Protect the Eastern Sierra’s Roadless Public Lands
Submit Your Comment by September 19th
Protect the Eastern Sierra’s Roadless Public Lands
Submit Your Comment by September 19th
What’s Happening?
Some of California’s most ecologically important, fire-resilient, and culturally significant public lands are at risk—again.
The U.S. Forest Service, under directive from the Agriculture Secretary, is preparing to strip vital protections from 3.9 million acres of Roadless Areas across California, including more than 300,000 acres on the Inyo National Forest in Inyo and Mono Counties. These lands safeguard clean drinking water, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, Tribal cultural resources, and help buffer our communities from catastrophic wildfires.
Unless we act now, the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (Roadless Rule), the bedrock policy protecting these wild lands since 2001, could be eliminated.
What’s at Stake in the Eastern Sierra?
If the Roadless Rule is rescinded, some of our region’s most beloved landscapes could be opened to road building and development, including:
– White Mountains Roadless Areas (~82,000 acres) — home to the world’s oldest bristlecone pines, critical desert bighorn sheep habitat, and landscapes held sacred by Indigenous communities.
– Glass Mountains Roadless Areas (~63,000 acres) — migration corridors for mule deer, habitat for sage-grouse, and popular backcountry hunting and camping destinations.
– Coyote Roadless Areas (~36,000 acres) — expansive high desert and mountain country rich in Tribal cultural resources, is home to Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep and a haven for recreation, from hiking to horseback riding to OHV riding.
– Owens Peak & South Sierra Roadless Areas (~48,000 acres) — critical wildlife linkages cherished by climbers, hikers, and backcountry explorers.
– Wilderness Adjacent Roadless Areas (~41,000 acres) — pristine backcountry near Yosemite National Park offers world-class hiking, climbing, and fishing.
– Mono Lake & Mammoth Lakes Roadless Forests (~32,000 acres) — irreplaceable watersheds that support local communities and recreation economies, while protecting the scenic integrity of the Eastern Sierra.
What Can I Do?
The U.S. Forest Service is accepting comments from Now until September 19th.
We need you to speak up today. Urge the Forest Service to keep the Roadless Rule intact and protect the Eastern Sierra’s wildest lands.
Help Spread the Word:
- Forward your comment to your U.S. Representative. Let them know their constituents support the Roadless Rule. Click here to find your Representative.
- Share this alert with friends, family, and fellow outdoor lovers. The more people who speak up, the harder it will be for the USDA to move forward with this reckless proposal.
- Share this action on social media. Be sure to tag @secrollins so we flood her page with love for our public lands.
What else can I do?
Donate to Friends of the Inyo
Please donate to help ensure Friends of the Inyo can continue to push back on attacks against public lands and the environment.
Volunteer with Friends of the Inyo
Give back to the land and help support public land managers in this difficult time. Sign up to our Volunteer email newsletter to be notified of land stewardship volunteer opportunities.
Together, we can ensure that our Eastern Sierra roadless areas remain wild, resilient, and protected for generations to come.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
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