Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
01/01/2025 to 03/31/2025
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, 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
Land Management Plan Direction for Old-Growth Forest Conditions Across the National Forest System
EIS
 - Land management planning  In Progress:
DEIS NOA in Federal Register 06/21/2024
Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 12/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		01/2025 Jennifer McRae
202-791-8488
SM.FS.NFSWONGA@usda.gov 
Description: Amend all land management plans for units of the National Forest System to include consistent direction to conserve and steward existing and recruit future old-growth forest conditions and to monitor their condition across planning areas of NFS.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65356
Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. LEGAL - Not Applicable. National Forests and Grasslands (128 units).
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.
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
Inyo National Forest Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV) Use Designation
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Blaine Hartman
760-920-7902
blaine.hartman@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. The entire portion of the Inyo National Forest that has adequate snowfall, excluding areas where OSV use is prohibited by law. Interactive map at: https://tinyurl.com/5d5ej3dv.
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
Eastern Sierra Climate and Communities Resilience Project
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Fuels management
- Climate Change Adaptation 		 Completed  Actual: 09/19/2024  04/2025 Elisabeth McElwee
3045460026
Elisabeth.McElwee@usda.gov 
Description: Project collaboration website link: https://www.eswildfirealliance.org/esccrp. Approx. 58,000 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:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61827
Location: UNIT - Mammoth Ranger District, Mono Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Mono. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Roughly 58,000 acres surrounding the Town of Mammoth Lakes. From near Highway 395/158 Junction in the north to Laurel Creek in the south.
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.
Crystal Crag Water Storage Tank Replacement
CE
 - Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 09/2024  		Expected:09/2024  09/2024 Courtney Rowe
760-923-8974
Courtney.Rowe@usda.gov 
Description: The removal of two existing water storage tanks & constructing a new one. The new steel water storage tank will be 20,000-gallons, 16-foot diameter and 16 ft high. Including new inlet, outlet, drain, overflow, water supply, and distribution pipelines
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66860
Location: UNIT - Mammoth Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Mono. LEGAL - T4S, R27E SE corner of Section 16. At the end of the Crystal Crag Recreation tract, southeast of cabin 11 and south of Cabin 34; up the old Road to Emerald Lake.
E. Clampus Vitus Bodie Chapter No. 64 Tamarack Lodge Plaque
CE
 - Heritage resource management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/23/2024  		Expected:08/2024
  		09/2024 Alejandra Lopez Cruz
760-873-2400
Alejandra.LopezCruz@usda.gov 
Description: Bodie Chapter No. 64 of E. Clampus Vitus is to construct a historical marker w/ bronze plaque northeast of the Tamarack Lodge entrance commemorating the history of the Lodge & its contribution to the history of Mono County and the Mammoth Lakes Basin
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66650
Location: UNIT - Mammoth Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Mono. LEGAL - T.4S., R.27E., Section 9. Mammoth Lakes, Mono County, California.
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 10/2024  		Expected:04/2025
  		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.
Reds Meadow Valley Recreation Site Renovations
CE
 - Recreation management
- Watershed management 		 In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/08/2024  		Expected:12/2024
  		06/2025 Christopher Buehrer
760-924-5518
Christopher.Buehrer@usda.gov 
Description: Renovations & ecological restoration at 7 recreation sites / campgrounds in Reds Meadow Valley designed to enhance overall visitor experience, ensure recreation assets support current & future visitation & protect/restore ecologically sensitive areas
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66145
Location: UNIT - Mammoth Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Madera. LEGAL - T3S R26E S26,34,35; T4S R26E S11. Upper Soda Springs Campground, Pumice Flat Campground, Pumice Flat Group Campground, Pumice Flat Amphitheater, Minaret Falls Campground, Reds Meadow Campground & Agnew Meadows Parking 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
Mono Lake Motus Station Installation
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/04/2024  		Expected:11/2024
  		12/2024 Alejandra Lopez Cruz
760-873-2400
Alejandra.LopezCruz@usda.gov 
Description: The installation of 3 Motus stations (antenna arrays) around Mono Lake to track the migration of tagged Wilson's Phalaropes and other small species, such as, birds, bats and insects.
Location: UNIT - Mono Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Mono. LEGAL - T3N R27E Sec 31, T2N R28E Sec 5, T1N R7E Sec 13. Station 1: Between N Mono Gravel Pit rd (03N10) and Gravel Pit Cutoff rd (03N09). Station 2: between East Shore rd (01N54) and Sulphur Pond rd (03N06). Station 3: west of 01N61. In the Mono Lake area.
Removal of Wild Horses Outside the Montgomery Pass Wild Horse Territory (MPWHT)
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Special area management  In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 08/08/2024  		Expected:01/2025
  		08/2025 Joseph Swisher
Contact BLM Bishop Field Office @ 760-872-5000
BLM_CA_Bishop_MPWHT@blm.gov 
Description: Gather and removal of excess wild horses that are located outside MPWHT to protect rangeland resources and proposed critical habitat for greater sage-grouse as well as address public safety concerns along highways/roadways.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64950
Location: UNIT - Mono Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Mono. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Mono Lake Ranger District east of Highway 395.
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 Phase II
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants
- Grazing management
- Watershed management
- Projects that may affect Wilderness (for mailing list contacts) 		 Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 12/2024  		Expected:04/2025  06/2025 Egan Cornachione
760-920-9893
egan.cornachione@usda.gov 
Description: The Inyo National Forest proposes to restore three meadows in the Golden Trout Wilderness area. This watershed improvement project will use low-tech, process-based restoration to restore the hydrologic function of these wet meadow systems.
Location: UNIT - Mount Whitney Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Tulare. LEGAL - Not Applicable. The three meadow sites, Big Whitney, Stokes, and Tunnels Meadows, are all located in the designed Golden Trout Wilderness area.
Mazourka Canyon Abandoned Mine Lands Safety Closures
CE
 - Minerals and Geology  In Progress:
Scoping Start 07/17/2023  		Expected:11/2023
  		04/2024 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

