Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
10/01/2011 to 12/31/2011
National Forests In Florida

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
R8 - Southern Region, National Forests In Florida, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
R8 - Southern Region, National Forests In Florida, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
R8 - Southern Region, National Forests In Florida,  Apalachicola Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
R8 - Southern Region, National Forests In Florida,  Lake George Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
R8 - Southern Region, National Forests In Florida,  Osceola Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
R8 - Southern Region, National Forests In Florida,  Seminole Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
R8 - Southern Region, National Forests In Florida,  Wakulla Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

Projects Occurring Nationwide  

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Gypsy Moth Management in the United States: A Cooperative Approach
EIS
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/19/2008
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 12/2011 
Expected:01/2012
 
01/2012 Noel Schneeberger
610-557-4121
nschneeberger@fs.fed.us 
Description: The USDA Forest Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service are analyzing a range of strategies for controlling gypsy moth damage to forests and trees in the United States.
Web Link:  http://www.na.fs.fed.us/wv/eis/
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. Nationwide.
Land Management Planning Rule
EIS
- Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/25/2011
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 11/2011 
Expected:12/2011
 
12/2011 Larry Hayden
202-205-1559
lhayden@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Department of Agriculture proposes to promulgate a new planning rule, which will set out the process for development, revision, and amendment of National Forest System land management plans.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/planningrule
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. Agency-wide Rule.
Nationwide Aerial Application of Fire Retardant on National Forest System Lands.
EIS
- Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 08/27/2010
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 05/2011 
Expected:12/2011
 
01/2012 Glen Stein
208-869-5405
gstein@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Forest Service will prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement for the continued nationwide aerial application of fire retardant on National Forest System lands.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/retardant/index.html
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. Nationwide.
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National Forests In Florida, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R8 - Southern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Florida National Scenic Trail Bay County Site Preparation
EA
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  Completed  Actual: 08/08/2011
08/08/2011 
09/2011 Haven Cook
850-523-8572
hcook@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal to use herbicides to prepare a recently harvested 320-acre tract of land in Bay County, Florida to control hardwood vegetation and prepare the area for tree planting and restoration to a native sandhill vegetative community.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=36003
Location: UNIT - National Forests In Florida All Units. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Bay. Bay County Florida.
Forest Plan Amendment 10 Management Indicator Speices
EA
- Land management planning
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants 
In Progress:
Notice of Initiation 06/23/2011 
Expected:10/2011
 
11/2011 David Harris
850-523-8582
daharris@fs.fed.us 
Description: This amendment will update the current list of Management Indicator Species by removing eight wildlife species and adding two wildlife species. The amendment would also replace the monitoring of individual plants with groups of plant species.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=36492
Location: UNIT - National Forests In Florida All Units. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Lake, Leon, Liberty, Marion, Baker, Bay. National Forests in Florida.
NFs in Florida Non-Native Invasive Vegetetation Treatment in Wilderness Areas
EA
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  Completed  Actual: 08/09/2011  08/2011 Haven Cook
850-523-8572
hcook@fs.fed.us 
Description: Treatment of Non-Native Invasive vegetation within Wilderness Management Areas 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 as identified in the 1999 Revised Land and Resource Management Plan for the National Forests in Florida.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=28408
Location: UNIT - National Forests In Florida All Units. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Calhoun, Columbia, Franklin, Lake, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Marion, Putnam, Wakulla, Baker. National Forests in Florida Wilderness Management Areas 0.1 and 0.2 and 0.4.
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National Forests In Florida, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R8 - Southern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
2012 Scrub-Jay Chopping CE
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 09/2011 
Expected:10/2011  01/2012 Jay Garcia
(352) 669-3153
jogarcia@fs.fed.us 
Description: The FS is proposing to roller-chop approx. 3,733 acres of oak scrub to enhance habitat for wildlife species and facilitate prescribed burning.
Location: UNIT - Lake George Ranger District, Seminole Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Lake, Marion, Putnam. Proposed stands are scattered throughout the Forest. National Forests in Florida Management Areas 8.2 and 8.4.
Apalachicola NF 5-Year Prescribed Burn
EA
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management
- Watershed management
- Facility management 
In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 09/07/2011 
Expected:10/2011
 
