The USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region has scheduled four additional meetings for the month of August to take public comment on the draft land management plans and draft environmental impact statement for the Inyo, Sequoia, and Sierra National Forests.  The three forests are the first in California to have their forest plans updated using the revised National Land Management Planning Rule adopted by the USDA Forest Service in 2012, and are among the first in the nation to go through the new process.  

Forest plan updates have long been controversial, as national forests, states, local governments, tribes, and other stakeholders have not always reached agreement on the best use and management tactics for federally managed forest lands.  Local governments, in particular, have local land use authority, and have specific interests in making sure national forest lands are managed in a way that best serves the surrounding communities.  With the 2012 Planning Rule removing some of the requirements for forests to consult with local governments and other entities to ensure consistency with other land use plans, the outcome of the early adopter forest plans is particularly vital to future planning efforts. 

The draft plans and environmental impact statement are out for public comment until August 25, 2016, with the August public meetings taking place in Mammoth Lakes, Bishop, Bakersfield, and Clovis.  Details on the public meetings, project documents, and instructions on filing comments, visit the Inyo, Sequoia and Sierra National Forests Land Management Plans Revision can be accessed here.