News Release

Fire Management Plan Update complete

Date: October 16, 2018

Devils Postpile National Monument News Release
Date: 10/16//2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Devils Postpile National Monument / [phone], or [e-mail]

The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to announce the availability of the Devils Postpile National Monument Fire Management Plan Update Environmental Assessment (EA) for a 30-day period of public review and comment.

This EA evaluates a range of alternatives and management actions for wildfire and fuels management at Devils Postpile National Monument (the monument) and analyzes the impacts that could result from the implementation of these alternatives. Upon conclusion of this National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) decision-making process, one of the alternatives, or a combination of actions from multiple alternatives, will become the long-term fire management plan (FMP) strategy for the monument.

The EA evaluates the impacts of the no-action alternative (Alternative A) and one action alternative (Alternatives B). Alternative A would continue the implementation of the current FMP strategy adopted in 2005 which restricts fuels treatment projects to the northeastern 15% of the monument that is not federally-designated wilderness. Under Alternative A, all wildfires would be subject to full suppression. Under Alternative B, the NPS preferred alternative, fuels treatments involving manual fuel reduction and prescribed burning would be allowed throughout the monument and naturally-occurring wildfire, in accordance with current federal wildland fire management policy, could be managed to accomplish specific resource management goals and objectives when appropriate conditions exist. Fuel treatments combined with managed wildfire for multiple objectives reduces hazardous fuels, contributes to the restoration of fire in fire-adapted ecosystems, improves wildlife habitat, and promotes native vegetation.

The EA analyzes impacts of these alternatives in detail for air quality, vegetation, wetlands and sensitive plant species, wildlife and special status species, visitor experience, wilderness character and cultural resources.

Public comments on the EA will be accepted from October 16 to November 16, 2018. You may comment online and download the document file through at the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website https://parkplanning.nps.gov/depofireplan. Select “Open for Comment” from the menu list on the left to open the EA file and comment page. Use the button “Comment Now” to provide your comments on the EA. Written comments may also be mailed to the address below. Comments will not be accepted by fax, email, or in any other way than those specified above. Bulk comments in any format (hard copy or electronic) submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted. Mailed comments must be postmarked by November 16, 2018 to ensure that your comment will be considered.

For further information, visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/depofireplan
Mailing address:
Superintendent, Draft EA Fire Management Plan Comments
Devils Postpile National Monument
NPS POB 3999
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546