San Bernardino National Forest Land Management Plan - Part 2

September 2005 Land Management Plan Part 2
San Bernardino National Forest Strategy
Creek and Coxey Creek are also important, as are the other ephemeral drainages, seeps and
springs present.
The open, temperate, high desert landscape in the eastern portion of the Place is characterized by
Joshua tree stands and pinyon -juniper covered hillsides. Holcomb Valley (with its large montane
meadow system) dominates the center of the Place. Jeffrey pine, western juniper, canyon live oak
and white fir cover the hillsides here. The 1999 Willow Fire burned the western portion of the
Place and vast acreages of desert scrub, chaparral, pinyon -juniper woodland, and Jeffrey pine
forest are regenerating. The management of pinyon -juniper woodlands (susceptible to type
conversion after large, frequent fires) is important here. Prevention of cheatgrass invasion, which
carries fires, and the suppression of wildland fire in the burned Jeffrey pine and pinyon juniper
forest is needed for the next 50 to 100 years to allow for regeneration of these communities. In
other areas throughout this Place, drought induced conifer mortality is occurring in remaining
stands. Pinyon -juniper woodlands are also being affected.
The biological diversity within this Place is unusually high. Montane meadow, pebble plain,
carbonate and vernal mesic habitat support a large number of threatened, endangered, and
Region 5 sensitive and watchlist plants. Critical habitat designated for the recovery of the
carbonate endemic plants is present. Six pebble plain complexes occur; two of them support the
host plants for rare butterfly species endemic to this area. One of the largest concentrations of
endemic plant species in California occurs in Belleville Meadow. This area is one of a few
locations in the southern California national forests where common nighthawks, gray vireos, and
gray flycatchers breed. Aquatic, riparian and forested habitats along Holcomb Creek support
nesting pairs of southwestern willow flycatcher, California spotted owl, San Bernardino flying
squirrel, partially armored stickleback, sculpin and rare bats. Naturally reproducing rainbow trout
are also present. Arrastre Creek (one of the only perennial streams in the area) provides habitat
for a diverse array of wildlife species. This riparian corridor also provides a wildlife linkage for
the Cushenbury Nelson's bighorn sheep herd to connect to the San Gorgonio herd. Another
important habitat linkage occurs on the west side of North Peak extending north to its connection
with Fifteen Mile Valley. Excellent habitat for big game species is also present in the Heartbreak
Ridge area that is now recommended as an expansion of the Bighorn Mountain Wilderness.
National Forest System Roads 3N16, 3N14 and 3N03 provide access to the area from California
State Highway 18 and connect to many other national forest roads and trails. This area has the
highest number of unclassified roads and trails in all of the four southern California national
forests, with approximately three miles of road per square mile. The volume of new unauthorized
road and trail creation is high, as is the breaching of decommissioned and restored roadbeds.
Resource degradation caused by unauthorized use is high here. No residential communities occur
within or adjacent to the boundaries of this unit; however several structures are present on
private in-holdings. A gas pipeline, sewer outfall, and underground fiber optic lines are present in
this unit and water is extracted from Van Dusen Creek as a community water source. Power and
phone lines are present. Holcomb Valley is a well-known location of several famous movie and
television productions, and a large number of new media production requests are received each
year. Areas within this Place are also used by the military for patrolling, orienteering and other
training exercises.
The Big Bear Back Country Place offers a wide variety of dispersed recreation opportunities.
The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail traverses almost the entire length of the Place, offering
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