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 05/10/2023  		Expected:01/2025
  		06/2025 Blaine Hartman
760-920-7902
blaine.hartman@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.
NRCS Soil Pit Survey
CE
 - Special use management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 06/21/2024
Est. Comment Period Public Notice 07/2024  		Expected:07/2024
  		08/2024 Michael Wiese
760-920-7037
michael.wiese@usda.gov 
Description: 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.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=66479
Location: UNIT - Mount Whitney Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Inyo, Tulare. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Golden Trout Wilderness and South Sierra Wilderness.
Thacher School Term Permit Reissuance for Golden Trout Wilderness School
CE

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  Completed  Actual: 10/04/2024  11/2024 Blaine Hartman
760-920-7902
Blaine.Hartman@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
Control Silver Peak Project
EIS

           *UPDATED* 		- Special use management  On Hold  N/A  N/A Nathan Sill
626-574-5328
nathan.sill@usda.gov 
Description: Southern California Edison is proposing to update and reconfigure approximately 61 linear miles of two existing 55 kilovolt subtransmission lines originally designed and built in the 1930s. BLM is lead agency. Full description: https://bit.ly/44zSlg
Web Link:  https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2024995/510
Location: UNIT - White Mountain Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Inyo, Mono. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Silver and Wyman Canyons on the Inyo National Forest.
Coyote Flat OHV Recreation Enhancement
EA

           *UPDATED* 		- Recreation management
- Road management 		 In Progress:
Objection Period Legal Notice 11/02/2024  		Expected:02/2025
  		06/2026 Blaine Hartman
760-920-7902
blaine.hartman@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
 - Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. Scoping Start 04/2024  		Expected:07/2024  10/2024 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.
Rock Creek Lodge Resort Wildfire Resilience
CE

           *NEW LISTING* 		- Fuels management  In Progress:
Scoping Start 09/01/2024  		Expected:03/2025
  		06/2025 Jeffrey Karl
760-924-5550
jeffrey.karl@usda.gov 
Description: Fuels reduction and forest resilience project surrounding the Rock Creek Lakes Resort permit area on the Inyo National Forest. Project is funded by a National Resources Conservation Service grant.
Web Link:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67169
Location: UNIT - White Mountain Ranger District. STATE - California. COUNTY - Inyo. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Rock Creek Lakes Resort adjacent to Rock Creek Lake on the White Mountain Ranger District.
Southern California Edison Control-Silver Peak 55kV Reliability Project
EIS
 - Special use management  Developing Proposal
Est. NOI in Federal Register 11/2023  		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.