10/2011 Steven Parrish
850-926-3561 ext6523
sgparrish@fs.fed.us 
Description: The FS proposes the prescribe controlled burns on the Apalachicola National Forest, totaling 571,088 acres. The proposed action would occur within designated burn units on two- to three- year rotation over a five year period.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=35380
Location: UNIT - Apalachicola Ranger District, Wakulla Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Calhoun, Franklin, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla, Bay. LEGAL - portions of Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla Counties, Florida. Apalachicola National Forest.
Apalachicola Route Designation Revision
EA
- Recreation management
- Road management 
On Hold  N/A  N/A Cathleen Briggs
850-926-3561ext.6509
cbriggs@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Apalachicola National Forest is evaluating monitoring information and public comments received during the first year of implementation of the 2007 Apalachicola National Forest Motorized Route Designation for a possible revision.
Location: UNIT - Apalachicola Ranger District, Wakulla Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Calhoun, Leon, Liberty. Aplachicola National Forest.
Longleaf Planting in RCW Foraging Area
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2011 
Expected:12/2011  02/2012 Janet Hinchee
352-669-3153
jhinchee@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposing plant longleaf pine on 864 acres to replace pines in poorly stocked areas within RCW foraging areas. Sites would be prepared by mechanical site preparation, mowing and pushing, to reduce oak and off-site sand pine competition.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=37264
Location: UNIT - Lake George Ranger District, Seminole Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Lake, Marion. LEGAL - Vicinity of T 17 S, R 27 , Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 10,11,12,13,14, and 15, and portions of T17SR28E, T14S, R28E and T13S, R25E. Compartments 259, 260, 261, 266, 267, 288, and 289,. Located in the southeast part of the ONF north of SR 42. Also Compartment 43 in north central part of the ONF.
Non-Native Invasive Plant Species Control
EA
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  On Hold  N/A  N/A Carrie Sekerak
352-669-3153, ext. 5521
csekerak@fs.fed.us 
Description: Use herbicides to control several non-native invasive plant species.
Location: UNIT - Lake George Ranger District, Seminole Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Lake, Marion, Putnam. LEGAL - T11S throughT17S, Range 23E through 29E. The entire area of the Ocala National Forest (excluding Wilderness), and some private land.
Ocala Fuel Reduction Mowing
EA
- Fuels management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 09/23/2010 
Expected:10/2011
 
12/2011 Michael Drayton
325-625-2520, ext. 2518
mdrayton@fs.fed.us 
Description: Mow about 352 acres of brush and small trees to reduce hazardous fuels in the wildland-urban interface to enhance fire protection. Mow about 81 miles of 30 foot wide strips, and increase up to 60 foot wide in areas with highest fuels.
Location: UNIT - Lake George Ranger District, Seminole Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Lake, Marion, Putnam. LEGAL - T11S(R24E, R25E),T12S(R24E, R25E, R26E),T13S(R24E, R25E, R26E),T14S(R24E, R26E),T15S(R23E, R24E, R27E, R28E),T16S R28E,T17S(R26E, R27E,R28E). Near Altoona, Astor, Deerhaven, Eureka, Hog Valley, Lacota, Lake Delancy, Lake Kerr, Lynne, Norwalk Isl., Pittman, Rodman, Salt Springs, Scrambletown, Sharps Ferry, Silver Glen, Tobacco Patch Landing.
Visitor Information Areas
EA
- Recreation management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Shanon Harvey
850-926-3561
sharvey@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Apalachicola National Forest is proposing to place around 20 informational bulletin boards with rules and regulations at key entry points to the Forest. Small parking areas (1 to 3 spaces) will be provided.
Location: UNIT - Apalachicola Ranger District, Wakulla Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Franklin, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla. Information boards will be located on both the Apalachicola and Wakulla Ranger Districts.
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National Forests In Florida,   Apalachicola Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R8 - Southern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Chipola Experimental Forest
EA
- Land management planning
- Recreation management
- Special area management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 
In Progress:
Scoping Start 03/11/2011
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 10/2011 
Expected:12/2011
 
12/2011 Allen Smith
850-643-2282
asmith02@fs.fed.us 
Description: The FS is proposing to treat approx. 596 ac of forest land in Compartment 198 on the Apalachicola NF
Location: UNIT - Apalachicola Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Calhoun. LEGAL - Sections 4,5,8,17 of Township 1 South, Range 10 West. Compartment 198.
Deer Hunt and Briar Patch Grazing Allotments
EA

