Inyo National Forest — Project Detail

Planning for the construction of up to two toilet facilities in Pine Creek Canyon. One toilet facility will be tentatively constructed at the wilderness trailhead, another at the Scheelite Canyon Parking area. Implementation is pending funding.

Approximately 200 soil pits will be dug roughly 18" in diameter and up to 60" deep to classify soils throughout the Golden Trout and South Sierra Wilderness. Soil will be placed back where they originated from and the area will be naturalized.

The proposed Monache Airstrip Restoration Project would bring the airstrip back into safe operation. Volunteers with RAF would remove vegetation using hand tools within existing airstrip footprint. Usage expected up to two planes per day in summer.

Reissuance of a ten year term permit to The Thacher School for operation and maintenance of Golden Trout Wilderness School in the Golden Trout Wilderness.

Restore and maintain fire regimes to vegetation types characterized by frequent to moderate fire return intervals using prescribed fire and wildfires managed for resource benefit.

The Forest Service proposes approximately 6 miles of temporary reroute of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) at Upper Soda Springs Campground to address the bridge over the Middle Fork, San Joaquin River that was destroyed in 2022 winter storms.

Issuance of a special use authorization for driveway for private residence

Assessment of Inyo NF Personal Use Fuelwood Program Open areas

Installation of two monitoring wells at the Hot Creek Fish Hatchery, to monitor groundwater quality effects from sewage percolation ponds.

Add approximately 0.9 mi of established, non-system road as a motorized trail. Install OHV barriers to block non-system roads, install rolling dips on 10 roads to reduce erosion, re-shape and harden two system roads (O1N131, 02N115.

Hazard tree felling and removal is proposed to reduce public safety hazards along portions of certain roads, trails and facilities within nine national forests. We expect to complete three zone-level analyses and nine decisions.

Restore degraded habitat across 13 meadow complexes in and around Golden Trout Wilderness Area. Includes maintenance of exiting and placement of new instream restoration treatment structures to reconnect incised stream channels to the floodplain.

Developing a Wild and Scenic River Management Plan for two designated rivers: Cottonwood Creek in the White Mountains and the Owens River Headwaters.

Reissue a 20 year permit for an existing 50,000 gallon water storage reservoir and pipeline, used by the community of Starlite.

Understory burning is proposed on 133 acres of national forest and 25 acres of national monument lands. Small trees would be cut with chainsaws on 31 acres of national forest to create fire containment lines along Reds Meadow and DEPO access roads.

reissue a permit to the Birchim Community Services District for operation and maintenance of two water tanks, and approximately 500 feet of water line, for water tapped from a system located on private property. Serves the community of Sunny Slopes.

Improve the condition of the Cottonwood Creek Road to address resource concerns and safety issues. Work will include improving stream crossings to prevent the road from washing out in the future.

Reissuance of permit and to conduct critical repairs to the sewer line before it fails: Add 10ft of LROW on the INF. This is for access by a tractor. County has a 5ft easement on private property, adjacent to the requested area.

Implement stream stabilization projects in Casa Vieja, Monache, Dutch, Strawberry, Brown and Mulkey Meadows, on the Kern Plateau. Work will include constructing new headcut stabilization structures, and repairing and maintaining existing structures.

The Inyo National Forest has received a request from the Bureau of Land Management to determine whether to consent to lease parcels for geothermal exploration and development, and if so, under what stipulations.

Issuance of Communication Site Lease to replace expired permit

MCS Old 49er Mine Exploration and Production Plan of Operation located in Mazourka Canyon within the Inyo National Forest

Reissuance of three recreation event permits for a term of 5 years: 1)AdventureCorp. Badwater Ultramarathon, 2)Summit Adventure bike ride from Badwater to Whitney Portal, 3) NDZone, White Mountain Double Century.

Reissuance of expired permit for Southern California Edision's electrical distribution lines in the Mammoth Distribution Area.

