Before venturing out, you need to know the latest news about road
conditions, campground closures and fire restrictions. Here is a round-up of the current headlines pulled from US Forest Service press releases, the Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Fish and Game, California Department of Forestry, National Park Service and other sources.

ANGELES CREST HIGHWAY CLOSURES CAUSE CONFUSION AND FRUSTRATION - July 25, 2010
With a small day pack strapped to his back, Scott Groves set out from his home in Pasadena to the foot of the Mt. Wilson Trail in Sierra Madre. He climbed seven miles to the top of the mountain and then proceeded down Mt. Wilson Road before happening upon the closed portion of Angeles Crest Highway. "It wasn't even on my radar that this was closed," Groves said as he stopped to fill his water pouch near the intersection of Angeles Crest and Angeles Forest highways. "I had read that it was clear to come up from the Palmdale side, so I figured everything here was cool." About 20 miles of the 66-mile Angeles Crest Highway, from La Cañada Flintridge to Mt. Wilson Road and 25% of the Angeles National Forest remain off-limits to the public as construction crews rebuild pieces of the route that winter storms caused to wash out. The $16.5 million in repairs, contracted out to Thousand Oaks-based Burns Pacific Construction, is expected to be completed in November. Meanwhile, the closures continue to frustrate and confuse those seeking to access some of the most popular portions of the San Gabriel Mountains. Hundreds of motorcyclists, bicyclists and hikers have been spotted in restricted areas, according to officials from the California Department of Transportation and U.S. Forest Service. Some of the trespassing seems to be due to genuine misunderstanding about the status of different portions of the road and forest.
This article is (c)opyright 2010 Los angeles Times. Read the rest of the story on their web site by clicking HERE.
[Megan O'Neil, Los Angeles Times]

ALL OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE TRAILS OPEN FOR THE SEASON - July 22, 2010
The last of the seasonally closed off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails on the Kern River Ranger District (KRRD) opened last week with the help of volunteers. Due to extended winter conditions, the Sherman Pass Jeep Trail and North Meadow Jeep Trail remained closed later than usual this year. Once the warming temperatures allowed access, Forest Service crews encountered fallen snags, remnants of the 2002 McNally Fire, scattered across the trails. Fortunately, ongoing volunteer agreements under the Adopted Trail Program offered OHV enthusiasts the opportunity to help open the trails as soon as possible. Two of these volunteer organizations, the Bakersfield Trail Blazers and the Ridgecrest Gear Grinders, volunteered under this program and assisted the Forest Service in removing over 70 fallen snags from the trails on Saturday July 10. Other Forest Service sponsored OHV volunteer groups include BPMC, KTM Talk Riders, Stewards of the Sequoia and Thumper Talk. Each of these groups has played a part in helping the Forest Service maintain over 300 miles of trail this year. District Ranger Rick Larson expressed his appreciation by saying, "I would like to extend my personal thanks to these OHV organizations, as well as, to all our volunteer partners for taking the time to help us keep trails and other facilities open and safe for the public. Our combined efforts make the outdoors more enjoyable for everyone!"
[US Forest Service press release]

STREAM ABOVE ALTADENA TEMPORARILY DIVERTED, THREATENING LOCAL WILDLIFE - July 21, 2010
Armed with a cease-and-desist letter, a Forest Service ranger Wednesday shut down a utility company's attempt to cut off water from a stream that rare newts and frogs call home, officials said. Millard Canyon Creek was dry for almost 24 hours after Lincoln Avenue Water Company diverted the water flow in the hills above the stream for a "pipe test," said Sherry Rollman, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service. That left rare newts and frogs in danger of dying, according to Lonnie Fehr, the host of Millard Canyon Campground. Bob Hayward, manager of the water company, did not return a phone call seeking comment Wednesday. Rollman said the water company should have sought out Forest Service authorization before conducting the test. A ranger that represents the area appeared at Hayward's office on Wednesday morning. Lori Paul, a local wildlife activist who was staying at an area cabin during the water diversion, described the water company's actions as "outrageous." She spent much of Tuesday and Wednesday trying to get the creek flowing again. "The creek is dying right now as we're talking," Paul said early Wednesday. The campground, a rare patch of Southern California shade in a small canyon aboveAltadena, is the closet campground to downtown Los Angeles. Fehr said that when the stream dried up he did his best to move the newts to whatever small pools remained, but remains concerned that they may have been out of water for too long. By noon Wednesday the previously dry creek was again flowing, with small streams of water running through the leaves and rocks that make up the streambed. This article is (c)opyright 2010 by the Pasadena Star News. Read the rest of the story on their web site by clicking HERE.
[Dan Abendschein, Staff Writer, Pasadena Star News]

FIRE RESTRICTIONS INCREASING ON NATIONAL FOREST - July 16, 2010
Higher temperatures and rapidly drying vegetation have prompted the San Bernardino National Forest to increase fire restrictions on Monday July 19, 2010. Forest officials are taking these steps to prevent human-caused fires and raise public awareness as the summer continues to get warmer and dryer. Most wildfires on the San Bernardino National Forest are human-caused and increased restrictions are designed to reduce wildland fires. Forest visitors are reminded to exercise caution when visiting the National Forest and maintain a higher level of awareness with the increased fire risk. Travelers through the Forest should remain on designated roads and never park on dry brush or grass. “We have had very favorable weather conditions so far this season but now things are changing.” said Fire Chief Kurt Winchester. “We are asking that people be aware of these changes and help us keep our forests green for all to enjoy.” Fire restrictions and guidelines effective July 19, 2010 on the San Bernardino National Forest are as follows:
* Wood and charcoal fires are permitted only in campgrounds and picnic grounds and within agency provided fire rings or camp stoves.
* Campfire permits are required for propane and gas stoves and lanterns used outside of developed recreation sites.
* An approved spark arrester is required for any internal combustion engine operated on designated forest routes.
* Smoking is limited to enclosed vehicles, developed recreation sites, and areas cleared of vegetation three feet in diameter.
* Fireworks are always prohibited on the San Bernardino National Forest.
The US Forest Service will be aggressively citing those who do not comply with the posted restrictions. Violation of these prohibitions is subject to punishment by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than six months or both, as Class B misdemeanors under federal law. Persons may also be responsible for resource damage, suppression costs and any injuries that occur if they are found liable for causing a wildfire. Forest visitors are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” and call ahead to the local Ranger Station to check on location conditions and restrictions.

