San Bernardino National Forest Land Management Plan - Part 2

Land Management Plan Part 2
San Bernardino National Forest Strategy
September 2005
fuels problem. Over a dozen communities are located here, and the number of residents living
within the national forest boundary is one of the highest in the nation.
This Place supports diverse plant and wildlife communities including a large expanse of high
quality California spotted owl habitat and much of the known range of the southern rubber boa.
Southwestern willow flycatcher, yellow warbler, northern flying squirrel, and many other special
status species are found here. Wintering bald eagle day and night roost sites are present on
national forest land adjacent to Lake Arrowhead and Silverwood Lake. Private land throughout
the area has high potential for development, which is increasing species dependence on national
forest land. Critical habitat for the arroyo southwestern toad is designated below 5,000 feet along
Deep Creek and is proposed for the southwestern willow flycatcher. Deep Creek also supports
native fish including a hybridized population of the Mohave tui chub. This corridor serves as an
important habitat linkage, connecting southwestern willow flycatcher habitat in the desert to
habitat in the mountains. An important landscape linkage for deer and bear is present in the
Heap's Peak/Sheep Creek area, connecting desert and coastal areas.
The Snow Valley Pebble Plain Complex supports one of the largest known occurrences of the
ashy gray paintbrush, a federally threatened species. San Bernardino Mountains owl's-clover,
Lemon lily, Humboldt lily, several other Region 5 sensitive plant species and vernal mesic
habitat are also present throughout the Place.
Significant historic and prehistoric heritage properties occur here. Rock Camp (a large
prehistoric encampment named for its numerous bedrock milling features) is one of the bestknown
heritage sites in southern California. Historically, the area was an important location of
early logging activity and the setting of the "Battle of Indian Hill," the last major encounter
between Euro-Americans and Native Americans in southern California.
Visitors access the area by California State Highways 138 and 18, known as the Rim of the
World Scenic Byway. California State Highways 330, 38 and 173 provide alternate access routes.
Public access to Lake Arrowhead, and adjacent Lake Papoose is restricted by private property
ownership. Power, water transmission, telephone, cable television, communication sites, and
sewer rights-of-way cross national forest land serving the communities. There are many requests
for additional non-recreation special-use permits, or expansions of existing permits. Popular
motion picture filming locations are located here. Adjacent private land development has resulted
in many encroachments on National Forest System lands.
Abundant recreation opportunities (especially day-use) are provided here for both local residents
and the large and diverse influx of seasonal visitors. Hiking, backpacking, camping, fly-fishing,
horseback riding, wildlife viewing, fern gathering, mountain biking, hunting, pleasure driving
and 4-wheeling opportunities are present. The hang-gliding and paragliding site at Pavika Point
is nationally recognized. Recreational target shooting is available at a range operated under
special-use authorization. Snowplay, nordic skiing, alpine skiing and snow boarding draw large
crowds during the winter months. Snow mobile opportunities are available on National Forest
System Road 1N96. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and the Camp Creek National
Recreation Trail provide popular hiking, backpacking, and equestrian opportunities; nonmotorized
and motorized trail opportunities are present along the North Shore National
Recreation Trail. Although the most well-defined motorized trail system on the national forest
occurs here, improvements could still be made. There are noise conflicts between national forest
OHV use and adjacent landowners.
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