Environmental Assessment · Eastern Divide Ranger District · updated 10/2/2026
Near New Castle, Craig County, Virginia. · Craig, Virginia
Forest health improvement project across 1,059 acres near New Castle in Craig County, Virginia. Proposed treatments include regeneration harvests, manual site preparation, herbicide treatments for invasive or undesirable vegetation, and construction and use of temporary roads.
Forest productsVegetation management (other than forest products)
Finding/Decision Date
9/30/2026
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Decision Signed Date | 9/30/2026 |
Environmental Assessment · George Washington and Jefferson National Forest · updated 9/29/2026
Project is on GWJNFs only, not in Cherokee or Monongahela NFs. · Alleghany; Amherst; Augusta; Bath; Bedford; Bland; Botetourt; Buena Vista; Carroll; Covington; Craig; Dickenson; Frederick; Giles; Grayson; Greenbrier; Hampshire; Hardy; Highland; Johnson; Lee; Letcher; Monroe; Montgomery; Nelson; Norton; Page; Pendleton; Pike; Pocahontas; Pulaski; Roanoke; Rockbridge; Rockingham; Scott; Shenandoah; Smyth; Tazewell; Warren; Washington; Waynesboro; Wise; Wythe, Virginia; West Virginia; Tennessee; Kentucky
This project pertains to the open maintenance of 14,000 acres of permanent grass and shrublands, 61,000 acres of road corridors, and 4,000 acres of existing gas and power line utility rights-of-way across the entire Forest.
Fuels managementRoad managementSpecial use managementVegetation management (other than forest products)
Finding/Decision Date
9/2/2026
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Decision Signed Date | 9/2/2026 |
Categorical Exclusion · Glenwood and Pedlar Ranger Districts · updated 6/22/2026
Sherando Lake Recreation Area, 96 Sherando Lake Rd, Lyndhurst, VA 22952 · Augusta, Virginia
Project at the Sherando Lake Recreation Area to address the failing water distribution system, replacement of a bathhouse, construction of an accessible boat launch, and renovation of a former stone boat launch area.
Facility managementRecreation management
NEPA Start Date
5/21/2026
Finding/Decision Date
6/9/2026
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | USDA-44d-USFS |
| Decision Signed Date | 6/9/2026 |
Categorical Exclusion · Glenwood and Pedlar Ranger Districts · updated 6/4/2026 · decision 12/2026 (Estimated)
Rockbridge County, VA and Amherst County, VA · Amherst; Rockbridge, Virginia
Project proposes to replace approximately 10 miles of existing gas pipelines which were installed between the 1930s and 1950s and have reached the end of their serviceable life. The pipeline replacement would include an existing crossing of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
Special use management
Project documents
Categorical Exclusion · Lee Ranger District · updated 5/18/2026 · decision 11/2025 (Estimated)
Tract P-1a, Great North Mountain Communication Site 38 51 54N/78 48 01W · Hardy; Shenandoah, West Virginia; Virginia
T-Mobile Northeast LLC proposes the construction of a 10x20 foot concrete pad for the storage of equipment cabinets and a generator at Great North Mtn. Comm Site to support the co-location of telecom equipment on a private tower.
Special use management
NEPA Start Date
5/13/2025
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | NTIA C(4) |
Decision Memo · Mount Rogers National Recreation Area · updated 3/10/2026
The project is located in Smyth County, VA, about 1 mile east of Sugar Grove, VA, on the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. · Smyth, Virginia
Application of prescribed fire across approximately 2,674 acres.
Vegetation management (other than forest products)Fuels management
Comment Period
03/12/2025
Decision
03/2026 (Estimated)
Implementation
03/2026 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (6), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(6) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Forest Vegetation Improvements; Species Habitat Improvements |
| Forests | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest |
| Districts | Mount Rogers National Recreation Area |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Environmental Assessment · North River Ranger District · updated 6/18/2025
The Archer Knob Project Area is located in Augusta and Rockbridge Counties about 9 miles west of Staunton, VA. The project area is about 41,900 acres in size and includes about 25,860 acres of Forest · Augusta; Rockbridge, Virginia
The USFS is proposing to move the project area toward Forest Plan desired conditions to increase the resilience and proper function of ecological systems while providing for species diversity, soil and water conservation, and sustainable recreation.
Recreation managementWildlife, fish, rare plantsVegetation management (other than forest products)
Comment Period
10/07/2022
Objection Period Start
01/14/2025
Decision
06/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
06/2025 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 218 (2013) Non-HFRA |
| Project Activity | Developed Site Management; Forest Vegetation Improvements |
| Forests | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest |
| Districts | North River Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Environmental Assessment · James River Ranger District · updated 3/6/2025
Project encompasses roughly 3,800 acres of National Forest System land in Alleghany County, VA south of Covington, VA. · Alleghany, Virginia
Proposal for regeneration and thinning harvest treatments, forest stand improvement, wildlife opening expansion, and prescribed burning on three management units totaling roughly 3,800 acres.
Wildlife, fish, rare plantsForest productsVegetation management (other than forest products)Fuels management
Comment Period
03/29/2024
Objection Period Start
08/01/2024
Decision
03/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
04/2025 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 218 (2013) Non-HFRA |
| Project Activity | Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Forest Vegetation Improvements; Timber Sales (Green); Watershed Improvements |
| Forests | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest |
| Districts | James River Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Environmental Assessment · Mount Rogers National Recreation Area · updated 2/26/2025
Proposed treatment areas are located throughout the central portion of the Mt. Rogers NRA, from 1 mile south of the towns of Marion and Atkins, VA and just north of Sugar Grove, VA · Smyth; Wythe, Virginia
The project will address factors contributing to reduced forest health and poor habitat quality by improving forest resilience against environmental stressors while increasing species and structural diversity across the landscape.
Wildlife, fish, rare plantsForest productsWatershed management
Comment Period
08/2024 (Estimated)
Objection Period Start
10/2024 (Estimated)
Decision
10/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
11/2025 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 218 (2013) Non-HFRA |
| Project Activity | Forest Vegetation Improvements; Noxious Weed Treatments; Road Maintenance; Timber Sales (Green) |
| Forests | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest |
| Districts | Mount Rogers National Recreation Area |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Environmental Assessment · George Washington and Jefferson National Forest All Units · updated 8/12/2024
High elevation red spruce-fir ecosystems on the Goerge Washington and Jefferson National Forests. · Alleghany; Augusta; Bath; Bland; Giles; Grayson; Highland; Pulaski; Rockbridge; Smyth; Tazewell; Washington; Wythe; Monroe; Pendleton; Pocahontas, Virginia; West Virginia
The Cherokee National Forest, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Monongahela National Forest, and the National Forests in North Carolina seek to implement large landscape red spruce - fir ecosystem restoration.
Wildlife, fish, rare plantsForest productsVegetation management (other than forest products)Watershed managementRoad managementProjects that may affect wilderness (for mailing list contacts)Climate change adaptationCarbon stewardship
Comment Period
01/2025 (Estimated)
Objection Period Start
04/2025 (Estimated)
Decision
07/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
09/2025 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 218 (2013) Non-HFRA |
| Project Activity | Forest Vegetation Improvements; Species Habitat Improvements; Noxious Weed Treatments; Species Population Enhancements; Roadless Area Management; Road Maintenance; Road Improvements/Construction; Timber Sales (Green); Watershed Improvements; Wilderness Management |
| Forests | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest |
| Districts | James River Ranger District; Eastern Divide Ranger District; Mount Rogers National Recreation Area |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Environmental Assessment · George Washington and Jefferson National Forest All Units · updated 7/2/2024
The entirety of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. · Alleghany; Amherst; Augusta; Bath; Bedford; Bland; Botetourt; Carroll; Craig; Dickenson; Frederick; Giles; Grayson; Highland; Lee; Montgomery; Nelson; Page; Pulaski; Roanoke; Rockbridge; Rockingham; Russell; Scott; Shenandoah; Smyth; Tazewell; Warren; Washington; Wise; Wythe; Roanoke; Hampshire; Hardy; Monroe; Pendleton, Virginia; West Virginia
The Southern Appalachian Forests(Cherokee National Forest, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, National Forests in North Carolina and Chattahoochee - Oconee National Forest seek to implement large landscape watershed resiliency efforts.
Wildlife, fish, rare plantsVegetation management (other than forest products)Watershed managementRoad managementProjects that may affect wilderness (for mailing list contacts)
Comment Period
11/2024 (Estimated)
Objection Period Start
02/2025 (Estimated)
Decision
05/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
06/2025 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 218 (2013) Non-HFRA |
| Project Activity | Road Decommissioning; Species Habitat Improvements; Noxious Weed Treatments; Species Population Enhancements; Road Maintenance; Road Improvements/Construction; Rangeland Vegetation Improvements; Travel Management; Watershed Improvements |
| Forests | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest |
| Districts | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest All Units |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Decision Memo · Clinch Ranger District · updated 6/13/2024
The project area is located on Forest Service lands approximately 12 miles from Wise, VA in Wise and Dickenson counties along the Kentucky border. · Dickenson; Wise, Virginia
The Forest Service is proposing the 726-acre Birch Knob, the 815-acre Skegg Branch, and the 1,034-acre Cable Gap prescribed burns on the Clinch Ranger District.
