Comments Sought for Birch Creek Mountain Yellow-legged Frog Habitat Restoration Project
Release Date: Jun 25, 2012 Bishop, CA
Contact(s): Nancy Upham

The Inyo National Forest, White Mountain Ranger District is soliciting comments on a proposed project to restore mountain yellow-legged frog habitat within Birch Creek near Swall Meadows. The 2002 Birch Fire burned through the frogs’ habitat which resulted in excessive sediment and ash flow into one of the breeding ponds for the frogs. The Inyo National Forest is proposing to remove the sediment to return the pond back to the pre-fire condition. No roads will be constructed for this proposed project. Less than 200 square feet of sediment removal is proposed, and will be removed from the pond using hand labor and garden-type shovels. Sediment will be carried off site and deposited where it cannot enter the waterway.

The purpose of this project is to maintain a breeding area for the frogs. This species is being reviewed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to be listed as an Endangered Species. The Forest Service is committed to preserving and enhancing habitat for the mountain yellow-legged frog to reduce the threat of extinction of this species.

This scoping period is intended to provide those interested in or affected by this proposal an opportunity to raise concerns or provide input on the potential effects of the proposed project. To obtain additional information about the proposed project and maps you may contact Lisa Sims, via email, at lsims@fs.fed.us.

How to Comment and Timeframe

If you have information you feel the Forest Service may not be aware of, or you have issues regarding potential effects of this proposal, please mail these in writing to the Project Leader, Lisa Sims, at Inyo National Forest, 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 200, Bishop, CA. Comments may also be submitted by fax (760-873-2458) or by hand-delivery to the Inyo National Forest Supervisors Office, during normal business hours (Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.) Electronic comments may be submitted via the Inyo National Forest website at http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=38178. All comments must be received by July 28, 2012.