Spring 2009 ForestWatch The Quarterly Membership Publication of Los Padres ForestWatch

FORESTWATCH is the only nonprofit organization focused solely on protecting our region’s Black Bears Win Big in Los Padres National Forest wilderness landscapes and wildlife in the Los Padres National Forest, Earlier this year, the California from the Big Sur coast and the Department of Fish & Game an- Santa Lucia Mountains to the Carrizo Plain and the majestic nounced a plan to allow hunting backcountry of Santa Barbara and of black bears in San Luis Ventura counties. Obispo County for the first time ever. Under the proposal, as Inside this issue: many as 50 black bears per year could be hunted and killed in the county, primarily in the Los Director’s Message 2 Padres National Forest.

Meet Our New Staff 2 After a short two-month effort, the bear hunt was cancelled, and ForestWatch was credited by the County’s three Challenge Grant Success! 3 major newspapers for leading the statewide fight against it. Because of our efforts and your support, black bears continue to have the freedom to roam, for now. Member Profile 3 ForestWatch first learned of the proposal in March, and we immediately launched Getting Wild in Ojai 4 an investigation to determine whether the hunt was based on sound science. We quickly discovered that no one – not even the state’s top wildlife biologists – knew (Continued on page 8) Protecting the Carrizo 5

Hydromulch or Hydrotrash? 5 ForestWatch Recognized for Top Achievement Looking Across the Forest 6-7 Our legal victory last year protected fragile Backcountry Journal: burn areas on Alamo Mountain and Grade 10 Climbing Castle Rock Valley from a commercial logging operation, and now it’s being hailed as one of the top Stimulate This! 11 five environmental achievements in southern California. The 5th Annual Top Achievements Poetry of Place: 11 “We call it the chaparral…” of the Environmental Community in Southern California report recognizes ForestWatch for Where the Wild Things Are: 12 setting an important legal precedent that ex- Piru Creek tends to national forests throughout the state and the West, fundamentally changing how New EXPANDED edition! the Forest Service responds to the post-fire Includes new features like Back- landscape. country Journal, Member Profiles, (Continued on page 9) and enhanced graphics. Enjoy!

printed using vegetable-based inks on 100% recycled paper produced with renewable wind power Page 2 ForestWatch

orestWatch celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. It wasn’t long ago that we were just a loosely-knit handful of local citizens gathered around a picnic table, discuss- ing the fate of the Los Padres. We shared a deep appreciation for the wilderness landscapes and wildlife in our local backcountry, while also sharing a deep concern thatF our public land management agencies were favoring development and resource extrac- tion at the expense of our wilderness and wildlife. And at the time, no organization was ad- dressing these issues locally. Thus ForestWatch was born, and five years later, we continue to build upon our solid track record of success. We’ve come so far over the last five years and we wouldn’t be where we are today without your support. Jeff Kuyper is the Executive Director of ForestWatch. These are both exciting and challenging times for us and all nonprofits in the conservation world. With change in Washington D.C. we have new hope of not only undoing the past eight years of environmental rollbacks, but of also moving forward and advancing positive, proac- tive land preservation initiatives. Yet we’ll be doing so amidst challenging economic times — BOARD OF DIRECTORS exactly those times when nonprofits are needed most. The environment is usually the first to suffer with the economy turns sour, making our work — and your support — even more critical BRAD at this time. We will continue to see our public lands underfunded and understaffed, placing MONSMA the responsibility of ensuring their protection squarely on our shoulders. We’re counting on President you to help us fill that need in every way you can. Camarillo PAT ForestWatch has been preparing for this perfect storm for several months, and early this year VEESART we hired a new staff person to coordinate our membership and fundraising activities, allow- Vice President San Luis Obispo ing our other staff to focus more on our on-the-ground programs. It may seem counterintui- tive to be expanding our organization at a time when most others are downsizing, but Forest- PHILIP Watch remains strong and we must continue to keep pace with the increased demands for TSENG Secretary/ our work. It is simply unacceptable to let our region’s natural treasures suffer even more. Treasurer ForestWatch is one of the most efficient and effective conservation organizations in our re- Santa Barbara gion — and with your continued support, we intend to stay that way. RUTH LASELL For the forest, Ojai

MICHAEL SUMMERS Santa Barbara

LOUIS ANDALORO Meet Our New Membership & Development Coordinator Santa Barbara Join us in welcoming Diane Elftrom Devine to the ForestWatch team as our new Develop- ment Coordinator! Diane is taking the reins of our membership and fundraising efforts, allowing our other staff to focus more on advocacy and program work. A critical addition to our team, Diane is excited to build our circle of support and expand our activities.

