September 3rd, 2010
US Forest Service Releases Draft Williamson Rock Plan, Temporary Closure Likely to Continue for at Least Three More Years!
The Angeles National Forest recently released a set of alternatives for managing climbing access at Williamson Rock north of Los Angeles (see previous post below). Williamson has been closed since 2005 while the US Forest Service analyzed whether to allow climbing access while also protecting a federally-listed endangered frog species and its critical habitat. The 2009 Station Fire complicated matters further when neighboring portions of the forest were burned (including other critical habitat). This draft plan proposes to extend the existing “temporary” closure at Williamson Rock for an additional three years for species monitoring. According to the Angeles National Forest, this action is needed “while neighboring [mountain yellow-legged frog] population segments are given time to rebound from the effects of wildfire and consequent watershed emergency.”
FoWR is working with our partners at the Access Fund and Allied Climbers of San Diego to assess whether the closure extension is warranted and to analyze and advocate for a management alternative allowing climbing, such as Alternative 3 in the Williamson Rock draft plan under which facilities would be constructed to route use away from critical biological habitat. You can view the US Forest Service’s draft environmental assessment at the previous post, below.
Your comments, which must be submitted by October 1, may be sent to:
Darrell Vance
Attn: Williamson Rock Environmental Assessment
701 N. Santa Anita Ave. Arcadia, CA 91006
Email: dvance@fs.fed.us
September 1st, 2010
The USFS has posted an EA (Environmental Assessment). It can be found here:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/projects/
Direct link to the Environmental Assessment (PDF)
October 6th, 2009
Thanks to Alpinist magazine for spreading the word in an article on Williamson Rock.
If you haven’t already you can help by taking action now!
The Access Fund Action Center has an online form to help you comment.
It will take less than one minute to make your voice heard.
October 5th, 2009
The following is the official USFS proposal (which define the measures which may restore access to Williamson Rock).
These are the documents (.pdf downloads) that the USFS is seeking public comment on:
The Access Fund Action Center has an online form to help you comment.
October 2nd, 2009
The U.S. Forests Service is requesting public comments on a proposal to restore access to Williamson Rock.
Please make your voice heard.
If you are on the Access Fund, FoWR or ACSD mailing list(s) you will also receive an e-mail with instructions next week.
The proposal envisions reopening some areas at Williamson Rock to the public and implementing measures, such as re-routing the approach trail, to protect the endangered mountain yellow-legged frog (MYLF) and its critical habitat. While the London and Stream Walls will remain temporarily closed to allow the MYLF population to recover, we believe that the proposal is a vast improvement over the status quo – total closure.
A hard copy letter, in your own words, is preferred over e-mail.
Please mail your letter to:
Angeles National Forest
Williamson Rock ID Team
ATTN: Darrell Vance
701 N. Santa Anita Ave
Arcadia, CA 91006
As a last resort, if you are unable to drop a letter in the mail, then you can send your comments via e-mail to:
dvance@fs.fed.us
Some general writing points (put into your own words):
- You are in support of the proposed actions.
- State why climbing at Williamson is important to you, the beauty of the area etc.
- Climbers (you) respect and care for the natural areas in which we climb and are committed to access and conservation.
- Climbers are good stewards of the area.
- Climbers are willing to work with the USFS and other agencies to mitigate the problem.
- Williamson is a very valuable resource to climbers (no alternative crag like it).
- Include your contact info (include name, address and email)
Thank you all for your attention, time and effort!
May 26th, 2009
Important Note: None of this is official until the required NEPA documents are finalized and scoping process etc. is completed.
Public scoping will be relatively soon and we will need your help with another letter writing campaign.
FoWR will provide more specific details when available.
On May 20th 2009 Troy Mayr and Brent Ware (FoWR) with Darrell Vance and Yonni Schwartz (USFS) went on a field trip to Williamson Rock.
The purpose of this field trip was to discuss “on the ground” the USFS proposed measures including; the actual ‘new’ Long Trail approach, the critical habitat boundary, to give the USFS a tour of the the crag from a climber perspective and to show the USFS which crags were which (so they could reference the guidebook). On that note they were surprised at the level of “organization” at the crag, which they viewed positively, in that it made defining access much more precise.
We met at the Long Trail (East) parking lot.
