Mono Craters Restoration Project Environmental Assessment Open for Public Review

The Inyo National Forest announces that the Mono Craters Restoration Project Environmental Assessment (EA) is now available for a 30-day public review and comment period.

The Inyo National Forest prepared the EA to evaluate, restore, and protect 62 miles of unauthorized routes that were not designated under the 2009 Travel Management Record of Decision while still providing an effective designated system of legal roads and motorized trails for recreational enjoyment.

The intent of the EA is to:

• Improve and maintain visual quality in the project area, especially within the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area.
• Restore and protect sensitive plant populations.
• Maintain and improve watershed and soil conditions.
• Provide appropriate and legal access to important recreational opportunities and other destinations via a designated system of roads and motorized trails which minimize resource effects.

Restoration activities would include re-contouring, chunking, ripping, vertical mulching, and improving barriers.

The EA is available in hard copy format or can be viewed on the Inyo National Forest website at http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=39609.To obtain a copy of the EA , if you have questions, or to comment, please contact Project Leader April Barron at 760-924-5532, abarron@fs.fed.us, or Mammoth Lakes Ranger Station, PO Box 148, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546.