Reissuance of a 10 year permit to Thacher School for their operations and facilities @ Golden Trout Camp (GTC). Thacher operates under a special use permit since 1976, the GTC for wilderness education. Name change to Golden Trout Wilderness School.

Construction of wildlife safety fence adjacent to the Mammoth Yosemite Airport.

Reissuance of expired permit to the Town of Mammoth for a snow disposal area

Town of Mammoth Lakes 10-20 acre transfer site in anticipation of County landfill closing.

Valley Electric Authority (VEA), a Nevada utility company, is proposing to add broadband cables to existing utility lines, and renew their Special Use Permit. There would be about 10.5 miles of cable added to overhead lines, and 200 feet underground.

Install a pump-out septic tank at the Grandview Campground host campsite.

Review and analysis of the Monache, Mulkey, Templeton and Whitney grazing allotments in the Golden Trout Wilderness on the Mt Whitney Ranger District

One-year permit issuance to Alpha Win for the June Lake Triathlon, which is planned for July 9, 2022, for up to 500 participants. The permit would include parking restrictions to limit parking to one lot, and resource protection measures

Construction of 3 miles of natural surfaced multi-use, non-motorized trails in the Lakes Basin area, near Mammoth Lakes, CA. Most are existing user trails. The trails will be constructed and maintained in partnership with the Town of Mammoth Lakes

Treat dead and dying trees which are currently a danger to the public, infrastructure and improvements, including those currently infested trees which are potential threats. Implementation by Forest Service crews and/or service contractors

This project would install two manufactured double seat vault toilets with a 1000 gallon storage capacity at the Buttermilk Boulders area.

The Long Valley Exploration Drilling Project proposes to drill up to 3 core borings on up to 14 drill pads, to evaluate the mineral potential within the Long Valley area, near Lake Crowley. Access may include driving on existing roads and temp roads.

MMSA proposes to expand year-round activities at the existing 55-acre Woolly's Adventure Summit tube park, located inside of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area INF permit area along State Route 203, and improve the snowmaking system throughout the MMSA.

Special Use Permit reissuance to the California Department of Transportation for avalanche control systems located in the June Lake and Lee Vining areas.

The Mammoth Community Water District is proposed to replace four existing monitoring wells around Laurel Ponds, on the Mammoth Ranger District and abandon the existing wells. The wells are needed to comply with State Water Board regulations

This study addresses a significant knowledge gap in variation in seedling traits and success in high-elevation conifer forests, which play a critical role in providing water through snowpack stabilization.

Issue a new permit to the Slim Princess Chapter of E. Clampus Vitus authorizing five historical markers located at various locations on the south zone Inyo National Forest. New permit term will be for 10 years.

Proposal is to provide easements to Inyo County on four roads to allow for continued road maintenance by Inyo County under a legal instrument.

Permit reissuance for water transmission pipeline and a spring diversion works to Lee Vining PUD, in Lee Vining Canyon. The water supply is about 5,357 feet long, and is underground. Eight foot right-of-way.

Fuels reduction of shrubs and trees around the Kennedy Meadow Campground and access road, and the Wildrose Trailhead. Includes removing dead and dying trees. Treatment area will be 200-400 acres.

Maintain six Forest Service system roads, install barricades on unauthorized routes, close existing road near Red Rock mine with safety concerns, add another 0.5 mile of road to improve access, and change other roads to single-track for motorcycles.

Reissued Pine Glade's permit to provide water to recreation residence tract and upgrade underground control room/vault; amend permit for upgrade to water system utility box, pole, conduit.

This project will reduce fuels within the high use Reds Meadow area to protect life and property in the event of a wildfire, and promote fire suppression activities. Secondary effects will be forest health enhancement and watershed improvement.

The primary purpose of this project is to provide defensible space to help protect structures and developments in the Granite View subdivision and Carroll Creek in the event of a wildfire. Treatments include prescribed fire, mowing, and hand cutting.