Yonni and Darrell told us that the Short Trail will not work, primarily because it goes down right into the water / MYLF critical habitat (see previous post below). As a consequence the USFS indicated that the short trail and parking lot(s) will be completely closed and rehabbed.
The Long Trail parking lot will be improved and made the only option for approaching the crag. The USFS would also install a toilet at the trail head at the parking lot. The long trail is less than a mile long and will be a pleasant hike after the trail work is completed. We discussed signage requirements, potential locations and where the trail would access the crag (near the Ramblin Wall / Pyramid portion of the crag, far away from the stream). It will be essential for climbers to stay on the designated trail(s). The Long Trail would have to be modified in minor ways, the most significant of which is closing off all the alternatives such as the segment of the trail runs right above the pools.
There will be no access to the stream corridor period. Also, no dogs will be allowed in the area.
Darrell and Yonni think that it should be possible to maintain access to all the upper crags, the Generation Wall, Secret Garden, etc. and mostly likely the lower area’s including the Waterfall Wall / Upper Head Wall and vicinity. We also discussed maintaining access to all the upper front side crags, including Voices Wall, Eagles Roost Buttress, Freezer Burn Wall etc., this would be achieved by “fencing off” the stream corridor (with some sort of barrier rustic / natural in appearance) to prevent people from going down to the stream in the area below the Waterfall Wall to the Voices Wall at the Mushroom Boulder. The bad news is that we would lose the London Wall, the Stream Wall, and all the climbs downstream of those as well as the Mushroom Boulder. Unfortunately a couple of the best crag in the area would be lost but that seems a small price to pay to protect the MYLF critical habitat and to gain access to the greater part of the crag.
The USFS would monitor activity at the crag, especially during peak times (weekends). It was also discussed that limited access would be granted initially, allowing for more as it was determined that the measures were effective. How this would be monitored is unclear at this point.
All in all the trip was a success and we hope that the resolution evolves more quickly as a result.
The view from the proposed long trail approach.
May 5th, 2009
Recently, the USFS ID Team made a field visit to Williamson rock.
FoWR discussed this with them and learned the following.
The USFS looked at the short trail(s), and concluded that those will not work.
They feel that there is too much risk from a safety standpoint if they develop that trail.
The USFS botanist identified another sensitive plant in that vicinity as well, so that option becomes even more problematic.
They also examined the long trail and although there are 2 stream crossings, they believe that this may be the most realistic solution for access.
They used a GPS to chart the existing trail, which they will be proposing to develop for access to the northeast side of the rock.
They also have interest from the biological community from people who want to help with falcon monitoring.
We will post news as it presents itself.
Troy Mayr
March 25th, 2009
FoWR recently attended a meeting with the USFS.
The USFS is continuing to work on developing the ‘best options’ that will allow access to Williams Rock, while enhancing the protection of the Mountain Yellow Legged Frog (MYLF).
While there was nothing definitive to report from this meeting, be assured that there is ongoing work being done on the Williamson Rock issue. We will provide more details as they become available and notify you directly when action is needed.
Thanks!
March 23rd, 2009
FoWR / AF recently attended a meeting at Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon’s office with his Senior Field Representative Conor McGee (the congressman himself was not present). The meeting also included representatives from the USFS ID team and Acting Forest Supervisor. This meeting was initiated by Wayne Burnes a local climber in McKeon’s district.
While there were no new developments at this meeting (for a listing of the topics discussed, see the previous post) it is noteworthy that the process is underway, we are involved and were invited to attend.
Suffice it to say, McKeon’s office understands that there are dedicated, informed groups representing the climbing community who want Williamson Rock access restored while protecting the MYLF habitat. Thank you for your participation in the recent email writing campaign, your e-mails were delivered to McKeon’s office. Also thanks again to all who have written letters to your elected officials.
We have recently been contacted regarding another meeting at the USFS headquarters.
There is a lot of movement currently we will present news as it becomes available.
February 17th, 2009
- The USFS to implement strategy (to be determined) by Oct. 2009
- The NEPA process will be initiated, including: Proposed actions, Possible climbing management plan and required documents. An E.A. (Environmental Assessment) is what we are hoping will be the required document. This is currently what FoWR / AF preferred vs. an E.I.S. (Environmental Impact Study).
