San Bernardino National Forest Land Management Plan - Part 2

Land Management Plan Part 2
San Bernardino National Forest Strategy
September 2005
The Front Country (Within San Bernardino National Forest)
Theme: The scenic mountain backdrop for the greater Los Angeles area. The Front Country
Place provides portals from the Los Angeles Basin and the San Bernardino Valley (with its 15
million plus population) to the national forests. This extensive 'backyard' landscape reaches 60
miles from Lytle Creek to Newhall Pass and is managed by both the San Bernardino and the
Angeles National Forests.
Setting: The Front Country Place rises
dramatically from the Los Angeles Basin from an
elevation of approximately 2,500 feet to an
elevation of approximately 6,000 feet. The
communities that make up the urban interface of
the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Valleys
define the lower elevation edge of the Place. On
the San Bernardino National Forest, public access
is provided via San Savine Ridge Road from
either Lytle Creek or Cucamonga Canyon.
Views include dramatic urban panoramas backed
by rugged mountain backdrops. The southern
aspect of the Place includes steep slopes with
sharp to rounded summits and deep narrow
canyons. The steeper reaches of the slopes are
typically barren and highly eroded. Canyons
characteristically have steep, rocky sides and are often strewn with large boulders.
The Mediterranean climate of southern California affects vegetation types and water availability.
Perennial water is present only in the largest creeks and rivers. Chaparral is the most dominant
plant community. Canyon and coast live oaks along with bigcone Douglas-fir grow along the
shaded slopes of the canyons. Deciduous trees and shrubs occupy riparian areas. Degradation of
air quality (in surrounding communities) is a factor that is affecting forest health in a variety of
ways, including stressed plant communities and lower water quality. Invasive nonnative plants
found in many locations need eradication.
There is a rich diversity of plant and animal species. Riparian areas along the streams include
habitat for numerous riparian dependent species, and serve as valuable linkages between the
national forest and adjacent habitat on private land. Potential threats to habitat for riparian
dependent species and other sensitive habitat include intensive recreation uses, invasive species,
wildland fire, and flood control practices.
On the San Bernardino National Forest, there is proposed critical habitat for California
gnatcatcher, and southwestern willow flycatchers nest here.
A portion of the landscape is characterized by urban influences from development right to the
national forest boundary. In other locations within the Place, steep slopes limit access to remote
areas. This combination results in recreation experiences that include hunting and fishing, and
enjoyment for the hardy few that can access the hidden treasures of the springs and waterfalls
found in remote locations. There is a network of user created trails affecting natural resources in
many areas.
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