Implement integrated plant management to control and eradicate non-native invasive plant infestations on the Inyo National Forest. To comment, click on "comment" on the right side of this page or email to comments-pacificsouthwest-inyo@fs.fed.us

Revision of the 1988 Inyo National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan under the provisions of the 2012 National Forest System Planning Rule.

June Lake Chamber of Commerce Gateway Sign to be located on Highway 395 outside the Caltrans Easement

Replacement of approximately 2,700 feet of pipeline that is currently under special use authorization

Trail improvements in the Sherwins including reconstruction of select user-created trails and construction of new trails to be designated as non-motorized National Forest System Trails. Closure and rehabilitation of other user-trails.

Realign and replace existing Chair 16 with a high speed 6 passenger detachable chairlift.

Reissue permit for a water tank, water pipeline, and 4 inch electrical conduit extending from the vicinity of the Sherwin Creek Campground water main to the Mammoth YMCA camp. Eight foot right-of-way. Buried, in place since 2001.

Installing a water trough to improve cattle distribution. The trough would be removable, and placed only when cattle are present in the area, for a few weeks a year. The trough would be connected to a spring box that is already in place.

The Town of Mammoth Lakes proposes to install an 18 hole disc golf course adjacent to the Shady Rest Park. The course would consist of 18 wood and aggregate tee pads (6x20 ft), 18 removable baskets, 18 removable tee signs and one kiosk. Summer 2019.

The Vista Tower's Sherwin Summit tower is currently 60 feet tall, and the permittee is requesting to extend it by 10 feet, to 70 feet tall, in order to improve coverage and increase the number of carriers about to use the tower.

Mammoth Mountain proposes to improve the biathlon site on Panorama Dome at Tamarack Lodge. The goal is to create a safer and more functional Firing Range and Penalty Loop location by enlarging the range and creating a Penalty Loop opposite the firing

Renewal of the Mammoth motocross track permit, for a 5-year term. This permit covers infrastructure and improvements on-site. The annual two week long recreation event at the site is covered under a separate recreation event permit.

Approve continued operation, maintenance and use of existing distribution and transmission powerlines and infrastructure for Southern California Edison located within designated corridors on the Inyo National Forest

Exchange of approximately 35.6 acres of National Forest System land, currently under special use authorization to Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, located near the Main Lodge north of Highway 203 for approximately 1296.7 acres of private land in California

Improve safety by blocking access to abandoned mines. Activities will include install bat gates, culverts, and fences in and around mine openings, and filling in shafts with polyurethane foam and/or backfill to permanently close the shafts.

Removal of small diameter Jeffrey pines which are encroaching into sage-grouse habitat. Trees will be felled using hand tools, limbed and left to decompose naturally. No mechanical equipment would be used.

Pine Glade Water Assoc. water storage tank access vault is in need of reconstruction. They propose to replace this vault at the same location but made of reinforced cement to utility grade standards.They also request to renew their existing permit.

A private homeowner would like to move a stormwater drainage ditch, which drains onto National Forest land, about 200 feet to the South. The length of the ditch on National Forest land would be about 40 feet.

Renewal of permit for Pine Glad water storage tank, well, and water transmission line. Water services 48 recreation residences in the Lower Rock Creek area. Also permits replacing existing water tank and vault.

The California Broadband Cooperative (CBC has proposed to install underground fiber optic cable from the parking area to the lodge at June Mountain Ski Area. This cable will be placed in an existing road fro the June Mtn. Parking lot to the lodge.

This project will address potential disease transmission from pack goat use on the endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. This project is a continuation of a previous closure which has expired.

reauthorization of existing three snow fences, as well as rebuilding of the one located north of the south June Lake Junction

Reconstruct 2 miles of storm damaged trail; deferred maintenance & storm proofing on 27 miles of trail; stabilize 11 perennial stream crossings; 0.9 miles of trail stabilization/reroute through meadows, and treat headcuts in/near Big Whitney Meadow.

