Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
07/01/2023 to 09/30/2023
Inyo National Forest

This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact.
Report Contents (click to jump to a section) :
-  Projects Occurring Nationwide
-  R5 - Pacific Southwest Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)
-  R5 - Pacific Southwest Region, Inyo National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)
-  R5 - Pacific Southwest Region, Inyo National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)
-  R5 - Pacific Southwest Region, Inyo National Forest,  Mammoth Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R5 - Pacific Southwest Region, Inyo National Forest,  Mono Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R5 - Pacific Southwest Region, Inyo National Forest,  Mount Whitney Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)
-  R5 - Pacific Southwest Region, Inyo National Forest,  White Mountain Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

Projects Occurring Nationwide  

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Locatable Mining Rule - 36 CFR 228, subpart A.
EIS
 - Regulations, Directives, Orders  On Hold  N/A  N/A Sarah Shoemaker
907-586-7886
sarahshoemaker@fs.fed.us 
Description: The U.S. Department of Agriculture proposes revisions to its regulations at 36 CFR 228, Subpart A governing locatable minerals operations on National Forest System lands.A draft EIS & proposed rule should be available for review/comment in late 2020
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57214
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. LEGAL - Not Applicable. These regulations apply to all NFS lands open to mineral entry under the US mining laws. More Information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/geology/minerals/locatable-minerals/current-revisions.
Nationwide Aerial Application of Fire Retardant on National Forest System Land.
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Regulations, Directives, Orders  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 02/11/2022
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 07/2023  		Expected:07/2023
  		01/2024 Laura Conway
406-802-4317
laura.conway@usda.gov 
Description: Programmatic Supplemental EIS for the Nationwide Aerial Application of Fire Retardant on National Forest System Land.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60450
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The direction in the SEIS will apply to use of aerially delivered fire retardant on all National Forest System land. .
Back To Top

R5 - Pacific Southwest Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide)

 
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Region 5 Post-Disturbance Hazardous Tree Management Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Fuels management
- Road management 		 Completed  Actual: 06/15/2023
06/13/2023
06/12/2023
06/07/2023
01/17/2023
01/17/2023
12/19/2022
12/19/2022  		03/2023 Laura Hierholzer
707-562-8949
laura.hierholzer@usda.gov 
Description: 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.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60950
Location: UNIT - Lassen National Forest All Units, Mendocino National Forest All Units, Six Rivers National Forest All Units, Sequoia National Forest All Units, Plumas National Forest All Units, Shasta Trinity National Forest All Units, Klamath National Forest All Units, Sierra National Forest All Units, Inyo National Forest All Units. STATE - California. COUNTY - Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo, Kern, Lake, Lassen, Madera, Mendocino, Mono, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Certain national forest roads, trails and facilities within recent fire areas.
Back To Top

Inyo National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest)  

R5 - Pacific Southwest Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Eastern Sierra Fire Restoration and Maintenance Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 11/22/2019  		Expected:08/2023
  		08/2024 Chance Traub
760-873-2430
chance.traub@usda.gov 
Description: 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.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56291
Location: UNIT - Inyo National Forest All Units. STATE - California. COUNTY - Inyo, Mono. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The non-wilderness portions of the Inyo National Forest outside the White or Inyo Mountains.
Inyo NF Personal Use Fuelwood Program Area Assessment
CE
 - Forest products
- Vegetation management (other than forest products)
- Fuels management 		 On Hold  N/A  N/A Scott Kusumoto
760-924-5522
scott.kusumoto@usda.gov 
Description: Assessment of Inyo NF Personal Use Fuelwood Program Open areas
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=55238
Location: UNIT - Inyo National Forest All Units. STATE - California. COUNTY - Inyo, Mono. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Forest-wide assessment.
Inyo National Forest Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV) Use Designation
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  Developing Proposal
Est. NOI in Federal Register 07/2023  		Expected:03/2025  08/2025 Erin Noesser
760-873-2449
erin.noesser@usda.gov 
Description: The Inyo National Forest is evaluating its management of over snow vehicle (OSV) use. The purpose of this project is to designate system roads, trails and areas where OSV use will be allowed, in compliance with 36 CFR 212, Subpart C.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61466
Location: UNIT - Inyo National Forest All Units. STATE - California. COUNTY - Inyo, Madera, Mono, Tulare. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Will review the entire portion of the Inyo National Forest that has adequate snowfall, excluding areas where OSV use is already prohibited, such as Wilderness, RNAs, Recommended Wilderness.
Permit Reissuances - Ongoing, various permit types
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 12/10/2018  		Expected:06/2026
  		06/2026 Erin Noesser
760-873-2449
erin.noesser@usda.gov 
Description: Ongoing and continuous reissuance of various special use authorizations. Examples of these are resorts, research activities, utilities and events. For further information on any specific permit or permitted activities, contact Erin Noesser.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=55278
Location: UNIT - Inyo National Forest All Units. STATE - California, Nevada. COUNTY - Fresno, Inyo, Madera, Mono, Esmeralda, Mineral. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Over the entire Inyo National Forest.
Back To Top

