Public comment period open for “Eastern Sierra Climate and Community Resilience Project” Environmental Assessment

Public comment period open for “Eastern Sierra Climate and Community Resilience Project” Environmental Assessment

Bishop, Calif., November 16, 2023 — Inyo National Forest has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment for the Eastern Sierra Climate and Communities Resilience Project (ESCCRP) and we are seeking public comments on the analysis documents. This project would implement ecological thinning, fuels reduction and restoration to improve forest health and resiliency to wildfires on approximately 58,000 acres surrounding the Town of Mammoth Lakes. The deadline to submit comments is December 18, 2023.

“We are looking forward to hearing input from the public concerning this incredibly important project that will help accelerate our progress in reducing hazardous fuels surrounding communities within the forest,” said Nathan Sill, Resources and Planning Staff Officer for Inyo National Forest.

“In addition to helping reduce the severity of potential wildfires by removing fuel loading through mechanical treatments, this is a big step in making way for us to eventually reintroduce prescribed fire back onto the landscape and help the forest get back to its natural fire return intervals. This will help build the forest’s resilience to wildfires, diseases and pests, and droughts in the future.”

The proposed action description and other information are available for review at: www.fs.usda.gov/project/inyo/?project=61827

How to submit your comment:

Submit your comment electronically here:

https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=61827

Hard copy comments can be mailed or hand-delivered during business hours (M-F 8:00am – 4:30pm) to:

Mammoth Lakes Ranger District; Attn: Eastern Sierra Climate & Communities Resilience Project, PO Box 148, 2510 Main St., Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

Please note, only those who submit timely project-specific written comments during a public comment period are eligible to file an objection.

For clarification on how to comment on the project, contact Elisabeth McElwee at the Mammoth Lakes Ranger District: [email protected] or (304) 546-0026

News Staff