Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and Inyo National Forest Announce a 30-Day Public Comment Period on Proposed Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Research and Recovery Actions

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and Inyo National Forest Announce a 30-Day Public Comment Period on Proposed Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Research and Recovery Actions
Release Date: Jun 19, 2011 Bishop, CA
Contact(s): Nancy Upham

The National Park Service (NPS), in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service Inyo National Forest, California Department of Fish and Game, and the U.S. Geological Survey, is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) for a proposal to conduct population monitoring, research, and translocation of federally endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and the adjacent Inyo National Forest. The National Park Service is the lead federal agency for National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, compliance. The Forest Service is participating in the planning process as a cooperating agency and has decision-making authority to approve the portion of the proposed activities on the Inyo National Forest.

The EA evaluates four alternatives, including no action, and the associated environmental impacts from implementing the proposed project. Proposed project activities, including helicopter-supported capture of bighorn sheep with net guns, would be conducted primarily in wilderness managed by Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, with some captures conducted in adjoining wilderness managed by the Inyo National Forest. Results from these activities would directly aid in planning and implementing actions identified as necessary to enable the recovery of this endangered species.

The proposed action is now available for a 30-day public comment period. Comments will be accepted for 30 calendar days following publication of the legal notice in the Inyo Register (expected to be June 21, 2011.) The proposed action description and other information are available for review at the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/seki and the Inyo National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 351 Pacu Lane, Bishop, CA 93514. To obtain additional information about the proposed project or download a copy of the EA, visit the PEPC website or request more information from Environmental Protection Specialist Nancy Hendricks at (559) 565-3102.