George Washington and Jefferson National Forests — Project Detail

This project is focused on the Big Piney Area of the Warm Springs RD and would move desired conditions toward the George Washington NF Forest Plan. This is an integrated resources project.

Integrated resource project on the Clinch Ranger District.

The purpose of this project is to increase the resilience and proper function of ecological systems within the watershed while providing for forest structural diversity, species diversity, soil and water conservation, and sustainable recreation.

The project proposes management activities over an approximately 134-acre project area, including thinning of timber, stand improvement cutting, dead wood and structural enhancement treatments, and prescribed burning.

Special Use Permit amendment to authorize Dominion Energy of VA to replace overhead electrical power tap line with underground cable in conduit primarily along existing roads.

The Devils Hens Nest Vegetation Project will address the difference between current conditions as they exist on the ground and the desired conditions described in the Jefferson Forest Plan.

The proposed Straight Mountain Recovery and Salvage Project includes approximately 490 acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands located in Washington County, VA, about 6 miles east of Damascus, VA, on the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.

The High Knob Salvage Project will manage for recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene and move the project area toward desired conditions, as described in the Forest Plan.

The Thunderstruck project will manage for recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene and move the project area toward desired conditions, as described in the Forest Plan

The project proposal includes prescribed fire on 4,500 acres and mechanical vegetation treatments on 90 acres within 7 individual locations across the North River and Lee Ranger Districts on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.

Kentucky Utilities Company d/b/a Old Dominion Power Company (KU/ODP) is proposing to replace 28 69kV electrical transmission line poles within an existing right-of-way across the Jefferson NF in Wise County, VA

This proposal would bring fiber optic connection to underserved rural areas in Bedford and Shenandoah Counties of western Virginia.

Installation of a vault toilet to replace rental port-a-johns.

Proposal for 6 prescribed fire units on the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area on the Jefferson National Forest

Project seeks to reconstruct and address damage incurred to the Virginia Creeper Trail as a result of Hurricane Helene damage.

Redesign and reconstruction of Brown Mtn Trail Bridge in same location. Realignment of roughly 870 feet of trail to provide a more sustainable and gradual decent to the trail bridge from the south.

Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) seeks to amend an existing permit to install an underground power line over Federal lands to provide electric service to a single family residence within an existing disturbed corridor.

Replace the existing failing culvert crossing with an ecologically functional crossing on the main road entering the Grace Furnace property.

This is a forestwide project focused on the management of white pine stands across the Forest to increase desired mast producing hardwood species or native yellow pine. This EA will provide the framework for project selection and implementation.

The USFS is proposing to allow a Special Use Authorization for the removal of the Woodstock Dam and returning the stream back to a natural flow regime.

A focused forest restoration project to convert planted upland white pine stands to more site-suitable native forest communities.

Federal authorization to cross National Forest land is needed to allow for the construction of an interconnecting waterline that will provide water service to over 400 residential customers in Bland / Rocky Gap and along the Route 42 corridor.

Forest Service is proposing to conduct suppression treatments to reduce high-severity defoliation caused by the non-native, invasive spongy moth (formerly known as gypsy moth).

The proposal would provide 2: 12-foot lanes and 2: 4-foot paved shoulders, a section for truck-climbing and several areas of curve widening on Route 33 in Rockingham Co, VA. The total proposed permit is 17 acres w/ up to 5 acres of ground disturbance

Dominion seeks to replace 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines that were constructed in the 1920s to maintain electric reliability. The lines run for approximately 20 miles from Dominion Skimmer substation to its Buena Vista substation.

Large landscape 100,000 acres with integrated resource management. Includes timber harvesting, prescribed fire, road decommissioning, aquatic habitat improvements, wildlife habitat improvements, and nonnative invasive species

Removal of existing privy and installation of a new "moldering privy". The privy is associated with a shelter site along the Appalachian Trail within the Priest Wilderness. Materials will be packed in. No use of mechanized or motorized equipment.

