Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2009 to 03/31/2009
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) :
-  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)

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
Monongahela Forest-Wide Non-Native Invasive Plant Management
EA
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)   In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/10/2008
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 12/2008  		Expected:04/2009
  		05/2009 Kent Karriker
304-636-1800, ext 169
kkarriker@fs.fed.us 
Description: Activities to prevent the spread of NNIS and treat existing infestions include monitoring, applying herbicides, hand-pulling, mowing, grubbing, and biological control
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/environmental/proposed_projects/proposed_index.htm
Location: UNIT - Monongahela National Forest All Units. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Barbour, Grant, Greenbrier, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph, Tucker, Webster. Across the Monongahela National Forest.
Proposed reauthorization of existing recreation special use permits
CE
 - Special use management   Completed  Actual: 12/23/2008  01/2009 Laura Hise
304-636-1800
lhise@fs.fed.us 
Description: Existing recreation permits need to be renewed so Horseshoe Campground and Pocahontas County 4H Camp can continue to be operated and so several outfitter/guide services and recreation events can continue to be offered to the public.
Location: UNIT - Monongahela National Forest All Units. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Nicholas, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph, Tucker, Webster. Various locations across the Forest.
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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
Proposed reauthorization of 12 existing nonrecreation special use permits
CE
 - Special use management   Completed  Actual: 12/23/2008  01/2009 Laura Hise
304-636-1800
lhise@fs.fed.us 
Description: Twelve permits are due to expire 12/31/2008 that need to be reissued so services to the public can continue. These permits cover uses such as sewage transmission lines, road rights-of-ways, cultivation, communication sites, and water lines.
Location: UNIT - Cheat Ranger District, Greenbrier Ranger District, Potomac Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph, Tucker. Various locations across the Forest.
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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
Allegheny Wood Product Easement
EIS
 - Special use management   In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 06/22/2007
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/2009  		Expected:02/2009
  		05/2009 David Ede
304-636-1800 ext. 233
dede@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal to grant an easement for private access to an isolated parcel in Blackwater Canyon.
Location: UNIT - Cheat Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Tucker. Olson Opportunity Area 16.102, Canyon-Rim OA 13.009, Mozark OA 16.103, and Canaan Mountain OA 16.202.
Hogback Project
EA
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Road management
- Forest products  		 In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 10/10/2007  		Expected:04/2009
  		06/2009 Kristine Vollmer
304-257-4488 ext 24
comments-eastern-monongahela-cheat@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal to implement vegetation management projects, including timber harvest, and associated road activities to help meet Forest Plan direction for the area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/environmental/environmental_index.htm
Location: UNIT - Cheat Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Preston, Tucker. From Parsons north to Horseshoe Run, in northern Tucker and southern Preston Counties, West Virginia.
Horseshoe Recreation Area
CE
 - Facility management
- Recreation management  		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 04/05/2005  		Expected:01/2009
  		02/2009 Kristine Vollmer
304-257-4488, ext 24
kvollmer@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal to update old facilities and provide new facilities accessible to those with disabilities at the Horseshoe Recreation Area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/environmental/environmental_index.htm
Location: UNIT - Cheat Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Tucker. 1 mile SW of Leadmine, along Horseshoe Run.
Management of Eight Grazing Allotments in the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area
EA
 - Grazing management   In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/27/2008
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 01/2009  		Expected:04/2009
  		06/2009 Kristine Vollmer
304-257-4488, ext 24
comments-eastern-monongahela-potomac@fs.fed.us 
Description: Management of these eight allotments: Allegheny; Alvin Shreve; Andy Champ; Grant Alt; Hartman Heirs; Mallow Tract; Mowery-Glover; and Smokehole-Champ.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/environmental/proposed_projects/proposed_index.htm
Location: UNIT - Potomac Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Grant, Pendleton. Within the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area.
Renewal of Timberline permit.
EA
 - Special use management   In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 05/07/2008  		Expected:01/2009
  		04/2009 Kristine Vollmer
304-257-4488
kvollmer@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposed reauthorization for use of non-system trails on the Forest: Salamander Run, a connector trail from Salamander Run to what used to be referred to as "FR 80" and the segment of "FR 80" on NFS lands.
Location: UNIT - Potomac Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Tucker. National Forest System lands adjacent to Timberline Four Seasons Resort's land near Dolly Sods Wilderness.
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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
Fisherman's Trail Bridge Construction
CE
 - Recreation management   On Hold  N/A  N/A Tim Henry
(304) 799-4334
comments-eastern-monongahela-gauley@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposed construction of a trail bridge to cross the Cranberry River to access the Fisherman's Trail from FR 76
Location: UNIT - Gauley Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Webster. LEGAL - U.S. Tract #372. Fisherman's Trail #231, terminus at Cranberry River.
Gauley District Spruce Habitat Enhancement Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants   In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 06/08/2008  		Expected:01/2009
  		04/2009 Jane Bard
304-846-2695
jbard@fs.fed.us 
Description: Manually reduce the basal area of 18-20 year old sapling and pole sized red spruce on 60 acres to encourage growth of codominant red spruce; create snags on 340 acres (up to 15 snags/acre) in stands adjacent to the 18-20 year old red spruce.
Location: UNIT - Gauley Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas. The project area is within Pocahontas county, adjacent to county road 29/4 and FR 731 and FR 232.