Inyo National Forest, Occurring in more than one District (excluding Forestwide)  

R5 - Pacific Southwest Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Cottonwood Creek and Owens River Headwaters Wild and Scenic Management Plans
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Special area management  Completed  Actual: 04/05/2023  06/2023 Adam Barnett
760-873-2461
adam.barnett@usda.gov 
Description: Developing a Wild and Scenic River Management Plan for two designated rivers: Cottonwood Creek in the White Mountains and the Owens River Headwaters.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57325
Location: UNIT - White Mountain Ranger District, Mono Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Inyo, Mono. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The Owens River Headwaters, including Deadman and Glass Creeks, in Mono County, from the headwaters to the private land boundary downstream of Hwy 395, and Cottonwood Creek in the White Mountains.
Back To Top

Inyo National Forest,   Mammoth Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R5 - Pacific Southwest Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Airport Pit Disposal Site Permit Renewal
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Sheila Irons
760-924-5534
sheila.irons@usda.gov 
Description: Reissuance of special use permit to the Town of Mammoth Lakes for operation of clean waste disposal at the Airport Pit
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=47812
Location: UNIT - Mammoth Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Mono. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Mammoth Airport Pit.
Eastern Sierra Climate and Communities Resilience Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Fuels management
- Climate Change Adaptation 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 10/18/2022
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 10/2023  		Expected:07/2024
  		09/2024 Erin Noesser
760-873-2449
erin.noesser@usda.gov 
Description: Project collaboration website link: https://www.eswildfirealliance.org/esccrp. Approx. 56,000 acre forest restoration project around the Town of Mammoth Lakes. Activities may include thinning of live and dead trees, pile burning, mechanical and hand.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61827
Location: UNIT - Mammoth Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Mono. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Roughly 56,000 acres surrounding the Town of Mammoth Lakes. From Deadman Creek in the north to Laurel Creek in the south.
Hot Creek Hatchery Groundwater Monitoring Wells
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/02/2023  		Expected:07/2023
  		08/2023 Nathan Sill
626-574-5328
nathan.sill@usda.gov 
Description: Installation of two monitoring wells at the Hot Creek Fish Hatchery, to monitor groundwater quality effects from sewage percolation ponds.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64235
Location: UNIT - Mammoth Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Mono. LEGAL - Section 3S, Range 28E, Section 35; and Section 4S, Range 28E, Section 2. East and South of the Hot Creek Fish Hatchery, just outside of the private land boundary.
Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge Redevelopment
EIS
 - Recreation management
- Special use management 		 In Progress:
NOI in Federal Register 11/14/2022
Est. DEIS NOA in Federal Register 09/2023  		Expected:11/2024
  		06/2025 Tyler Lee
719-310-0973
tyler.lee@usda.gov 
Description: Mammoth Mountain proposes redeveloping its Main Lodge area on private land, with related development on adjacent National Forest lands. Joint CEQA/NEPA analysis. Proposed construction/reconstruction of parking lots,buildings,chairlifts and ski runs.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62406
Location: UNIT - Mammoth Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Mono. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge area.
Vista Towers, multi-carrier facility at Little Antelope Communication Site
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Sheila Irons
760-924-5534
sheila.irons@usda.gov 
Description: Placement of multi-carrier building and tower at the Little Antelope Communications Site
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=47317
Location: UNIT - Mammoth Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Mono. LEGAL - MDB&M, T. 3S., 28E., Sec 33. Little Antelope Communications Site, north of the Mammoth Yosemite Airport.
Back To Top

Inyo National Forest,   Mono Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R5 - Pacific Southwest Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Driveway permit to private residence located in the Peterson Tract, June Lake Area
CE
 - Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Sheila Irons
760-924-5534
sheila.irons@usda.gov 
Description: Issuance of a special use authorization for driveway for private residence
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=47810
Location: UNIT - Mono Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Mono. LEGAL - Not Applicable. June Lake Loop, between Highway 158 and private property located in Peterson Tract.
Back To Top