The Lee Ranger District is proposing to construct three short trail connectors that equal a total of 1.3 miles, along with the decommissioning of around 0.25 miles of user created trail.

Addition of 749 feet of single-phase aerial power line from source pole to service an existing salt shed owned by VDOT. Vegetation would be cut and windrowed within the 30-foot ROW. Four poles would be set, including the dead-end pole in compound.

Improve and maintain fish and wildlife habitat. Area located in Shenandoah County about 13 miles west of Woodstock, VA

Daylight approximately 15-25 miles of road on the Lee and NR Districts to improve road conditions, wildlife habitat and reduce fuels

Several hundred acres of thinning and regeneration treatments to improve wildlife habitat.

Relocate two sections of Mill Mtn Trail and trailhead from Wolf Gap Campground to Picnic Area, totaling .25 miles. Construct small parking area at Wolf Gap Recreation Area

This project will replace the existing trail bridge over Fox Creek at MP 44.3 on the Appalachian Trail.

Construction of a new gravel surfaced 30-space parking lot and a 150 foot gravel path to accommodate the adjacent Bentonville Boat Landing on Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources' property.

Aerial treatments of an exotic moth known as Lymantria dispar using mating disruption, Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, Nucleopolyhedrosis virus, or their combination.

American Electric Power (AEP) proposes to cross approximately 3.7 miles of National Forest land as part of the AEP Grayson County Broadband Project and a special use permit is needed for access, operations, and maintenance.

The purpose of this project is to build a telecommunications tower to improve radio network reliability for American Electric Power.

The purpose of this project is to build a telecommunications tower and associated structures.

The Forest Service is proposing a 116 acre prescribed burn in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF). This proposal is part of a larger 1,744 acre burn block, in which 1628 acres are owned by VDGIF.

Four new trail segments would be constructed to increase the connectivity between the Town of Blacksburg Brush Mountain Property 2 trail system and the Forest Service Poverty Creek Trail system.

This project will maintain existing wildlife clearings across the Clinch Ranger District to provide early successional herbaceous habitat for browse and cover.

Promote oak regeneration and improve resiliency from stands affected by past and anticipated future defoliation from the gypsy moth through the use of timber harvest.

Ewing Mountain vegetation management for habitat improvement and forest health.

The project will implement streambank stabilization and in-stream restoration measures needed for channel stability to improve in-stream trout habitat in Fox Creek.

This project would reestablish some formerly open areas through mechanical harvest, including biomass and stump removal, to create approximately 8 additional acres of high-elevation pollinator habitat.

The purpose of this project is to shift the current conditions and fire return interval back into its historic range.

This project will improve the competitive position of oak and other important species in young forest stands. Competing trees 1/2 to 8 inches in diameter would be cut to provide additional space and resources for the desired trees.

Restore the functionality of the existing mitigation structures to address current excessive sedimentation in Killinger Creek. Also known as the Va. Division of Mineral Mining Glade Mountain Reclamation Project

This project will maintain existing wildlife clearings across the Mt Rogers NRA to provide early successional herbaceous habitat for browse and cover.

The Forest Service, in cooperation with the City of Norton, is proposing to construct a trail connecting the City of Norton%u2019s Flag Rock Area Trail System to the Clinch Ranger District Trail System at High Knob.

This a large landscape scale project (500,000) aimed at mitigating hazardous fuels in high risk wildland urban interface areas and restoring fire adapted communities through the use of prescribed fire.

The project will result in the placement of a new 4-inch service line across 800 feet of National Forest property along the Virginia Creeper Trail (VCT).

Release of red spruce on Whitetop Mountain to improve habitat for endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel and spruce-fir moss spider.

Create early successional and late open canopy conditions to provide a diversity of age classes for wildlife species. The project also proposes timber stand improvement, prescribed burns, and other recreation and wildlife improvement actions.