- The USFS is currently evaluating nearby recreation issues, which at the core may be unassociated with the use of the Rock. These are being analyzed to determine which can be unlinked from the Williamson Rock issue. These will hopefully be separately ‘categorically excluded’ under NEPA, in an attempt to lessen the perceived ‘cumulative effect’ to the biological resources.
- The USFS is currently evaluating the approach trails used to access Williamson Rock. There is the possibility that one of the proposed actions may include exclusive use of ‘the Long Trail’ as a climbers trail. The USFS currently thinks that alternative would be best to avoid the MYLF habitat all together.
- FoWR will learn more by April, when the ‘best alternatives’ are further defined. We will provide more details as they become available.
February 6th, 2009
Thank you to everyone for writing letters to your congressional representatives and influencing others to write as well.
A big thanks for Jason (and everyone) at the Access Fund, Jason’s Washington D.C. trip and your letters have been instrumental in getting this response from the USFS. We’ve got a long way to go still, but we hope that this is the tipping point.
It is definitely a huge step forward it terms of the USFS allocation of time, monies and personnel to the Williamson Rock issue.
Now the big news…
As a result of our recent meeting with the USFS and USFWS, there has been significant progress:
- The ANF / USFS has secured $85k for the current fiscal year (Oct – Oct) that will be allocated to the Williamson Rock issue, earmarked for (what we hope will be) an E.A. (Environmental Assessment).
- The Williamson Rock issue has been elevated from the regional office in Santa Clarita to the supervisors office in Arcadia, Ca.
- A new I.D. (Inter Disciplinary) Team has been formed, including specialists from the supervisors office.
- Darrell Vance is being assigned as Team Leader for the Williamson Rock project.
- Lisa Northrop, Forest Resources Staff Officer will be the lead staff officer to support Darrell and the team. Lisa supervises all resource specialists.
The USFS thanked FoWR / AF for our patience:
“I appreciate how frustrating the situation has been (for all of us).
We need our partners to help to figure out what is the best and right thing to do out there.
Our goal is to find a way to protect the resources while allowing recreation uses to continue.”
The Omnibus Public Lands Bill (#22) has passed the Senate and is in the House.
In the the bill the Forest Service asked for a larger exclusion area for Williamson
Rock from designated wilderness. Which is what FoWR had requested.
On behalf of FoWR, I have spoken with congressman David Drier’s office in support of this bill.
Thanks again for your effort and patience, we will keep you posted as news becomes available.
Troy
December 17th, 2008
Williamson Rock, Angeles National Forest
Chronology of US Forest Service Management
1980s – Recreational rock climbing begins at Williamson Rock on the Angeles Crest in the Angeles National Forest.
Mid 1990s – Access Fund organizes trail projects and proposes funding for a composting toilet at Williamson Rock.
2002 – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) list the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog (MYLF) as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
2003 – USGS biologists prepare research papers studying the MYLF at Williamson Rock and recommend as adequate mitigation closing or rerouting trails to the rock and addressing potential human waste issues.
Spring 2004 – FWS communicate with the Angeles National Forest (ANF) about closing Williamson Rock to protect the MYLF population breeding upstream.
2004 – Friends of Williamson Rock (FoWR) formed. http://williamsonrock.org/index.php.
December 2005 – Access Fund contractor prepares a report analyzing alternate trail approaches to Williamson Rock and identifying potential mitigation measures.
December 2005 – ANF issues closure order “to protect critical habitat of the mountain yellow-legged frog, and temporarily limit access to approximately 1,000 acres in the area north of the Angeles Crest Highway” including Williamson Rock, “an area frequented by rock climbers.” ANF states its commitment to meet with members of the rock climbing community to work on a proposal that may eventually allow continued climbing at Williamson Rock.
February 2006 – FoWR submits to the ANF an access and mitigation plan that would allow for recreational access to Williamson Rock while also conserving the MYLF population.
September 2006 – FWS designates Little Rock Creek adjacent to Williamson Rock as “Critical Habitat” under the Endangered Species Act.
January 2007 – FoWR provides the ANF with a draft “Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Analysis” with the purpose to protect the MYLF population while regulating use of Williamson Rock in a manner consistent with mandates and restrictions of law.
February 2007 – ANF organizes an Inter-Disciplinary Team to analyze the Williamson Rock “temporary” closure. ANF sets a timeline for the required NEPA process to conclude by the end of 2007.
