Eastern Sierra Campground Improvements (SNC #1586-RT)
Summary
SCH Number
2023060173
Public Agency
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Document Title
Eastern Sierra Campground Improvements (SNC #1586-RT)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/6/2023
Document Description
The Sierra Nevada Conservancy would provide funding for the Mammoth Lakes Trails and Public Access Foundation (MLTPA) to partner with the Inyo National Forest (INF) to conduct planning, design, and environmental analyses, including engineering, surveying, schematic layouts, and environmental decisions, for proposed upgrades and improvements to nine existing campgrounds across three separate campground areas. The campgrounds are Morane, Cattleguard, and Lower Lee Vining campgrounds in Lee Vining Canyon; Old Shady Rest, New Shady Rest, and Pine Glen campgrounds in the Shady Rest area; and Onion Valley, Upper and Lower Grays Meadow campgrounds in Independence Canyon. Proposed upgrades and renovations will vary across the different campgrounds and may include improvements, such as relocating campsites from sensitive areas to mitigate recreation impacts and restore sensitive habitat; providing safer campfire rings to reduce the risk of escaped campfires; adding more campsites and amenities, including permanent toilets, picnic tables, bear boxes, and water systems; and improving connectivity between the campgrounds and nearby communities, including bike paths and trails.
Contact Information
Name
Mary Akens
Agency Name
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Job Title
Legal Counsel
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
campgrounds near Independence, Mammoth Lakes and Lee Vining
Counties
Inyo, Mono
Regions
Northern California, Southern California
Other Location Info
Three campground areas on Inyo National Forest Lands in Inyo and Mono counties: 1) Independence Creek Canyon campgrounds 13 miles west of the town of Independence, 2) Shady Rest campgrounds adjacent to the town of Mammoth Lakes, 3) Lee Vining Canyon campgrounds four miles west of the town of Lee Vining and the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park.
Other Information
Inyo National Forest campgrounds near Independence, Mammoth Lakes, and Lee Vining.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Public Resources Code, Section 21150 and CEQA Guidelines, Section 15262 (Feasibility and Planning Studies)
Reasons for Exemption
The project is Statutorily Exempt under Pub. Resources Code, Section 21150 and CEQA Guidelines, Section 15262 Feasibility and Planning Studies, as the project only involves planning studies for possible future actions, which the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Board has not approved, adopted, or funded; there is no legally binding effect on later activities. The project is also Categorically Exempt under Section 15306 Information Collection because it consists of basic data collection and resource evaluation activities, which do not result in a disturbance to environmental resources. The proposed activities are for information gathering purposes and are part of a study leading to an action, which a public agency has not yet approved, adopted, or funded. This project does not fall within any exceptions to the categorical exemption. MLPTA, in partnership with the INF, will collect data, conduct environmental analysis, and complete engineering design, for potential future campground renovation projects.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines, Section 15306 Information Collection
Reasons for Exemption
The project is Statutorily Exempt under Pub. Resources Code, Section 21150 and CEQA Guidelines, Section 15262 Feasibility and Planning Studies, as the project only involves planning studies for possible future actions, which the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Board has not approved, adopted, or funded; there is no legally binding effect on later activities. The project is also Categorically Exempt under Section 15306 Information Collection because it consists of basic data collection and resource evaluation activities, which do not result in a disturbance to environmental resources. The proposed activities are for information gathering purposes and are part of a study leading to an action, which a public agency has not yet approved, adopted, or funded. This project does not fall within any exceptions to the categorical exemption. MLPTA, in partnership with the INF, will collect data, conduct environmental analysis, and complete engineering design, for potential future campground renovation projects.
County Clerks
Inyo, Mono
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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