED* Description: The purpose of this project is to relocate two segments of the trail to more sustainable locations. This would provide a more sustainable, maintainable, and enjoyable trail experience Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46966 Location: UNIT - Blueridge Ranger District. STATE - Georgia. COUNTY - Lumpkin, Union. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Sections of the Appalachian Trail near Gooch Gap and Cooper Gap in Lumpkin and Union Counties, GA. BRRD Farm Bill Forest Health - Vegetation management Developing Proposal Expected:01/2016 02/2016 Kevin Bridges CE (other than forest products) Est. Scoping Start 11/2015 706-745-6928 [email protected] *NEW LISTING* Description: Vegetation management, commercial thinning. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47850 Location: UNIT - Blueridge Ranger District. STATE - Georgia. COUNTY - Fannin, Lumpkin, Towns, Union. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project is located in Fannin, Lumpkin, Towns & Union Counties, Georgia. Byron Herbert Reece Trail - Recreation management Developing Proposal Expected:11/2015 12/2015 Valencia Morris Connector Est. Scoping Start 10/2015 706-745-6928 CE [email protected] *NEW LISTING* Description: Byron Herbert Reece Trail Connector Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47371 Location: UNIT - Blueridge Ranger District. STATE - Georgia. COUNTY - Union. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Union County, Georgia. 10/01/2015 04:25 am MT Page 2 of 14 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Expected Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Implementation Project Contact Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Blueridge Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one R8 - Southern Region District) Coopers Creek Watershed - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Expected:01/2016 02/2016 James Wentworth Project - Forest products Comment Period Public Notice 706-745-6928 EA - Vegetation management 06/03/2014 [email protected] (other than forest products) - Fuels management - Watershed management Description: Duncan Ridge area between Mulky Gap Rd and Gillespie Branch Rd approximately 7 miles south of Blairsville, GA. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44385 Location: UNIT - Blueridge Ranger District. STATE - Georgia. COUNTY - Union. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Union County, Georgia. Dicks Creek Dispersed - Recreation management In Progress: Expected:12/2015 02/2016 Valencia Morris Camping Improvements Scoping Start 04/30/2015 706-745-6928 CE [email protected] *UPDATED* Description: The purpose of this project is to decommission the existing campsites that are within the riparian corridor and create new campsites across the road to reduce erosion and improve bank stabilization and watershed quality Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46892 Location: UNIT - Blueridge Ranger District. STATE - Georgia. COUNTY - Lumpkin. LEGAL - Not Applicable. This project is located within the Dicks Creek Dispersed Recreation Corridor in Lumpkin County, Georgia. This dispersed recreation corridor is adjacent to Dicks Creek. Dockery Creek Road FLPMA - Special use management In Progress: Expected:11/2015 12/2015 Jake Cowart Road Use - SUP Scoping Start 05/16/2012 706-745-6928 CE [email protected] *UPDATED* Description: Dockery Creek Homeowners Association (HA) has requested authorization to use a section of non-system road that crosses approximately 1,100 feet of NFS land beyond the county maintained portion of Dockery Creek Road in Union County, GA. historically Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=34242 Location: UNIT - Blueridge Ranger District. STATE - Georgia. COUNTY - Union. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Union County, Georgia. 10/01/2015 04:25 am MT Page 3 of 14 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Expected Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Implementation Project Contact Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Blueridge Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one R8 - Southern Region District) Fall 2015 Recreation Events. - Special use management Completed Actual: 09/15/2015 09/2015 Jake Cowart CE 706-745-6928 ext 119 [email protected] *NEW LISTING* Description: Various special use permits for fall recreation events. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47553 Location: UNIT - Blueridge Ranger District. STATE - Georgia. COUNTY - Dawson, Gilmer, Lumpkin. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Various location in Dawson, Gilmer and Lumpkin Counties, Georgia. GATC Konnarock Trail - Recreation management Developing Proposal Expected:02/2016 05/2016 Valencia Morris Relocation Est. Scoping Start 01/2016 706-745-6928 CE [email protected] *UPDATED* Description: GATC Konnarock Trail relocation. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45497 Location: UNIT - Blueridge Ranger District. STATE - Georgia. COUNTY - Fannin, Union. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Konnarock Trail in Fannin and Union Counties, Georgia. Hawk Mountain Improvement - Recreation management In Progress: Expected:12/2015 02/2016 Kevin Bridges Project Scoping Start 09/25/2015 706-745-6928 ext 112 CE [email protected] *NEW LISTING* Description: The Hawk Mtn. Dispersed Camping Improvement Project provides dispersed camping and latrine facilities for hikers along the AT. Currently, there are too many dispersed campsites. Inventory has been conducted, and identified for construction. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47836 Location: UNIT - Blueridge Ranger District. STATE - Georgia. COUNTY - Union. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Project is along a portion of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail located in Union County, Georgia. Jake Bull New Trail - Recreation management In Progress: Expected:10/2015 12/2015 Kathryn Hamilton Construction Scoping Start 12/22/2014 706-745-6928 CE [email protected] Description: This new trail construction will be 1.5 mile long and it will connect with another trail on National Forest land. Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45900 Location: UNIT - Blueridge Ranger District. STATE - Georgia. COUNTY - Lumpkin, Union. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Lumpkin and Union Counties, Georgia. 10/01/2015 04:25 am MT Page 4 of 14 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Expected Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Implementation Project Contact Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Blueridge Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one R8 - Southern Region District) Rich Mountain WMA Habitat - Vegetation management Developing Proposal Expected:03/2016 04/2016 James Wentworth Improvement (other than forest products) Est. Scoping Start 10/2015 706-745-6928