Construction of up to six Via Ferrata fixed cable climbing routes on the Upper Caldera Overlook Cliffs.

Reissue a 20 year resort special use permit for Glacier Lodge, in Big Pine Canyon

Reissuing a special use permit for a store/restaurant and boat dock at Lake Sabrina.

Construct a two span zip line, challenge ropes course and summer tubing within the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area permit boundary.

Remove the invasive weed Bassia hyssopifolia from several islands in Mono Lake, Mono County, California. Where feasible, broadcast burning will be utilized. In other areas, weeds will be pulled by had or cut with a string trimmer, piled and burned.

Reissuing a 20 year special use permit for the Rock Creek Lake Resort, with no changes to current operations.

This is a fuels reduction project in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. The goal of treatments will be to create defensible space around private and Forest Service developments to facilitate fire suppression activities and reduce potential wildfire severity.

The Three Creeks Jeffrey Pine Forest Health & Restoration project objective is to provide for healthy forest conditions, promote establishment of old growth and reintroduce fire to the ecosystem.

Fuels reduction and vegetation improvement to protect communities, facilities, and recreation sites in the Bishop Creek and Pine Creek drainages.

Inyo NF Mammoth District CD-IV Geothermal Monitoring Wells -Installation Off Lease on Forest Service Lands

Install 100 feet of propane pipeline to connect existing pipeline on both ends of existing pipeline. This is the same project as the Rock Creek Energy Project. Rock Creek Energy was purchased by Amerigas.

Installation of stream flow gauge on Deadman Creek, within the Big Springs Campground

Facilities include 12 RV campsites with hook-ups; 6 temporary day use stalls, expansion of existing tack shed from 225' to 600' sq. ft.; 1,500 sq. ft. recreation building with toliets & showers, game room, laundry; new landscaping

Restore hydrologic connectivity between the channel incised in the Oak Creek Flood, and the floodplain and side channels to restore the native Black Oak riparian area. Also, remove noxious weeds.

Authorize the construction of approx. 275 ft of stock passable trail, from the existing authorized route, crossing Bishop Creek above Cardinal Village Resort. The crossing is necessary because the existing bridge crossing has been determined unsafe.

This project will protect the health and safety of forest visitors by conducting specialist surveys to appropriately mitigate mine safety hazards present at two (2)AML sites located in both the White and the Inyo Mountains of the Inyo National Forest

Analysis of grazing allotments on the South Zone of the Inyo National Forest, including the Alabama Hills, Ash Creek, George Creek, Olancha, and Tunawee Allotments

Robbie Hoyt Memorial Mine Exploration Plan of Operation located in Redding Canyon

Hazardous fuels reduction treatments are proposed on 108 acres adjacent to the community of Swall Meadows. Treatments are designed to lower flame length & severity while providing defensible space & safe ingress/egress for public & firefighters.

Dr. Ronald Knapp from UC Santa Barbara%u2019s Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory (SNARL) proposes to continue monitoring, research, and recovery activities for the mountain yellow-legged frog on the Inyo and Sierra National Forests.

Construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of non-motorized trails in the Sherwin Area.

Reissuing special use permits for up to 12 communication sites throughout the Inyo National Forest, for a period of up to 30 years. Facilities include radio and cell phone towers, radio repeaters, and other communications equipment.

This project will analyze system and unauthorized routes for use by motorized vehicles in 12 project areas in the Mammoth and Mono Lake area with known recreation, access, safety or resource issues.

Renewal and continuation of Grant Lake Marina's 20 year marina/resort permit.

The project proposal consists of creating an over the snow access corridor and construction of nine snow features in Hemlock Bowl.

LADWP is proposing to raise the embankment of the return ditch by approximately two feet for the full length of the ditch. The height would be raised by adding compacted fill on the road that parallels the ditch

Jeffrey pines are encroaching into otherwise suitable sage-grouse habitat, creating perches for raptors which dissuades use by grouse. Jeffrey pines would be felled and limbed using chain-saws and allowed to decay naturally on site.

