Rep. Farr Introduces Big Sur Wild Rivers, Lands Bill

Bill would protect Big Sur rivers and lands

SAN FRANCISCO--Conservation groups praised U.S Rep. Sam Farr's (D-Carmel) introduction of legislation that would add five California central coast rivers to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.  The bill would also create the Big Sur Management Unit, a new division of the Los Padres National Forest with its own funding source.

Additionally, the bill adds 2,287 acres to the Ventana Wilderness, slightly adjusts several boundaries in Wilderness areas and prescribes a variety of fire and fuels management practices within the Los Padres National Forest. All of the areas are within the National Forest and the rivers primarily flow across public land. 

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act became law in 1968 to preserve the country’s free-flowing rivers for the purpose of maintaining outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values for future generations. In his legislation, Congressman Farr has proposed adding sections of the following rivers to the system:  Arroyo Seco River, Big Creek, Carmel River, San Antonio River, San Carpoforo Creek, and certain tributaries. 

Tom Hopkins, President of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance, praised this bill as part of a conservation ethic that Rep. Farr has been working on advancing for many years.  “Rep. Farr has continued to move his vision for protecting wild lands and rivers in his congressional district forward,” Hopkins said. “We are pleased that these important rivers may receive the protection they deserve.” 

Preserving these waterways also protects an essential natural resource.  “The rivers that will gain protection are not only ecologically significant waterways, they also provide a source of clean water for communities in the region,” said Steve Evans, Conservation Director at Friends of the River.

Farr’s bill also slightly adjusts several boundaries in Wilderness areas and sets new fire and fuels management practices within the Los Padres National Forest. 

Rep. Farr said following introduction of the bill. “The forests and coastline of Big Sur and the rivers along the Central Coast are known worldwide as place of amazing beauty, but it will take effort by all of us to maintain that beauty. This bill will protect sensitive rivers and put control in local hands, right where it should be.”

The bill establishes a Wildland Urban Interface Special Study Area which directs the U.S. Forest Service to use existing authority and resources to demonstrate innovative fire prevention methods that are consistent with wilderness values.  According to Rich Fairbanks, Fire Program Associate for The Wilderness Society, “This bill is a major step forward in our efforts to use science-based fire management to protect both communities and wild places.”

The legislation also establishes the Arroyo Seco-Indians National Recreational Trail which converts a former U.S. Forest Service Road, previously closed by landslides, into a non-motorized recreational trail. Finally, the bill establishes the 65-acre Jeff Norman Botanical Area which directs the U.S. Forest Service to protect unique plant species. The bill number is HR 4040. The bill, letters of support, and maps can be found here: http://www.farr.house.gov/bigsurforest