Key Issue: Los Padres Conservation and Recreation Act
The Los Padres Conservation and Recreation Act will preserve the forest for future generations and enhance the outstanding recreational, ecological, scenic, archaeological, cultural, historic, and other resources of the forest. It will preserve all forest activities and no one will lose access to the forest.
The Act will:
- Designate approximately 63,000 acres as Wilderness;
- Designate approximately 65,000 acres for off-highway vehicles (OHV);
- Preserve 18,000 acres in Condor Ridge to protect the viewshed of the California coast.
Be sure to visit the links at the bottom of this page for detailed information on the Act and to give me feedback.
Forest recreation is a very important aspect of the Los Padres National Forest. The Act aims to enhance and expand the off-highway vehicle experience by reopening trails within the forest and providing permanent access through two newly created OHV areas.
It goes further to protect trails and designations by stating that it is intent of legislation that there shall be no net loss of recreation value, including but not limited to, motorized recreation in the forest.�
A shrinking federal budget makes forest trails more difficult to maintain. Therefore, this bill encourages the Forest Service to work with willing and able private outside groups to help maintain, repair and construct trails within the forest.
It is also important to preserve the Los Padres National Forest and its natural treasures. That is why this legislation will designate approximately 63,000 acres of wilderness.
Within this acreage will be newly designated wild and scenic rivers to preserve natural, cultural, and recreational values for the enjoyment of present and future generations.
Because the area is very prone to devastating fires, the Los Padres Conservation and Recreation Act will allow for fire pre-suppression activities, such as pre-burns and brush clearing, in wilderness designated areas. Along with pre-suppression, the Act will allow for mechanized equipment such as chainsaws and bulldozers in the wilderness areas to help prevent and fight any fires from spreading throughout the forest and into the outside populated communities.
The Act will enhance the Los Padres National Forest for all users of all kinds into the future.
Please be sure to give me feedback by following the Feedback link below.
The following pages provide information on the Los Padres Conservation and Recreation Act.
Los Padres National Forest Pages
- Text of the Los Padres Conservation and Recreation Act
- Section by section summary of the Act
- Maps from the U.S. Forest Service
- Supporting organizations
- Give me feedback on the Los Padres Conservation and Recreation Act
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