The MCWD proposes to construct 750 feet of new waterline on the western edge of the Canyon Lodge parking lot, just off the edge of the pavement. MCWD will also propose to abandon in place the existing water line, with capped ends.

Reissuance of a 20-year special use permit for Rock Creek Lodge, with no changes in uses relative to the existing permit.

Reissuance of the special use permit for the Whitney Portal Store, with no changes relative to the current permit.

Issuance of a special use permit for continued use of existing spring box, 2000 feet of 2 inch waterline, and access road to provide domestic water to the Sierra Glen Ranch.

Reissue a 20 year permit to a new owner of the Big Rock Resort at June Lake, California.

Renewal and continuation of Mammoth RV Park's 20 year term special use permit to operate and maintain a RV campground and associated facilities on the national forest.

This project will repair and stabilize degraded sections of trail and re-route sections of trail out of sensitive meadows on the Lamarck trail system on the White Mountain Ranger District.

Designate motorized over-snow vehicle (OSV or snowmobile) use on National Forest System roads and trails and areas on National Forest System lands as allowed, restricted, or prohibited. Identify trails for grooming for snowmobile use.

Timber Stand Improvement activities, i.e., thinning & slash treatment, proposed on 118 acres of forested medians on highway 395 from Mammoth north to Wilson Butte to enhance highway safety, forest health, & resiliency to catastrophic wildfire event.

Continue the shared occupation and use of Forest Service owned facilities at Mazourka and Silver Peak communication site

Construct seven new mountain bike trail segments, and an above-ground manufactured pump track within the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area permit boundary.

Caltrans proposed to install a fire suppression system at the Crestview Maintenance Yard including a water tank, pump house, piping, and two fire hydrants. Part of this system will be on National Forest System lands currently under permit to Caltrans

Reissue of MLFD Annual picnic 5 year permit

The purpose of this project is to improve two off highway vehicle (OHV) and over snow vehicle (OSV) staging areas in areas that have existing, user-created staging areas (just east of Highway 395, lookout loop; and at 3S22, just off the Scenic Loop).

Amend existing special use authorization to include guided mountain biking on identified designated forest roads and trails.

Renewal and continuation of DJs Snowmobiles 5 year outfitting/guiding Special use Permit

Mammoth Dog Teams 5 Year Permit Reissue

Reissuance of expired permit for Mammoth Snowmobile Adventure. No increase in the scope or intensity of authorized activities is proposed.

Renewal and continuation of Woollys Adventure Summit 10 year term special use permit. No increase in the scope or intensity of authorized activities is proposed.

The US Forest Services proposes to issue the Town of Mammoth Lakes a special use permit to contruct and maintain approximately one mile of a paved multiple use path that will connect Lake George to the existing paved multiple use path.

Placement of a 4' radio antenna on a 15' triangular tower in the Westgard Pass area to aid in emergency response communications.

Authorizing under special use permit the placement of hydrologic measuring stations on Walker, Ash and Cottonwood Creeks. Structures include a rectangular compound weir and associated measuring devices.

Research on Belding's ground squirrels and gold-mantled ground squirrels on the Mammoth and White Mountain Ranger Districts. Research activities include observing and trapping squirrels.

Willow Beetle research within the Rock Creek, North and South Fork Bishop Creek, and Big Pine Creek areas, both inside and outside the John Muir Wilderness. Activities include observing and capturing beetles, and installing temporary climate stations

Jeffrey pines are encroaching into otherwise suitable sage-grouse habitat, creating perches for raptors which dissuades use by grouse. Jeffrey pines would be felled and limbed using chain-saws and allowed to decay naturally on site.

Reconstruct and/or repair Shepherd Pass Trail's (#3402) stream and gully crossings damaged by flash flood event. Reconstruct and/or repair trail tread,tread retaining strucutes(check dams, retaining walls) and water diversion structures (water bars).

