Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2011 to 03/31/2011
Monongahela 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, Monongahela National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Monongahela National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Monongahela National Forest,  Cheat/Potomac Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Monongahela National Forest,  Gauley Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Monongahela National Forest,  Greenbrier Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R9 - Eastern Region, Monongahela National Forest,  Marlinton/White Sulphur Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

Projects Occurring Nationwide  

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Land Management Planning Rule
EIS
 - Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 12/18/2009
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 12/2010  		Expected:11/2011
  		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 01/2011  		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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Monongahela 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
Wildlife Openings
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 02/2011  		Expected:09/2011  10/2011 Jay Martin
304-846-2695
jdmartin@fs.fed.us 
Description: This proposal will address maintenance of wildlife openings across the Forest through mowing, prescribed fire, herbicide, and other treatments, and will include long-term strategies for determining, prioritizing, and treating existing and new areas.
Web Link:  http://fs.usda.gov/mnf
Location: UNIT - Monongahela National Forest All Units. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Grant, Greenbrier, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph, Tucker, Webster. Openings are scattered across the Forest in Grant, Greenbrier, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph, Tucker, and Webster Counties, WV.
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Monongahela National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Reauthorization of Existing Special Use Permits Due to Expire 12/31/2010
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 12/15/2010  01/2011 Laura Hise
304-636-1800
lhise@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal to reauthorize three existing road right-of-way uses; one gas pipeline use; three cultivation uses; one spring and waterline use; and one recreation use.
Location: UNIT - Cheat Ranger District, Greenbrier Ranger District, Potomac Ranger District, Gauley Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Nicholas, Pendleton, Randolph, Tucker. Various locations on the Forest.
South Zone Wetland Creation Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 03/2011  		Expected:04/2011  05/2011 Jay Martin
304-846-2695
jdmartin@fs.fed.us 
Description: Permanent and ephemeral wetlands would be constructed in wooded and open areas to provide habitat for amphibians, reptiles, aquatic plants, invertebrates, birds, and mammals. The Indiana bat could also benefit.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=31163
Location: UNIT - Marlinton Ranger District, White Sulphur Ranger District, Gauley Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Greenbrier, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Webster. Multiple locations on the Marlinton White Sulphur and Gauley Ranger Districts.
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Monongahela National Forest,   Cheat/Potomac Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
City of Thomas Proposed Waterline
CE
 - Special use management  Completed  Actual: 12/03/2010  04/2011 Laura Hise
304-636-1800
lhise@fs.fed.us 
Description: The City of Thomas is proposing to install approximately 1 mile of waterline and all necessary appurtenances within the existing Blackwater Railroad Grade between the Community of Coketon and Douglas, WV to provide water to nine homes and a business.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=33004
Location: UNIT - Cheat Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Tucker. Blackwater Canyon Railroad Grade between Coketon and Douglas, WV.
Inskeep House Demolition and Site Rehabilitation
CE
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Facility management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 02/2011  		Expected:03/2011  04/2011 Kristine Vollmer
304-257-4488, ext. 24
comments-eastern-monongahela-potomac@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Inskeep House, which is in very poor condition and has been stripped of most wiring, plumbing, water delivery system, and other items, will be demolished. The driveway will be decommissioned and the site rehabilitated to native vegetation.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=33951
Location: UNIT - Potomac Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Grant. Off of Smokehole Road, 4 miles southwest of Cabins, WV, on the west side of SR 28/11.
Kimble Spring and Waterline Proposal
CE
 - Special use management  Completed  Actual: 12/14/2010  01/2011 Laura Hise
304-636-1800
lhise@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal to use an existing developed spring and waterline for livestock watering.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=34058
Location: UNIT - Potomac Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pendleton. Upper Tract in Pendleton County.
Menas Road Right-of-Way Proposal
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 12/14/2010  01/2011 Laura Hise
304-636-1800
lhise@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal to use and maintain an existing 40 ft long by 10 ft wide road right-of-way to access their private residence with a passenger vehicle.
Location: UNIT - Potomac Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pendleton. US Tract 38b near Cherry Grove, WV.
Pendleton County 911 Proposed Communication Facilities at North Fork Mtn Communication Site
CE
 - Special use management  Cancelled  N/A  N/A Laura Hise
304-636-1800
lhise@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal from Pendleton County 911 to construct, use, and maintain one 120 ft self-supporting tower and a 10 ft x 12 ft concrete building at the existing North Fork Mountain Communication Site.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=33008
Location: UNIT - Potomac Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pendleton. North Fork Mountain, Pendleton County, WV.
WVDOH Hile Run Road Right-of-Way
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 12/15/2010  01/2011 Laura Hise
304-636-1800
lhise@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal to replace a State Road bridge within an existing authorized right-of-way and create and use a temporary road downstream from it.
