Land Management Plan - Part 2 Los Padres National Forest Strategy

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Land Management Plan Part 2 Los Padres National Forest Strategy September 2005 San Rafael Theme: Including several designated wilderness areas and Back Country, this vast, rugged landscape offers a distinct contrast to the urban development along the nearby coast. Heritage resources are scattered in this area, which is also rich in biodiversity. Setting: San Rafael Place is a prime example of rugged, scenic landscapes in southern California. The Place is part of the interior Santa Lucia Mountains and forms the transition between the coastal and interior portions of the Transverse Ranges. The landscape of steep, rugged mountains and narrow canyons reaches an elevation of 6,593 feet at San Rafael Mountain. Mountains in the western portion of the Place trend northwest while those in the eastern portion trend east to west. The San Rafael, Dick Smith and Matilija Wildernesses are all part of this expansive landscape, as is the Sisquoc Wild and Scenic River and the Sisquoc Condor Sanctuary. Livestock grazing occurs within this Place on four allotments. Because of its size, habitat complexity, and lack of disturbance, San Rafael Place supports a high degree of biodiversity. The integrity of the component ecosystems is essentially intact. Chaparral is the dominant vegetative type, but there are intermixed forests of canyon live oak and bigcone Douglas-fir on north-facing slopes and in canyon bottoms. The highest elevations support southern California mixed conifer and Jeffrey pine forests. The Sisquoc River, Manzana Creek and Matilija Creek (with their varied riparian vegetation and habitats) run uninterrupted through this expansive terrain. The Sisquoc River and Manzana Creek are important habitat for threatened and endangered species including the arroyo toad, California red-legged frog and southern steelhead. Page 74 Sisquoc River, Congressionally designated Wild and Scenic River, San Raphael Place
September 2005 Land Management Plan Part 2 Los Padres National Forest Strategy The Sisquoc Condor Sanctuary and additional designated critical areas protect habitat for the endangered California condor. In some locations, noxious species including star thistle, tamarisk, and arundo are established. The San Rafael Place contains important heritage sites, including remnants of historic settlements and numerous examples of Chumash rock art. It also includes part of the Sierra Madre Special Interest Area, dedicated to the preservation of cultural resources, and used by contemporary Native Americans for conducting ceremonies and collecting plants. For an area of such enormous size, San Rafael Place has surprisingly few points of easy access. There is an extensive trail system offering long hikes in remote settings and several roads for mountain bikes and/or motorized uses. The trail system needs maintenance and there is mechanized intrusion at a number of wilderness entry points; mechanized transportation and motorized equipment are prohibited in wilderness. While the emphasis is on non-motorized use, OHV opportunities are available on Romero-Camuesa Road. Nonconforming improvements within the wilderness, including culverts and old roadbeds have not been reclaimed or removed. San Raphael Wilderness backpackers Designated Wild and Scenic Rivers: • Sisquoc River 32.6 miles Existing Wilderness: • Dick Smith Wilderness 71,350 acres • Matilija Wilderness 29,243 acres • San Rafael Wilderness 190,168 acres Recommended Wilderness: • Madulce-Buckhorn (Dick Smith Wilderness) 5,360 acres • Matilija (Matilija Wilderness)2,700 acres • Mono (Dick Smith Wilderness) 27,012 acres Page 75
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United States Department of Agricul
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Land Management Plan Part 2 Los Pad
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APPENDIX A - SPECIAL DESIGNATION OV
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LM 1 - Landscape Aesthetics........
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Land Management Plan - Part 2 Los Padres National Forest Strategy

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