The Inyo National Forest is proposing to implement a sage-grouse habitat enhancement project in the Parker Bench area, located northwest of Grant Lake. In the absence of a natural fire regime, Jeffrey pine trees are gradually moving out into historically pure stands of sagebrush. Sage-grouse tend to avoid areas with overhead cover, likely because trees provide perches for predators such as hawks which feed on grouse. The project would entail removing small trees from approximately 1,100 acres. The small diameter young trees would be felled and limbed using chainsaws and allowed to naturally decompose on site. This type of project is known to be an effective habitat enhancement tool. An area treated near Sagehen Summit was repopulated by sage-grouse within weeks of the project’s completion. For more information regarding this project or if you wish to comment on this proposal, please call Richard Perloff, 760-924-5508 or contact him via e-mail at
rperloff@fs.fed.us. Comments on this proposal would be most useful if received by April 20, 2015.
