USDA - United States Department of Agriculture Final Record of Decision for the Inyo National Forest Land Management Plan Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region R5-MB-323b October 2019 In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. 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Final Record of Decision for the Inyo National Forest Land Management Plan Fresno, Inyo, Madera, Mono, and Tulare Counties, California and Esmeralda and Mineral Counties, Nevada Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Responsible Official: Tammy Randall-Parker, Forest Supervisor For information, contact: Erin Noesser Forest Planner, Inyo National Forest Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Forest Setting ...................................................................................................................................... 1 Need for Change ................................................................................................................................. 3 Engagement with State and Local Governments, Indian Tribes, other Federal Agencies, and the Public ............................................................................................................................................... 4 State and Local Governments and other Federal Agencies................................................................. 4 Indian Tribes ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Public Participation ............................................................................................................................. 6 Decision and Rationale for the Decision ......................................................................................... 7 Decision .............................................................................................................................................. 7 Nature of this Decision ....................................................................................................................... 8 Rationale for the Decision .................................................................................................................. 9 Requirements of the Planning Rule .................................................................................................. 18 Transition to the Revised Land Management Plan ........................................................................... 23 Preliminary Administrative Recommendations ................................................................................ 23 Monitoring Program.......................................................................................................................... 26 Alternative Development............................................................................................................... 27 Alternatives Considered in Detail ..................................................................................................... 28 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study .......................................................... 30 Changes between Draft and Final EIS .............................................................................................. 31 Administrative Review and Objections ......................................................................................... 32 Modifications Made in Response to Objections and Instructions ..................................................... 32 Environmentally Preferable Alternative ........................................................................................ 38 Best Available Scientific Information............................................................................................ 38 Assessment Phase ............................................................................................................................. 39 Planning Phase .................................................................................................................................. 40 Findings Required by Other Laws and Relevant Directives ......................................................... 46 Accessibility Laws ............................................................................................................................ 46 Civil Rights Laws ............................................................................................................................. 46 Clean Air Act .................................................................................................................................... 46 Clean Water Act ................................................................................................................................ 46 Endangered Species Act ................................................................................................................... 47 Executive Orders 11988 (Floodplain Management) and 11990 (Protection of Wetlands) ............... 47 Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations) .......................................................................................................... 47 Executive Order 13084 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments) ............ 48 Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act .................................................................................................... 48 National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ..................................................................................... 48 National Forest Management Act ..................................................................................................... 49 National Historic Preservation Act ................................................................................................... 50 The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act ....................................................................................................... 50 The Wilderness Act........................................................................................................................... 50 The Effective Date of the Plan Revision ....................................................................................... 50 Contact Person ............................................................................................................................... 51 Signature and Date ........................................................................................................................ 51 Appendix A: Recommended Wilderness Areas and Eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers .................. 53 Recommended Wilderness Areas ..................................................................................................... 53 Eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers ....................................................................................................... 61 Appendix B: Changes Made in Response to Objection Instructions and Suggestions, and Errata 66 References ..................................................................................................................................... 83 Inyo National Forest Land Management Plan i Draft Record