The Inyo National Forest is seeking public comments on a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for its Coyote Flat Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Enhancement Project (Project #61311) to improve road and motorized trail management in the Coyote Flat area for public safety and resource protection. The public comment period began May 18, and closes on June 17. Please read Friends of the Inyo’s Action Alert to help you learn how to comment and understand issues of concern to highlight in your feedback to the INF.
Policy
Make your voice heard! Attend the Inyo County/Los Angeles Standing Committee Meeting at 11 a.m. this Thursday, May 30, in Independence or online via Zoom. The Standing Committee will receive comments from the public. Find out how you can get involved!
Earlier this week, a federal appeals court issued its opinion reversing the decision of a lower court that would have allowed exploratory drilling at Hot Creek. In their 2021 lawsuit, conservation groups, including Friends of the Inyo, said the Forest Service’s use of two categorical exclusions, rather than more detailed environmental review, effectively ignored the mining project’s effects on Bi-state sage grouse in the area, as well as the potential harm to nearby Hot Creek where endangered Owens tui chub live. This is a big victory! Read all about it in our media release.
The Inyo National Forest will host a public meeting this Thursday, May 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cerro Coso Community College’s Bishop Campus, as well as online via Zoom for those who cannot attend physically, to discuss proposed actions at Coyote Flat and let the public know how to submit comments on its Draft Environmental Assessment for the Coyote Flat Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Enhancement Project. Learn how you can get involved by attending the public meeting!
Listen to Friends of the Inyo’s Jaime Lopez Wolters’ May 10 interview with KMMT Arts, Culture & Entertainment (ACE) Show Host John DeMaria about our upcoming Dark Desert Skies Outing at Conglomerate Mesa this weekend, May 17-19. Get details and sign up to reserve your spot beneath the vastness of the heavens before they are all taken–we limit participation in the spirit of land protection. Learn all about the trip, and get information about why protecting Conglomerate Mesa from mining threats is of the utmost importance, by listening to the interview, then go to the Events tab at FriendsoftheInyo.org to…
Protect Eastern Sierra Water! At 9am on Thursday 5/9, representatives from Inyo County and LADWP will meet to discuss LADWP’s plans for pumping water from the Eastern Sierra for the 2024-2025 runoff year. Let’s make our voices heard. Come to this meeting and advocate for reduced pumping and ecosystem recovery.
The Inyo/Los Angeles Technical Group, which consists of representatives from Inyo County and LADWP, will meet Thursday morning, May 9, in Bishop, to examine technical aspects of water management (LADWP’s Draft Annual Operations Plan). Attend in person or virtually and make your voice heard for Eastern Sierra water protection!
To qualify for citizenship, naturalized U.S. citizens must have resided legally in the country for a minimum of five years, paid taxes, kept a clean police record, passed an English language and U.S. history test, and paid fees of up to $760. Let’s welcome them as New Americans with an America the Beautiful Park Pass!