Inyo National Forest is hosting a field trip and workshop regarding restoration and stabilization needs on the South and North Forks of Oak Creek on Friday, May 15th, starting at 9:30 am. Oak Creek is west of the Fort Independence Indian Reservation and the Old Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery. This unique habitat contains stands of black oak and interior live oak, rare on the east side of the Sierra Nevada range.

A large debris flow occurred in both the South Fork and North Fork of Oak Creek in July 2008 following the 2007 Inyo Complex wildfire. The Forest is preparing a restoration plan with options later this summer and would like to understand potential concerns and outline restoration options with interested parties and stakeholders.

Please meet at the Ft. Independence Travel Center by 9:30 am. Participants will carpool up to several stops on both the South Fork and North Fork Oak Creek and discuss the effects of the debris flow and current condition. At 1:00 pm, we’ll re-convene at the Ft. Independence Tribal conference room directly south of the Travel Center to discuss restoration needs, options, and next steps. The meeting will end by 3:00 pm.

Please bring sturdy shoes, hat, sunglasses, water, snacks/lunch, etc. if you’re attending the field trip. We will have additional water available. RSVP to Todd Ellsworth by May 12 for carpool planning. E-mail Todd at tellsworth@fs.fed.usor call (760) 937-2033.