           *NEW LISTING*
- Grazing management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/18/2011
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 10/2011 
Expected:11/2011
 
10/2011 David Harris
850-523-8582
daharris@fs.fed.us 
Description: The action proposed is to issue a 10-year term grazing permit on the Deer Hunt Allotment and make a site-specific Forest Plan amendment to keep the Briar Patch Allotment open.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=36706
Location: UNIT - Apalachicola Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Liberty. Apalachicola Ranger District.
Orchid Sale
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Forest products  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 11/2011 
Expected:05/2012  07/2012 Sonja Durrwachter
850-643-2282
sdurrwachter@fs.fed.us 
Description: Thin approximately 270 acres of slash pine plantation. Reconstuct 1.8 miles of level D road. Construct .5 miles of temporary road.
Location: UNIT - Apalachicola Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Liberty. LEGAL - T4S R8W Section 33; T5S R8W Sections 3, 4, and 10. Compartment 94.
Sheep Island Pond
CE
- Land management planning
- Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management 
In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 01/13/2011 
Expected:10/2011
 
11/2011 Allen Smith
850-643-2282
asmith02@fs.fed.us 
Description: The FS proposes to enhance fishery and waterfowl habitat at Sheep Island Pond and facilitate recreational use and public access.
Location: UNIT - Apalachicola Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Liberty. LEGAL - Section 29 of Township 2 South and Range 7 West, Liberty County, Florida. Compartment 12.
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National Forests In Florida,   Lake George Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R8 - Southern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Lake Lou and Lake Eaton Timber Sale
CE
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 
In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/04/2010 
Expected:04/2011
 
05/2011 Janet Hinchee
352-669-3153
jhinchee@fs.fed.us 
Description: Selectively remove sand pine by harvest on two longleaf pine stands - 55 ac. No longleaf pine would be harvested. Thin slash pine on a slash pine stand -10 ac. Include all stands in prescribe burn block. Maintain 0.5 mi. of unsurfaced road.
Location: UNIT - Lake George Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Marion. LEGAL - Sections 15, 22, 26, 34, and 35 of T14S, R24E. Two units are near the southeast corner of the junction of CR 314 and CR 314-A. The third unit is located on the east side of CR 314-A about 2.5 miles south of the same junction.
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National Forests In Florida,   Osceola Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R8 - Southern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Kelly Road Wildfire Salvage
CE

           *NEW LISTING*
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 
Completed  Actual: 08/04/2011  10/2011 Cynthia Thompson
386-752-2577 ext. 4509
cynthiathompson@fs.fed.us 
Description: This wildfire was one of three that started as lightning strikes on June 6, 2011 under extreme drought conditions; these fires were grouped as the Impassable Bay Complex 2011. Most of the area had young slash pine or newly planted longleaf pine.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=36662
Location: UNIT - Osceola Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Columbia. In the recently acquired area known as Sandlin Bay; activities under the CE will occur west of Forest Road 291, and south of 291-D.
Suwannee Upper Basin Analysis Area Priority Area 4 Vegetation Treatments
EA
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 
In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 08/31/2011 
Expected:10/2011
 
12/2011 Cynthia Thompson
386-752-2577 ext. 4509
cynthiathompson@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project is fourth priority for projects identified in the Suwannee Upper Basin Landscape Analysis and inovlves mechanical fuel reduction, timber thinning, and restoration of longleaf pine to reduce wildfire risks and improve wildlife habitat.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=32311
Location: UNIT - Osceola Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Columbia, Baker. Forest Compartments 28, 86, 87, 88, 89, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, and 101. Roughly areas south of Interstate 10 and west Forest Road 241.
Warmouth Pond and Double Pond Improvements for Fish Habitat and Recreation
EA
- Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2011 
Expected:01/2012  03/2012 David Dorman
386-752-2577
dkdorman@fs.fed.us 
Description: Activities to improve recreational fishing opportunities are planned for two man-made ponds known as Double Pond and Warmouth Pond These ponds will be deepened, fish habitat structures will be added, and access roads will be improved.
Location: UNIT - Osceola Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Columbia. LEGAL - T3S, R18E, Sec 1 (Double Pond), and Sec. 2 (Warmouth). Double Pond is north of Forest Road 263 and 1.5 miles west of the Forest Road 250-A intersection. Warmouth Pond is 1/4 mile south of Forest Road 263 and 1/2 mile south of State Road 250.
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National Forests In Florida,   Seminole Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R8 - Southern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
19 & 40 Scrub
EA
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 
In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 11/24/2010 
Expected:12/2011
 
