Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2012 to 03/31/2012
Shawnee 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, Shawnee National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Shawnee National Forest,  Hidden Springs Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Shawnee National Forest,  Mississippi Bluffs 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:03/2012
  		01/2013 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:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 05/13/2011
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 11/2011  		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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Shawnee National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
American Land Holdings of Illinois, LLC Land Exchange Proposal
EA

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Land ownership management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 12/2011  		Expected:10/2012  11/2012 Ron Scott
618-253-1038
ronscott@fs.fed.us 
Description: We propose to exchange 384 acres of National Forest System land in Gallatin County for three non-Federal land tracts. These tracts are located in Pope and Jackson Counties, and total 831 acres.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37754
Location: UNIT - Shawnee National Forest All Units. STATE - Illinois. COUNTY - Gallatin, Jackson, Pope. National Forest System land in Gallatin County for non-Federal lands located in Pope County and Jackson County.
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Shawnee National Forest,   Hidden Springs Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
One Horse Gap Trailhead
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 01/2012  		Expected:02/2012  03/2012 Robert Monroe
618-658-2111
robertmonroe@fs.fed.us 
Description: Designate a trailhead for hiker and equestrian use located near the River To River Trail approximately one mile south of the One Horse Gap area.
Location: UNIT - Hidden Springs Ranger District. STATE - Illinois. COUNTY - Pope. LEGAL - Herod Quadrangle, Township 12 South, Ranger 7 East, Section 5, 3rd Principal, Pope County, Il. Located on Forest land just off Country Road 154 near the northwest corner of the annual 9-Day Encampment area, commonly called Chigger Camp.
Openlands Prescribed Burn Expansion Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/06/2011  		Expected:01/2012
  		01/2012 Rod McClanahan
618-658-2111
rmcclanahan@fs.fed.us 
Description: To expand the area surrounding and/or adjacent to existing openland areas so as to take advantage of existing natural or man-made fire control lines, and to expand the restorative benefits of dormant season burning to adjacent woodlands.
Location: UNIT - Hidden Springs Ranger District. STATE - Illinois. COUNTY - Hardin, Johnson, Pope. Openland Tracts in Pope, Johnson and Hardin Counties -.
Williams Hill Communication Site
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/06/2011  		Expected:03/2012
  		04/2012 Ron Scott
618-253-1038
ronscott@fs.fed.us 
Description: Renew leases for existing communications facilities and update/revise the existing Communications Site Plan.
Location: UNIT - Hidden Springs Ranger District. STATE - Illinois. COUNTY - Pope. Williams Hill near Herod, IL.
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Shawnee National Forest,   Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Ameren Timber Haul Road
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 10/07/2011  		Expected:03/2012
  		04/2012 Marlene Rivero
618-658-2111
mrivero@fs.fed.us 
Description: Ameren has requested a special use permit to use a temporary road that goes about 1/4 of a mile across Forest Service property. The road will be used to haul timber from private land.
Location: UNIT - Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District. STATE - Illinois. COUNTY - Jackson. LEGAL - T10S R4W Section 12 and 13. On the south end of Fountain Bluff in Jackson County.
Frontier Communications - Renew Permit
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Marlene Rivero
618-833-8576
mrivero@fs.fed.us 
Description: Issue a new special use authorization for a new term to replace an existing or expired special use authorization with Frontier Communications (formely Verizon Telephone. Inc.).
Location: UNIT - Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District. STATE - Illinois. COUNTY - Alexander, Jackson, Union. Various loction throughout the Mississippi Bluffs RD.
Lick Creek Special Use Private Road
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 10/07/2011  		Expected:01/2012
  		01/2012 Marlene Rivero
618-658-2111
mrivero@fs.fed.us 
Description: Applicant wants to build a 1/4 mile road across Forest Service property to access private property.
Location: UNIT - Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District. STATE - Illinois. COUNTY - Union. LEGAL - T11S R1E Sec 22 SESW1/4. Near Lick Creek.
Phragmites Eradication Environmental Assessment
EA
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)  In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/07/2011
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 02/2012  		Expected:02/2012
  		02/2012 Ronald Moore
618-833-8576
ronaldmoore@fs.fed.us 
Description: Site-specific management of Phragmites australis - in seven areas within the Mississippi River Floodplain ranging from 0 .1 to 0.5 acre in size, totaling less than five acres. Management would include a Glyphosate (aquatic)-based herbicide treatment
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=37233
Location: UNIT - Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District. STATE - Illinois. COUNTY - Jackson, Union. Mississippi River floodplain in Jackson and Union Counties.
Prescribed Fire for Improvement of Wildlife Habitat and Urban Interface
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Fuels management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Scott Crist
618-687-1731
scrist@fs.fed.us 
Description: Five separate prescribed burning projects, totaling about 23,400 acres (about 4,800 acres each). The projects are spread across the District.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=6197
Location: UNIT - Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District. STATE - Illinois. COUNTY - Jackson, Johnson, Pulaski, Union, Williamson. Lands administered by the ranger district.
Richs Cave Gating Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/06/2011  		Expected:01/2012
  		04/2012 Rod McClanahan
618-658-2111
rmcclanahan@fs.fed.us 
Description: We proposes to construct a high security-type fence around a large sinkhole that also encompasses the back entrance to Richs Cave.
Location: UNIT - Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District. STATE - Illinois. COUNTY - Union. Rich’s Cave is located in Union County, IL, north of Anna, Illinois.
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This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.