theSheetNews.com

Is your dog just lazing around the house? Would he or she enjoy a job interacting with people instead? Well you are in luck because this summer there are at least three ways for you and/or your dog to start getting involved.

If your dog loves people then Paw Patrol or Paws 4 Healing might be good programs to check out and luckily, both have informational meetings coming up where you can learn more.

Devils Postpile National Monument started Paw Patrol last year as a pilot program with six dogs and their handlers.

“We started this program because we recognized that a lot of our visitors were bringing their dogs to the monument and that Mammoth is a pretty dog-friendly community,” explained Maureen Finnerty, Devils Postpile Supervisory Ranger. “We felt like this program was a positive way to reach out not only to monument visitors, but also to provide an opportunity for locals to engage in a fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity in which they could also work with their dogs.”

Devils Postpile is one of a handful of national park sites that allow dogs, and being surrounded by the Inyo National Forest, which allows dogs everywhere in the Reds Meadow Valley, Finnerty and the Postpile felt like this was a great opportunity to engage dog owners and dog lovers in monument resources in a positive way.

Paw Patrol was originally started in Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. In the program handlers and their canine companions volunteer their time to patrol monument trails between the Devils Postpile Ranger Station and Rainbow Falls, providing education and assistance to all park visitors. The canine volunteers also provide examples of positive dog behavior and volunteers are available to assist dog owners with questions about leash laws, provide waste bags, and in rare cases, leashes for visitors who didn’t bring one. The volunteers receive training in all aspects of park operations, natural and cultural resources, regulations, and in handling emergency situations. Their dogs are required to take and pass either the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen test, or possess a recognized therapy dog certification. The dogs also must be good in crowded situations and must generally love interacting with people.

“Visitors love petting and photographing the Paw Patrol dogs, so being attention hounds, for lack of a better term, is important too,” Finnerty said.

With Devils Postpile tentatively set to open May 25 (weather dependent), dogs and their handlers would most likely go to work sometime around June 21, Finnerty said. Volunteers are asked to commit to 24 hours/season of volunteer time, which includes training.

If you’d like to learn more about Paw Patrol attend the informational meeting this Tuesday, April 23 from 4-6 p.m. at the Mammoth Lakes Library in the Ellie Randol Reading Room.

Paws 4 Healing

If you’d like to stay a little closer to town then Paws 4 Healing is another great opportunity for you and your pet to work together.

Paws 4 Healings is the local therapy pet organization and an affiliate group of Pet Partners (formerly Delta Society). Barbi McCoy is the Eastern Sierra chapter leader. Paws 4 Healing provides Animal Assisted Activities/Therapy services at Mammoth Hospital, Northern Inyo Hospital, Bishop Care Center, Sterling Heights, Inyo-Mono Association for the Handicapped, Mammoth Elementary School, Bishop Elementary School, and Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra’s Annual Springtacular, among others.

“In order to become a local therapy team with your pet (our organization is currently using only dogs but cats, rabbits, and even rats have been registered as therapy animals), volunteers are required to take an online Pet Partners’ Therapy Animal Handler Course,” said member Anne Parkes. “A health screening is then required by a veterinarian. Then the handler and the pet must complete a skills and aptitude evaluation.”

Paws 4 Healing allows you to volunteer as much or as little as you would like but it is recommended that teams make at least one visit per month.

To learn more about this program, head to the Mammoth Lakes Library on Monday, April 29 at 5:30 p.m. for an informational meeting.

Both Paw Patrol and Paws 4 Healing allow you to work with your own pet. Neither program is looking for the “perfect” dog, but simply a dog that works well with its owner, enjoys the work and being around people.

“Perfect obedience is always a plus but not a requirement,” Parkes said. “Basic knowledge of basic commands is required (sit, down, stay, come, leave it) but does not need to be perfect.”

“As long as the dog has passed the Canine Good Citizen test or has a therapy dog certification, and does well with a couple of park specific evaluation elements, they can be in the program,” added Finnerty in regard to the Paw Patrol program. “The common thread with all the dogs [last year] was that they were mindful of their handler and accepted corrections.”

Guide Dogs Puppy Training

While this option is more of a job for you, the human, it can be shared with your current pets, but you’ll be doing the work.

