September 19th, 2016
Dear Senator Boxer and Congresswoman Capps:
We would like to express our appreciation for your ongoing commitment to and legacy of preserving the wild public lands and rivers of the Central Coast region. In particular, we strongly support your work to establish additional recreation, wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, and other protective designations in the Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument with the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act.
As representatives of the business communities in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura Counties, we urge you to advocate for passage of the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act before the end of 2016. The passage of this legislation would be a fitting culmination to your legacies of standing up for Central coast families, businesses, and working to protect the spectacular public lands we enjoy in this region.
Both the Los Padres National Forest and the Carrizo Plain are premier recreation destinations for locals and tourists alike. Having protected lands and rivers nearby adds to the quality of life for residents by providing opportunities to camp, hike, hunt, fish, see wildlife, horseback ride, rock climb, and backpack. These beautiful wild lands provide scenic backdrops to our communities and draw tourists to the region, helping support our businesses as well as the local economy.
The Central Coast Heritage Protection Act will create a recreational opportunity unlike any in coastal California, by creating the Condor National Recreation Trail - an outstanding recreation tourism draw to hike approximately 400 miles along the spine of the coastal range from Los Angeles County to the northernmost point of the Los Padres National Forest in Monterey County. This stretch of land is one of the few places in the world where you can witness desert species growing alongside redwoods.
Based on Forest Service surveys, visitors to the forest include people from across California, the United States, and even the world. Visitors to the Los Padres National Forest contribute to the local economy by purchasing camping and outdoor gear at our businesses, buying gas, groceries, eating in restaurants and staying in nearby lodging when they visit the forest. The average amount of money spent per party is $436.00. Annual visitor spending in and around the Los Padres National Forest tops $24 million.
As residents, stewards, and business owners who have invested in the opportunities on the Central California Coast, we have an incredible opportunity to secure our heritage, recreation, and natural history for generations to come. This legislation has a direct impact on tourism in our region—and supports businesses like ours. Thank you for your continued efforts to advocate for the passage of this legislation.
Sincerely,
Lumnos Photography, Santa Barbara
Mountain Air Sports, Santa Barbara
New Frontiers Market, Santa Ynez
Nojoqui Farms, Buellton
Ojai Beverage Company, Ojai
Oreana Winery and Tasting Room, Santa Barbara
Rains Department Store, Ojai
Real Cheap Sports, Ventura
Rincon Brewing Company, Carpintaria
Sage Brush Annie’s, Ventucopa
Sira’s Salon of Beauty, Santa Ynez
Stoecker Ecological, Ventura
The Mountain Air, San Luis Obispo
The Refill Shoppe, Ventura
Topa Topa Brewing, Ventura
VC Reporter, Ventura
Quail Springs Permaculture, Ventucopa
Arch Day Design, Ventura
Barrel House 101, Ventura
Biotech Energy, Ojai
Brokaw Nursery, Ventura
Central California Wines, Santa Ynez
Channel Islands Outfitters, Santa Barbara
Cold Spring Tavern, Santa Barbara
D’Anbino Cellars, Paso Robles
David Graham Accounting, Atascadero
Delicate Productions, Camarillo
Durbiano Fire, Santa Barbara
E.J. Harrison & Sons, Ventura
Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company, Buellton
Hartigan Foley Contractors, Ventura
Healing Grounds Nursery, Santa Barbara
Hollister Brewing, Goleta
International Clean Consulting, Ojai
Island Brewing Company, Carpinteria
