THE UPPER MERCED RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA WILL ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS TO REJUVENATE AND RECONFIGURE THE ORGANIZATION, WHICH STRUGGLED TO RECOVER AFTER A FIRE DESTROYED THE COUNCIL'S OFFICE IN 2012. THE COUNCIL WILL POSITION ITSELF AS A CONVENER AND COORDINATOR OF RESTORATION ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE WILD AND SCENIC MERCED RIVER. THE COUNCIL WILL ENGAGE A DIVERSE ARRAY OF STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, SIERRA AND STANISLAUS NATIONAL FORESTS, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, LOCAL GROUPS LIKE THE SOUTHERN SIERRA MIWUK NATION, SIERRA FOOTHILL CONSERVANCY, MARIPOSA TRAILS, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MERCED, MARIPOSA BIOMASS, AND STATE AGENCIES LIKE CALFIRE, TO ARTICULATE A COHESIVE VISION, IDENTIFY COMMON GOALS, AND SPECIFY RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT ACTIONS. FOREST HEALTH HAS BEEN NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY PINE BARK BEETLE INFESTATION AND REPEATED CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRES AND ASSOCIATED EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION. THESE CONDITIONS HAVE STRESSED HABITAT FOR SEVERAL KEY SPECIES, INCLUDING CHINOOK SALMON, AMERICAN BEAVER, AND ENDEMIC LIMESTONE SALAMANDER. THE COUNCIL WILL PRODUCE A STRATEGIC WORK PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTING PRIORITIZED PROJECTS THAT WILL ALLEVIATE ADVERSE WATERSHED CONDITIONS IDENTIFIED BY THE COLLABORATIVE WATERSHED GROUP.