Cuba

The revised Forest Plan for Los Padres National Forest:

* Provides strategic management direction for the 1.78 million acres of Los Padres National Forest for the next 10-15 years.

* Is based on the concept of adaptive management. The plan will be adjusted as new science and knowledge become available and we identify where change is needed based on the results of field monitoring. The public is encouraged to help with plan implementation and monitoring by working with their local District Ranger.

* Emphasizes the protection of communities from catastrophic fire by setting the stage to work cooperatively with adjacent communities to develop and implement projects reducing hazardous fuels. Places the highest priority on protecting lives and property.

* Provides for the anticipated increase in recreation demand and changes in recreation trends with emphasis on improving and adapting existing recreation facilities and systems before adding new ones.

* Establishes seven Land Use Zones and identifies management emphasis and suitable uses and activities within those zones. The zones include:

o Developed Area Interface

o Existing Wilderness

o Recommended Wilderness

o Backcountry

o Backcountry Motorized Use Restricted (administrative access only, no public motorized access)

o Backcountry Non-motorized

o Critical Biological

* Protects forest ecosystems and promotes forest health including emphasis on improving conditions for wildlife and botanical resources, including all threatened and endangered species, in all land use zones. The plan also provides additional management standards to guide all future activities and projects. The plan establishes Critical Biological Zones to provide an added measure of protection in small focused areas where there are active or potential conflicts with public use.

* Makes a preliminary recommendation to Congress that 35,821 acres be added to the existing Wildernesses in LPNF. There are currently 860,678 acres of wilderness. If Congress designates all 35,821 acres, LPNF will have a total of 896,499 acres of Wilderness encompassing over 50 percent of the forest. Access in Congressionally designated Wilderness is by foot or horseback only and motorized or mechanized travel, including mountain bikes, is prohibited. Wilderness is recommended in these areas:

o Dick Smith (32,273 acres)

o Matilija (2,822 acres)

o Chumash Wilderness (726 acres)

* Makes a preliminary recommendation to Congress that 68.4 miles be added to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System in LPNF. (If designated by Congress, this would bring the total miles of W&S Rivers within LPNF to 152.4 miles.) The recommended rivers included the following:

o Arroyo Seco River: