Santa Barbara, Calif. (May 15, 2014) – 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.