June 2007 – The Access Fund and FoWR provide scoping comments to ANF proposal to develop a management plan that will protect the MYLF and its critical habitat, while also providing access to the Williamson Rock climbing area.
October 2007 – The Santa Clara Mojave Rivers Ranger District Office is destroyed by the Buckweed Fire. All buildings and office equipment are destroyed along with records, project files, special use permit files, and contract and business files. The destruction included most of the documentation files regarding the Williamson Rock issue.
December 2007 – ANF issues decision memo authorizing the continued “temporary” closure of the Williamson Rock area from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 to address “concerns related to the protection of the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog and its Critical Habitat in the area.” This decision was categorically excluded from documentation and is not subject to review or appeal.
May 2008 – ANF sends FoWR a letter explaining that until the USFS completes the environmental analysis their only option is to keep Williamson Rock closed to the public. ANF also states that it will not have the appropriated funds to undertake this process in its 2008 fiscal year and gives no timeline when funds may become available or plans for pursuing such funds.
July 2008 – ANF begins the process of re-activating its Williamson Rock Inter- Disciplinary Team. FoWR communicates with the ANF’s lead biologist who indicates that the ANF has not received the required biological opinion from the FWS because the ANF has not provided the FWS with a proposed action for managing Williamson Rock (similar to the draft FoWR provided to the ANF in January of 2007) beyond annual “temporary” closure orders. The ANF biologist indicated that the MYLF population was increasing and that a potential solution to the Williamson closure is increase the tadpole population by translocation to nearby areas.
August 2008 – FoWR calls and sends letter to the ANF urging the allocation of necessary funds to begin the environmental analysis process, either through current budget resources or via future congressional appropriations.
October 2008 – FoWR and Access Fund issue action alert urging membership to write the USFS and Congress demanding action on the Williamson Rock environmental analysis.
October 7th, 2008
Three Years Later ‘Temporary’ Climbing Closure at Williamson Rock Continues
Your Letters to Congress Needed by November 15th.
The Angeles National Forest continues to enforce a “temporary” climbing closure at Williamson Rock near Los Angeles three years after the ban was first implemented. The climbing ban was intended to protect critical habitat of the mountain yellow-legged frog (MYLF) while the Forest Service studied options for an alternate access trail. Unfortunately, while climbers have complied with the access prohibition, the USFS has failed to even obtain funding to pay for an E.A. environmental analysis.
More background information can be found at:
Your letters to Congress are needed to increase pressure on the USFS / Angeles National Forest to fund an environmental analysis that may open up climbing access at Williamson Rock while also protecting the MYLF. It’s time to ask your federal representatives to put pressure on the Forest Service to do its job.
Please take a couple minutes to write Senators Feinstein and Boxer, and your US House Representative. Ask them to contact the Angeles National Forest and urge them to begin the environmental analysis for Williamson Rock that was promised there years ago.
An original letter, in your own words, (using the sample below as a guide) is most effective.
However, any letter is better than none, so if need be feel free to use the following sample letter and send a hard copy via US mail.
(email should only be used as a last resort).
To find your US Representative, enter your zip code in the following link:
http://capwiz.com/outdooralliance/dbq/officials/
[Date]
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
One Post Street, Suite 2450
San Francisco, California 94104
John_Watts@Feinstein.senate.gov
The Honorable Barbara Boxer
United States Senate
1700 Montgomery Street, Suite 240
San Francisco, California 94111
Committee@Boxer.senate.gov
The Honorable [_________]
US House of Representatives
[____________________]
[____________________]
RE: Climbing Access to Williamson Rock,
Angeles National Forest
Dear Senators Feinstein and Boxer,
Representative [__________]:
I write today on behalf of the Friends of Williamson Rock (FoWR) requesting assistance towards funding an environmental analysis that may lead to public access and wildlife protections at Williamson Rock. The Friends of Williamson Rock (www.williamsonrock.org), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to preserving climbing access and activity, as well as protecting the natural environment of the Williamson Rock area. The FoWR is also an affiliate of the Access Fund (www.accessfund.org), a national, non-profit climbers’ organization dedicated to preserving the natural resources used by climbers, and climbers’ access to those resources.
