The Inyo National Forest is proposing a Comprehensive River Management Plan (CRMP) for two Wild and Scenic Rivers, Owens River Headwaters and Cottonwood Creek. Members of the public are invited to submit scoping comments on the draft CRMPs for these rivers between now and July 23, 2021.

The draft CRMP’s are on their website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57325.

Cottonwood Creek in the White Mountains

The Owens River Headwaters plan, including Deadman Creek and Glass Creek, covers approximately 19.1 miles of river. Cottonwood Creek in the White Mountains includes approximately 17.4 miles of river. The CRMP will protect the free-flowing waters, water quality, and outstandingly remarkable values of the rivers identified above, per the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, which established the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

In 2009, the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act added certain rivers in California to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (NWSRS), including sections of Owens River Headwaters and Cottonwood Creek.

Specific written comments may be submitted electronically on the project website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57325 from now until July 23. On that website, click on “Comment/Object on Project” on the right side of the page.

You can also mail hard copy comment letters to Adam Barnett, Inyo National Forest, 351 Pacu Ln., Suite 200, Bishop, CA, 93514. The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered comments are: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Please state “Inyo National Forest CRMP” in the subject line when providing electronic comments, or on the envelope when replying by mail.

If you would like more information or have questions relating to this proposal, please contact Adam Barnett at [email protected] or (760) 920-8104.