National Park Service Completes General Management Plan for Devils Postpile National Monument

Date: January 30, 2015
Contact: Deanna Dulen, 760-934-2289

The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to announce the completion of the Devils Postpile National Monument General Management Plan (GMP) which will provide long-term guidance for management of the monument.

"Developing the GMP provided the ideal process for understanding the wealth of resources, science, and history that are integral to the monument's purpose, significance, and public interest and enjoyment," said monument superintendent Deanna Dulen. "The GMP team and monument staff are appreciative of our partner, stakeholder, and public involvement in the successful achievement of a shared vision for the future"

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.

The actions encompassed by the selected alternative are substantially the same as identified in the preferred alternative for the Draft General Management Plan (DGMP), released in August 2014. Minor modifications based on information and comments submitted during public review of the DGMP are incorporated in the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Errata, which can be found on the project website: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/depogmp.

For more information on Devils Postpile National Monument, please contact us at [phone]. You can also visit the park website at https://www.nps.gov/depo.