The Williamson Rock area is a well-known recreation site on public land used predominately for rock climbing since the 1960′s and is widely regarded as a unique rock climbing resource for the entire Southern California region. Indeed, Williamson is the premier sport climbing destination in Southern California. For three years climbers have respected a “temporary” closure at Williamson Rock while the Angeles National Forest prepared an alternate trail study that would protect sensitive frog species while also providing public access to this popular area. Climbers have participated in a scoping process for the environmental analysis investigating alternatives to a total closure of Williamson Rock including re-routing trails, seasonal closures, and climber education. This “temporary” closure has been in effect since December 2005, yet the Angeles National Forest recently indicated that it will again not have the funds to begin the environmental analysis in its 2008 fiscal year. For more information on this issue, see http://williamsonrock.org/blog/
I request your assistance in contacting the Angeles National Forest and urge them to prioritize the appropriation of funds for an environmental analysis process. Rock climbing at Williamson is a valuable low-impact recreational use, a complete closure of the public’s land is unacceptable, and a 3-year “temporary” closure is too long (if not illegal).
Local climbers have addressed this issue in a proactive manner, and seek a solution that will be acceptable to all over the long term. Unfortunately, the Angeles National Forest has been unresponsive and has failed to appropriately address the closure of public lands at Williamson.
Please call or write as soon as possible to inform me of actions you have undertaken to help us pursue a balanced, compromise solution to the issue of public access at Williamson Rock. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Your name and address here]
August 1st, 2008
RE: Williamson Rock Environmental Analysis
Dear Supervisor Noiron,
Thank you for your letter responding to an inquiry by Friends of Williamson Rock on the status of the public access closure at Williamson Rock.
Friends of Williamson Rock (FoWR)
As you know, Friends of Williamson Rock (FoWR) is a non-profit corporation [501(c)(3)] organized to preserve climbing access and activity, as well as protect the natural environment of the Williamson Rock area. FoWR is an Access Fund affiliated local climbing organization.
FoWR has actively worked with the U.S. Forest Service to help resolve the access issue at Williamson Rock: FoWR has submitted comments to the Forest Service’s Scoping Letter, attended numerous meetings, gone on field trips to the area with the USFS, USFWS and the USGS. Additionally, FoWR has facilitated Forest Service meetings with the climbing community and provided the services of a mapping expert and habitat restoration specialist. Additionally, with grant funds from the Access Fund, FoWR commissioned trail study of the Williamson Rock area. FoWR also authored and provided a 25 page document titled ‘Williamson Rock Access and Conservation Project’, which among other things provided mitigation measures (proposed actions) as well as outlining potential projects for the general stewardship of the area. In short, FoWR is in ongoing communication with the USFS, providing valuable information and resources.
Williamson Rock EA
In your letter, you explained that until the Forest Service completes the environmental analysis process, your only option is to keep the Williamson Rock closed to the public in order to protect the Mountain Yellow Legged Frog (MYLF) population. You also stated that the Forest Service will not have the appropriated funds to undertake this process in its 2008 fiscal year.
FoWR is very disappointed that an examination of alternatives to the complete public closure of Williamson Rock, enacted as a temporary measure in December 2005, will not even begin in 2008. As you know, FoWR represents over 5000 climbers and Williamson Rock is the premier sport climbing destination in Southern California. Its closure has prevented tens of thousands of user days of low-impact rock climbing. FoWR has actively supported the Forest Service’s decision-making processes and has encouraged climbers to respect the public access closure at Williamson Rock since it was first enacted as a temporary measure in December 2005, and for the last two and a half years the climbing community has respected this closure. However, as time goes by and little to no action is taken to explore alternatives, public support for the closure is beginning to erode. With the perception that the climbing community’s efforts are meaningless, FoWR’s ability to encourage climbers to respect the closure is similarly eroding.
The temporary closure of public land by federal land management agencies, while sometimes needed, is an extreme measure, and should only be initiated through clear legal authority based on documented scientific need with a clear timeline for resolution. The environmental analysis process is necessary to determine if there are better and less restrictive ways to protect the MYLF population short of a complete public closure, such as alternative trail construction, human waste management, or seasonal closures. The trail study commissioned by FoWR found that alternative trail construction would protect the MYLF population.
