Santa Barbara, Calif. – A diverse coalition of businesses, community leaders and conservationists are supporting Representative Lois Capps's proposal to protect forest, grass lands, and wild rivers across California’s Central Coast.
The proposed legislation will protect 245,500 acres of wilderness, create two scenic areas encompassing 34,500 acres, and safeguard 159 miles of wild and scenic rivers in the Los Padres National Forest and the Carrizo Plain National Monument. Once they become law, these protections will help sustain the area’s quality of life, ensuring clean water for communities, protecting valuable wildlife habitat, and stimulating a vibrant local economy.
The Central Coast Heritage Act is the product of years of discussion and negotiation, led by Rep. Capps, involving business leaders, conservationists, elected officials, ranchers, mountain bikers, and other stakeholders interested in the use and well-being of these iconic lands. Reps. Julia Brownley and Sam Farr, whose districts include part of the proposal, will co-sponsor the legislation.
West Paso Robles rancher and business owner Greg McMillan said, “My family has lived in this area for six generations and it is my heart. I own and operate a small scale grass fed beef operation on family land and have planted an olive orchard. We are blessed to live in an area that contains some of the most rural and wild lands in the West, but the pressures on this land are great. The Central Coast Heritage Protection Act will ensure that our wildest lands and rivers remain intact.”
The varied terrain of California’s central coast makes possible a wide range of recreational opportunities. Visitors from all over come to the Los Padres National Forest and the adjoining Carrizo Plain National Monument to enjoy hiking, backpacking, camping, bird watching, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, kayaking, and mountain biking in these rugged coastal mountains and ecologically rich grasslands.
Chris Danch, a co-originator of the Condor Trail, which runs through the national forest, and an Ojai resident since 1955 said, " I have hiked, camped, mountain biked, backpacked, ridden horses, and fished and hunted in the backcountry, and made it a priority to take my children, particularly in the wilderness areas of the Los Padres. This time in the backcountry has been instrumental in my children becoming the outstanding adults they are today. As a land-owner whose property contains a section of the North Fork of the Matilija Creek—the importance of preserving the watersheds of the LPNF cannot be overstated."
Protecting local public lands enhances quality of life. The Central Coast is a top tourist destination, home to world class wineries and restaurants, and iconic scenery, which attract people from around the globe—and yield clear benefits for the region's economy.
Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett said, "The Los Padres National Forest is an invaluable resource for recreation, watershed protection, and fish and wildlife habitat. All of these values are enhanced by the inclusion of these lands for Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River protection. As the population of our region continues to grow, the importance of preserving wilderness grows with it."
San Luis Obispo Mayor Jan Marx said, “This bill will preserve these wild lands and protect the character of San Luis Obispo, making it a desirable place to live and work. Having nearby protected wilderness also makes our community a sought-after destination for visitors and tourists, directly contributing to local businesses and jobs.”
The unique and diverse ecosystems protected by this legislation provide habitat for some 468 species of wildlife and more than 1,200 plant species. Many are threatened, including the San Joaquin kit fox, steelhead trout, California spotted owl, arroyo toad, the California jewel-flower, and the famous California condor.
Jan Hamber, a Santa Barbara-based condor biologist, said, "I have been working continuously on condor recovery in the Los Padres since 1976. Wild areas play an important role in providing the condor with secure places to roost, nest, and raise their young."
Mark Vigil, Sr., Chief of the San Luis Obispo County Chumash Council, said “Congresswoman Capps never lets us down when it comes to her dedication and love of the beautiful land that we are blessed to have, left undisturbed and wild. This land has been home to our people, other living creatures and plant life for thousands of years. We must preserve what land and animal life that we still have to enjoy on our central coast. We thank, support and stand beside Congresswoman Lois Capps in presenting the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act. We hope that you love this land as much as we do and will also support this Act.”