Vegetation management (other than forest products)Fuels management
Decision
09/2024 (Estimated)
Implementation
09/2024 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (6), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(6) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Fuel Treatments (Non-Activity Fuels); Forest Vegetation Improvements; Timber Sales (Green) |
| Forests | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest |
| Districts | Clinch Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Decision Memo · Glenwood and Pedlar Ranger Districts · updated 3/26/2024
VA-759 S to State Rte 781. Site located on the same side of the street and roughly NW of 686 Petites Gap Rd., Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579 · Rockbridge, Virginia
Development of an expanded parking lot for a popular trailhead to improve public safety and provide additional parking for 40 - 60 vehicles, including ADA compliant spaces.
Recreation management
Decision
04/2024 (Estimated)
Implementation
04/2024 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (5), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(5) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Dispersed Recreation Mgmt. |
| Forests | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest |
| Districts | Glenwood and Pedlar Ranger Districts |
| Legal Land Description | Lat/Long %u2013 37.571214, -79.492035 |
Environmental Impact Statement · George Washington and Jefferson National Forest All Units · updated 5/17/2023
The proposed pipeline would cross 3.5 miles of the Jefferson NF. · Giles; Montgomery; Monroe, Virginia; West Virginia
In 2022 the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals remanded the FS decision for this project. A supplemental EIS is being prepared. The decision to be made is whether to amend the JNF Forest Plan to make the project compliant with the Plan.
Land management planning
NOI in Federal Register
11/17/2022
DEIS NOA in Federal Register
12/24/2022
FEIS NOA in Federal Register
04/14/2023
Decision
05/2023 (Estimated)
Implementation
05/2023 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 219 (2012) |
| Project Activity | Plan Amendment |
| Record of Decision Mountain Valley Pipeline and Equitrans Expansion Project | Decision Signed Date: 05/15/2023 |
| Forests | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest |
| Districts | Eastern Divide Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Environmental Assessment · George Washington and Jefferson National Forest All Units · updated 10/19/2022
This project includes all Area and Districts across the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. · Letcher; Pike; Alleghany; Amherst; Augusta; Bath; Bedford; Bland; Botetourt; Carroll; Craig; Dickenson; Frederick; Giles; Grayson; Highland; Lee; Montgomery; Nelson; Page; Pulaski; Roanoke; Rockbridge; Rockingham; Scott; Shenandoah; Smyth; Tazewell; Warren; Washington; Wise; Wythe; Roanoke; Hampshire; Hardy; Monroe; Pendleton; Pocahontas, Kentucky; Virginia; West Virginia
This is a programmatic Environmental Assessment and Decision Notice to issue special use permits to fiberoptic telecommunication companies that meet certain project criteria.
Special use management
Scoping Start
01/2022 (Estimated)
Comment Period
03/2022 (Estimated)
Objection Period Start
05/2022 (Estimated)
Decision
07/2022 (Estimated)
Implementation
08/2022 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 218 (2013) Non-HFRA |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations |
| Forests | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest |
| Districts | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest All Units |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Decision Memo · Mount Rogers National Recreation Area · updated 2/18/2022
Various roads on the Mt. Rogers NRA · Smyth, Virginia
Seasonal Road Closures as conditions warrant, for resource protection and public safety
Road management
Decision
02/2022 (Estimated)
Implementation
10/2020 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (1), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(1) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Road Maintenance; Travel Management |
| Decision Decided Date | 02/18/2022 |
| Forests | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest |
| Districts | Mount Rogers National Recreation Area |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Decision Memo · Clinch Ranger District · updated 5/10/2021
Pine Mountain east of US 23 in Wise and Dickenson counties. · Wise, Virginia
Pine Mountain Trail reroutes need to be done in the Doubles and Bryant Gap areas to get the trail off of private property.
Recreation management
Decision
08/2020 (Estimated)
Implementation
09/2020 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (1), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(1) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Dispersed Recreation Mgmt.; Trail Management |
| Forests | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest |
| Districts | Clinch Ranger District |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Decision Memo · Warm Springs Ranger District · updated 9/30/2015
Approximately 8 miles northeast of Mountain Grove · Bath, Virginia
Create early successional habitat in the vincinity of Paddy Knob.
Wildlife, fish, rare plants
Decision
01/2016 (Estimated)
Implementation
01/2016 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (6), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(6) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Species Habitat Improvements |
| Forests | George Washington and Jefferson National Forest |
| Districts | Warm Springs Ranger District |