Process a Plan of Operations for mineral exploration

The existing Sidehill Spring riparian exclosure(about 0.04 acres), will be removed, and a larger exclosure (about 0.35 acres) of barbed wire fence will be built that better protects the riparian vegetation from cattle impacts.

Verizon of CA is proposing to place a new 48 fiber optic line. The purpose of this project is to provide enhanced services and speeds for residents and travelers along 395 from the cell providers. The cable would be placed on existing DWP/SCE poles.

Reroute of the road and stabilizatation of the streambank at crossing of Mammoth Creek and Road 03S09, off of Highway 203 near Town of Mammoth Lakes. The road is currently diverting the stream, leading to streambank erosion and water quality concerns

Great Basin Air Pollution Control District proposes to install three cameras to locate and monitor fugitive dust sources in the Owens Valley. The cameras would be operated for ten or more years, year round.

This project proposes to plant oak seedlings in plots in the Oak Creek watershed on the mudflow to determine feasibility of oak restoration on the mud flow.

Installation of safety features and wildlife protection features at four abandoned mines near the Mammoth Lakes area. Methods will include bat gates, foam plugs, and removal of trash from sites.

Grooming of existing Over-snow vehicle trails from winter 2014/2015 through 2016/2017

Restore unauthorized routes along the Sierra Escarpment(Bishop to Olancha)that are continuing to cause watershed and vegetation issues.

The proposal is for four test wells within the permit area to find more groundwater for snowmaking.The test wells would occur near the base of the mid-mountain chairlifts 4 and 7 and the snowmaking pond. This proposal is for test wells only.

Megan Oldfather requests to establish twenty 30 cm x 30 cm plots containing Ivesia lycopodioides in the White Mountains above 3,353 meters, some in the MacAfee Research Natural Area. Sites will be marked by nails, wooden toothpicks, and PVC pipe.

To authorize guided mountain biking activities on authorized National Forest System roads and trails. Authorized activity will be added to current priority use special use permit.

Celia Symons will place 40 stock tanks in a 30'x35' area located at the Inyo National Forest White Mountain Research Station. The tanks will contain well water, plankton, and half the tanks will contain trout.

The project is a dry placer mining operation using a metal detector. The project will involve moving existing tailing piles left behind early mining activites by means of a Kubota garden tractor and disturbed areas will be reclaimed.

Planning for construction of an OHV/OSV staging area in the Shady Rest area of Mammoth Lakes. This may also include the construction of a snowmobile trail to town and snowmobile parking area.

Evaluation and restoration of routes defined as unauthorized in the 2009 Travel Management EIS, on the North Zone. It would determine type of restoration action needed on each route,if any.It could also revisit unauthorized designation in some cases.

Evaluation and restoration actions for routes defined as unauthorized in the Travel Management EIS. This project would determine what kind of restoration is needed on each route.

Construction of no more than a 0.75 mile of road, to replace the current Holiday Campground entrance road, which is at risk of destabilization due to run-off from the Birch Fire burn area. The current road will be decommissioned and rehabilitated.

This decision designated a system of roads, trails and areas for people using motorized wheeled vehicles on the Inyo National Forest

A project to protect natural qualities in designated wilderness by restoring unauthorized off-highway vehicle routes to natural conditions with visual disguise, revegetation, and erosion control treatments.

Construction of a 33-megawatt geothermal power plant and associated well field, internal access roads, pipelines, and a transmission line. The Forest Service would authorize changes to the forest transportation system.

Evaluate and restore approximately 60 miles of routes in the Mono Craters area that were not designated as part of the Inyo National Forest Travel Management Record Of Decision (2009) and are not authorized for OHV use.

This project proposes to evaluate unauthorized routes to determine future uses and additional restoration needs within the Bishop Creek Watershed. See http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/landmanagement/project/?cid=stelprdb5407462

The proposal described in the Plan of Operations will expand mining operations at an existing cinder mine over a period of fifteen years.