Land Management Plan - Part 2 Los Padres National Forest Strategy

Land Management Plan Part 2
Los Padres National Forest Strategy
September 2005
Campground is afforded to the public during deer hunting season. Off-highway vehicle trails
skirt the periphery of the Machesna Wilderness and Garcia Wilderness and provide jumping off
points for hikers. Many of the trails within the wilderness are overgrown, and access can be
blocked by private land. Some existing and old roads on national forest land in the Place have
erosion problems.
The area is managed primarily for livestock grazing (nine allotments are under permit), dispersed
recreation, hunting, heritage resources and historic sites. Recreation use is generally low because
the Place is not readily accessible by designated trails or roads. Infrastructure for nearby urban
areas includes electrical power lines that cross the Place and communication sites on Las Pilitas
Mountain.
Existing Wilderness:
• Garcia Wilderness 13,933 acres
• Machesna Mountain Wilderness 18,304 acres
Existing Research Natural Area:
• American Canyon 1,529 acres
All acreages shown are within the Place.
Total national forest acres--Avenales Place: 57,557
Desired Condition: Avenales Place is a pastoral, naturally evolving landscape that functions as
wilderness and ranchland grazing areas. There are natural habitats within oak-grasslands and the
Coulter pine-chaparral forested areas. Non-motorized access is improved.
Program Emphasis: Maintain relationships with adjacent private landowners. Maintain
livestock grazing opportunities. Improve non-motorized trails within the Place. Improve access
to the Place in a way that does not generate conflicts between uses. Reduce erosion generated
from roads. Maintain protection of the peregrine falcon and California condor nesting and
roosting habitats.
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