Construct approximately one mile of grass/forb wildlife linear strip that will connect managed old field areas for administrative access on the Burruss Tract in Bland County, Virginia.

Change travel management status (opening and closing dates on selected roads) across the district.

The proposal would remove the existing trash cans and outhouse comprised of two vaults, plastic risers, wooden walls and roofing. The goal would be to obliterate the structure and permanently remove toilet and trash facilities from the picnic area.

Fisheries and aquatic habitat improvement proposal to remove an existing concrete and stacked stone dam on Wilson Creek near Douthat State Park

The Forest Service is proposing three prescribed burns on the James River Ranger District of the George Washington National Forest (GWNF).

This proposal will include commercial timber harvest and thinning, prescribed burns, and wildlife habitat development.

A special use permit to allow for the installation of fiber optic telecommunications line across approximately 3.75 miles of Forest Service lands on the Jefferson National Forest in Botetourt County, Virginia.

This project has been proposed to improve resource conditions, visitor safety, and visitor access on and adjacent to the Devils Fork Loop Trail.

The proposed treatment would involve the removal of trees along approximately 9.6 miles of Forest Service roads. This day lighting treatment would include approximately 70 acres of commercial timber harvest.

Devil's Fork Loop Trailhead Parking Lot and Connector Trail

This proposal includes the installation of 7 miles (4.5 acres of impact) of fiberoptic telecommunications line in Tucker & Hardy, County West Virginia and Frederick County, Virginia on both the Monongahela and the George Washington National Forest.

Re-establish shortleaf pine in the northwestern part of the Lee District in Hardy County, WV on several hundred acres.

The Forest Service is proposing a Special Use Authorization for Gray Communication to build a telecommunications tower and support building on an existing abandoned electronic location at the lower Great North Mountain Communication Site.

The line proposed for replacement runs for about 64.5 miles from Dominion's existing Mt. Storm substation in Grant County, W.VA to the existing Valley substation in Augusta, of which 15.5 miles crosses the George Washington National Forest.

Appalachian Electric Power will install new fiber-optic cable in the existing 40-foot wide right-of-way. Total length is approximately 1,950 feet, and will use up to eight existing poles.

Create early successional and late open canopy conditions to provide a diversity of age classes for wildlife species. The project also proposes timber stand improvement, prescribed burns and other ancillary wildlife and watershed improvement actions.

Rehabilitation to bring the dam into State of Virginia compliance standards

Create early successional and late open canopy conditions to provide a diversity of age classes for wildlife species. The project also proposes timber stand improvement, prescribed burns, and other recreation and wildlife improvement actions.

This proposal is to replace four existing 40%u2019 guyed communication towers with one 50%u2019 freestanding walk-up communication tower.

This project proses to conduct aerial mating disruptor treatments to Slow the Spread of the Gypsy Moth on approximately 20,896 acres of comingled federal and private lands in five treatment blocks within Smyth and Wythe Counties, Virginia.

The proposed action involves commercial thinning of white pine on approximately 39 acres within the next one to five years. The thinning would remove up to one-half of the upper and middle canopy of the stand retaining an average residual basal area.

Create early successional and open late woodland conditions to provide a diversity of age classes for wildlife species. The project also proposes timber stand improvement and other ancillary wildlife, watershed and road improvement actions.

The existing treatment facility at Bolar Mountain is proposed to be decommissioned and an upgraded facility is proposed to be installed.

The purpose of the project is to realign a portion of an existing unsustainable trail (Narrowback # 432) to provide connectivity to existing parking, enhance the user experience and create a sustainable trail alignment.

This new authorization for use of National Forest lands is for temporary road access across the National Forest for the purpose of constructing a trail shelter on private lands.

