San Bernardino National Forest Land Management Plan - Part 2

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,
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