INF seeks public input for trails project in Sherwin Meadows area, open house April 17
MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif., April 4, 2025 — Inyo National Forest, in partnership with the Town of Mammoth Lakes, is seeking public input on a proposed trail reconstruction project in the Sherwin Meadows area of Mammoth Ranger District, called the Sherwin Area Recreation Plan (SHARP). This new plan will improve and redesignate unplanned and unsustainable trails currently in place.
All are invited to participate in an open house on Thursday, April 17 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Mammoth Lakes Community Center located at 1000 Forest Trail, Mammoth Lakes (see flyer). Meant to be an informational session only, official public comments must be written and submitted via the project website or mail (see details below).
Why did this project come about?
Many of these unsustainable trails cut through sensitive natural and cultural areas and are exhibiting erosion and tread issues due to improper location or design. However, managers know that the closure of these trails would be ineffective without alternative options for trail users.
This is where the SHARP project comes in.
“I’m excited for this project coming closer to completion after years of hard work,” said Fred Wong, Mammoth District Ranger.
“We have completed extensive cultural heritage surveys to find the best routes that have the least amount of impact to cultural features, and we have consulted with biologists, hydrologists, and ecologists to find routes that have the least amount of impact to natural features.”
The proposed action, being carried out under a Categorical Exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act includes re-naturalization of user-created trails, reconstruction of user created trails, and new trail construction.
How to Provide Input:
Input is encouraged at any point during the planning process; however, written comments received prior to May 3, 2025 will be most useful for consideration when developing the proposed action.
Names and addresses of those who provide written scoping comments will be considered part of the public record.
Written comments can be submitted electronically at:
https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?project=67687
See: “Comment/Object on Project”
Comments can also be mailed or hand-delivered during business hours to:
Mammoth Ranger District, Attn: Chris Buehrer,
PO Box 148, 2510 Main Street, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
For additional information regarding this project, contact Chris Buehrer, Recreation Staff Officer, Mammoth Ranger District at christopher.buehrer@usda.gov or by phone at (760) 924-5518.
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