Eastern Sierra Guide Puppies is the local puppy-raising chapter for Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) and was started by Betsy Thomsen and her husband about three years ago. Thomsen continues to serve as the club’s leader.

“Everything revolves around getting puppies ready to lead a blind person,” Thomsen explained. Those interested usually take about two months to prepare to receive their puppy. The local chapter meets 2-3 times per month and those interested are encouraged to begin attending these meetings.

You may remember Jaymin, who was raised by Mammoth local Leigh Gaasch through the Eastern Sierra Guide Puppies chapter. She went on to become a breeding dog for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Gaasch is currently raising a second puppy, Falana, as is Parkes, who is raising Javier.

Parkes was inspired to get involved when she learned more about the program. GDB provides the dog free of charge to the visually impaired person; volunteers CAN have pet dogs, cats, birds, kids, etc.; you can volunteer as a puppy sitter (puppy-sit for a local puppy raiser), be a puppy starter (raise a puppy for the first three months and then pass him on to be raised by someone else); and co-raise a puppy.

“Basically, there are more volunteer opportunities and options than people may think,” Parkes said.

“You just need a love for dogs and the commitment,” Thomsen added. A fenced yard helps, but can be worked around if unavailable.

Puppy raisers receive their puppies when they are about 8-10 weeks old, and if you decide to keep them for the full timeframe, they stay with you until they are about 14-16 months of age when they are returned to the GDB campus.

“It’s sad when the puppies leave and people do cry,” Thomsen, who began working with GDB 10 years ago while living in Seattle, said. “But we have to remember why we are doing this. It changes peoples’ lives. When you see the freedom and confidence it gives a blind person, you realize it’s worth it.”

Puppy raisers are responsible for buying food and toys for the puppy, but vet bills are covered by GDB.

If you are interested in this program, attend the informational meeting on April 29 at the Mammoth Lakes Library at 6:30 p.m. (immediately following the Paws 4 Healings meeting).

Can’t make these meetings but still interested?

Contact Finnerty for Paw Patrol at 760.709.0427 or Maureen_finnerty@nps.gov.

For Paws 4 Healing or Eastern Sierra Guide Puppies, contact Anne Parkes at 760.934.9900 or aparkes@qnet.com.

I will miss you, my little one. Rest in peace.

-Pam Basso

The frustration in the air was almost tangible on Tuesday as the Mono County Board of Supervisors kicked off its afternoon session with a discussion regarding the Old Sheriff Substation.

“We have a tendency to throw burdens in the way of this business,” stated Supervisor Larry Johnston as he led a discussion to allow the development of basic living quarters and a museum for the building’s current occupant, Jim Ouimet, owner and operator of Mammoth Dog Teams.

Ouimet has been operating out of the Substation for nine years and did have living quarters and a museum until about three years ago. Septic and water issues were identified at the site and since then, Ouimet has been unable to open his museum to the public and has also been told he cannot have any living quarters at the site. The fate of the building, and therefore his business, has been in limbo ever since.

While the water issues still remain, Johnston championed allowing Ouimet to reopen the museum and reinstall basic living quarters on Tuesday.

“He just needs a place to lay his head, flush a toilet, and wash some dishes,” Johnston said. “We can give him what he needs for cheap.”

But supervisors Vikki Bauer and Hap Hazard strongly disagreed.

“The building use was abused,” Hazard said, referring to alleged attempts to break into the building by Ouimet after he was told he could not be there. The break-ins led the County to board up the windows on the building. The boards remain in place today.

“The building is a disaster,” Hazard continued. “It has arsenic and E. coli, and the septic system is too close to the well. History has been grossly misrepresented and amended here today.”

Bauer agreed. At first she tried to politely wave the situation away by blaming the mess at the Substation on “poor direction” from the County.

“Let’s wait until the three new Board members are seated in January,” Bauer suggested. “I’m not interested in putting a dwelling unit in. We can’t open up a can of worms of ignoring rules. Rehabbing is not the answer.

“Three weeks ago we turned down giving $100,000 to June Lake because we didn’t want to fund private business,” she continued. “What’s different here? We need to be consistent with Board decisions, so we should wait for a new Board [before dealing with this].”

“If we’re going to wait for a new Board then let’s take the rest of the year off and not make any decisions,” Supervisor Tim Hansen shot back. “Don’t make these things insurmountable. And, Vikki, we did end up supporting June Lake.”