Inyo National Forest,   Mount Whitney Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R5 - Pacific Southwest Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Kern Plateau Meadow Restoration Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Watershed management  Completed  Actual: 04/18/2023  07/2023 Todd Ellsworth
760-873-2457
todd.ellsworth@usda.gov 
Description: 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.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62408
Location: UNIT - Mount Whitney Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Inyo, Kern. LEGAL - Not Applicable. 13 meadows in the Kern Pleateau area of the Inyo National Forest, from Monache Meadows in the South to Horseshoe Meadow in the North. Mostly within the Golden Trout Wilderness.
Mazourka Canyon Abandoned Mine Lands Safety Closures
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Minerals and Geology  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 07/2023  		Expected:09/2023  11/2023 Colleen Garcia
760-873-2424
colleen.garcia@usda.gov 
Description: Safety closures and restoration for three abandoned mine sites in Mazourka Canyon. Closures will include plugging or placing bat-friendly gates on mine shafts, removing abandoned equipment or materials, and placing rocks for more natural appearance.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63824
Location: UNIT - Mount Whitney Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Inyo. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Mazourka Canyon.
Monache Airstrip Restoration Project
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/10/2023  		Expected:07/2023
  		08/2023 Todd Ellsworth
760-873-2457
todd.ellsworth@usda.gov 
Description: 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.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64125
Location: UNIT - Mount Whitney Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Tulare. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Monache Meadows.
Thacher School Term Permit Reissuance for Golden Trout Wilderness School
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 02/02/2019  		Expected:10/2023
  		12/2023 Julie Hall
760-217-6284
julie.hall2@usda.gov 
Description: 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.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52420
Location: UNIT - Mount Whitney Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Inyo. LEGAL - T16.5S R35E Section 33 and T17S R35E Section 3 as shown on the Cirque Peak, California 7.5 minute USGS Topographic Map. UTM Zone 11, 394616mE, 4038284mN. . On Cottonwood Creek in the Golden Trout Wilderness at a location just south of the John Muir Wilderness. The camp is roughly 2.5 miles north of the Horseshoe Meadow Trailhead.
Back To Top

Inyo National Forest,   White Mountain Ranger District (excluding Projects occurring in more than one District)

R5 - Pacific Southwest Region  
Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Expected Implementation Project Contact
Coyote Flat OHV Recreation Enhancement
EA
 - Recreation management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/12/2022
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 10/2023  		Expected:08/2024
  		10/2024 Dannon Dirgo
760-873-2561
dannon.dirgo@usda.gov 
Description: Improve road and motorized trail management in the Coyote Flat area. Repair system roads for safety and resource protection, review travel management decision in this area and adjust if needed for resource protection and recreation enhancement.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61311
Location: UNIT - White Mountain Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Inyo. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Coyote Flat area, Southeast of the City of Bishop.
LADWP Long Valley Pole Removal and Pole Replacement Project
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 10/2023  		Expected:02/2024  04/2024 Sheila Irons
760-924-5534
sheila.irons@usda.gov 
Description: LADWP Utility Maintenance Project:1)removal of poles & replacement of poles in one line and 2)removal of poles & rehab in second line, 3)relinquish poles
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56523
Location: UNIT - White Mountain Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Mono. LEGAL - Not Applicable. LADWP locations of distribution line maintenance work is on a combination of LADWP and INF lands, staring at the Upper Gorge power plant down to the Long Valley Dam, on the White Mtn. Ranger District.
Mineral County Roads Management Project
CE
 - Road management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/17/2022  		Expected:07/2023
  		10/2023 Casey Shannon
760-873-2407
casey.shannon@usda.gov 
Description: 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.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60447
Location: UNIT - White Mountain Ranger District. STATE - Nevada. COUNTY - Mineral. LEGAL - Not Applicable. East side of the White Mountains in Mineral County, Nevada.
Southern California Edison Control-Silver Peak 55kV Reliability Project
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. NOI in Federal Register 07/2023  		Expected:06/2026  07/2026 Sheila Irons
760-924-5534
sheila.irons@usda.gov 
Description: Installation of remote fault indicators, packet routers, and installation of remote switches along with poles replacements.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=54262
Location: UNIT - White Mountain Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Inyo. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Silver Canyon, east of Bishop, CA.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.