01/2013 Janet Hinchee
352-669-3153
jhinchee@fs.fed.us 
Description: Harvest/reforest 4700 ac sand pine/crookedwood. Harvest 500 ac sand pine and prescribed burn for scrub oak. Site prepare/reforest 550 ac sand pine, 200 ac longleaf pine, and 27 ac. slash pine. Road work to support harvests. Decommission 50 mi of road
Location: UNIT - Seminole Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Lake, Marion. LEGAL - Township 15 and 16 South, Range 26-28 East. A 40,000 acre block of sand pine scrub located adjacent to and south of State Road 40 and on both sides of State Road 19.
2012 Longleaf Pine Planting
CE
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 
In Progress:
Scoping Start 01/31/2011 
Expected:06/2011
 
08/2011 Micheal Herrin
352-669-3153
mherrin@fs.fed.us 
Description: Plant longleaf pine on 220 acres to replace pines damaged by fire. Sites would be prepared by roller drum chopping over palmetto/gallberry shrubby groundcover.
Location: UNIT - Seminole Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Lake. LEGAL - T 17 S, R 28 E, Sections 3, 5, 9, 16, and 37. Compt. 262, 263, and 264. SE portion of the ONF north of SR-42.
Paisley Woods Trails Restructure
EA
- Recreation management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Bret Bush
352-625-2520, ext. 2509
bbush@fs.fed.us 
Description: Restructure recreational trail use by eliminating, combining, or relocating motorized and non-motorized trails. Current situation: unmanagable user behavior and conflicts, safety concerns, and overlapping and incompatible trail systems.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=35447
Location: UNIT - Seminole Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Lake. LEGAL - T16S R27E sections 29, 30, and 37-39; T17S R28E sections 6, 7, 17-20, and 30; T17S R27E sections 1-5, 9-15, and 22-24. Project area bounded by FR 61 and CR 445 on the west, FR 69 on the east and north, and SR 42 on the south. Compartments: 240, 260-262, 266-267, 288-290, and 301-302.
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National Forests In Florida,   Wakulla Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R8 - Southern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Apalachicola Administrative Office
EA
- Facility management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/24/2009
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 11/2011 
Expected:01/2012
 
03/2012 Harold Shenk
850-926-3561
hshenk@fs.fed.us 
Description: Construct a new administrative office for the Apalachicola National Forest in Leon County across from the forests Wakulla Work Center.
Location: UNIT - Wakulla Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Leon. Leon County, Florida, Bloxham Cutoff Rd.
City of Tallahassee 230kV Southwestern Transmission Line
EIS
- Special use management  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 10/14/2010
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 10/2011 
Expected:12/2011
 
01/2012 Harold Shenk
352-625-2520
hshenk@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Proposed Action is to issue a special use permit for the construction, occupancy and use of a 230kV electric transmission line on approximately 6.4 miles of national forest system lands on the Apalachicola National Forest.
Location: UNIT - Wakulla Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Leon. South of the Tallahassee Regional Airport (near the intersection of Springhill and Bice Roads) to Substation BP-5 (southeast of the Capital Circle S.E./Woodville Highway i.
Equestrian Trails
EA
- Recreation management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/02/2010
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 10/2011 
Expected:10/2011
 
11/2011 Cathleen Briggs
850-926-3561ext.6509
cbriggs@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Forest Service is proposing to designate approximately 40 miles of horse trails on the Wakulla Ranger District of the Apalachicola National Forest in Leon County, Florida.
Location: UNIT - Wakulla Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Leon. Apalachicola National Forest, Wakulla Ranger District, Compartments 203, 204, 217, 218, 223, 224, 225, 248.
Tower Analysis Area
EA
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Road management 
Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2011 
Expected:11/2011  01/2012 Gary Hegg
850-926-3561 ext 6508
ghegg@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Forest Service is proposing to conduct a variety of management activities designed to maintain or improve Red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) habitat, improve forest health, and to implement the Forest Plan direction.
Location: UNIT - Wakulla Ranger District. STATE - Florida. COUNTY - Leon, Wakulla. LEGAL - Township 1 South and Range 3 West. Compartments 207, 208, 212, and 234 of the Wakulla Ranger District, Apalachicola National Forest in Leon County, Florida.
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This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.