A federal defense spending bill’s call for the transfer of Camp Frank D. Merrill near Dahlonega to the U.S. Department of Army is causing a stir among environmental groups, as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which controls the land. “The big issue is there’s not been a public process” concerning the transfer, said Betty Mathews, forest supervisor for the Gainesville-based Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. The U.S. Forest Service falls under the USDA. “This is not just an issue for Georgia,” said Mary Topa, executive director of Ellijay-based Georgia ForestWatch.