Diane comes to ForestWatch with over 25 years of experience in the non-profit world. Formerly with The Nature Conservancy, she spent twenty years focusing on the protec- tion of Santa Cruz Island. Diane assisted in the development of the Santa Barbara Mu- seum of Natural History’s Sea Center before serving as the Executive Director for a small arts organization in the Santa Ynez Valley, where she and her family call home. Diane holds a degree in Zoology from U.C. Santa Barbara and a Development Officer Certifica- tion through Cal Poly and the Nonprofit Support Center. Her position is funded through a generous grant from the Santa Barbara Foundation and the Hutton Foundation. Page 3

Thank You for Helping ForestWatch Rise to the Challenge! Member Profile

Last year, the Earth Friends Wildlife Foundation challenged us to raise $50,000 by December 2008. They set the bar high for our small organization, but we were confi- dent that our supporters would help us rise to the challenge, knowing that we’re one of the most efficient and effective organizations in the region. To sweeten the deal, Earth Friends would give ForestWatch a significant grant if we met our goal, stretch- ing the impact of every donation we received. Just five short months later, we did it, generating more than $80,000 that goes directly to our local forest protection ef- forts! We’d like to thank all of you for your support, and to recognize those who par- ticipated in this campaign with a contribution of $100 or more. Thank you!

Tom & Betty Budlong Harris Foundation Sue & Richard Harvey, Infinite Functions Hutton Foundation Doug & Lee Buckmaster Jerry Jones, So Hum Foundation Santa Barbara, by way of Cambria Ed & Andrea Kish, Kish Rigging, Inc. Ruth Lasell As the first ForestWatch Stuart Meiklejohn & Mary Ann O'Connor members, it’s not the first Karen Merriam time Doug and Lee have Michael Mulligan & Joy Sawyer found themselves on the Jack & Sheri Overall cutting edge of land preser- Patagonia, Inc. vation in our region. “We Santa Barbara Foundation support ForestWatch be- Shanbrom Family Foundation cause it is a great answer to Martin Stevenson a serious need,” say the Charlotte & Ron Williams Buckmasters, keenly aware of our unique niche. They grew up in Ventura County and got to know the Los Louis Andaloro Nancy de L'Arbre Kalon & Karen Kelley William J Otto DVM Padres very well. “The need Nan Deal Matthew Kelly Doug Parker Brooke & Everard for protection was strong Ashworth Rev. Paul & Margaret Sally & Brent Kitson James & Lyn Pett Michael Avenali Danielson Dan & Joan Kuyper David & Valerie Powdrell then, and even stronger Susan Bee Timothy Doheny Hollis Lenderking Melissa Riparetti-Stepien now.” Doug and Lee’s favor- Tom Bliss & Merilly Weiss Brian Dow Jim Little Larry Rose & Lisa ite areas are upper and Cynthia Boche Jeri Edwards Norman & Mo Livermore Larramendy lower Sespe Creek for fly- Dave & Heide Boyden Garold Faber Bruce Livingstone John Roulac, Nutiva Kathy & John Broesamle Matthew & Marisa Fienup, Pam Maines Santa Barbara Audubon fishing, and nearby summits Michael Brundage Earthworks Rock Marc McGinnes & Jack Sawaske Landscape for peak bagging “from Doug & Lee Buckmaster Climbing School Seyburn Zorthian Christiane Schlumberger which I am now retired,” Matt Buckmaster, Joel & Vasanti Fithian James McGrew Amy Schneider jokes Doug. After working Island Seed & Feed Peter Ford George & Peggy Melton Barry & Jean Schuyler Sandy & George Buechley Laura Frank & Eric Weir John Monsen Carol & Warren Sinsheimer tirelessly and successfully Gary Bulla & Theresa Cal & Letty French Brad Monsma Nancy & Brett Stearns to preserve Cambria’s East- Bulla-Richards Judith Friend Peter Morris Pete & Susan St. John West Ranch, Doug and Lee Peter Castellanos Greg & Jennifer Frugoli, Allan Morton & Paula Michael Summers recently retired to Santa Darlene & Sam Chirman Ecotones Steinmetz Philip Tseng Barbara, where their middle Walter & Louise Choate Dieter & Cynthia Goetze Paul Niedringhaus Pat Veesart Claire Chouinard Neil Greenleaves Peggy Nielsen Marty Weiner son owns Island Seed & Alan Coles Dorothea Harrington Ernest Niglio, Dr. Robert & Katy Zappala Feed, another ForestWatch Kristin Cothern Neil & Ann Havlik Rainbow Bridge supporter. Page 4 ForestWatch

