Environmental Assessment, for Fire and Fuels Management Plan

INTRODUCTION Devils Postpile National Monument, established by presidential proclamation in 1911, is managed by the National Park Service (NPS). It is approximately 800 acres in size and situated on the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River in Madera County, California. The monument is surrounded by Inyo National Forest (map on page 2). According to the enabling decree, the monument was established to preserve “the natural formations known as the Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls” for their scientific interest and for public inspiration and interpretation. Devils Postpile is a dramatic mass of columnar- jointed basalt, the remnants of lava that flowed down the valley of the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River about 100,000 years ago. Rainbow Falls is a spectacular 101- foot high waterfall on the Middle Fork San Joaquin River. This environmental assessment (EA) was prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and NPS implementing regulations. Two alternatives, including a No Action Alternative, were developed and analyzed, and are included in the Alternatives Section. In accordance with NPS policy, an environmentally preferred alternative has been identified. Alternative A – Total Suppression (No Action Alternative) Alternative B – Suppression with Fuels Treatments (Preferred Alternative) The EA will be made available to the public for a 30- day review and comment period. Upon completion of the public review, the NPS will assess public comments and modify the preferred alternative as necessary. A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) would then be prepared, or the agency would begin the environmental impact statement (EIS) process. This is a programmatic EA that analyzes the impacts of the companion draft Fire and Fuels Management Plan (FFMP) on the monument. Where appropriate, additional site- specific surveys would be performed prior to fuels management activity to identify and mitigate any potential environmental impacts associated with the fuels treatment. These mitigating actions would be incorporated in the treatment plan for each individual prescribed activity. Projects outside the bounds of this environmental assessment would require further environmental analysis unless covered under the Healthy Forests Initiative Act.