United States Department of Agriculture Land Management Plan for the Inyo National Forest Fresno, Inyo, Madera, Mono, and Tulare Counties, California; Esmeralda and Mineral Counties, Nevada Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region R5-MB-303 2018 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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Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. NOTE: If you need assistance with the accessibility of this document, please contact the Pacific Southwest Region Office at (707) 562-9121. El USDA es un proveedor, empleador y prestamista que ofrece igualdad de oportunidad. Cover: Upper left photo- American avocet at Mono Lake; Upper right photo – Sunset at Hot Creek during winter; Lower left photo- Ancient bristlecone pines at sunset; Lower right photo- Prickly pear cactus on Mazourka Peak looking at Owen’s Valley. All photos by Leeann Murphy. Land Management Plan for the Inyo National Forest Fresno, Inyo, Madera, Mono and Tulare Counties, California; Esmeralda and Mineral Counties, Nevada Responsible Official: Tammy Randall-Parker Forest Supervisor Inyo National Forest 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 200 Bishop, CA 93514-3101 (760) 873-2400 For more information contact: Leeann Murphy Resource and Planning Staff Officer (760) 873-2404 View looking west from the Baker Creek trail in the White Mountains of the South Fork of Big Pine Creek in the Sierra Nevada (photo by M. Slaton) Contents Chapter 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 Location ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Distinctive Roles and Contributions of the Plan Area ................................................................. 1 Purpose of the Forest Plan ........................................................................................................... 5 Adaptive Planning ....................................................................................................................... 6 Plan Structure .............................................................................................................................. 6 Plan Components ......................................................................................................................... 7 Other Plan Content ...................................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 2. Forestwide Desired Conditions and Management Direction .................................. 9 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 9 Ecological Sustainability and Diversity of Plant and Animal Communities ............................... 9 Air Quality ............................................................................................................................... 9 Watersheds ............................................................................................................................. 10 Terrestrial Ecosystems and Vegetation .................................................................................. 13 Animal and Plant Species ....................................................................................................... 34 Invasive Species ..................................................................................................................... 46 Fire ......................................................................................................................................... 47 Social and Economic Sustainability and Multiple Uses ............................................................ 51 Sustainable Recreation (excludes designated wilderness) ..................................................... 51 Scenery ................................................................................................................................... 55 Timber and Other Forest Products ......................................................................................... 56 Rangeland Livestock Grazing ................................................................................................ 58 Rangeland Vegetation Types ................................................................................................. 59 Geology and Minerals ............................................................................................................ 65 Energy .................................................................................................................................... 66 Cultural Resources ................................................................................................................. 66 Tribal Relations and Uses ...................................................................................................... 68 Local Communities ................................................................................................................ 69 Volunteers, Interpretation, Partnerships and Stewardship ..................................................... 70 Lands ...................................................................................................................................... 72 Infrastructure .......................................................................................................................... 73 Chapter 3. Area-specific Desired Conditions and Management Direction ............................. 75 Management Areas .................................................................................................................... 75 Strategic Fire Management Zones.......................................................................................... 75 Conservation Watersheds ....................................................................................................... 79 Riparian Conservation Areas ................................................................................................. 80 Sustainable Recreation Management Areas ........................................................................... 88 Recommended Wilderness ..................................................................................................... 92 Eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers ............................................................................................ 93 Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail Corridor ......................................................................... 93 Designated Areas ....................................................................................................................... 96 Wilderness .............................................................................................................................. 96 Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area ............................................................................ 102 Wild and Scenic Rivers ........................................................................................................ 103 Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest (National Protection Area) ............................................... 105 Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail ...................................................................................... 106 Inventoried Roadless Areas .................................................................................................. 106 National Recreation Trails ................................................................................................... 106 Land Management Plan for the Inyo National Forest i Contents Research Natural Areas ......................................................................................................