Ojai Wild! Membership Gathering at Diamond Hitch Camp

In April, more than 200 wilderness enthusiasts from across the Central Coast gathered amongst the oak trees with friends and family to celebrate Forest- Watch’s fifth anniversary. Our Ojai Wild! creekside benefit took place at Diamond Hitch Camp along the foothills of the Los Padres National Forest, with Nordhoff Ridge, Chief Peak, Topa Topa Bluffs, and the Sespe Wilderness providing a picturesque back- drop on a spectacularly sunny afternoon.

The day featured delicious hors d’oeuvres served with local wines and beer, followed by a gourmet barbeque under the oaks prepared with local and organic ingredients. Live bluegrass music filled the air, and a spirited live auction rounded out the evening. We were proud to offer a zero-waste, off-the-grid event, and all materials were printed on 100% post- consumer recycled paper.

It was our most important fundraising event of the year, raising more than $22,000 for our forest protection efforts. Thanks to everyone who made this wonderful day possible, and to The Thacher School for generously hosting us. See you next year at Diamond Hitch!

ForestWatch presented the 1st Annual Wilderness Legacy Award to honor local heroes who have worked diligently to protect and defend our re- gion’s wild landscapes. This year’s honorees are Jim Mills (right), Fred Eissler, and Bob OUR HOST COMMITTEE OUR EVENT SPONSORS Easton (posthumously) – three conservation legends John & Kathy Broesamle The Thacher School whose efforts led Congress to H. Peter Castellanos Bon Appetit Management Co. Jeri Edwards & John Godden Earth Friends Wildlife Foundation establish the San Rafael Wil- Cal & Letty French David Bury & Company Architects derness Area in 1968. Today, Ruth Lasell & Bob Bonewitz Carlton Kirkegaard Handcrafted Frames the San Rafael Wilderness Karen Merriam William Dewey Photography remains the largest protected Brad Monsma Naturalist for You Michael Mulligan & Joy Sawyer Earthrine Farm area in the southern Los Pa- William J. Otto, D.V.M. FastFrame of Santa Barbara dres, providing wildlife habi- Bill & Jill Shanbrom Condor’s Hope Wines tat, backcountry adventures, Martin Stevenson Casa Barranca Winery and wide open landscapes. New Belgium Brewing Page 5

ForestWatch Demands Strong Protections for Carrizo Plain

The Carrizo Plain National Monument is In April, a coalition of organizations in- a 250,000-acre expanse of grasslands cluding ForestWatch wrote to the BLM and stark ridges in San Luis Obispo to demand a strong and enforceable County adjacent to the Los Padres Na- management plan for this pristine area. tional Forest. The monument was estab- We also submitted our own 16-page lished in 2001, and after years of delay, letter suggesting additional safeguards the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in for oil drilling and exploration, which January finally released a draft manage- could seriously degrade the area’s sen- ment plan to guide all types of land uses sitive ecology and sense of solitude. in the area, including oil exploration and drilling, livestock grazing, and recrea- As BLM works to finalize the plan later tion. The draft plan also sets forth guide- this year, ForestWatch will continue to lines to protect rare wildlife and Native push for the highest level of protection American sacred sites. for “California’s Serengeti.”