“But it didn’t go to private business,” Bauer retorted (the funding will be funneled through the County’s Tourism Commission). “And I don’t agree with Larry.”

Johnston pointed out that by January the Eastern Sierra would be in the middle of winter, which would make it difficult for the improvements to be made. He pushed again to get the ball rolling now.

Hazard, Bauer and Mono County Director of Risk Management Rita Sherman were concerned with the legalities of reopening the museum and allowing a dwelling unit, but in Johnston’s opinion, “the County doesn’t have to follow its regulations.”

County Counsel Marshall Rudolph, however, pointed out the County does have to follow state building regulations.

Hansen and Johnston continued to push.

“We need to decide right off the bat if we want you to fail or succeed,” Hansen said to Ouimet.

“How can we, at minimal cost, accommodate Ouimet at the facility,” Johnston asked staff. “Let’s dwell on making it work.”

In his defense, Ouimet stated, “I would like to live without fear [of being shut down] and run my business. I haven’t had a lease since 2008 and I’ve lost a lot of sponsors because of this uncertainty.”

Hazard continued to be skeptical of Ouimet’s financial situation. “Why are we rushing to help him when we don’t know how much he has in his own pockets,” Hazard told The Sheet.

Through it all, Johnston was able to build consensus amongst Hansen and Supervisor Byng Hunt, who was highly in favor of getting the museum reopened and wanted to keep the building as “rustic and simple as possible.”

“At least three of us want to see minimalist accommodations for Ouimet and we want to support him to work toward full utilization of the substation,” Johnston told The Sheet in a follow up phone call on Wednesday. “We want to give him a chance to sustain his business.”

Consensus also included exploring the reimbursement of Ouimet for caretaker services (there hasn’t been any vandalism at the Substation since Ouimet has been down there, Johnston said). This could cancel out the rent that Ouimet is supposed to pay for using the property and just end up being a wash.

Johnston said he believed there was enough in the County housing fund to make the improvements he was suggesting.

“Nothing needs to come out of the General Fund,” he said. “I think we could get the safety and fire issues fixed for about $50,000.”

Full remodel estimates for the building from Sherman came in just under $470,000.

Johnston and staff will meet next week to further vet the details.

“I don’t know how he is as a businessman,” Johnston concluded over the phone, referring to Ouimet. “I just don’t want the County to be the reason he goes out of business.”

Mammoth local Gaasch readies Jaymin to serve as someone’s eyes 

April 25 is International Guide Dog Day, typically commemorated the last Wednesday of each April, and it’s also the 70th anniversary of Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB). Decades later, thousands of lives have been changed for the better by the organization, and thanks to Mammoth local Leigh Gaasch, two more lives are about to be changed: hers and the recipient of Jaymin, which Gaasch raised from a pup.

“GDB has helped visually impaired and blind people have independence and freedom, and that’s one of the best gifts you can give somebody,” Gaasch enthused.

GDB was created in 1942 to aid servicemen blinded in WWII. Services are offered free of charge to people throughout the U.S. and Canada. Owners do not need to be totally, just legally, blind to receive a guide dog.

GDB has campuses located San Rafael, Calif., and Boring, Ore., near Portland, but have “puppy clubs” established in various locales. (In the Eastern Sierra, Betsy and Peter Thomsen head up Eastern Sierra Guide Puppies.)

GDB has paired more than 13,000 dogs with vision-impaired humans since 1942. The non-profit organization receives no government assistance, and is funded entirely by private donations.

Subsequently, GDB relies heavily on its network of volunteers, with many opportunities on the campuses available in the breeding program, raising puppies, helping out as drivers and even as public relations speakers, among many others. “A puppy raiser receives their puppy when it’s around 8 weeks of age, and starts right away with teaching the guide puppy good house manners, basic commands and above all socializing the puppies to the world,” Gaasch explained.

She said people typically ask one of two questions. “The first is, ‘How can you give up the dog at the end? I could never do that?’” she related. “Puppy raisers do grow a very strong bond with their puppy. It’s hard not to shed a tear saying goodbye, after all we are only human.”

Second question: do the dogs ever get to just be a dog? “Absolutely,” Gaasch said. “The dogs learn that when a vest or harness is on, they are working, but when it’s off, they are like the other dogs. They can play in the backyard, be more like a family dog.”