RIBBON CUT FOR REOPENING OF AMBOY CRATER PUBLIC ACCESS ROAD - July 15, 2010
The ceremony marked the completion of a project funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). BLM-California received $40 million to fund 115 projects under the Act which are intended to restore landscapes and habitat, spur renewable energy development on public lands, and create jobs. “This completed ARRA project provides the public with a smooth all-season paved road and replaces the former largely un-maintained gravel road,” stated Raymond “Rusty” Lee, BLM Needles Field Office Manager. Designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973, Amboy Crater is recognized for its visual and geological significance. Amboy Crater is an excellent example of a very symmetrical volcanic cinder cone. There is a breach on the west side of the crater where basaltic lava poured out over a vast area of 24 square miles, which contains lava lakes, collapsed lava tubes and sinks, spatter cones and massive flows of basalt. Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark lies about halfway between Barstow and Needles (about 66 miles from each) off Historic Route 66 National Trails Highway.
[Bureau of Land Management press release]

FOREST SERVICE MAKES DECISION ON SUNRISE POWERLINK - July 13, 2010
The USDA Forest Service has authorized the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Sunrise Powerlink on the Cleveland National Forest. The signed Record of Decision adopts the California Public Utilities Commission/Bureau of Land Management Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS). "Throughout the deliberative process, the Forest Service sought to balance California’s renewable energy needs with minimizing impacts to the environment to the greatest extent possible," said Will Metz, Forest Supervisor of the Cleveland National Forest. "The Forest Service's decision to authorize the project provides future access to renewable energy, improves energy system reliability, and will reduce transmission congestion in the greater San Diego area. The citizens of Southern California will benefit from implementation of Sunrise Powerlink and it is in the national interest to allow Forest lands to be utilized for this project." The decision adopts the comprehensive mitigation measures detailed in the Final EIR/EIS and the Fish and Wildlife Service's Biological Opinion. Fire mitigation will include the construction and maintenance of defensible space on Forest land adjacent to communities at risk along the route of the transmission line, and the funding to plan, design and construct fire suppression facilities and improvements. The decision also provides for additional mitigation measures on Forest lands to further minimize the impacts of the project on the environment. The decision amends the Cleveland National Forest Land Management Plan (LMP) to provide a project-specific exception to the Forest LMP requirements regarding scenic integrity along the transmission line route, riparian conditions and biological resource condition goals in Riparian Conservation Areas, and for the construction of the transmission line in a Back-Country Non-motorized area. "We carefully considered the public comments, and reviewed the information contained in the Supplemental Information Report in determining that further environmental analysis is not needed," added Metz. "A Special Use Permit will be issued to SDG&E contingent on resolution of any potential appeals to my decision, and project certification under the Clean Water Act by the State of California Water Resources Control Board." Publication of the legal notice concerning this decision in the Union Tribune establishes the 45-day Administrative Review Period (appeal period) for the decision. Appeals must be filed with the Appeal Deciding Officer, Randy Moore, Regional Forester, USDA Forest Service, 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592, Attn: APPEALS Additional information pertain to the project, and the Forest Service Record of Decision are posted on-line at www.fs.fed.us/r5/cleveland/projects/sunrise-powerlink/.
[US Forest Service press release]

CURT SAUER ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT - July 12, 2010
Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent Curt Sauer announced that he will be hanging up his flat hat September 30, 2010 after 35 years of federal service. During his seven years as superintendent of Joshua Tree, Sauer prioritized creating positive relationships and mutually beneficial partnerships with the park’s gateway communities. Sauer’s career included serving as chief ranger at Olympic National Park, manager for the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, which is part of North Cascades National Park, park ranger at Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain national parks. He also held seasonal positions with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. He came to Joshua Tree National Park as the acting superintendent in 2002 and was appointed superintendent by National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis, then the director of the Pacific West Region, on October 6, 2003. Sauer is a graduate of Colorado State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in park management. In 1988 he was a recipient of the Regional Director’s Award for Excellence. Sauer served on the National Ranger Activities Council from 1997 to 2001, the last two years as chair. He coordinated the Rangers of the 21st Century project, assisted in the implementation of a National Resource Stewardship and Protection Curriculum, and has served on task groups involved with law enforcement and wildland fire policy. In March of 2001 Curt was selected to participate in the Executive Potential Program, which provides training and development experiences in preparation for leadership positions in the federal government. At Joshua Tree, Sauer was hands-on with the park’s gateway communities and would personally lead tours of the park to increase awareness of park’s benefits and challenges and to encourage stewardship. Sauer oversaw the addition of more than 7,400 acres of privately held land through acquisition or donation to the park, and 36,700 acres of land were upgraded to Wilderness status. Sauer developed and promoted an extensive safety program aimed at reducing accidents and injuries among staff and visitors alike. In announcing his retirement, Superintendent Sauer said, “I would like to thank local communities, the Joshua Tree National Park Association, park friends groups, and my staff for making the last seven years of my 35-year career absolutely joyful for me.” Sauer will continue to reside in the area.
[Joshua Tree National Park press release]

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