ForestWatch is demanding strong Investigation: Gap Fire Hydromulch Full of Litter protections for the endangered blunt-nosed leopard lizard and ForestWatch has learned that federal to minimize impurities. The Forest Ser- other unique wildlife on the Car- contractors spread contaminated mulch vice also conducted an internal investi- rizo Plain. Photo by Gary Nafis. across hundreds of acres of the Los Pa- gation, and in letters to the Environ- dres National Forest that burned in last mental Defense Center and Santa Bar- year’s Gap Fire near Goleta. Designed to bara Channelkeeper, vowed to specify stabilize the exposed soils in the burn 100% trash-free hydromulch in future area, the mixture of paper, wood fiber, contracts and to inspect the material “to water, and a plant-based binder was ensure this does not happen again.” dropped by aircraft across more than 2,500 acres. Why these precautions weren’t already in place for the Gap Fire hydromulch Citizens visiting the area the following contract remains a mystery. The con- Trash gathered from hydromulch spring discovered that the hydromulch tract was issued to Aerotech, Inc., a fed- near Lizard’s Mouth along West Camino Cielo in the Los Padres contained “high levels of impurities in- eral contractor based in New Mexico National Forest. cluding shredded hard and soft plastic, that received $8 million balloon-like rubber, waxed paper and in taxpayer dollars to foil (e.g. candy bar wrappers).” This was complete the project. a troubling discovery, since the Forest Service had assured the public that the ForestWatch will work to hydromulch was “all organic and very ensure that any hydrom- safe for people, animals and the envi- ulch used in the future ronment” in several press releases. is fully inspected to de- tect any impurities. We After investigating the complaints, the are also conducting our Department of Fish & Game concluded own investigation into that quality control should be enhanced this trashy disaster. Page 6 ForestWatch

NORTHERN LOS PADRES

Black Bears Win!: ForestWatch led efforts to defeat the first bear hunt in decades in San Luis Obispo County. Up to 50 black bears each year could have been killed, pri- marily in the Los Padres. PAGE 1.

Ventana Wilderness: In response to a lawsuit brought by ForestWatch and Advocates for the West, the Forest Service has agreed to withdraw its 2007 decision to authorize livestock grazing on the Sweetwater Allotment, partially within the Ventana Wilder- ness, pending completion of an Envi- ronmental Assessment.

Sisquoc Tamarisk Removal: The Forest Service last fall agreed to embark on a comprehensive program to eradi- cate invasive tamarisk from the Sisquoc River watershed. The announcement came in response to a formal Forest- Watch request. In October and November, ForestWatch volunteers spent 8 days surveying the entire watershed, Big Sur Wilderness Reopens: The finding more than 200 mature tamarisk plants. Forest Service re-opened the Ven- tana and Silver Peak wilderness areas to the public after a closure Climbing Castle Crags: Scouting a route and nearly sum- following massive wildfires there miting the famous Castle Crags monolith in the Man- last year. As the area begins to zana Creek watershed. Read the adventure in the inau- recover, it’s showing off a magnifi- gural essay of Backcountry Journal. PAGE 10 cent wildflower display.

Hydro Fores federa ulch a that la bits a LOOKING mixed an update on how organ than 2 ACROSS we’re protecting foothi THE FOREST your region... Page 7

Chico Martinez: In January, the BLM proposed to auction off SOUTHERN LOS PADRES 700 acres in the Chico Martinez “Area of Critical Environmental Concern” just north of the Car- rizo Plain. ForestWatch con- Carrizo Plain Manage- vinced the agency to protect the ment Plan: ForestWatch ACEC from any surface distur- submitted a 16-page bance. letter demanding strong protections from oil ex- ploration and develop- ment. PAGE 5

Top Environmental Achievement: ForestWatch’s legal victory protecting Grade Valley and Alamo Mountain was featured as one of last year’s top five environmental achievements in southern California. PAGE 1

omulch Hullabaloo: stWatch is investigating a al contractor’s hydrom- application after learning Endurance Races: An endur- arge amounts of plastic ance ultra-marathon with hun- nd candy wrappers were dreds of participants is d in with the supposedly- planned for some of the most Piru Creek: Seven miles of nic mixture, littering more remote sections of Santa Bar- Highway 33 Trucks: Forest- Piru Creek became “Wild 2,500 acres of the Goleta bara’s backcountry. We’re Watch submitted comments on and Scenic” after Con- ills. PAGE 5 working to ensure that the the Ozena Mine’s proposal to gress passed a nation- races are compatible with their send as many as 100 gravel wide wilderness bill in surroundings and avoid ecol- truck trips per day through the April. PAGE 12 ogically sensitive areas. heart of the forest on Scenic Highway 33. Page 8 ForestWatch