GDB’s work is one part of several service dog groups that train puppies in Mammoth Lakes. Others include Search and Rescues dogs, avalanche dogs, and other more for all sorts of disabilities and impairments. The benefit, according to Joanne Ritter with the Guide Dogs organization, can be mutual.

“It takes a community to raise a guide dog,” Ritter said. “We have a saying: ‘Inside the heart of every Guide Dog beats the heart of a puppy raiser.’ Jaymin has changed Leigh’s life, and you get something rich and rewarding back by raising a puppy.”

Prospective first-time dog owners are a great fit for a GDB puppy. “We need puppy raisers and if you’ve ever thought about getting a first dog, you might consider raising a Guide Dog puppy first. You’ll learn a lot about how to have a well trained, well behaved, socialized dog,” Ritter said. “You can’t raise a dog in a kennel and expect it to properly live in a home and go out into the public. These dogs save lives every day.”

One Oregon woman has had GDB dogs for 60 of the organization’s 70 years, and still has one today, even after just celebrating her 94th birthday.

Don’t think you’re not the right person to be a puppy raiser. Methods have advanced considerably over the years, Ritter noted. “You don’t need any prior dog raising experience, but you do need a big heart.” One last treat for puppy parents: Gaasch will be invited to attend Jaymin’s graduation and meet her new human companion.

Learn more at www.guidedogs.com. If you would like to learn more about the Puppy Club, and raising a guide puppy or being a puppy sitter, you can reach Betsy Thomsen at 760.920.8891 or betsythomsen@hotmail.com.

Mammoth Dog Teams has a new lease on life … at least for one more year. The Board of Supervisors extended Jim Ouimet’s lease. 

As many businesses know, the winter of 2011/12 has not been kind. One such business that has suffered deeply due to the lack of snow is Mammoth Dog Teams. Due to his inability to conduct business for most of the winter (where do you run a dog sled team without any snow?), Mammoth Dog Teams owner Jim Ouimet came to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to ask for an extension on his use permit and lease at the old Sheriff’s Substation. As it stood, Ouimet was expected to vacate the building by July 31, 2012.

“I’m in extremely uncharted waters right now,” Ouimet said.

Supervisor Hap Hazard asked if he had a failure plan for maintaining his dogs if things didn’t turn around. Ouimet said he would have to sell the dogs off.

“The County has no definitive use for that building right now,” said Supervisor Tim Hansen. “I don’t want to put you out in the cold.”

At first Supervisor Vikki Bauer balked at the idea of helping one business when others were also suffering.

“I don’t want the Board to pick and choose winners,” she said. “I don’t have anywhere to go and get help for my business.”

Supervisor Larry Johnston however, put helping Ouimet in the same light as helping support fish, citing them both as economic drivers. Supervisor Bauer was able to get on board with helping Ouimet after hearing this comparison.

The supervisors voted 5-0 to extend the lease for one year. An additional three months was tacked on to the motion to allow Ouimet to move out of the building after the lease was up, giving Mammoth Dog Teams until Oct. 31, 2013 to come up with alternative plans. Ouimet will continue to pay $500 per month in rent to the County.

A city dog park in Bishop took another paw forward Monday evening, when the City Council unanimously approved a Negative Declaration Environmental Impact, further clearing the way for the City to construct and maintain a dog park with off-leash activity within Bishop City Park.

Inyo County residents have discussed the feasibility of a fenced off- leash site as part of the city park dating back roughly six years. Following the City Council’s approval of the original Dogs in Bishop’s City Park’s Master Plan brought to the Parks and Recreation Commission by Nancy Hardy of Bona Fide Dog Training and Eastern Sierra Dog Rescue, the Bishop Dog Park Committee was formed. A series of public meetings were held to discuss financing for the Dog Park project, and a revised master plan was developed for Bishop City Park itself.

The proposed 49,500 square-foot dog park is located east of the U.S. Forest Service – White Mountain Ranger District office, west of Spruce St., south of Yaney St. and north of Park Ave, situated in what is now open space. A portion of Bishop Creek runs adjacent to the area, but is not currently slated for inclusion in the designated dog park.

Inland-salt grass would be used for ground cover, and non-native grass species may also be planted if extended use of the area shows that inland-salt grass is not providing the ground cover needed. The staff report said it is unknown at this time if that would be needed, since inland-salt grass appears to hold up very well to use by horses and cattle at the Tri-County Fairgrounds.