Commercial timber harvest, Commercial Thinning, Non-commercial timber stand improvement, Treatment of non-native invasive species, planting oak and American Chestnut seedlings, Prescribed burning

This proposal is for a temporary Special Use Permit for the construction of a driveway (80 feet x 10 feet) to access private land. The proposed construction is off of State route 605 (Coles Mountain Road) and will require clearing an 80ft. x 20ft.

installing a bat friendly gate to protect cave tes species

Commercial timber sale on approximately 400 acres to improve habitat conditions for various wildlife species.

Prescribed burn on the 1,100 acre Elkhorn burn unit.

Bury approximately 12,000 feet of fiber optic cable in an existing utility corridor.

The project name has been changed from its original name (Peterfish Gap Salvage)on the last SOPA report. Salvage dead and dying trees as a result of Shipwrech wildfire; improve wildlife habitat

This project proposes to replace an existing building and shelter within the Flat Top Communication site. 2.2 miles of Forest Service Roads would be improved to facilitate the transportation of building equipment and materials.

Upgrade Hidden Valley Campground host with an electrical hookup.

100 acres of reforestation and 150 acres of maintenance of past planting areas.

Special Use Authorization for the renewal of Outfitting & Guiding permit for horseback riding on the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

Installation of Fiber Optic Line in existing utility corridor.

Rx burn about 276 acres on the Wallace Tract and 56 acres on the Marshall Tract for wildlife habitat improvement and convert areas from cool season grasses to warm season grasses.

Within the stands proposed for the pre-commercial thinning treatments there is a need to increase structural diversity; maintain species diversity; increase the vigor of released trees both to make them less vulnerable to disease and insect attacks.

Continuation of 7 prescribed fire projects across the District, totaling 10,000 acres.

Wildlife habitat improvements, prescribed burning, timber harvest, trail work and noxious weed eradication. Acreages to be determined.

NEON will gather long term data on ecological responses to changes in climate through field data collection.

This project proposes to slow the southward facing advanced front of gypsy moth populations in southwest Virginia into North Carolina. Treatments would include a one time early summer application of a pheromone disruptor specific to gypsy moth.

This project will replace a portion of existing Columbia Gas of VA pipeline in an existing utility corridor right of way.

This project proposes to conduct 7480 acres of prescribed burns, 23.4 miles of trail maintenance, streambank stabilization, replace a low water bridge, maintain early successional habitat and other wildlife habitat improvement actions.

Improve lake and stream habitat through the placement of large woody debris by falling trees with chainsaws.

This project proposes to mechanically thin less than 70 acres of white pine stands including 0.1 miles of temporary road construction.

Trail reroute is needed due to a slip that occurred in January 2017.

The purpose of this project is to restore and manage habitat for the Appalachian Grizzled Skipper utilizing prescribed fire and regeneration harvests.

During a 2016 storm event several locations along approximately 1 mile of Iron Mountain Trail (FST 301) were damaged.

This project is to provide a programmatic framework to allow for the reissuance of expired or expiring special use permits that have no change in intensity or scope of the proposed action from the original permit.

The objectives of the project are to promote oak regeneration through harvesting to maintain the oak component in areas impacted by gypsy moth defoliation, increase hardwood species composition, and improve pollinator habitat.

Extension of underground electrical facilities a distance of approximately 900' with a 15' width in order to extend electric service to the northeast corner of Buck Hydro Plant Bridge for security lights and video surveillance.

The project entails the permanent closure of two partially collapsed mine portals on the Forest, a reroute for the Devil's Fork Loop Trail, and a new trail spur.

400 acres of thinning and some group selection openings

Approximately 3034 acres of improvement operations in immature forest stands. Although most operations would be non-commercial some may be utilized for fire wood sales

White Pine Thinning for Forest Health

Harvest Timber, complete a prescribe burn, and plant shortleaf pine seedlings in order to improve the yellow pine component within oak/pine forested stands.

Commercial timber harvest &thinning, timber stand improvement, Treatment of nonnative invasive species, planting of oak seedlings, road maintenance & reconstruction, & prescribed fire, yellow pine restoration & reduce fuels in urban interface(WUI).