Bear Hunt Shot Down (continued from the front page)

how many bears exist in San Luis when we asserted our right to view them Obispo County. Officials never con- at no charge, they directed us to a loca- ducted a bear census, and lacked the tion more than two hours away. data to estimate, or even guess, how many black bears roam the county’s While this political theater played out, hills, canyons, and wilderness areas. more than 40 organizations and 550 concerned residents voiced their opposi- Instead, biologists only know roughly tion to the bear hunt by writing formal where bears are located in the county, letters to Fish & Game. Several local not how many actually reside here. The elected officials formally opposed the Department conducted a crude “bait hunt, including a majority of the study,” hanging cans of fish from tree County’s Board of Supervisors. limbs in various locations throughout the county and returning each day to On the eve of the Fish & Game Commis- observe puncture marks or bear tracks. sion’s April 21 vote, everything pointed While these bait studies are good indi- towards unanimous approval of the cators of relative bear density (i.e., bear hunt. But then, in a surprise move, where bears occur), they do not provide the Department recommended that the actual numbers. Commission not approve the bear hunt, asking for more time to address con- We asked the Department to conduct cerns presented by the public. By meet- more accurate population studies, but ing’s end, the Commission had unani- the Department refused. So Forest- mously voted to table the issue until at Watch hired one of the state’s top wild- least 2010! life attorneys, and one of California’s best conservation biologists. Together, Black bears are safe for now, but the we prepared a 94-page critique of the Department made it clear that it will pur- agency’s hunting proposal, concluding sue the bear hunting proposal as soon that the plan could seriously jeopardize as next year. In the meantime, black the county’s bear population in violation bears continue to roam across the wil- of state law. derness landscapes of the Los Padres National Forest, giving us comfort that We didn’t stop there. ForestWatch trav- our local wild places are alive and well. eled more than five hours to attend a hearing in remote Lodi, California after ForestWatch would like to thank Bill the Department refused to hold a local Yeates of the law firm Kenyon-Yeates for hearing on the matter. We were the only providing excellent legal representation ones at that hearing questioning the on this issue, Dr. Rick Hopkins of Live merits of the proposal. We also asked Oak Associates for evaluating the scien- for copies of studies that the Depart- tific merits of the proposal, and to all ment cited to conclude that the hunt other organizations and individuals who would have no significant impact on spoke out. We will continue to track this black bears. After much delay, the De- proposal, demanding the strongest pro- partment told us we’d have to pay tections for our region’s wildlife. nearly $140 to view the records, and Page 9

Taking a Stand for Trees (continued from the front page)

The Day Fire of 2006 swept through a significant portion of the Sespe Wilder- “The Los Padres remains a role model, ness in Ventura’s backcountry. Shortly showing that national forests can be val- thereafter, the Forest Service an- ued more for recreation, wildlife habitat, nounced a plan to use commercial log- ging companies to remove more than and clean water, rather than resource 1,430 old-growth conifer trees from a extraction.” portion of the burn area. The Forest Ser- Rep. Lois Capps, House Natural Resources vice refused to prepare an Environ- Subcommittees on Forests and Public Lands mental Assessment before approving the timber sale, invoking a loophole that classified the project as “road mainte- nance” instead of “salvage logging.” Such an interpretation clearly violated “Closing this loophole is an outstanding federal environmental laws, leaving us achievement because of the particularly with little choice but to file a lawsuit in U.S. District Court. destructive nature of logging after fire, which removes or disables resources vital The judge promptly ruled in our favor, to the process of ecosystem recovery and concluding that the project was clearly “salvage logging” and directing the For- to biodiversity that uses burned forests.” est Service to either prepare an EA or to Dr. Dennis Odion, an expert in wildlife dramatically scale back the project. Us- severity and vegetative response at UCSB ing the loophole for projects of this mag- nitude, the judge ruled, was illegal.

