Park Planning

 

This site is dedicated to providing the public with information on planning activities and projects within Devils Postpile National Monument and how you can be involved in the planning process.

 

Documents Open for Public Review

    Other Plans and Projects

    An archive of completed projects as well as projects without documents open for comment may be found on the PEPC website.

     

    Updated Fire Management Plan

    The National Park Service (NPS) completed the updated 2019 Fire Management Plan (FMP) for Devils Postpile National Monument in February 2019. An update to the 2005 FMP was needed to not only conform to current federal policy but importantly, to reduce the risk of a high severity fire reoccurring in the monument and allow for the restoration of a more natural fire regime. This will promote a more fire resilient ecosystem while protecting visitors and facilities in the monument, the adjacent National Forest lands, and the communities and resorts to the east. The revised FMP will help guide fire and fuel management activities within the monument over the next 20 years.

    The NPS completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the new FMP in October 2018. The NPS selected a modified Alternative B: Targeted Suppression with Limited Managed Wildfire and Monument-wide Fuels Treatments for implementation, which conforms to federal and NPS wildland fire management policy allowing the full range of strategic and tactical options to be available and considered in the response to every wildland fire. This alternative allows for wildfire and fuels management throughout the monument, including the 85% of the monument designated as wilderness. The Selected Alternative includes strategies for the suppression of unwanted wildfires, the management of some wildfires for multiple objectives, including resource benefit, and the implementation of prescribed fire and manual treatment projects to achieve protection and resource objectives. With these strategies, the NPS will reduce hazardous fuels, restore fire in fire-adapted ecosystems, improve wildlife habitat, and restore native vegetation when appropriate conditions exist. All human-caused wildfires will be suppressed.

    The NPS encouraged public participation throughout the National Environmental Policy Act process during which the public had two opportunities to formally comment on the project. After the public review period for the EA, NPS staff carefully considered each comment received. Several small changes were made to the EA, and these are recorded in an Errata Sheet and are a permanent part of the decision record. NPS Pacific West Regional Director Stan Austin signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the updated FMP on February 14, 2019. The FONSI records the decision to implement the new FMP and explains why implementation will not result in significant environmental impacts. It also includes the park's responses to comments received and the Errata Sheet documenting the EA changes.

    Copies of the new Fire Management Plan, FONSI and Environmental Assessment may be accessed at the PEPC website http://parkplanning.nps.gov/depo and select “Fire Management Plan”.

    Devils Postpile General Management Plan

    The National Park Service (NPS) has recently completed the Devils Postpile National Monument General Management Plan (GMP) which will provide long-term guidance for management of the monument.

    The primary focus of the approved GMP is to emphasize key features with national significance for resource protection and connect visitors with nature and heritage, including traditional park experiences in a natural setting.

    Key components of the selected alternative are as follows:

    • Additional emphasis will be placed on connections and partnerships with the Inyo National Forest and the Town of Mammoth Lakes.
    • The monument will continue to be managed as a gateway to a greater wilderness.
    • Natural and cultural resources will continue to receive a high degree of protection with an increased emphasis on providing demonstrations for visitors on a range of resource management techniques to engage visitors in resource management activities and programs such as inventory and monitoring, invasive plant removal, historic preservation, and archeological investigations.
    • Visitor experiences will continue to include a range of low-impact recreational opportunities that have traditionally been available within the monument such as camping, fishing, hiking, sightseeing and wildlife viewing.
    • The monument will explore opportunities for increased trail connections and promote self-discovery and opportunities to connect with nature.
    • Interpretation and education programs and media will emphasize themes related to corridors and connectivity as well as the role of the area as a gateway to a broader wilderness.
    For more information or to read the documents, see the General Management Plan Page.

    Last updated: June 7, 2021

    Park footer

    Contact Info

    Mailing Address:

    PO Box 3999
    Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

    Phone:

    760 934-2289

    Contact Us