Forest Projects

Environmental Analyses

The Forest Service conducts an environmental analysis of proposed projects following guidance provided in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) . These analyses are documented in a variety of NEPA documents. This page includes links to some of the projects currently being analyzed, or recently completed by the Apalachicola National Forest.

Documents not listed on this page are available on request from the appropriate Forest Service office. For a full list of project analyses currently in progress, visit our Schedule of Proposed Actions page.

The Forest Service depends on public involvement to make the process most effective, and your involvement is strongly encouraged. In addition to your involvement during the project planning and development stages, you may also be entitled to appeal a project decision. Learn about your right to appeal a decision.

Proposed:

City of Tallahassee Power Transmission Line
  • The US Forest Service, Apalachicola National Forest intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under a 3rd party agreement with the City of Tallahassee, to issue a special use authorization for the construction, occupancy and use of national forest system land for a 230kV electric transmission line.

Apalachicola National Forest Roads Proposal

  • The Forest Service is proposing to change the road management objectives of approximately 82 miles of existing low standard roads on the Apalachicola National Forest from "closed to public use" to "open to public use". This change would only apply to licensed vehicles and would not affect the current trail system for Off-Highway Vehicles.
    • Scoping Letter (pdf 31kb)
    • Map One (pdf 321kb) - Proposed Road Additions Apalachicola Ranger District
    • Map Two (pdf 380kb) - Proposed Road Additions Wakulla Ranger District
    • Map Three (pdf 2.9mb) - This large scale map shows the proposed roads in relation to key natural resources on the Forest. Each proposed road, or group of roads is labeled with a tracking number which may be used to specify in your comments.

Visitor Information Areas

  • The Apalachicola National Forest proposes to construct 17 Visitor Information Areas at strategic entry points throughout the Forest. The purpose of this initiative is to provide forest visitors with information and orientation to the Apalachicola National Forest. Currently the Apalachicola National Forest does not provide adequate forest entry information other than signs saying “Apalachicola National Forest”. This action is needed as a critical communication tool for providing visitors with forest rules of conduct and useful information to assist them in having a safe and enjoyable experience while using their National Forest.

Completed:

Simmons Timber Sale
  • The Forest Service is conducting a variety of management activities designed to maintain or improve Red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) habitat in Compartments 244, 305, 306, 307 and 308 of the Wakulla Ranger District, Apalachicola National Forest in Wakulla County, Florida.

Flea Market Land Exchange

Mechanical Fuel Reduction
  • The Forest Service is proposing to mechanically reduce approximately 1400 acres of hazardous fuels to enhance fire protection capabilities adjacent and near the wildland-urban interface and other private and agency property, and to facilitate the reintroduction of fire into the forest ecosystem on the Apalachicola National Forest.

Kennedy Creek

Gopher Tortoise Habitat Improvement
  • March 2, 2010 - The Forest Service has signed the Decision Notice for the Gopher Tortoise Habitat Improvement project.

Bradwell Game Farm
  • March 25, 2010 - The District Ranger approved a Decision Notice of the Bradwell Game Farm Analysis Area for a 30-day Notice and Comment period.

Bice Road Paving Project
  • March 18, 2010 - On March 16, the Forest Supervisor approved the Decision Notice and Environmental Assessment for the Bice Road paving project.

Ditch Bay

Cowhouse Pine Release

  • The District Ranger approved a Decision Notice to release 295 acres of longleaf and slash pine seedlings from competing woody vegetation using a combination of herbicides and mowing. This action is needed, because the woody vegetation is overtopping the longleaf pine seedlings planted to reforest these areas after the Cowhouse wildfire.

Betsey Branch Analysis Area

  • The District Ranger approved a Decision Notice to treat approximately 1,220 acres of southern pine forestland in Compartment 310 and related areas within the Wakulla Ranger District of the Apalachicola National Forest. The proposed actions would consist of thinnings, clearcuts, uneven-aged group selections, herbicide applications to release pine seedlings, herbicide applications for site prep, planting longleaf seedlings, repair soil erosion, constructing firebreaks, rehabilitating plowed lines, designating a helispot, removing an unapproved bridge, decommissioning a road, and designating a firewood area.

Motorized Route Designation

  • The Forest Supervisor approved a Decision Notice for approximately 1,652 miles of numbered National Forest system roads to be available to the public for use by licensed vehicles. Approximately 55 miles of motorcycle trails, 34 miles of OHV trails, and 52 miles of mixed-use roads are designated.