This ruling established a powerful prece- dent extending far beyond the Los Pa- “This is a classic tale of how dres. Shortly after our case was de- cided, another judge cited our case — a grassroots organization Los Padres ForestWatch v. U.S. Forest can influence federal forest Service — in ruling against the logging policy, not only protecting of more than 15,000 large trees from the Sierra Nevada. our local forest, but also national forests throughout The report highlights the most signifi- cant successes in the environmental California.” community in 2008, and is prepared Jeff Kuyper, ForestWatch each year by Environment Now, a Los Executive Director Angeles-based nonprofit foundation.

Read the entire report at www.LPFW.org Page 10 ForestWatch

Backcountry Journal: Climbing Castle Rock by Ted Cais

My wife and I first glimpsed this remark- able rock formation while hiking down the Manzana Trail. Castle Rock rears up at the western extremity of a spur lead- ing off Hurricane Deck in the San Rafael Wilderness at the junction of the Sisquoc River and Manzana Creek. The area’s great natural beauty inspired the famous sculptor John Cody to settle there and quarry serpentine nearby for his work. Hikers have long been attracted by the rugged challenge of Hurricane Deck, looming over sacred Chumash sites like Pool Rock and Condor Cave, but none have ventured on Castle Rock as far as we could tell.

It was surprising we found little recorded information on Castle Rock, other than another one by the same A final climb over some perched blocks put us on the name above the Lost Valley Trail. Yet there is even con- crest where we disturbed a huge rattlesnake warming fusion about the name as we heard variations like Cas- in the sun just feet away. We bypassed the snake den tle Crags or The Crags from experienced hikers and cautiously and headed east to the Eye of the Needle. rangers. Folks we met by chance from Cody’s place in The Eye proved inaccessible above a steep, fragile wall the shadow of the peak said they always knew it as encrusted in lichen. So we backtracked along the ridge The Pinnacles. past the saddle hoping to reach the higher western summit at 2,409’. They are uplifted and vertically eroded from soft sand- stone in a jagged profile extending maybe a half mile We stopped short at the first of seven major rock tow- between eastern and western summits. A rock window ers bristling along the ridge. The shady northern side known as The Eye of the Needle is a notable feature looked more reasonable but turned out to be an im- visible briefly from the trail. Normally thick chaparral penetrable labyrinth of slabs, ridges and gullies sweep- prevents an easy approach through encircling foothills, ing a long way down to the valley. We briefly thought but the Zaca fire cleared out the southern flank about returning with rope and technical climbing gear enough for us to attempt the ascent. but decided against damaging the soft rock with an- chors. We had done our best and were satisfied at pav- At first we thought it would be easy on what appeared ing the way up on this landmark of the lower Manzana. to be open grassy slopes. Unfortunately the re-growth contains many annoying sticker plants and the ridges “Backcountry Journal” features stories about our local back- are steep enough to require careful route selection. country that instill a sense of place and inspire the preser- We eventually made it level with the eastern summit vation of these unique wild lands. ForestWatch member Ted but were unable to traverse the remaining short dis- Cais, a pioneer of bouldering in Australia in the 1960s, now tance over the exposed southern rock wall that drops lives in Santa Barbara where he explores the crags and sheer for several hundred feet. The view from here is rocks of the Los Padres National Forest. outstanding, encompassing Zaca Ridge to the south then Hurricane Deck and Bald Mountain to the north. Page 11

Forest Service to ForestWatch: “Stimulate This!”