Lower Williams EIS
EIS
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  		 In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 03/13/2008
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 12/2008  		Expected:12/2008
  		04/2009 Rondi Fischer
304-799-4334
rfischer@fs.fed.us 
Description: Vegetation Management in MP 3.0 to create early successional forest habitat and permanent openings, reduce the amount of competition between trees for light and water resources, and regenerate shade-intolerant species and diverse forest age classes
Location: UNIT - Gauley Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Webster. The project area is within the Williams River watershed near Dyer, West Virginia, in Webster County. The project area includes every part of the Williams River watershed that is included w/in MP 3.0.
Lower Williams Terrestrial Liming Project
EA
 - Watershed management
- Minerals and Geology  		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/06/2007
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 01/2009  		Expected:03/2009
  		06/2009 David Ede
304-636-1800 ext. 233
dede@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Gauley Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest (MNF) is proposing to apply lime to an estimated 2,400 terrestrial acres in the Lower Williams EIS project area.
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.
Music Run Wildlife Opening Maintenance Project
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants   Completed  Actual: 08/18/2008  10/2008 Jane Bard
304-846-2695
jbard@fs.fed.us 
Description: The proposal is to enhance 20 acres of wildlife openings. The enhance activities would include re-vegetating grassy openings with native species and eliminating non-native vegetation, using tractor(s) and other mechanical equipment.
Location: UNIT - Gauley Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Nicholas. The project area is within Nicholas County off of county road 94/4 near Forest Road 907. All enhancement work would occur on National Forest Syste.
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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
Ramshorn
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Watershed management
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)  		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/28/2006  		Expected:09/2008
Actual: 08/29/2008  		10/2008 Kristine Vollmer
304-257-4488 ext 24
comments-eastern-monongahela-greenbrier@fs.fed.us 
Description: Proposal to implement vegetation management projects, including timber stand improvement and prescribed fire, to help meet Forest Plan direction for the area.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/environmental/environmental_index.htm
Location: UNIT - Greenbrier Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas. Approximately three miles east of Greenbanks Observatory.
West Fork Rail Trail Maintenance & Improvement
CE
 - Recreation management   In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/18/2008  		Expected:01/2009
  		02/2009 Kristine Vollmer
304-257-4488, ext 24
comments-eastern-monongahela-greenbrier@fs.fed.us 
Description: Maintain/improve trails; inspect + maybe repair railroad tunnel; replace vehicle gates; repair/improve access point parking + dispersed camping; provide foot bridge at Iron Bridge; improve directional + interpretive signing.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/environmental/environmental_index.htm
Location: UNIT - Greenbrier Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas, Randolph. The West Fork Rail Trail follows the West Fork of the Greenbrier River and Forest Road 44. It runs from Durbin through Glady, WV and onto the Greenbrier Junction along the Shavers Fork River.
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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
Gauley Mountain Trail Reconstruction
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Recreation management   Completed  Actual: 11/04/2008  06/2009 Tim Henry
304-799-4334
tlhenry@fs.fed.us 
Description: Reconstruction of the Gauley Mountain Trail, No. 438. Work includes trail tread repairs, drainage improvements, and trailhead parking area improvements.
Location: UNIT - Marlinton Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas. LEGAL - U.S. Tracts No. 372 and M51a. Trail between the Highland Scenic Highway and Forest Road 24.
Gypsy Moth Treatment 2009
EA
 - Vegetation management (other than forest products)   In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/09/2008
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 12/2008  		Expected:02/2009
  		04/2009 Glen Juergens
304-636-1800 ext. 292
gjuergens@fs.fed.us 
Description: Treatment by aerial spraying with Gypchek and/or Btk of up to 21,000 acres to control gypsy moth.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/environmental/proposed_projects/proposed_index.htm
Location: UNIT - White Sulphur Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Greenbrier, Pocahontas. Within Management Prescription Areas 6.1, 6.2, and 8.0.
Shock Run Prescribe Burn Expansion Project
EA
 - Fuels management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/04/2007
Est. 215 Comment Period Legal Notice 12/2008  		Expected:02/2009
  		04/2009 Rondi Fischer
304-799-4334
rfischer@fs.fed.us 
Description: The Marlinton RD is proposing to expand the Rx burning area beyond the boundaries of six timber sale harvest units from the 2000 Shock Run Timber Sale EA.
Location: UNIT - Marlinton Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas. The project area is approx. 17 miles NE of Marlinton, WV and borders SR 84 to the south and SR 92 to the west.
Snowshoe Hare
CE
 - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants   In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/19/2006  		Expected:01/2009
  		01/2009 Rondi Fischer
304-799-4334
rfischer@fs.fed.us 
Description: Wildlife habitat improvement project for snowshoe hare.
Location: UNIT - Marlinton Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas. Upper Williams Watershed, Pocahontas County.
White Sulphur Prescribe Burn Project
EA
 - Fuels management
- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants  		 In Progress:
215 Comment Period Legal Notice 02/28/2008  		Expected:02/2009
  		04/2009 Rondi Fischer
304-799-4334
rfischer@fs.fed.us 
Description: Prescribed fire is proposed in nine non-contiguous areas, all within the Anthony Creek fifth level watershed. Forest Management Prescription 6.1, as designated by the 2006 Monongahela National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan).
Location: UNIT - Marlinton Ranger District. STATE - West Virginia. COUNTY - Pocahontas. The project area is just north of the Blue Bend Developed Recreation Area and can be accessed using State Routes 11 and 21. The city of White Sulphur Springs, WV is approximately 9 miles south.
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This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.