San Bernardino National Forest Land Management Plan - Part 2

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Land Management Plan Part 2 San Bernardino National Forest Strategy September 2005 Mojave Front Country (Within San Bernardino National Forest) Theme: Functions year-round as low elevation open space for Mojave Basin residents, as well as metropolitan residents of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. Mojave Front Country serves as the backdrop for the Antelope Valley, while providing breathtaking desert views from within the Place. This 'desert interface' landscape provides portals from the Mojave Basin to the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests. Setting: The Mojave Front Country rises up from the Mojave Desert with elevations from about 3,000 feet up to 6,000 feet. The lower elevation edge is delineated by the interface with the Mojave Desert. The higher elevation edge is marked by a series of peaks and ridges and provides some limited winter snowplay opportunities. The Northern aspect's steep to very steep slopes with sharp to rounded summits and narrow canyons are the dominant landforms of this landscape. The steeper reaches of slopes are barren and show evidence of fractured rock and landslides. Canyons have steep rocky sides that are covered with large boulders. The area is influenced by the San Andreas Fault zone, along with other faults, that result in unique geologic formations, such as those seen at Mormon Rocks on the San Bernardino National Forest. The presence of faulting has resulted in the movement and exposure of mineral resources that influence human activity (i.e., limestone mining, and clay extraction). The rain-shadow from the San Gabriel Mountains affects vegetation types and water availability in the Mojave Front Country. It is a transition zone from high desert to forest. Desert scrub, chaparral and conifer forest are the most dominate plant communities. In higher elevations, bigcone Douglas-fir, and Ponderosa and Jeffrey pines are present as scattered individuals or tight clumps. Pinyon pine and Joshua trees are present at the lowest elevations. The Circle Mountain area is dominated by xeric chaparral, and Joshua tree and pinyon-juniper woodlands. Some of the pinyon-juniper woodlands in this area have burned and need protection from frequent fire for regeneration. Page 76
September 2005 Land Management Plan Part 2 San Bernardino National Forest Strategy Important habitat linkages occur between the national forest and adjacent private land and between the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests. Threats to plant and animal species and other sensitive habitat areas include unauthorized vehicle use, dispersed recreation, and wildland fire. On the San Bernardino National Forest, the Mojave Front Country Place provides habitat for Region 5 sensitive plant and animal species and is important for large mammals, such as mule deer and mountain lion. The cultural landscape of the Mojave Front Country is generally undeveloped. Some of the oldest and most varied heritage resource sites for the national forest exist within the Place. This area is quickly changing from a rural undeveloped landscape to an urbanized setting along the national forest boundary and along California State Highway 138. Housing development along the boundary is affecting access to the national forest. Human impacts that create strong visual contrast within this landscape include: road cuts and utility corridors. This area is generally accessed from California State Highway 138, and Lone Pine Canyon Road. The limited paths through this nearly inaccessible landscape lead visitors to dramatic desert panoramas and rugged mountain background views. Opportunities exist to create connections with open space areas in the Mojave Desert. On the San Bernardino National Forest, the only developed recreation consists of a segment of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and the Morman Rocks Interpretive Trail. There is little other dispersed recreation activity other than seasonal hunting. The rapidly increasing development presents a challenge to the local governments and the and the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests need to have a more consistent management strategy along the national forest boundary. It also places greater emphasis on the national forests to provide fire protection and habitat linkages in those areas of intense buildup along the boundary. Encroachment has increased due to urban and rural development resulting in access and encroachment issues. Adjacent developments are creating their own social trails on national forest land, primarily caused by an increase in unauthorized vehicle use and equestrian use. Unauthorized vehicle use is resulting in severe erosion and damage to natural resources and cultural resources. This Place also has problems with trash, and car and pet dumping. There are no special designations on the San Bernardino National Forest. Desired Condition: Mojave Front Country Place is maintained as a natural appearing and culturally rich landscape that functions as a year-round, low elevation open space for Mojave Basin residents and residents of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. It also serves as a scenic backdrop for the Antelope Valley. The valued landscape attributes to be preserved over time are distinct desert views from within the landscape and rugged mountain background views, desert scrub with scattered Pinyon pine and Joshua trees, and heritage resources. Chaparral, forests and pinyon and Joshua tree woodlands are managed to provide fire protection for adjacent urban communities, compatible dispersed recreation use, high quality wildlife habitat and to protect plant communities from type conversion by frequent burning. Habitat conditions for sensitive species are improving over time. Wildlife linkages from the San Gabriel Mountains to the San Bernardino Mountains are maintained. Heritage properties are identified, Page 77
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San Bernardino National Forest Land Management Plan - Part 2

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