In February, the U.S. Forest Instead of processing our re- Service received $650 million quest, Supervisor Hernandez as part of a nationwide effort routed it to regional head- to stimulate the economy and quarters in Northern Califor- create millions of jobs. The nia, where FOIA requests lan- funds were to be used for guish for months, and in “road maintenance and de- some cases, years. commissioning, deferred maintenance work, aban- Eventually, the Regional Of- doned mine cleanup, and fice denied our request, other related critical habitat, claiming that the list was “We call it the chaparral…” forest improvement, and wa- “exempt from disclosure.” by William Stafford, 1942 tershed enhancement pro- Not only did the Forest Ser- jects. ForestWatch and doz- vice seem determined to in- We called it the chaparral, ens of organizations across sulate the stimulus process folded, easily draped and softly a comfort from public participation, but over that land egg-beatered out of rock. the country had lobbied Con- It lapped over our cliff gress to include the language it did so just days after Presi- and rested like an evening of shade above regarding road decommis- dent Obama ordered all fed- the breaks of the river; sioning, critical habitat, and eral agencies to “act a soft statement of greenness, down all watershed enhancement pro- promptly and in a spirit of the hills, cooperation” when respond- in wide forgiveness, a layer of dew and night jects, and we were pleased to that never moves on: see them included in the final ing to information requests to bill. “usher in a new era of open the dimension of life on that land. Government.” Apparently, old After the legislation was habits are hard to break. Called chaparral: in the night a deepness all over our land, signed into law, ForestWatch containing the sleeping birds and the sent a letter to Peggy Hernan- Now, three months after our quiet deer, dez, the Supervisor of the Los initial request, we still have reaching soft fingers of distance, Padres National Forest, rec- not received the list and to becoming a lawn on mountain shoulders ommending a list of specific our knowledge, the Los Pa- or a shagginess on the near slope; dres has not received any “critical habitat” and gazed at by eagles and men. “watershed enhancement” stimulus funding. So we projects for the Los Padres. enlisted the help of the West- The shaggy old pelt of our land, She thanked us for our rec- ern Environmental Law Cen- worried by rain and by sun, ommendations, but later, ter to appeal the agency’s a shawl over Little Pine Mountain, denial of our request and re- a pelt over Cachuma Ridge, when we asked to see the a help and a quietness as high as our heads final list of projects that the quested the involvement of as we walked with pilgrim souls Los Padres submitted for our local Congresswoman toward the rocky hills, stimulus funding, Supervisor Lois Capps. We’ll let you those permanent gestures, Hernandez declined. So we know how this stimulating inland or toward the sea. proceeded to submit a formal drama unfolds. request under the Freedom of Information Act. The Quarterly Membership Publication NONPROFIT ORG of Los Padres ForestWatch US POSTAGE PAID SANTA BARBARA CA Post Office Box 831 Santa Barbara, CA 93102 PERMIT NO. 221 Phone: 805-617-4610 E-mail: [email protected] ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Web: www.LPFW.org

Protecting Our Public Lands Along California’s Central Coast

Where the Wild Things Are: Piru Creek

Thanks to April’s landmark wilderness bill, Piru Creek Arroyo toads, spotted owls, California condors, southwest- became the newest “Wild and Scenic River” in the Los ern willow flycatchers, least Bell’s vireos, and remnants of Padres National Forest, joining three landlocked steelhead populations seek other rivers in the forest that share refuge in the Piru Creek corridor. A se- this designation. The protected ries of steep rocky gorges exhibit some stretch begins just downstream of of the oldest rocks in the coastal moun- Pyramid Dam, flowing 7.25 miles tain ranges, and faults cut through the through the Sespe Wilderness. creek corridor adding to the geologic uniqueness of the area. The Piru also Piru Creek is one of the largest river offers remote kayaking for those with a systems in the Los Padres, beginning sense of adventure to reach the put-in. at a series of springs deep in the Sespe Wilderness and flowing 57 Plans to construct a dam in 1972 up- miles to its confluence with the stream of Pyramid Lake were ultimately Santa Clara River. Its upper reaches scuttled due to environmental con- pass through wide open landscapes cerns. The watershed remains threat- with stark contrasts of white and red ened today by off-road vehicles, com- soils amidst forested ridges and mercial livestock grazing, downstream meadows. At the Fishbowls — a dams that block steelhead migration to popular fishing and swimming hole — and from the ocean, and invasive tama- it flows through a series of deep potholes carved into the risk plants. Last year, ForestWatch halted a logging pro- bedrock. Downstream of Thorn Meadows, early settlers posal on Alamo Mountain and Grade Valley in the upper panned, sluiced, and dredged for gold in the 1800s at reaches of Piru Creek. ForestWatch will continue to work the historic mining district of Lexington. Dredging is now for permanent protection of this unique and primitive river prohibited on Piru Creek to protect endangered species system, seeking Wild & Scenic River protection for all re- and sacred sites. maining stretches of the river.