Perform a variety vegetation treatments in order to move the project area toward the desired condition for Management Prescription 13-Mosaics of Wildlife Habitat.

Project activities will include commercial timber harvesting, timber stand improvement, prescribed burning, addressing unauthorized vehicle and trail access and wildlife habitat improvement.

Relocate approximately 400 feet of Forest Trail #732-Spy Rock to improve alignment and protect other resources. Also, considering issuing a Forest Supervisor's closure order prohibiting camping in the immediate area to protect sensitive plants.

The purpose is to continue to allow the use and occupancy of NFS lands for recurring recreation events through the reissuance of SUPs (up to five years) to holders that have a demonstrated track record of compliance.

Project will include 34,525 acres of pheromone disruptor treatments and 349 acres (included in the 34,525 acre footprint) of Btk (biological insecticide) to suppress and slow the spread of Gypsy Moth in Grayson, Wythe and Smyth Counties.

Fire Management, Wildlife, Rare plants, Forest Products, Vegetation management, Road management

Multiple lines for AEP

Special Use Authorization for trail from national forest to Hungry Horse Horse Camp on private land.

Improving access, drainage, and parking at the Bournes Branch Trailhead.

Applicant proposes to construct a new self supported steel 100-foot broadcast tower with UHF antenna and 7GHz microwave dish located at the Elliott Knob Communications Site. Project is located 13 miles west of Staunton.

AEP is requesting a temporary construction permit to authorize construction and upgrading of access roads located outside of their deeded 120' right of way. This is in conjunction with a power line replacement that is separate from this decision.

Replacement of the Jordan Bridge (built in 1927) will increase the maximum load capacity of the bridge to better meet the needs of the Forest Service.

The project purpose is to restore aquatic passage through a currently impassable location on Bob Downey Branch.

Rehabilitate dam to be in compliance with dam safety. This project is on hold pending funding.

Rehabilitate dam for high hazard compliance. Dam owned by Shenandoah Valley Soil & Water Conservation District. Dam crest needs to be raised and new spillway. This project is on hold pending funding.

Propose to treat 4,588 acres of national forest system lands and 85 acres of private lands with aerial application of mating disruption pheromones.

Renewal of permits for pastoral grazing allotments per new Forest Plan.

Decommission approximately 2.7 miles of Big Run Road (National Forest System Road 600). This road is located in western Alleghany County, Virginia.

Perform a commercial thinning and non-commercial timber stand improvement treatments on several predominantly hardwood stands.

Prescribed Fire to Improve Forest Health, Yellow Pine Regeneration and Reduce Hazardous Fuels in Urban interface (WUI).

120 acres of reforestation and 300 of maintenance of past planting areas

Up to 250 acres of oak hardwood communities experiencing decline will be thinned to release oak saplings and remove the dead and dying over story.

The objectives of the developing proposal are to promote oak regeneration through coppice sprouting in order to maintain an oak component in areas impacted by gypsy moth defoliation.

Special Use Application from Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC to construct and operate a 42" diameter natural gas pipeline on approx. 16 miles of NFS lands

Project-level amendments required if FS authorizes the ACP pipeline.

Conduct aerial treatments to Slow the Spread of the Gypsy Moth on approximately 5,283 acres of comingled federal and private lands in one block within Washington County, Virginia. Mating disruption, which affects only the gypsy moth, is proposed.

This is a duplicate project of Project Number 50342 so this one is cancelled.

Aerial application of the insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) in 2 separate blocks totaling 2,869 acres in Bland County, Virginia.

Thinning timber on approximately 400 acres and prescribe burn

If FS authorizes ACP pipeline and issues a special use permit, the new utility corridor must be reallocated to Rx5C-Designated Utility Corridors. The GWNF is no longer proposing this amendment for the ACP Project.