As you are aware, Pleasant View Ridge, which includes Williamson Rock, is part of the Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act now pending in the House and Senate. The bill’s supporters have praised the recreational opportunities available in Pleasant View Ridge, including hiking and rock climbing. Unfortunately, because the Forest Service has been unable to secure funding for the necessary environmental analysis process, the public has been unable to enjoy Pleasant View Ridge’s hiking and rock climbing opportunities for the last two and a half years.
FoWR urges the Forest Service to allocate the necessary funds to begin the environmental analysis process, either through current budget resources or via future Congressional appropriations. This temporary closure has continued far too long and unnecessarily affects a large number of public land users. FoWR remains ready and willing to assist the Forest Service in this process.
Sincerely,
Troy Mayr
May 28th, 2008
The following is FoWR’s letter to the USFS Forest Supervisor, Jody Noiron and her official response.
Dear Supervisor Noiron,
It’s been nearly 2 years since our initial meeting (and the closure of Williamson Rock to climbing) in that time we have established an excellent working relationship with USFS, specifically in cooperation with Jonathan (Yonni) Schwartz who has been our primary liaison. We have made consistent progress with Yonni’s guidance and have made visits to the office(s) and field trips when called upon.
We have also met with others at the USFS including former rangers Cid Morgan and Craig Snider as well as biologist Teresa Sue (not to mention those from other agencies) who have all been helpful and optimistic about the possibility of re-opening the area to climbers. Furthermore we have provided resources when required and eagerly await the opportunity to facilitate any projects.
As you’re aware, in June during the scoping period climbers submitted over 400 individual letters to the USFS, a very strong response.
Friends of Williamson Rock (FoWR) the Access Fund as well as the climbing community in general have an ongoing interest in re-opening Williamson Rock to climbing. It is our desire to keep moving forward, to that end, I am submitting this letter to you directly.
Where do we stand?
What is the next step for the USFS ID team?
Is there a firm timeline, based on the NEPA process?
What can we do now to expedite the process?
I appreciate your time and ongoing allocation of resources to this issue.
On behalf of FoWR and our constituents, I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Troy Mayr
President, Friends of Williamson Rock
__________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Mayr:
Thank you for meeting with District Ranger John Capell back in March
regarding the Williamson Rock area closure. I do apologize for the delay
in a formal response to your inquiries into the status of the closure
situation.
When John met with you he relayed that we do not anticipate having the
appropriated funds needed to proceed with the environmental analysis for
determining the future of the Williamson Rock area in fiscal year 2008.
Unfortunately, this is still the case. I did have an opportunity to meet
last week with staff from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to
discuss the status of the Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog (MYLF) population
in this area. I wanted to better understand concerns from their
perspective and discuss possible alternatives to enhance the habitat and
prevent further degradation of the species. I learned that there are
other factors possibly affecting the MYLF population in addition to
human activities in and around the riparian area. This is important
because before we can find a solution that will allow public use while
still protecting the MYLF population, we need to understand the root
causes of the problems affecting the population. The information learned
from this meeting will indeed assist us in developing a proposed action,
which is the first step in the environmental analysis process. The
proposed action is also the basis for the biological
assessment/evaluation, which in turn, is the basis for formal
consultation with the FWS to identify what the viable options are. These
efforts all lead to a final decision by the Forest Service on what the
future of the area will be with regards to public use and protection of
the resources.
Another piece of new information is that I was notified on Thursday, May
22nd, that companion bills were introduced in both the House
(Congressman Buck McKeon) and Senate (Senator Barbara Boxer) proposing
two new Wilderness Areas on the Angeles. One of the areas is Pleasant
View Ridge, which includes the Williamson Rock area. The second area is
Magic Mountain further to the West near Santa Clarita. The bills have
not been assigned numbers that I am aware of but the House bill is cited
as “The Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act”.
I share your interest in finding a solution that will allow this popular
recreation area to be open to the public to the extent possible while
protecting and enhancing the riparian resources. As soon as we can
secure the funds we will pursue the appropriate process. But until we go
through the analysis process and make a final decision regarding the
future of the area, I have no other options but to keep the area closed
to the public in order to protect the remaining MYLF population. That
was confirmed for me in our meeting with FWS last week. Yonni Schwartz
will continue to be your contact for this project. He can be reached at
(661) 296-9710 ext 226. Thank you for your continuing interest in this
issue.
Sincerely,
Jody Noiron
Forest Supervisor
cc: John Capell