Location: UNIT - Cheat Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Tucker. Hile Run Bridge on SR 9 crossing US Tract 295a.
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Monongahela National Forest,   Gauley Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Lower Williams Terrestrial Liming Project
EA
 - Watershed management
- Minerals and Geology 		 In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 11/18/2010  		Expected:01/2011
  		05/2011 Stephanie Connolly
304-636-1800
sconnolly@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Gauley Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest (MNF) is proposing to apply lime to up to 2,400 terrestrial acres in the Lower Williams EIS project area to restore calcium and enhance soil quality.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=22667
Location: UNIT - Gauley Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Webster. The Lower Williams River Soil Liming Project Area consists of 14,397 acres within the Webster County between the mouth of the Williams River and the Three Forks of Williams watershed.
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Monongahela National Forest,   Greenbrier Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Berry Energy Inc. Pipeline Repairs
CE
 - Special use management  Completed  Actual: 10/08/2010  10/2010 Laura Hise
304-636-1800
lhise@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal to replace 3.2 miles of an existing natural gas pipeline within an authorized right-a-way.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=34057
Location: UNIT - Greenbrier Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Randolph. Middle Mountain in Randolph County.
Cheat Mountain Spruce Release
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 02/2011  		Expected:04/2011  05/2011 Kristine Vollmer
304-257-4488, ext. 24
comments-eastern-monongahela-greenbrier@fs.fed.us 
Description: To release spruce, conduct approximately 200 acres of noncommercial thinning in stands that are 20 to 25 years old, and/or create snags in stands that are 60 to 80 years old. Mechanical methods will be used.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=33947
Location: UNIT - Greenbrier Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Randolph. On Cheat Mountain. The majority of stands treated would be in smaller tributaries to Shavers Fork (e.g., Stonecoal, Whitmeadow, and Red Runs), and tributary to Tygart Valley (e.g. McGee Run).
Upper Greenbrier North
EA
 - Recreation management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Watershed management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 08/04/2009
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 02/2011  		Expected:04/2011
  		06/2011 Kristine Vollmer
304-257-4488, ext. 24
comments-eastern-monongahela-greenbrier@fs.fed.us 
Description: This project proposal includes: commercial timber harvest; timber stand improvement; spruce restoration; road decommissioning, riparian improvement, trail relocation, culvert replacement, and dispersed recreation site management.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=28198
Location: UNIT - Greenbrier Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas. Upper Greenbrier Watershed. Durbin, Frank, + Bartow are at south end ; Shavers Mt is west, and WV/VA state line is east.
Upper Shavers Fork Aquatic and Riparian Habitat Improvement
EA
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products) 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Michael Owen
304-636-1800
mdowen@fs.fed.us 
Description: Project will enhance brook trout habitat in Upper Shavers Fork by constructing natural channel design structures, placing woody debris, planting trees in riparian areas, and correcting artificial fish passage barriers.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=30481
Location: UNIT - Greenbrier Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Randolph. LEGAL - Upper Shavers Fork River in Randolph County, WV. Region 9, Monongahela NF, Greenbrier Ranger District, MPs 4.1 and 6.1.
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Monongahela National Forest,   Marlinton/White Sulphur Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R9 - Eastern Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Marlinton Range Allotments
EA
 - Grazing management  Completed  Actual: 11/01/2010  12/2010 Sarah Hankens
304-799-4334
shankens@fs.fed.us 
Description: Environmental analysis of maintenance and improvements to eight range grazing allotments on the Marlinton - White Sulphur Ranger District.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=30631
Location: UNIT - Marlinton Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas. All eight allotments proposed for NEPA analysis are located in Pocahontas County, north of Marlinton, WV.
Two-Mile Road Closure
CE
 - Road management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/10/2010  		Expected:06/2011
  		06/2011 Sarah Hankens
304-799-4334
shankens@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposed closure of Two-Mile Road due to considerable erosion and natural resource damage. One-Mile Road will be opened during the same time period.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=30944
Location: UNIT - White Sulphur Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Greenbrier. This project is located directly northwest of the community of Neola, WV.
Upper Meadow Prescribed Burn
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 05/2011  		Expected:09/2011  09/2012 Kevin Taylor
304-456-3335
kltaylor@fs.fed.us 
Description: Prescribed fire is proposed for multiple areas comprising approximately 3600 acres. This will be a landscape scale ecosystem restoration effort in WV and VA, in conjunction with the Fire Learning Network.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=30759
Location: UNIT - White Sulphur Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Greenbrier. This project is located along the WV-VA border, an estimated 13 miles southeast of Marlinton WV and directly north of Lake Sherwood.
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This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.