Comment-writing workshop on Wednesday for the Inyo National Forest draft forest management plan

Since 2013 the Inyo National Forest has been working on a draft forest plan, as part of a process to update the 28-year-old forest plan that has been in effect since 1988. The updated, draft Forest Management Plan was released in late May, initiating a public comment period, which closes August 25, 2016.

We invite you to join us for a comment-letter-writing evening, this coming Wednesday, July 27 at 6:00pm, location TBD (in the Lee Vining/Mono City area) at the Mono Lake Committee Information Center & Bookstore. We will provide you with all the information and tools you need to write a comment letter to the Forest Service that will help improve the future of the Inyo National Forest. We’ll also provide food and refreshments!

Throughout this process the Mono Lake Committee has been attending forest plan workshops, meeting with Inyo staff, and submitting preliminary comments. In particular, the Committee has recommended that Mono Basin streams be included in the revised inventory for protection under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 since their health has improved significantly since the last inventory was completed by the Inyo in 1993.

While the draft plan contains some important protections for wildlife and wild places, it is weak and inadequate in too many key ways. The Mono Lake Committee will be commenting in support of a stronger, more science-based plan that will more fully protect and provide for: 1) high quality outdoor recreation; 2) wildlife; 3) streams, meadows, and water; 4) wilderness and wild rivers; and 5) a more natural role for fire in our forest. Your comments will also be key to improving the plan.

Please let us know if you are interested in coming next Wednesday, either by emailing Mono Lake Intern Sara Matthews or calling (760) 647-6595, so that we can let you know the location when we have it, and make sure there will be some cookies for you.