(Photo by Diana Tomback) In a December 14 press release, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced a final action to list the whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Service has concluded that the whitebark pine is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future throughout its range. Service Regional Director Matt Hogan said, “As a keystone species of the West, extending ESA protections to whitebark pine is critical to not only the tree itself, but also the numerous plants, animals, and watersheds that it supports.” The final rule to list…
Legislative Engagement
On August 3rd, attend virtually the first ever Great Basin Water Justice Summit, which is bringing together diverse water protectors from Eastern California, Nevada, and Utah to discuss water justice issues. Then, later in the week, attend in person a movie screening of award-winning local short films on water justice. Two dates and locations to choose from: Cerro Coso Community College Bishop Campus Friday, Aug. 5th, and Mammoth Campus Saturday, Aug. 6th. These events are FREE and open to the public.
For the Comprehensive River Management Plan (CRMP) to fulfill its protective purpose, it is essential that the plan go beyond a simple recitation of resources and issues and focus on current and future actions that could harm the free-flowing condition, outstandingly remarkable (OR) values, segment classification, and water quality of the protected river. Unfortunately, the draft CRMP for the Owens River Headwaters Wild and Scenic River (WSR) fails this test. In particular, the CRMP and accompanying Resource Assessment fail to provide crucial information about groundwater extraction from aquifers that contribute to the flow of the Owens River Headwaters WSR.
The plan for a wastewater treatment system in Devils Postpile National Monument represents proactive efforts of the National Parks Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to address the current failing wastewater system. This project as currently described will protect public lands and reduce the maintenance burden on management agencies. Specifically the proposed septic system will protect waterways from contamination by eliminating the need for aging mechanical force mains and lift stations. Removing the aging mechanical infrastructure will reduce danger of failure and accidental discharge, reduce the agency’s energy costs, and reduce maintenance needs.
The Amargosa River is one of the crown jewels of the desert southwest, providing a globally important resource for biodiversity, hydrology, and recreation. It is also one of the most fragile ecosystems in North America, and must be managed with the highest possible level of conservation. Water and protection of flows The Amargosa River is unique among the Wild and Scenic River system in that it is entirely reliant on groundwater discharge for its flows. Essentially all of the ORVs for which the Amargosa Wild and Scenic River was designated depend on sustained groundwater flows for their survival. As such,…
Coalition Opposes Forest Service’s proposed Categorical Exclusion to Drill for Gold in the Long Valley Read the full letter here Background and Main Objections Kore Mining intends to proceed with exploratory drilling under a catagorical exclusion (CE) to, circumvent environmental review, from the Forest Service. Friends of the Inyo coauthored a 40 page with a powerful coalition of local, regional, and national groups. argued wrote a 40 has long enjoyed serving and recreating in the Alabama Hills. This important document outlines how the plan does not meet Forest Service regulations for a categorical exclusion, and should require an environmental assessment…
LADWP is attempting to increase its extraction of water supplies from the Owens Valley by developing a program of consumptive groundwater use from the Owens Lakebed. We are not in agreement that groundwater pumping from beneath Owens Lake can be done in an environmentally sustainable manner, even for a limited period of time. LADWP has improperly piecemealed review of the incremental steps it is taking to achieve increased water withdrawals from the Owens Valley. It has done so without adequate disclosure or analysis of the cumulative and adverse impacts, both past and future, of LADWP’s extractions, the interactive role of…
Protect Wildlife and Stop the Use of Harmful Rodenticides Friends of the Inyo joined with many other environmental groups in sending letters encouraging Governor Newsom (CA) to protect mountain lions, raptors, and other animals from being poisoned. 2014 California banned the sale of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides to consumers. Poisoning of mountain lions, raptors, and other apex predators continues as documented by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. AB 1788 was introduced by California State Assembly member Richard Bloom to place a moratorium on the use of these poisons by licensed applicators until review is completed by state agencies. The…
Friends of the Inyo has long enjoyed serving and recreating in the Alabama Hills. We have seen this area drastically change over the years and are excited about the opportunity that this plan presents for the Alabama Hills. With this plan, we all have the opportunity to promote the long term conservation of this area as a unit in the National Conservation Lands system. We sincerely thank the Bishop BLM for the opportunity to comment on DOI-BLM-CA-C070-2020-0001-EA. Read more…
Thank you to the coalition for signing onto this Joshua tree petition as it winds its way through the listing review process! The public is invited to voice their support at the virtual meeting next Thursday 8/20. Information on how to participate is located here, just scroll down to the August 19-20, 2020 date & you’ll see the agenda, How to Joint the Webinar/Teleconference and the Meeting documents.