No cultural or historic sites occur within the park area, but the site has scenic views of both the Sierra Nevada and White Mountain ranges. There are no existing structures on the site but development is expected to lead to construction of at least one shade structure, water fountains and several benches. Waste stations would also be required throughout the Dog Park. Rule signs would be placed at the Dog Park, and entrance and reminder rule signage would be conspicuously placed at strategic points.

The Dog Park would be constructed in phases as funding becomes available. Phase 1 involves approximately 620 feet of exterior fencing, three external gates, at least one water fountain, rule signs, poop bag dispensers and trash cans, trees and irrigation. Upon completion of Phase 1, the Dog Park could be opened for public use, pending final inspection.

Phase 2 is dependent upon additional funding; this development would occur as time and funding permits. On the to-do list: add more benches, shade structure, trees, water fountains a concrete entrance, internal fencing to create small dog and training areas, more ground cover (with vegetation or decomposed granite). Also on the drawing boards: landscaping surrounding the exterior fence, to create a visual barrier both for dogs, as well as cars entering the parking lot. Ongoing improvements might include sod, more shade trees, and permanent canine agility equipment.

Several youth soccer fields and baseball fields occur just east of the Dog Park location, and supporters point to easy access to U.S. 395, which is also Main Street through the city, as being a major amenity for both locals and visitors. The staff report noted that, “The development of a Dog Park would increase the use of this portion of the Bishop City Park, which would mean an increase in traffic and vehicle use,” with morning and evening peak hours anticipated, as well as all-day use on weekends.

More use is expected during the summer and fall months when visitors to the area are at their peak. Winter use might be lower with mostly residents using the Dog Park. These disturbances would not be any different from the use that occurs now within the City Park, only that dogs would be concentrated in one, enclosed, safe area.

Thanks to fundraising activities and private donors, Phase I is fully funded. According to the Blogging Bishop website, the Bishop Dog Park Committee’s next goal is to raise $2,000 for Phase 2 during next month’s Earth Day Event in Bishop’s City Park on Saturday, April 21. Owners and dogs are welcome to tour the area (on-leash until fenced) and join in a costume parade, grooming, wellness checks, raffles and other activities planned.

In other Council news, lawmakers approved a temporary waiving of the city’s hiring freeze. The first waiver allows hiring for a 10-week intern position in the Public Works department, funded out of the water and sewer budgets. The second waiver allows the Community Services Department to hire five part-time seasonal park helpers and 20 aquatics personnel. And finally, Dave Stottlemyre and Susan Cullen were elected Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem of the Council, respectively.

Poop was not on purpose

Dear Editor:

The letter to the Editor in the September 10 about issue about composting blue dog poop bags really gave me a chuckle. The writer asserted that San Francisco dog owners collect dog poop in blue bags and then leave them around so they will bio-degrade.

Nothing could be farther than the truth. I have 2 dogs, live in San Francisco most of the year, and can assure your readers that not only do those blue bags not bio-degrade, but that there is no general debate at all going on among San Francisco dog owners about the righteousness of leaving dog poop around on the streets in blue bags.

They do not compost and it is illegal to dispose of dog waste in our green composting bins.

My guess is that the blue bag was dropped inadvertently and that the owner probably had no intention of leaving it for your reader to discover.

Helene Frakes
San Francisco/Twin Lakes summer resident

7th annual Oktoberfest

The Village at Mammoth presents the 7th annual Mammoth Lakes Oktoberfest, Sept. 23-24.

Lakanuki will be on-site at the Biergarten pouring beer and cocktails with Jagermeister and Spaten specials. Commemorative beer steins and logo stadium cups for sale with discounted refills. And while you’re enjoying that bier, enjoy some great music, too!

FRIDAY: 6-9 p.m. The local favorite, world-touring, ska-rock band Warsaw Poland Brothers, sponsored by Jagermeister, play the Main Plaza under the big tent. Local restaurants will feature traditional Bavarian cuisine and full bar on site.

SATURDAY: noon-6 p.m. Back for another year of family fun and dancing is Southern California’s traditional Oom-Pah-Pah band Roger and The Villagers from 1-6 p.m.

