Click here to read about the background of the Inyo national Forest plan.
What’s happening?
After a 35 day government shutdown, the Forest Service recently rescheduled their critical Objection Resolution meeting for February 19-21 at Cerro Coso Community College in Bishop. These meetings offer our last chance to get critical changes made to the plan regarding wilderness, rivers, wildlife, and recreation.
Although the Forest Service recommended some new wilderness in the plan, they didn’t recommend any within Mono County – failing to recognize the Glass Mountains and other special wild places. The plan also falls short on recognizing eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers in the Mono Basin.
Mono County has been a strong advocate on wilderness and rivers since the beginning of this planning effort. Last October, they filed a strong written objection to the plan’s flaws – as did various conservation groups. Now we need Mono County to follow through with their objection by attending the Objection Resolution meeting on Wednesday, February 20, when wilderness and wild and scenic rivers will be discussed.
What do we need to happen?
On Tuesday, February 12, the Mono County Board of Supervisors will discuss whether to send a Board member and/or County planning staff representative to actively participate in the public Objection Meeting in Bishop. It is very important that both a Mono County Supervisor and staff member are present to publicly stand by their support for a better forest plan and improved wilderness and river protections. Friends of the Inyo’s Policy Director, Jora Fogg will be at the Objection Meeting to speak on behalf of our objection. We need Mono County to be there as well to support their objection.
How can I help?
1) Please attend the February 12th Board of Supervisors meeting at 9am (in-person in Bridgeport or remotely in Mammoth Lakes.) The County will discuss the objection resolution meeting under the “correspondence received” agenda item and/or,
2) Please call or email your Mono County Supervisor before Tuesday
What do I say?
1) Remind the Board that Wilderness and Wild and Scenic protections help safeguard Mono County’s natural areas and maintain our “Wild by Nature” image, fueling our outdoor economy and protecting our water and air for future generations.
2) Thank the Mono Board for supporting wilderness recommendations for 1) Glass Mountains, 2) Dexter Canyon, 3) Ansel Adams Wilderness Addition, and 4) Excelsior (Adobe Hills, South Huntoon Creek, Huntoon Creek and Pizona-Truman Meadows) in its written objection letter to the Forest Service.
3) Thank the Mono Board for also supporting Wild and Scenic Rivers in its written objection letter.
4) Urge Mono County to complete their objection to the plan by having both a Supervisor and a County staff person attend the public Objection Meeting on February 20, when wilderness and Wild and Scenic River protections will be discussed. Read the full agenda to the 3 day meeting.
We still have an opportunity to change the Forest Service’s mind and improve the plan. This objection process is our last opportunity, prior to litigation, for interested individuals, groups and local governments to engage in public conversations with the agency before the plan is formally adopted. We need Mono County’s support at this crucial meeting.
Where do I reach the Mono County Supervisors?
Jennifer Halferty, jhalferty@mono.ca.gov, w: (760) 924-1806 c: (760) 920-0333
Bob Gardner, bgardner@mono.ca.gov, c. (909) 325-0999
Fred Stump, fstump@mono.ca.gov, w. (760) 924-1783 c. (760) 914-1294
Stacy Corless, scorless@mono.ca.gov, c. (760) 920-0190
John Peters, jpeters@mono.ca.gov, o. (760) 932-5532 c. (775) 671-7126