Adult competitions and games throughout the event including the infamous men’s and women’s Stein Holding contest. Multiple local restaurants will also showcase German fare thoughout the day, and a Kids’ Craft Tent hosted by “All About Kids” will have crafts and pumpkin decorating from 1-4 p.m.

Admission to all events: free!

Doggie need a bath … 

… Then drop by the Neighborhood Dog Wash on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 11 a.m. in front of the Mammoth Luxury Outlet Mall at the yellow tent. Tubs, shampoo, brushes and pet products provided. Baths are by donation and 100% of proceeds go to I.C.A.R.E. (Inyo and Mono County Animal Resources and Education). Info: sandrad@greenfoxevents.com or 760.709.6744.

Mono Basin trout quilt raffle

The Mono Basin Historical Society will raffle a beautiful trout quilted bed cover, tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5, available from trustees or officers, or at Nicely’s Restaurant in downtown Lee Vining – see it on display there! Raffle will take place on Sept. 24 during the 8th annual Ghosts of the Sagebrush Tour. Call 760.647.6461 or 760.647.6644 for more info, or to buy tickets by mail!

Mammoth Library Film Noir

Like your classic movies dark and mysterious? Then the Film Series: “LA NOIR, The Dark Side of the City of Angels” is just the ticket! Discuss the book at 6 p.m., and see the film at 7 p.m.

All events are free, and take place at the Mammoth Library. On the schedule:

“Double Indemnity” by James Cain, Sept. 20, “The Big Sleep” by Raymond Chandler, Oct. 18, and “L.A. Confidential” by James Ellroy, Nov. 15!

Discuss the book at 6 p.m., see the film at 7 p.m. Free. Info: 760.934.4777.

Benefit/memorial at the Dub

On Saturday, September 10, a tragic traffic accident claimed the life of a Mammoth Lakes resident and severely injured 3 more locals.

While traveling west on Highway 80 outside Laramie, Wyo., a vehicle carrying Travis Mann, Ashley Hailey, Chris Ricci and William ‘Billy’ Krawisz was struck from behind by a tractor trailer, ultimately causing the vehicle to lose control and roll over twice. All passengers were ejected during the accident and Billy died on the scene. Travis, Chris and Ashley suffered extensive injuries and are curently receiving medical care.

The Auld Dubliner will be hosting a memorial/ fund-raiser featuring music by Lava Moon and raffle prizes on Wednesday Sept. 21 at 9 p.m. All donations will be distributed to the victims to help with recovery costs. Donations may also be mailed to Chris Camilli, Box #8381, Mammoth Lakes, Calif. 93546.

To Market, To Market 

MHS Volleyball serves up fun

On Wednesday, Sept. 14, support a team fundraiser by dining at the Good Life Café during breakfast, lunch and dinner. A portion of the proceeds will support the girls’ travel expenses.

MHS team sponsors include Mammoth Noon Rotary, Roxanne Tallman, Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Mammoth Women’s Club, Mammoth Lakes Lions Club, Summit Physical Therapy, and Side Door Café.

Doggie need a bath?

If your pooch isn’t as pristine as you’d like them, drop by the Neighborhood Dog Wash on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. in front of the Mammoth Luxury Outlet Mall at the yellow tent. Tubs, shampoo, brushes and pet products provided. Baths are by donation and 100% of proceeds go to I.C.A.R.E. (Inyo and Mono County Animal Resources and Education). Info: sandrad@greenfoxevents.com or 760.709.6744.

Gaines: Regular or decaf?

Join State Senator Ted Gaines (R) for a community coffee on Monday, Sept. 26, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. at the 1881 Coffee Café, 362 Main Street in Bridgeport. The informal coffee is a chance to speak with Gaines either just to say hello, or discuss any state-related matters. No RSVP required. Info: 916.651.4001.

Devils Postpile open house

Devils Postpile National Monument is developing its first ever General Management Plan for the next 15 to 20 years. The planning team has developed four preliminary alternatives. Each delineates different approaches to managing the monument’s resources, as well as a variety of ways to meet visitors’ needs.

A public Open House will be held at the Mammoth Lakes Library on Thursday, Sept. 15, from 3-6 p.m. to discuss the alternatives. To learn more, visit the National Park Service Planning website http://parkplanning.nps.gov/depo. or contact Superintendent Deanna Dulen at 760.924.5505.